reduces the expense of middlemen such as HMSA. The Trust Fund allows us to set the cost of medical for several years, so the hotels know exactly how much they must pay. With HMSA, the hotels have no idea how much their medical plans will increase each year. The ILWU Local 142 will continue to educate the members about the Health & Welfare and encourage units to negotiate this Fund into their contracts.
R-17 Resolution of “Aloha” to Closed Units
The ILWU bids a fond aloha to several units whose companies closed down in the past triennium. These units include: Hawaii Medical Center (Oahu Division) in December 2011; Kamaaina Motors (Hawaii Division) in November 2011; Luana Hills Country Club Oahu Division) in July 2011; Star Ice & Soda Works (Maui Division) in January 2011; Honolulu Advertiser (Oahu Division) in June 2010; Maui Pineapple – Haliimaile (Maui Division) in December 2009; and Kihei Landscaping (Maui Division) in June 2009.
R-18 Resolution on Melvin Chang
The Convention wishes former ILWU Communications Director, Mel Chang the healthy and happy retirement he deserves after so many years of dedicated service to the ILWU. Forty years ago, learning about our union’s history inspired Mel to become an ILWU member. Now he is an important part of our union’s proud history and an inspiration to members who are learning about the ILWU.
R-19 Resolution on the Retirement of Richard Baker, Jr.
The Convention extends sincere appreciation to Hawaii Division Director, Richard Baker Jr. for his long and dedicated service to the ILWU and good wishes for his retirement.
R-20 Resolution on the Retirement of William Kennison
Maui Division Director William Kennison, known by all as Willie, is retiring at the end of the year after more than 30 years as a full-time official. He was congratulated on his well-deserved retirement at the 26th Convention, and the Convention extended sincere appreciation to him for his many years of dedicated service to the ILWU and its members.
Many convention participants, like the Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar workers above, came forward to support William Kennison’s retirement resolution. Members thanked Kennison for being a good leader, for teaching them how to be involved union members, and told him they would miss him very much. Above, l-r: Francis Martin, Wesley Bissen, Esther Manibog, and Daniel Martinez of Unit 2101 - HC&S. Kennison (right) was touched by so many words of thanks and the wishes for a long and happy retirement.
R-21 Resolution on the Retirement of Isaac Fiesta, Jr.
President Fiesta had been an ILWU member since 1968 when he first started working at Pepeekeo Sugar Company, just out of high school. The ILWU Local 142 extends gratitude for his dedicated service and wishes him a long and happy retirement.
R-22 Resolution to Reaffirm the International
ILWU Convention Policies ILWU Local 142 reaffirms the policies adopted by the 35th Convention of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union as correct and proper for guiding and building our Union through the coming years and pledges support for these policies.
R-24 Resolution Supporting the Use of Online Social Media
The Convention encourages the Local to explore the possibility of utilizing online social media as another tool to facilitate communication with our members and to further the union’s goals in organizing, collective bargaining, and member mobilization.
R-25 Resolution to Honor Mary Ann Abregano
Mary Ann Abregano is from the Oahu Division of Unit 4405 Foodland Supermarkets. Mary Ann served as a co-chairperson, co-unit editor, won many awards and served as a Local Executive Board member. Mary Ann recently retired with 37 years of service. She was one of the unit’s historians, knowing exactly why certain language existed in the contract. She will be greatly missed in the 2013 negotiations.
R-26 Resolution in Support of Simmons Manufacturing Company Workers
The Simmons Manufacturing Company has seen a steady reduction in retail customer sales in Hawaii due to the 2008 recession paired with an onslaught on foreign competition. The Convention recognized the struggle the workers face, and pledged to educate members to “buy Union” by signing a petition of support in each Division.
ILWU members Ernesto Ballo from Unit 1403 - Royal Hawaii Orchards LP - Keaau, Melecio Eugenio Jr. from Unit 1402 - Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corp., and Helene Kaiahua-Sado from Unit 2520 - Grand Wailea Resort with Big Island mayor Billy Kenoi.
Constitutional Amendment
The 26th Convention proposed only one amendment to the ILWU Constitution. The amendment changed the limit on the number of observers allowed to view the counting of ballots.
C-1 – Elections - Article XIV Section
14.03.1.3 14.03.1.3 Each candidate shall have the Many convention participants, like the Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar workers above, came forward to support William Kennison’s retirement resolution. Members thanked Kennison for being a good leader, for teaching them how to be involved union members, and told him they would miss him very much. Above, l-r: Francis Martin, Wesley Bissen, Esther Manibog, and Daniel Martinez of Unit 2101 - HC&S. Kennison (right) was touched by so many words of thanks and the wishes for a long and happy retirement. right to have observers present in the room at the counting of ballots. The observers shall state their name to the Chair of the Division Balloting Committee and state for which candidate they are acting as an observer.
Explanation: The previous language of this article of the ILWU Constitution limited the number of observers to one. This change allows as many observers as necessary to observe the counting of ballots. This is a right provided under the Code of Federal Regulations which applies to union elections.
Guest speaker Akinobu Itoh presents ILWU 142 President Donna Domingo with a gift at the 26th Local Convention. Itoh, President of the All Japan Dockworkers’ Union (Zenkowan), spoke about the importance of the international labor solidarity shared between the two unions.
