Rutledge respected
even by opponents

He was 'a man of his word'
in labor talks, a manager recalls

By Russ Lynch
Star-Bulletin

Arthur A. Rutledge was a man of his word who took courageous stands on behalf of Hawaii's workers, while also being a friend to many of the management people across the bargaining table.

That's how two of those who knew him for decades described the labor legend who died last night at the age of 90.

Albert P. Moniz, a longtime executive of Honolulu Rapid Transit Ltd. and later president of Mass Transit Lines Inc., two companies that ran Oahu's bus system, remembers Rutledge fondly.

"I admired the guy," said Moniz, now retired.

"He's a man of his word. You don't need his signature," said Moniz, 80, as he recalled the times when Rutledge led Hawaii Teamsters Local 996 in its contract disputes with the bus companies.

"Although I was management and he was union, it was so easy to get along with him," said Moniz, who remembers when Rutledge's kitchen was the bargaining room and Rutledge's wife Lucille, who died in 1992, cooked for everyone.

Former Honolulu Mayor Frank F. Fasi ended up starting the city's own bus system in 1971 after Rutledge led the Teamsters on a prolonged strike against MTL.

Fasi today described Rutledge as "the smartest, best union leader that the Territory of Hawaii and the State of Hawaii ever had."

"He had the courage of 10 labor leaders," Fasi said. "If there was anybody who was working for the best interests of the union members, it was Art Rutledge."

Fasi said Unity House, the nonprofit fund set up for the benefit of members of the transport and hospitality unions Rutledge headed, shows how much Rutledge did for his people.

"They had more money ... than any other union, even though they didn't have as many members," Fasi said.

See also, "Rutledge" in the News section