ILWU democracy puts the members in charge of their union. They do this by meeting in convention to decide the policies and programs of the union, set the finances and budget, and make all other rules which govern the union. The Convention is the highest governing body of the union. It is held once every three years in the month of September.
The 27th Convention of the ILWU Local 142 was held from September 21-25, 2015, at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort in Honolulu, Hawaii. A total of 320 rank and file members were in attendance. Included in the total were the three Titled Officers and the four ILWU International Officers. The delegates and observers were elected by members from ILWU units throughout the State of Hawaii. There also were 58 fraternal (retirees) and guests from Mainland ILWU locals in attendance for a total of 378 participants.
Hawaii Longshore Division sent 59 delegates, 101 delegates represented Maui Division, Oahu Division was represented by 63 delegates, Hawaii Division had 56 delegates, and Kauai Division sent 34 delegates.
The delegates worked hard for five days and a few night sessions. Local President Donna Domingo began the Convention by calling it to order. Unit 2401 Pulama Lanai (Heavy Division) Vice Chairperson Garrett Hera then delivered the invocation. The Royal Hawaiian Band—founded in 1836 by King Kamehameha III—then played the Star Spangled Banner and Hawaii Ponoi.
Local Vice President Teddy Espeleta requested that the Convention observe a moment of silence in remembrance of our departed union brothers and sisters in the past triennium. U.S. Representative Mark Takai welcomed the delegates and acknowledged the importance of the ILWU in changing Hawaii for the better. The ILWU brought together all the different ethnic groups as one and used the strength of coming together while the plantation owners were trying to keep them apart.
Committees review the work of the past three years
After guest speakers ILWU International President Robert McEllrath and U.S. Representative Tulsi Gabbard addressed the Convention, the Convention was recessed and the delegates headed to one of four committees: Constitution; Officers’ Report and Resolutions (including Organization); Contract Administration; and Programs, which included membership services, sports, Memorial Association, publicity, education, library and archives, housing, and political action.
“Why Unions Still Matter” presentation
On the second day, guest speakers ILWU International Vice President (Mainland) Ray Familathe and ILWU International Secretary-Treasurer Willie Adams addressed the Convention. Guest speaker Grainger Ledbetter, a Labor Education Specialist from the University of Alabama, Little Rock, Institute for Economic Advancement conducted a lecture on “Why Unions Still Matter”. After the presentation the convention was recessed and the delegates resumed their work in the four committees.
Triennial budget discussed and adopted
On the third day, U.S. Senators Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono addressed the Convention via videos because the Senate was in session. Delegates adopted a budget for the next three years and approved the reports on the work of the committees that had completed their work. This included adopting several constitutional amendments and resolutions. In a night session, guest speaker Grainger Ledbetter conducted a workshop on creating a vision and developing an action plan as a followup to his previous lecture.
On the fourth day, delegates continued to approve committee reports and adopt resolutions. Before recessing, the five Industrial Groupings held caucuses for the nominations of their representatives for the Local Executive Board.
Retirement resolutions and officer nominations
Maui Business Agent Abel Kahoohanohano, Jr., retired earlier in the year and Kauai Division Director Michael Machado will retire this year. Resolutions honoring the two ILWU leaders were adopted by the Convention on the fifth and last day. ILWU International Vice President (Hawaii) Wes Furtado addressed the Convention before handing over the nomination of candidates for the Local’s Titled Officers and Local Executive Board Industrial Grouping Representatives to retired Local President Fred Galdones.
President Donna Domingo, Vice President Teddy Espeleta and SecretaryTreasurer Guy Fujimura were nominated and will be running unopposed. The following candidates were nominated to the Local Executive Board: Samuel Kaaihue (Longshore grouping), Samuel Ramirez (Pineapple grouping), Boyd Isnec (General Trades grouping), and Rhonda Morris (Tourism). Ester Manibog & Charles Andrion were nominated to represent the Sugar grouping and will face a run-off election to determine the winner.
Many of the delegates were active and vocal in the committees and on the floor of the Convention. Some debates were heated, but differences were always settled by full discussion and a democratic vote. The Convention left the Local more united and stronger than ever.
The actions of the Convention must be submitted to the membership of the union for their approval. Ratification meetings will be held in October and November in all Divisions to give members a report of what happened at the Convention and to get their vote of approval. The next issue of the Voice of the ILWU will contain more details on the work of the Convention.
Look for a detailed report on the Convention in the next issue of the VOICE of the ILWU