A single worker is powerless to bargain with his employer for good wages and conditions. In the same way, a single voter can’t do much to influence the legislature.
Workers join unions so they can bargain as an organized group, and this pays off in better wages, working conditions, and job security. Likewise, unionized workers can organize their votes, which gives them the power to get laws passed that benefit workers and their families.
Through Union Political Action, working people in Hawaii have passed many good laws that have improved the conditions for all working people. Four examples of these laws (see below) are: 1) Workers Compensation Insurance; 2) Temporary Disability Insurance; 3) the Minimum Wage; and 4) the Pre-paid Health Care Act which requires employers to provide medical plans to covered workers.
Political Action Benefits All Workers
Workers Compensation provides payments for wage loss and medical care for workers injured on the job. All medical care, services, and supplies are covered for as long as necessary. The law requires employers to provide this coverage at no cost to the employee. One of the more important benefits of Hawaii’s law is that injuries are presumed to be work related, unless the employer can show substantial evidence otherwise.
Over the years, union political action has continued to make improvements in the basic law by increasing benefits, coverage, and protecting the rights of injured workers. Union political action has also prevented attempts to weaken and eliminate major benefits of the program.
Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) provides partial wage replacement for workers who are unable to work because of illness or injuries not covered by workers compensation.
The program pays 58 percent of your average weekly wage up to a maximum of $396 a week. There is a seven day waiting period and benefits may be paid for as long as 26 weeks.
TDI is often combined with union negotiated sick leave plans in case of long disabilities.
Minimum Wage sets the minimum wage that can be paid to hourly employees. As of this year, Hawaii’s minimum wage is $6.25. This is higher than the federal minimum wage which is currently $5.15.
Raising the minimum wage is good for all workers because it puts more money into the economy, creating jobs and more business activity.
Pre-Paid Health Care Act requires employers to provide single medical coverage to employees who work 20 or more hours a week for at least four consecutive weeks. Employers may require employees to share the cost of the plan up to 1.5 percent of the employee’s monthly wages.
While nearly all unionized workers receive much better health plans, such a law creates a floor below which benefits cannot fall. It also prevents non-union companies from competing unfairly by paying low wages and benefits.
The scoop on . . .
ILWU Union Political Action Priorities set for 2004 legislative session
The ILWU identified the 10 most important political issues which the union will focus on during the 2004 session of the Hawaii State Legislature. The issues deal with health care (2,4), workers rights and benefits (1,3,6,7,8), monitoring tax breaks for business (9), state-wide education (5), and waterfront and longshore issues (10).
The 10 priorities are drawn from the union’s full legislative program which defines the ILWU’s position on a wide range of political issues. The full program contains 102 items and covers economic development, worker rights, health and social services, education, civil liberties, transportation, land use and the environment.
The ILWU is unique among Hawaii unions in having such a broad and extensive legislative program. The main reason for this is that ILWU members themselves work in almost every industry and live and work in almost every community in the state from Kekaha on Kauai to Naalehu on the Big Island. The issues that concern ILWU members are the same issues that concern the people of Hawaii.
All state lawmakers receive a copy of the complete ILWU Legislative Program and the following priorities identified for 2004 Legislative Session.
1. Support legislation to protect workers’ jobs and employment when companies are sold, ownership transferred, management changes or asset sold or transferred and the business continues to operate in a similar mode as under the previous owner or operator (worker retention).
2. Support implementation and expansion of the “Hawaii Rx” law to lower the cost of prescription drugs for Hawaii residents through discounts and rebates from pharmaceutical manufacturers.
3. Oppose reducing the benefits provided by or scope of coverage of Workers Compensation.
4. Protect the Pre-Paid Health Care Act; support for efforts to expand health insurance coverage for the uninsured.
5. Strong support of the statewide, integrated public school system. Support of equalization of opportunity in education, especially for rural Oahu and neighbor islands, with more funding, support and authority to compensate for inequities. Support for excellence in education and additional staffing in core curriculum. Support for more power to school principals in spending to achieve education goals. Support continued statewide budgeting and financing of public education. Oppose school vouchers.
6. Support a State “living wage” program for those workers working for companies contracted by the State or County or for companies conducting business on public property.
7. Strong opposition to any so-called “right-to-work” legislation.
8. Support for “labor neutrality” legislation prohibiting the use of public monies by any business to oppose or support a labor organization.
9. Support legislation ensuring that state subsidies and other assistance are spent wisely and that requires assessments of the cost effectiveness of tax incentive programs and evaluations if promised outcomes are delivered.
10. Support the working waterfront. Any waterfront development must ensure the continued safety and viability of the ongoing operations of the existing maritime related activities, such as the loading and unloading of cargo vessels, in the Honolulu Harbor area, as well as all other ports statewide. Support the Jones Act and the Passenger Service Act.