HONOLULU—Graduation on Friday, June 17 was the last event of an intensive five days of learning and interaction for the participants of the 7th ILWU Labor Institute. It was the end of the Institute but just the beginning for taking what they learned back to the membership.
wo of the instructors were asked to share what they thought of the Institute. Randy Wright, from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, spoke from the perspective of a first-time instructor. The director of his program, Diane Thomas-Holladay, had taught at our institutes before and told him a little of what to expect.
“She said to expect people to be friendly and laid back. That there would be a lot of people and a lot of attendance,” Randy said. “What she did not prepare me for was the intensity. The students were intense, the classes were intense, the time was intense, one day was 12 hours long.”
“I have been teaching a lot of people in a lot of unions, and it’s a little bit different experience here to watch people come quickly back from break and be immediately attentive and intense about their learning, and applying experience to practical issues and subjects.” Randy said. “I do appreciate this. Thank you very much for the honor of teaching you and working with you. You’re one of the smartest, brightest and most fun groups I’ve been around, ever.”
Judi King, from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, spoke from the perspective of an instructor who has taught at several of our institutes. She first taught at the 3rd ILWU Labor Institute in 1993.
“Beyond the beautiful setting,” Judi said, “for those of us who are in the business of educating workers and working with union leaders, to work with a group of people who are so dedicated, such firm unionists who are concerned about learning everything they can so they can help their members, and making us feel so much at home, that really is paradise, so we thank for you that.”
New leaders
Four students, one from each Division, were asked to speak about what they learned, what they got out of the institute, or what they will do they go home. They were all very new to the ILWU and just beginning to get more involved as leaders with the union.
Hawaii Division—Parrish Lopes works at the Sack ’n Save Foods in Kona. “Before Monday I didn’t know nothing and wasn’t involved, but I had awesome instructors. They kinda explained the history and what the union means. So I’m different now. I’m going back to the Big Island and I’ll take a position as a steward.”
Maui Division—Bradley Curtis works at the Wailea Resort Golf Course on Maui, which was recently organized into the ILWU. “I just want to thank all the instructors as well. This is the first big meeting like this I’ve ever been to. We’re brand new members over there at Wailea over on Maui. Definitely, I’m going back there and tell the guys and get them all together. I just want to say it was great. I met a lot of nice people here and made a lot of contacts. Some people are in the same industry I’m in and being brand new, it’s nice to give those guys a call and ask for advice and stuff like that.”
Oahu Division—Jenny Seguritan works for Hawthorne Pacific Corporation on Oahu. “I’ve been with the company for a year, but not really elected as a shop steward. My number one intention is to learn exactly what I can do to keep the company in check, because if I don’t do it, nobody else will. But at the same time I met all of you guys and you are totally awesome. I know the history behind what we stand for now. We perpetuate history and we keep it going by constantly taking astand for what is right in the workplace, out of the workplace, in government, out of government. Ultimately its keeping our common roots as human beings, because we’re fighting for ourselves, and as a group we’re fighting for all of us together.”
—continued on page 6
