Each rank-and-file delegate had the responsibility of representing their fellow workers at the Convention as they deliberated and voted on policies over the course of the five-day long event. Approximately 233 rank-and-file members from ILWU units throughout the whole state were in attendance.
Delegates worked in one of three committees: 1) Officers' Report/ Constitution, 2) Resolutions, and 3) ILWU Programs. These were ratified by the membership and will guide decision-making and policies for the next three years. The following reports detail the challenges of the past triennium and provide direction for the Union to move forward in accordance with the membership's needs.
The Report of the Local Officers covered the work of the union in the three years since the last Convention in 2018.
The COVID-19 pandemic encom- passed most of the triennium and brought unprecedented challenges to the Local and the State of Hawaii. However, with strong leadership, the Local was able to successfully navi- gate its way through the pandemic and fought for and protected benefits for the membership.
At one point, almost the entire hos- pitality industry shut down in Hawaii and many members were temporarily laid-off. The Local Officers quickly went to work and secured medical benefits for hotel workers and worked with the Congressional delegation to help secure further medical benefits and strong stimulus plans that included additional unemployment benefits.
Even with the pandemic and signif- icant temporary decline in member- ship, the ILWU has done well for its membership and has been successful in getting into a better financial position. With this growth in finances, the Union upgraded its technology to better prepare for the future and the ongoing pandemic. All halls received upgraded cameras and displays to allow for easier virtual meetings. The Union has also prepared to begin further educational programs and legislative programs to educate the membership.
Organizing Report With the COVID-19 pandemic and the Trump Administration's hostile approach to unions, organizing was extremely challenging during the last triennium. The Department of Labor
That said, organizing quickly mor- phed into mobilizing to help our thou- sands of members and their families who were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Mobilizers helped with unemployment insurance, Med-Quest, job applications, resume building, and skills learning. Almost every day, members needed help and staff and officers were there to assist and help them. This also included helping the Love's Bakery workers who lost their jobs due the closure of Love's Bakery.
Political/Legislative Report The ILWU Local 142 officially joined the Hawaii Labor Coalition (HLC) in 2019 after withdrawing from the Hawaii State AFL-CIO. The HLC meets frequently to discuss legislative proposals and helps individual unions with their legislative efforts.
The ILWU Local 142 successfully defeated harbor authority bills the last couple of legislative sessions and with constant education, no anti-Jones Act legislation has been introduced for the last few years. Our legislative program continues to be a focal point of the union. We actively participate in the legislative process and support or oppose bills. We have various bills introduced each legislative session that we believe ben- efits our membership and all working families. Last session, this included. exempting the income tax from un- employment insurance and raising the minimum wage.
And just like the legislative program, the ILWU Local 142 takes seriously
1. Del Beazley from Unit 4201 McCabe, Hamilton & Renny singing Hawaii Pono'i on the first day of Convention. 2. Maui Division Director Bobby Andrion in the Constitution committee with Michelle Takahama from Unit 2520 Grand Wailea and Michael Bunyard Unit 2505 Westin Maui 3. Local Vice President Corinna Salmo Nguyen answering questions from Maui Division (in foreground Myla Onellion from Unit 2520 Grand Wailea, Ronald Siliado from Unit 2511 Makena Shared Services, Business Agent Emmanuel Baltazar. 4. Local Secretary-Treasurer Brian Tanaka and Parliamentarian Dwight Takamine.
Another big theme of the Convention was honoring ILWU's great history, including the leaders of its past who passed away in the last triennium (see next page R-6). Clockwise from top left is former Maui Division Director Willie Kennison, former International Vice President Hawaii Wesley Furtado, former Hawaii Division Business Agent Roy Jardine, former Kauai Division Director Michael Machado, former Maui Division Director John Arisumi, former Oahu Division Director Dave Mori; at center is former Contract Administrator Michael Murata.
our political action program and works hard to support candidates that support our membership and labor.
If an incumbent does not support our member- ship, we will not support them.