ILWU longshore members on Oahu hold a stop work ratification meeting on January 31. The longshore negotiating committee (left) explains the terms of the contract before members vote.

Hawaii longshore members overwhelmingly approved the terms of a new contract settlement with over 95 percent voting “yes.” The settlement covers basic longshore members working for Hawaii Stevedores, Inc., Brewer, Matson Terminals, and McCabe Hamilton and Renny. Longshore clerks and the maintenance shops also ratified separate settlements in February.

Members on Hawaii and Maui met on January 27, 2003. Kauai met on January 28 and Oahu members met on January 31, 2003. At these meetings, members were given the complete details of the settlement, had a chance to ask questions and
hear explanations from the unions negotiating committee, and voted yes or no on whether to accept the new contract.

The votes were counted after the last meeting on Oahu and the final tally showed over 95 percent of the members voted yes to approve the new contract.

The new contract runs for six years—until June 30, 2008—and mirrors the agreement reached by the West Coast ILWU with the Pacific Maritime Association. Like the West Coast, wages will increase by a total of $3.00 over the life of the contract, however, the wage in- creases for Hawaii come towards the end of the contract. The union negotiating committee agreed to
make this tradeoff in order to match the pension increases achieved by the West Coast. Accordingly, Hawaii pension benefits will increase from the current $95 to $150 multiplied by  each year of service up to a maximum of 35 years.

The new contract includes a short six-month “window” period for longshore workers between the age of 59 and one-half and 62 who retire from active service between January 4, 2003 and June 30, 2003. The “window” provides for no reduction in pension benefits because of age.

In line with the West Coast, the Hawaii settlement maintains all other existing benefits such as the wage guarantee plan, medical, and dental.

Serving on the union negotiating committee were: Chairperson Nathan Lum, Elgin Calles, Raymond Carvalho, Patrick DePonte, Wendall Kiaha, Allen Rabut, Nelson Rita Jr., and spokesperson and Local President Eusebio “Bo” Lapenia Jr.,
assisted by International Representative Wes Furtado and Business Agent Tyrone Tahara.

Next Local Executive Board Meeting: June 19-20, 2003, 10 a.m., Honolulu. Call (808) 949-4161 for more information.