From the very beginning, the ILWU has always proclaimed that the union and every union member must be actively involved in the political life of the community. Political action had to be one of the primary activities of the union. Political action was just as important as negotiating contracts for better wages and benefits; and political action was just as necessary as organizing new workers into the union.

There are five reasons why the union and every ILWU member must be involved in political action.

1 Laws can be made that take away our rights. 
When the ILWU began organizing in Hawaii, a handful of wealthy families owned the sugar and pineapple plantations and the largest companies. Individuals from these families, their attorneys, or the managers and supervisors of their companies ran for elected office as Republicans. Workers were expected to vote for Republicans and could lose their jobs if they voiced any objections or supported Democrats. In this way, big business and their wealthy owners controlled the legislature and government. They used the government and passed laws to preserve their wealth and prevent workers from organizing unions. They passed an Unlawful Assembly and Riot Act which was used to stop union meetings. Union leaders could be arrested for conspiracy and encouraging riots. It was illegal for workers to picket a business because it interfered with commerce and threatened profits of the business owner. The police, the national guard, and the courts were used to control workers. The University was primarily an agricultural school that trained graduates to work for the plantations. 

When workers are not involved in political action, they risk losing their rights.

2 Laws can provide benefits and extend our rights. At the same time the ILWU was organizing sugar and pineapple workers, the union worked to elect candidates who were not connected to big business and supported a more just and democratic society. Most of these candidates identified with the Democratic Party. 

In 1944, union supported candidates won 24 seats in the Territorial Legislature. In 1946, union political action elected 35 legislators and a majority in the 

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Register to Vote

Register to vote anytime before August 19 for the Primary Election or October 4 for the General Election. If you are already registered, you can request an absentee ballot after July 20 and do your voting by mail. It’s easy and there is no need to drive to your polling site or wait in line.