HILO—Hawaii Division recognized their outstanding units at their annual recognition night banquet on February 16, 2008. The best small unit award with 1-29 members went to Unit 1419- A&B Fleet Services. Unit 1412 - Yamada Diversified Corporation won the best mid-size unit award with 30-99 members.
Two units shared the award for large units with 100 and more members. Unit 1401-Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corporation and Unit 1515-The Fairmont Orchid Hotel were recognized for their involvement in Division activities and in representing the union members in their units.
Three members were also given special recognition on their retirement. Joe Costa was recognized by the members of Unit 1518 - Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel. Dennis Evangelista was thanked by his brothers and sisters of Unit 1503 - Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. Malcolm Osaki was honored by Hawaii Division.
Each of them received a clock and plaque engraved with similar messages. “Brother Malcolm Osaki, you have stood with us, you have fought to protect our rights on the job, and you have educated us about the true meaning of the words, “An Injury to One is An Injury to All.” We congratulate you, and want you to know that you will always be a part of the ILWU Local 142. With sincere mahalo and aloha, your brothers and sisters of ILWU Hawaii Division.”
2007 Unit Bulletin award winners
Bulletin editors produce union newsletters which are distributed to the members in their units. Each year, the ILWU recognizes them for the important work they do in keeping members informed about their union.
Gordon Young, the editor for Unit 4406–The Honolulu Advertiser, won the David E. Thompson Award for Statewide Excellence. Division Awards
Hawaii. Best Overall: Unit 1519–Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort, edited by Francine Masuhara-Molina. Runner-up: Unit 1518 – Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel, edited by Frankie Pang.
Maui. Best Overall: Unit 2101– Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar, edited by Robert Zahl.
Kauai. Best Overall: Unit 3410 – Wilcox Memorial Hospital, edited by Doreen Kua.
Oahu: Best new bulletin editors: Unit 4412–Servco Pacific, edited by Serena Fujimoto and Unit 4414–Ball Corporation, edit by Simi Leo.
Some of Maui’s officers and stewards
L-R: Esmenio Sabas–chair of Wailea Ekahi; Lolita Villanueva– steward from Maui Eldorado Resort; Meribeth Rendon–steward from Lanai Company; Orlando DeLeon–chair of Maui Eldorado AOAO.
Rodney Cleveland–steward from Tri Isle and Ester Dumayas– treasurer from Royal Lahaina Resort.
Oahu Division stewards at a training class on March 25, 2008. Union stewards are volunteers who want to help their fellow members on the job. They attend a one-day class which provides some basic training, but they will learn much more from their unit officers and business agents as they get more involved in the union.
Stewards are the backbone of the union
The steward is the very backbone of the union because he or she is the individual responsible for seeing that the union is active at their workplace.
Management has its representatives on the job at every level of operation, and its representatives see that management’s interests are protected at all times. The steward on the job plays the same role for the union.
The most important job of the union steward is to organize the members in their department to solve problems as a group. This is the best way to build a stronger union on the job and to educate members about their rights and benefits under the union contract.
Hawaii Division stewards at a training class in Kona on April 30, 2008. They are learning about the 7 requirements of “just cause” when members are disciplined by management--adequate warning, legitimate rule, due process, fair investigation, proof of guilt, equal treatment, and reasonable penalty.
Hawaii Division stewards discuss how they would defend a member in a discipline case.
