About 120 representatives of the ILWU’s 20 pensioner clubs from all Divisions gathered on June 23-25 in Hilo for the 24th biennial conference of the ILWU State Pensioners Association. They heard from guest speakers, passed resolutions, and had a grand time seeing old friends and making new ones.
As has been the practice for the past several years, the ILWU Memorial Association (M.A.) has sponsored the conference, paying expenses for two delegates from each club to attend. In addition, numerous pensioners paid their own way to enjoy the fellowship and fun with other ILWU pensioners.
ILWU pensioner club members are not only retired bargaining unit members but others in the community with a kinship to the ILWU. Some are nonbargaining retirees, others are retired members of other unions, still others are just people living in the community who support ILWU principles and programs. Anyone is welcome to join.
Guest Speakers
Richard Baker, Hawaii Division Director, welcomed the pensioners to the Big Island. He thanked them for visiting his home island and assured them all of a good time.
Rep. Dwight Takamine, the son of retired Hawaii Division Director and current M.A. vice president Yoshito Takamine, expressed appreciation to the retirees for their sacrifice and hard work and described some of the programs that are providing for the needs of seniors on the Big Island. Rep. Takamine is running for Senate District 1 (Hilo to Waimea).
Alan Parker, head of the Hawaii County Office on Aging, recognized the ILWU as an organization and individual ILWU retirees for their contributions to the senior programs on the Big Island. Several individuals have been honored for their work, including Tom Poy, president of the ILWU State Pensioners Association, who was selected Outstanding Male Senior for Hawaii County in 2008.
A favorite among the pensioners, Ah Quon McElrath reminded delegates about their struggles to earn a living and raise a family, yet, despite it all, they and the ILWU contributed to better the working and living conditions of everyone in the state. She said that while the U.S. may be a rich, strong country, that alone does not ensure democracy for all—it’s in our hands.
Eadie Omonaka and Lance Kamada spoke to delegates about the boycott at Pacific Beach Hotel and the six-year struggle of the workers to achieve a fair contract. The pensioners learned more about the boycott of the hotel’s parent, HTH Corporation, and its sister company, Pagoda Hotel & Restaurant.
Thanks to John Arisumi, the “hat” (actually a box cover) was passed and more than $300 was collected to support the “free store” for Pacific Beach Hotel workers who were laid off or have reduced work hours. The pensioners also enjoyed a lively slideshow of images depicting the picketing and support for the Pacific Beach workers. Masako Dooher, a retiree from King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel, which was formerly owned by HTH Corporation, expressed impromptu and enthusiastic support for the Pacific Beach Hotel workers.
The pensioners also heard from Fred Galdones, ILWU Local 142 president, and Guy Fujimura, secretary-treasurer. Galdones informed the pensioners that the Legislature declared September 1-7 as Labor History Week. Since schoolchildren know very little about labor history and labor unions, the ILWU wants to assist teachers with speakers on labor history. Pensioners were asked to complete a survey to indicate their interest. Fujimura spoke on the importance of the political process and reminded pensioners that “special interests” is often used as a code for something bad. But if special interests means being for the working class, then what’s wrong with that? Fujimura also told the pensioners that those who want a Constitutional Convention want to “turn back the clock.” The pensioners adopted a resolution opposing ConCon.
The Fun Begins . . .
After the first half day of meeting, the pensioners enjoyed a Casino Bash, put on by the Hawaii County Parks & Recreation. Following a chicken hekka dinner prepared by Isaac Fiesta and the rest of the Hawaii Division culinary crew, there was poker, video slots, blackjack, roulette, and, of course, BINGO.
The afternoon of the second day was set aside for “free time.” Buses from Hawaii County Economic Opportunity Council were available to transport the delegates to the mall, farmers’ market, and museums. Most of the pensioners enjoyed shopping for omiyage for family and friends back home.
On the third day, the group took an excursion to Hilo’s premier astronomy center at ‘Imiloa. Complete with planetarium and exhibits, the center has been open for a year and offered the pensioners an opportunity to experience Mauna Kea and learn more about the culture of the Big Island.
Biennial Conference
The pensioner conference is held every two years and rotates among the Divisions. The next conference will be held in 2010 on Oahu. All of the pensioners who attended this year’s conference plan to attend the next conference in two years.
Join a pensioners club
ILWU pensioner clubs are looking to recruit more members. These clubs are supported by the ILWU Memorial Association and a number of units have set aside funds which also support the activities of these clubs
The clubs meet regularly to socialize with friends, plan excursions, or play bingo. The clubs also support the work of the union, such as political action.
ILWU retirees may join any existing club or can start a club of their own. Some clubs are organized by retirees who live in the same area. Other clubs are organized by retirees in the same industry, such as hotels, longshore and pineapple.
Call your Division pensioner coordinator for more information. Coordinators for each Island are: Hawaii - George Martin, phone 935-3727. Maui - Call Teddy Espeleta, phone 244-9191. Kauai - Michael Machado, phone 245-3374 Oahu - Brandon BajoDaniel - phone 949-4161.
Statewide coordinator and ILWU Social Services coordinator Joanne Kealoha, Honolulu phone 949-4161.
Sick around the world
Unlike the United States, many countries of the world see health care as a basic right and every person should have access. The Public Broadcasting Station (PBS) recently aired an excellent program produced by T.R. Reid that compared the health care systems of five countries with that of the United States.
In Switzerland, health care insurance cost $750 a month. The co-pay is 10%, but no more than $420 a year. Insurance companies are not allowed to make profit on basic care and must cover everyone. They can make money on supplemental insurance. Insurers negotiate with providers to set standard prices for services.
In Taiwan, the premium for health care insurance is only $50 a month for a family of four. Co-pay is $6-$7 per visit. One government run insurer provides the insurance and everyone is required to buy this insurance. People can see any doctor any time. Smart cards are used to pay all medical bills. This helps to keep administrative costs down and track usage.
In Japan, the family premium is $280 a month and employers usually pay more than half of this cost. Their copay is 30% but there is an annual maximum based on your income. Everyone is required to buy insurance. Insurance and doctors are all private. The Ministry of Health sets prices which keeps prices low. Patients don’t need referrals and can see any doctor or get any service they want.
In Germany, health care insurance is $750 a month but can be lower based on your income. Co-pay is $5 a month. Insurance companies are nonprofit and must cover everyone at the same price. Insurance companies can make profits by selling premium plans.
In the United Kingdom, the government runs the health care system, which is supported by the public treasury (their taxes). There are no co-payments and no billing, so administrative costs are low. A general practitioner acts as a gatekeeper and patients must get a referral before going to specialists. The downside of this system is longer waits and limited choices.
You can go to the PBS website to watch this program, which includes interviews with doctors, politicians, health care experts, and the public who get the health care. Go to: http:// www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/ sickaroundtheworld/
Superferry members learn how union works
New unit officers and job stewards of the Hawaii Superferry attend a training class on the benefits of their union contract and how to build the union at their jobsite. The class was at the ILWU Hall on Atkinson Drive in Honolulu.
