Star-Bulletin archives from November 2006 show the news that pulled the rug out from under hundreds of ILWU workers who had believed repeated assurances from Del Monte that their jobs were secure until 2008.
The ICA ruling upheld a decision by the Hawaii Labor Relations Board, citing bad faith bargaining by Del Monte and awarding them more than $700,000 in additional severance already paid to the workers in 2007.
In Jan. 2006, Del Monte announced plans to shut down its pineapple plantation in late 2008. The ILWU then requested and began bargaining with Del Monte on the effects of the closure.
By the end of 2006, the company accelerated its plans to shut down operations and announced it would close the plantation in Jan. 2007, giving employees only 60 days notice prior to the layoff.
The HLRB ruled that Del Monte breached its statutory duty to bargain in good faith.