The incoming management company of the Pacific Beach Hotel said it has sent "several hundred" employment offer letters to current employees at the Waikiki hotel.

Pacific Beach Corp., an affiliate of hotel owner HTH Corp., said yesterday that it sent the letters to many of the employees who applied for positions when management of the hotel changes hands Dec. 1. The letters were sent Thursday, the hotel said.

The hotel did not say how many letters were sent or how many of the more than 450 employees will be offered jobs. Pacific Beach Corp. said in a statement that it "continues to evaluate applications for all positions at Pacific Beach Hotel and anticipates sending additional offer letters of employment."

Not all current employees have applied for positions, and the hotel said it did not know how large the final workforce will be.

"Our goal is to properly staff the hotel to continue providing the level of service and hospitality that is the signature of our company," said Robert "Mick" Minicola, regional vice president of operations for HTH Corp.

The hotel's announcement came on the same day that the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 142 and supporters held a rally at the hotel to encourage management to rehire all employees. Local 142 has represented hotel workers for three years, but the union and management have yet to come to a contract agreement.

David Mori, ILWU Local 142 O'ahu division director, said the union doesn't know how many letters were sent, but he said some employees who received letters were offered lower-paying jobs.

Mori said the union wants the employees to be offered their current jobs with the same pay and benefit package. He said he also wants the hotel to honor tentative contract agreements that have been negotiated over the past three years.

HTH Corp. announced in August that it was ending its contract with PBH Management LLC, an affiliate of Outrigger Hotels, to manage the 837-room property effective Dec. 1. The employees were notified that they would be laid off on that date.

PBH Management had taken over the property from HTH Corp. on Jan. 1.

Reach Curtis Lum at culum@honoluluadvertiser.com.