What every new member should know!

What is “I.L.W.U.”? 
ILWU stands for International Longshore Warehouse Union. ILWU was created in 1934 when longshore and warehouse workers on the West Coast of the United States merged to form a single union.

In 1937, longshore workers in Hawaii chose to join up with the ILWU because it was a democratic union that stood for racial equality within its membership. Hawaii members of Hawaiian and Asian descent to unite no matter their difference in race.

Within a few years, tens of thousands of sugar and pineapple workers also joined the ILWU. ILWU principles of brotherhood no matter one’s ethnicity brought together Hawaii’s workers, and this strength in numbers brought down the powerful employer groups that controlled the islands.

Because the ILWU protected their jobs, members could afford to be more politically active and involved in community affairs. ILWU members voted candidates into office who supported legislation to benefit working families. This created Hawaii’s journey into being one of the most progressive states in America.

What is Local 142? 
Local 142 is one of over 60 separate locals in California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Canada, and Panama.

Many of these locals were part of the ILWU since the 1930s, like ILWU Local 142. Being part of the ILWU means a shared connection to historical struggle and triumph for a democratic union run by the membership.

Each local contributes money to run the overall ILWU organization, which is called the “International ILWU” or just “International.”

The International headquarters are in San Francisco, California.

Local 142 is based only in Hawaii. We have our own officers, constitution, and structure. Our headquarters are located in Honolulu at 451 Atkinson Drive.

Local 142 is made up of four geographical divisions — Hawaii, Maui, Kauai, and Oahu, and one industrial division of Longshore that covers members statewide.

Who are our members?

“ILWU covers it all — from womb to tomb!”

so goes the saying! Why? Because our members come from so many different kinds of industries, including everything from hospitals to mortuaries.

ILWU members hold diverse jobs: from auto technicians from Servco, to divers for Alohilani Resort’s indoor fish tank, the ILWU has the experience in representing a whole range of skillsets and professions.

Our four official industrial groupings are: longshore, general trades (units such as Love’s Bakery and Foodland, or Polynesian Adventure Tours - top right), pineapple, longshore, and tourism.

Yup, we have sports, too! We are the only union with a statewide sports program, where members from all islands (pictured here are Kauai members) can play.

“In a real sense, all life is interrelated. The agony of the poor impoverishes the rich; the betterment of the poor enriches the rich...Whatever affects one affects all.” -- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., an ILWU supporter and staunch advocate for unions.