Members of the newly formed ILWU Local 100 gather at Local 142’s Hale Hapaiko meeting room.

Local 100 leaders with International Vice President - Hawaii Wesley Furtado and Hawaii Longshore Division Unit 4201 Overall Vice Chair Dustin Dawson, who helped to organize the supervisors. (Left to right) Aaron Roman, Drake Rickard, Furtado, Dawson.

HONOLULU—It was a historic gathering on August 14, 2016, when members from four newly-organized units of Hawaii longshore supervisors came together to elect their leadership and plan their future as ILWU Local 100.

Local President Aaron Roman and Local Secretary-Treasurer Drake Rickard were elected to lead Local 100, along with eight Executive Board members who represent each of the new units.

Local 100’s membership includes around 80 ship and barge supervisors, wharf supervisors, container freight station supervisors, dispatchers, vessel and yard planners, facilities and maintenance supervisors, and operations support supervisors. These new ILWU members work at Hawaii Stevedores, Inc. (HSI); Matson Terminals, Inc.; McCabe, Hamilton & Renny Co. Ltd.; and Young Brothers, Ltd.

This was the first Hawaii waterfront organizing in decades, and docks across the islands have been buzzing with excitement and activity this year. “This successful organizing could not have happened without the active support of the members of Local 142’s Unit 4201 and the strong backing of the Hawaii Longshore Division,” stated Wesley Furtado, ILWU Vice President (Hawaii). “Dustin Dawson (Unit 4201 overall vice chair) led the work on the ground and the International’s attorneys won good decisions at the National Labor Relations Board which opened the door for elections at these units.”

ILWU organizing won the right for supervisors to vote on union representation – and these workers responded with a strong “Union Yes!” On April 12, HSI workers went first, voting 34 – 4 to join the ILWU. On May 11, Matson workers voted for the union by a margin of 9 – 2. McCabe workers were next, winning their election 15 – 0 on July 11, followed by a 10 – 0 vote by Young Brothers workers on July 14.

The Local 100 supervisors continue to be active, turning their energy towards negotiating their first union contracts. Each of the four units will have its own collective bargaining agreement, and supervisors have been volunteering their time – coming in before or after their shifts and on their days off – to prepare for the upcoming negotiations.

“The leadership and hard work from Wesley Furtado and his team made this organizing drive a huge success, said International President Bob McEllrath. “We welcome the brothers and sisters of Local 100 into the ILWU family.”