them to sign. With online applications, the union has to rely on friends and family to contact the workers that are hired. Organizers must sign up at least 70-80% of the workers to ensure a safe margin to overcome the company’s anti-union campaign. He concluded by recognizing the organizing team of Local 142, which he said was doing an outstanding job.

Mainland 
International Vice President (Mainland) Ray Familathe also praised his International organizing team for their hard work and dedication. To illustrate the challenges and opportunities facing ILWU organizing efforts on the mainland, he noted several strategic campaigns.

The first resulted with recycling industry workers in Alameda County achieving industry-leading wages and benefits. The campaign began by improving existing contracts covering the more than 200 members of Local 6. Non-union workers at Alameda County Industries organized and joined the ILWU. Their fight was lengthy and difficult with multiple strikes and job actions, but the workers have now secured wages that will soon pay almost $21 an hour with excellent benefits.

Next was a joint organizing drive with the Inlandboatmen’s Union, involving strategic targets, which resulted in the first successful tugboat organizing campaign on the West Coast in 20 years, and an ongoing campaign to help fuel dock workers organize in Dutch Harbor Alaska.

Next was a joint organizing drive with the Inlandboatmen’s Union, involving strategic targets, which resulted in the first successful tugboat organizing campaign on the West Coast in 20 years, and an ongoing campaign to help fuel dock workers organize in Dutch Harbor Alaska. concluding that these efforts may require multiple campaigns over many years to succeed.

LeRoy King honored 
One of the most poignant proposals to reach the floor celebrated seven decades of union service by ILWU member LeRoy King. This was the first convention since the 1940’s that King was unable to attend. Countless speakers noted his rare absence and praised his lifelong commitment to the union. The resolution (R-21) honoring King passed unanimously after many heartfelt testimonials, including one from San Francisco IBU Regional Director Marina Secchitano, who was unable to hold back tears as she described King’s role as her mentor who taught her about the union that he loved so much. After the resolution passed, King was informed by telephone of the resolution honoring his lifetime of service, while resting in his San Francisco home. The news gave him great comfort and joy, according to Local 6 SecretaryTreasurer Fred Pecker, who placed the call just one day before King passed peacefully in his sleep.

Longshore Division members worked hard to prepare barbeque for convention delegates and guests who attended the “Hawaii-style” get together held on Wednesday, June 10, 2015. ILWU members and staff from all divisions set up, prepared food, tended bar, and cleaned up for the three-hour event.

Oahu Division pineapple members Jimmy Barreras (Unit 4301 - Dole Fresh Fruit) and Ruperto Agustin (Unit 4305 - Dole Plantation) work at the buffet line on Wednesday night. The “Hawaii-style” get-together, which hosted nearly 800 delegates and guests, was held at the ILWU hall on Atkinson Drive.

Officers nominated 
As stated in the Constitution, delegates nominate the union’s titled officers and executive board on the last day of the Convention which was June 12. International President Robert McEllrath, International Vice President (Hawaii) Wesley Furtado, International Vice President (Mainland) Ray Familathe and International SecretaryTreasurer Willie Adams will run for re-election. All four candidates will be running unopposed.

he following candidates were nominated to represent Hawaii on the International Executive Board: 
• Nelson Rita (Longshore grouping) 
• Douglas Cabading (Pineapple grouping) 
• Lynden Koerte (General Trades grouping) 
• Kelly Ruidas (Sugar grouping) 
• Michael Dela Cruz and Mary “Swanee” Rillanos were nominated to represent the Tourism grouping and will face a run-off election to determine the winner.

Other ILWU areas also nominated their candidates for the International Executive Board, but will not appear on the Hawaii ballot. The International Election is conducted by mail and Hawaii members should receive ballots for the International Election in July.

Per Capita 
The International Union reported that finances were in order and recommended no increase in per capita for 2015-2016 and 2016-2017. A modest 3% increase was approved by the Convention effective July 1, 2017. Local 142 pays its per capita to the International out of Local dues.

Seini Dennis, editor at Unit 2505 - The Westin Maui, reported on the International Convention in the June 2015 issue of her bulletin: “I have come to understand also that many people are unaware . . . about exactly what our unions do. Corporations love to direct working people to misunderstand the role of a union, using misinformation and outright lies to mislead workers into believing that unions aren’t looking out for them, but for their own agendas. Having worked for many nonunion employers prior to my arrival at the Westin Maui, I can personally attest to the many advantages of a strong union behind me.”