Tourism conference participants from Maui Division with officers and ILWU-endorsed candidate for Governor Randy Iwase (center) at the Maui Prince Hotel.
Makena, MAUI—Over 100 rankand-file leaders from 29 ILWU hotels met for two days at the Maui Prince Hotel on March 29-30, 2006 to review what was happening within the tourism industry, to talk about the major issues that concern hotel workers, and to build unity around the union’s goals and strategy for upcoming contract negotiations with hotel management.
Over the next three years, almost the entire membership of the ILWU’s tourism grouping will be negotiating new contracts with the management of their hotels. The tourism grouping is the largest within the union and makes up one-half of the ILWU’s membership of 21,000. The other industrial groups within the ILWU are sugar, longshore, pineapple, and general trades.
In 2006, the ILWU will be negotiating contracts covering 2,800 members at 12 hotels. In 2007, only four hotels will be negotiating new contracts, but in 2008, contracts covering 4,700 ILWU members at 10 hotels will be up for renewal. These contracts set the wages, benefits, and working conditions for the unionized hotel workers.
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION CONCERNING YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO BECOME ACTIVE MEMBERS OF INTERNATIONAL LONGSHORE AND WAREHOUSE UNION, LOCAL 142, AFL-CIO, AND YOUR RIGHTS UNDER LAW
As a result of your current employment, you are eligible for membership in the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, Local 142, AFL-CIO. Union membership is a right and privilege to be proud of.
As an active member of ILWU Local 142 you have the right to participate in the affairs of the Union.
Your participation includes involvement in the formulation of proposals for contract negotiations, voting
on proposed changes to your collective bargaining agreement, attending and participating in regular and
special Union meetings, Union elections, and other affairs of the Union as provided in the ILWU Local 142
Constitution and By-laws.
We believe that most people would want to become active members of the ILWU Local 142, and desire
to fully participate in the affairs of their Union. Strong, active and informed members are essential to the
strength of your Union. Your participation will benefit both you and your co-workers by helping the Union
gain improved wages, benefits and working conditions.
The right, by law, to belong to the Union and to participate in its affairs is a very important right.
Currently, by law, you also have the right to refrain from becoming an active member of the Union and you
may elect to satisfy the requirements of a contractual union security provision by paying monthly dues and
fees to the Union which reflect the representational expenditures of the ILWU Local 142. Please be
advised: That 2.86% of funds were spent in our most recent accounting year (2005) for nonrepresentational
activities; that nonmembers can object to having their union security payments spent on such activities;
that those who object will be charged only for representational activities; and that if a nonmember objects,
the Union will provide detailed information concerning the breakdown between representational and
nonrepresentational expenditures. Any objections by a nonmember shall be filed within 30 days and sent to
ILWU Local 142 at 451 Atkinson Drive, Honolulu, Hawaii 96814.
Please be advised that nonmember status constitutes a full waiver of the rights and benefits of ILWU
Local 142 membership. More specifically, this means you would not be allowed to vote on contract
modifications or new contracts; would be ineligible to hold Union office or participate in Union elections;
and all other rights, privileges and benefits established for and provided for ILWU Local 142 members by
its Constitution and By-laws.
We are confident that after considering your options, you will conclude that the right to participate in
the decision making process of your Union is of vital importance to you, your family, and your co-workers,
and you will complete and transmit your application for membership in ILWU Local 142. Thank you.