PORTLAND, Oregon—For the first time, on April 29 - May 2, 2005, the ILWU participated in the AFLCIO’s union industries show, a trade show that exclusively showcases union goods and services and promotes public interest in union industries.

This year’s show was held in Portland, Oregon, and Jeff Smith of Local 8 served as overall coordinator for the ILWU. West coast longshore, Portland’s Local 5 (Powell’s Bookstore) and Hawaii sent representatives to participate in the show and staff the ILWU booth. Hawaii sent four members to join International Vice President Wesley Furtado and International Representative Mathew Yamamoto: Wilma Revilla from Unit 1402 - Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corp., Lena Staton from Unit 2512 - Renaissance Wailea Beach Resort, Martin Jenson from Unit 2306 - Maui Pineapple Co., and Kauai Business Agent Pam Green.

“We had 33 union members from nine locals in the ILWU,” said Smith. “Locals 4, 5, 8, 12, 21, 40, 63, 94 and 142 all did their part to help make the booth a success. I have to give credit to 142—your products really made the show. Hawaii did an excellent job.”

“We were one of the most popular booths at the show,” said Green. “It may have been the novelty of us being from Hawaii, or our palm tree and hibiscus plant decorations, but we definitely got a good public response to our booth. I would say we had more one-on-one contact with people than many of the other unions.”

According to Yamamoto, a lucky number drawing was set up each day and periodically the ILWU would give away goodie bags with Maui turbinado and Kauai Coffee, pineapple, or the grand prizes—which included stays at luxury hotels and rounds of golf.

“Giant crowds would come around for the pineapple and giveaways,” said Jenson. “People never knew there was pineapple on Maui, especially canned pineapple. Hawaii is the only place where Maui Pine markets canned pineapple under its own label. We got to educate them about our industries, which was real nice.”

ILWU members from Hawaii got an education, too. “There were so many unions that I wasn’t even aware of, like technical and professional unions,” said Staton. “This show really raised my awareness about how many products out there come from union houses.”

“This was a very positive experience, both for us and for the people who went to the show,” said Revilla. “We got to know other union members—and the public learned about our Hawaii union industries.”

Furtado, who oversaw Local 142’s participation in the event, was encouraged by the general public’s response to union industries at the show. “This has been a good project for the ILWU to be involved in, and I want to thank everyone at the Divisions who helped us prepare, as well as the rank-and-filers who took the time to join us in Portland,” he said.

“Public reaction was very, very good,” added Smith. “People came and found out more about the ILWU. We’re longshore, we’re Powell’s, we’re sugar, pineapple, mac nut, and tourism in Hawaii. People have a better idea about the real diversity in the kinds of work that ILWU members do.” ◆

The ILWU booth was very popular, with crowds of over 200 people gathered around when prize drawings for ILWU products were held. Prizes given away to the public by ILWU-organized companies included Big Island macadamia nuts, Maui pineapple, Maui and Big Island hotel packages, Kauai coffee, and Big Island and Oahu golf packages.

(L-r) Lena Staton from Unit 2512 - Renaissance Wailea Beach Resort, International Vice President (Mainland) Bob McEllrath, International Representative Mathew Yamamoto, International Vice President (Hawaii) Wesley Furtado, and Kauai Division Business Agent Pamela Green. Missing: Willma Revilla from Unit 1402 -Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corp. and Martin Jenson, Unit 2306 - Maui Pineapple Company.

Martin Jenson of Unit 2306 - Maui Pineapple Company extolls the virtues of pineapple grown on Maui by union workers.