ILWU Local 142 members have the power to decide how the union will be run by choosing leaders who best represent them—and members exercise this power by voting for statewide and Division officers in the union’s Local Election which is held every three years. The Local Election is a crucial part of union democracy, and Local 142 always looks for ways to improve active participation in its democratic processes.

In December 2016, the ILWU’s Local Executive Board determined that changing from a worksite balloting procedure to mail balloting would ensure that the union is able to properly conduct its elections, make it easier for members to vote, increase cost effectiveness, and assure members that the election is being conducted fairly.

This year, a new balloting procedure was drafted which extends the union’s voting period from one to four weeks. During that time, ballot packets will be mailed to each eligible member’s home address. Members who vote by absentee ballot in regular Hawaii state elections will recognize the types of items in the mail ballot packet: a ballot, voting instructions, a secret ballot envelope to prevent tabulation staff from knowing how each individual voted, and a postage paid return envelope to mail in the ballot.

The general time-line for ILWU officer elections—which includes an announcement of nomination and election in July, deadlines for nomination by petition on September 15 and titled officer nominations at the Local Convention in September, and balloting starting in November— will not change.

Making sure union elections will be conducted as scheduled 
One of the main reasons for the Local’s switch to mail balloting is the staffing difficulty associated with worksite balloting. The ILWU has approximately 18,000 members statewide and requires over 200 balloting committee members to conduct its Local election. All of the balloting committee people are rank-and-file ILWU members who need to secure a union leave of absence (LOA) approval from employers. Over the past 10 to 15 years, it has become increasingly difficult to secure leaves of absence because many companies are operating with reduced workforces.

In addition, several larger units that require larger balloting committees— like supermarkets units—are requesting LOAs for the week before Thanksgiving, when work is busiest.

Because employers are not required to approve union leave, there is the possibility that a unit may schedule workplace voting and not have anyone to conduct it—which would deprive members of the opportunity to vote and expose the union to election challenges that may drive up the cost of election. Mail balloting eliminates the need to rely on the employer to release workers in order to conduct the election.

Increasing access to voting 
While voting at the worksite has several advantages—such as members taking an active role in running elections—it also bears a disadvantage that has the potential to deprive members of the opportunity to vote. In order to participate in work place voting, members must be at work, at the company worksite. If a member works from home, or is not scheduled to work, or is on sick leave or vacation, or has been temporarily transferred to another worksite or labor-loaned, it is more difficult for them to vote. 

Voting by mail sends a ballot directly to each member’s home, rather than requiring the member to be present at a specific worksite when balloting is being conducted.

Election cost effectiveness 
Over the past 15 years, the cost of the Local Election has steadily increased. There are several reasons for this, including increases in the price of postage for mailing out election notices in the VOICE of the ILWU.

However, the main reason for rising election costs is the union’s success in negotiating better wages. Most of the money spent on ILWU elections pays for the lost wages of members who conduct balloting. ILWU negotiating committees have consistently bargained wage increases over the years, so payments for lost wages necessarily go up.

Voting by mail will allow the union to run a more cost effective election, because the projected cost of mail balloting is less than half that of worksite voting.

What can members do to prepare for mail balloting? 
Mail ballot elections rely on an accurate voter list with current mailing addresses, so it is very important for members to notify the union if their address has changed. Members can inform their steward, unit officer, or Business Agent—or call the Division Office nearest you:

Hawaii Division at 935-3727
Maui Division at 244-9191
Kauai Division at 245-3374
Oahu Division at 949-4161
Hawaii Longshore Division at 949-4161

Please look for future announcements in the VOICE on your union officer election, and be ready to vote by mail.