“We get to wake up every morning and go to work for the people. That’s a privilege, and a serious responsibility.” This is how President Chris West opened the 2025 Full-time Officers Training - the first in the new triennium focused on education to strengthen the union from bottom to top. 

The January 13-17 full-time officers’ training, titled Fortifying Foundations, Sharpening Spears, focused on administrative duties that keep the union organized and secure, as well as methods and techniques to increase unit strength and negotiation outcomes. Full-time Officers are the elected Business Agents, Division Directors, and Titled Officers. 

This first training kicked it all off by getting to the core of what union work is about. Leadership coach Kaʻala Souza asked officers a simple but critical question: Why do we do this work? The discussions and activities that followed highlighted the nature of a Full-time Officer’s job— fighting for what’s right, making a difference in people’s lives, and equalizing the balance of power between the employer and working people. President West drove that point home in his opening remarks, reminding everyone that while most people work for a boss, ILWU officers have the privilege of working for the members. And such duty-driven work requires great preparation for the fights ahead.

On Tuesday, FTO’s took a deep dive into collective bargaining—building research-backed proposals, identifying leverage points, and crafting negotiation strategies that drive forward movement for members. Officers tested their skills in mock negotiations against seasoned union negotiators, learning how to push back when employers try to delay, divide, or derail the process. Every step of the way, they were coached by experienced leaders, sharpening their ability to win strong contracts.

But bargaining is only half the battle. The best proposals in the world won’t move an employer unless members are standing behind them, ready and willing to stand. That’s why Thursday’s focus was  mobilizing— negotiations and mobilizing being two sides of the same coin. Officers practiced real conversations with members, moving past initial complaints to the deeper issues that fuel action. They practiced turning frustration into energy, identifying leaders, and building contract campaigns that members take ownership over.

Of course, running a union takes more than just negotiations and mobilizing. Officers also sharpened their administrative skills to ensure the union stays strong and secure. While not the most exciting part of the work, sound administration is what keeps the whole operation running and protected from anti-union efforts. 

Training wrapped up on Friday and the FTO’s returned to their regular work on Monday with more tools in their toolbox to see through the best outcomes for their fellow members. 

The new triennium has just begun, and education will be a priority at every level—because the stronger the membership, the stronger the union. Coming up soon are unit officer training that aim to ensure that workplace leaders have the tools they need to organize, mobilize, and enforce contracts. The Local is also coordinating industrial grouping caucuses, which will begin this year. Industrial caucus brings together rank-and-file members from the same industries to  strategize together for the campaigns that lie ahead.

Your FTO’s spent one week in focused training. And now  this is where you come in. Opportunities for rank-and-file members to get involved open up daily. More training is on the horizon. The fights ahead won’t be easy—but together, we’ll be ready. When the call comes to stand up for yourself and your fellow workers, will you be ready? Your union reps are.