If you want more information about your union or union contract; if you have a problem on the job; if you want to become more involved with your union, the first person you should talk to is your union steward or unit officer.

Unit officers and stewards are elected by the members of your unit to help their fellow union members on the job. They serve as volunteers and receive no extra pay or special treatment.

If you don’t know who your officers or stewards are, ask your fellow workers. Some units will post the names of the officers and stewards on the union bulletin board.

In large units or where there are many work shifts and job sites, you may have a hard time getting in touch with your unit officers. In this case, you should contact your business agent directly or call your ILWU Division Office on your island--the phone numbers and contact information is listed on pages 4, 5 and 6 in this paper.

Longshore members on all islands should call the Hawaii Longshore Division in Honolulu at 949-4161 or their longshore business agent. (See page 6.)

Call your business agent 
You should call your business agent directly if there is any serious problem or if the company plans to discipline you. Always remember you have the right to request the presence of your union representative if the company begins to ask you questions which may lead to your discipline.

Know your time limits 
You must respond to many problems such as disciplinary cases within the time limit set by your union contract. The time limit in most hotels is six working days so you must act quickly. Know the time limit for a first step grievance for your contract.

The union gives all business agents a cell phone and agents are expected to carry their phones and be available during reasonable hours seven days a week.

Business agents give their business cards to unit officers and members and the cards list their cell phone number and email address.

See your agent on the job 
Business agents are assigned to work with specific units and should visit your workplace regularly as needed. They use these visits to talk to unit officers and stewards, help out with any problems, and keep informed about what is happening at the company.

If you see your business agent making the rounds at your workplace, you can talk to them during your break or on non-work time. You should ask your supervisor for permission if you are on working time.

Your business agent may sometimes call you first. Many companies send the union copies of personnel changes and possible disciplinary actions. Your business agent or unit officer may contact you to gather more information or to ask if you need advice or assistance.

Call your Division Office 
You can always call your Division Clerk during office hours between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm and ask to speak to your Business Agent. If you don’t know your Business Agent, the Division Clerk may ask what company you work for. This is because every business agent is assigned to service a company or workplace in the ILWU.

If your Business Agent is not in the office, leave a detailed message with the clerk or on the agent’s voice mail—your name, your workplace, and a phone number and the best time to return your call for the next day or two. Repeat your phone number slowly as voice mail messages are sometimes hard to understand.

Business Agents spend a lot of time on the road but they usually check their phone messages and email when they first come into the office in the morning or when they return to the office in the late afternoon. They should return your call promptly.

What to do in an emergency 
If your problem has an approaching time limit or in case of an emergency, you should ask your division clerk to call your business agent immediately and have the agent contact you as soon as possible.

Another option is for you to speak to the Division Director about the nature of your problem or emergency. The Division Director may give you advice, follow-up with the business agent involved, or take care of the problem directly.

No charge for service 
As an ILWU member, you are entitled to all the services of the union at no charge. You have the support and backing of an entire organization that is dedicated and committed to helping you.

The business agents in your Division work as a team and share their knowledge and expertise on your rights and benefits under the union contract, labor laws, and government benefits such as Workers’ Compensation, Unemployment Insurance, Safety and Health, Wage and Hour rules, and more.

Your business agents also have the support of a professional staff in Honolulu, which includes a social worker, contract administration, and attorney. The ILWU also uses law firms and expert consultants on medical and pension matters.

The union dues you pay cover the cost of these experts, your business agents, the union staff, and the buildings that serve as offices and meeting places. You probably pay less in union dues then your phone, cable TV, electric or water, car insurance, gas, or any other bill. As an ILWU member you are protected on the job every day you go to work. It’s an essential benefit every worker needs.

Get to know your officers: Local Titled Officers

Donna Domingo 
Local President

Donna Domingo was hired at the Maui Lu Resort in 1981 and became a lead front desk clerk in 1995. She served as steward, secretary-treasurer, vice chair and unit chair of her unit. She also served as a Trustee on the Local Executive Board. Donna was elected as Local Vice President in 2003 and as Local President in 2012.

Teddy B. Espeleta 
Local Vice President

Teddy Espeleta was hired at the Maui Pineapple Company at Haliimaile in 1983. He served as unit steward in 1988, then as first vice chair in 1991, and as unit chairperson from 1994 to 2003. He was elected as a business agent in 2003 until 2012. Teddy was elected Local Vice President in 2012.

Guy K. Fujimura 
Local Secretary-Treasurer

Guy Fujimura became an ILWU member when he started work at Loves Bakery in 1974. He served the unit as head steward, unit chair and as an organizer for the Local. He was appointed Local Secretary-Treasurer in 1985, and then was voted in as Secretary-Treasurer in every election since then.

The top executive officers of ILWU Local 142 Hawaii are the President, the Vice President, and the Secretary-Treasurer.

They serve the same three year terms as business agents from January 2, 2013, to January 1, 2016.

In addition to their individual duties, the officers work collectively as a three-person team called the “Titled Officers.” Together they direct and coordinate the work of the union and all other officers.

They work out of the Honolulu Office, but Donna and Teddy may sometimes work out of the Maui ILWU Office.