Are you a new employee, hired within the last 12 months? If so, this issue of the Voice of the ILWU was prepared especially for you. As a union member, you are entitled to many rights and benefits and some responsibilities. This issue will help get you started with the essential information you need as a member of the ILWU. (Even longtime members may find the information useful.)

First of all, the Voice of the ILWU is the official newspaper of the ILWU Local 142. You are receiving the newspaper because
you are now a member of the ILWU. Your membership in the ILWU started when you were hired into your job. At the time
you were hired, you signed a form which allows for the automatic payment of union dues by payroll deduction. This form also serves as an application for membership in the union.

The company you work for is a unionized company, which means all workers covered by the union contract must also become members of the union. This is only fair as all workers covered by the union are equally entitled to the wages, benefits, and protection of the union contract. The workers who are part of the union are sometimes called “covered” workers or “bargaining unit” employees.

A few employees at your company are excluded by U.S. labor law from becoming members of the ILWU. These include supervisors, security guards, and certain professional and confidential employees. Employees who are excluded from the union are sometimes referred to as “non-bargaining” employees. While they are excluded from joining the ILWU, they can organize or join a different union.

In some companies, the ILWU may represent only one part of the workforce, such as only distribution or only clerical workers. The other workers may be represented by another union, or, if there is enough interest, could be organized into the
ILWU. Call the ILWU Organizing Department if you know people who want to join the union.

—more on pages 2-6

Next Local Executive Board Meeting: March 20-21, 2003, 10 a.m., Honolulu