New triennium, new energy for Local 142
Ready for action. The Local
welcomes a new Division
Director and a new International
Vice President for Hawaiʻi. What
will the new faces bring to Local
142?
The results are in, and the 2025
2027 triennium begins with one
new Division Director and a host of
other newly elected members. Maui
had the most contested elections,
which resulted in new leadership.
Local 142 will also feel the effects of
leadership change at the International
level, with Brandon Wolff winning a
contested election against Sam Kreutz
for the position of International Vice
President, Hawaiʻi.
New Maui Division Director
Business Agent Stephen West will
step in as the new Maui Division
Director following the retirement
of current Division Director Robert
Andrion Jr. Stephen West, who comes
from the Grand Wailea Resort and has
served as a Business Agent for many
years, ran against John Simpliciano,
a seasoned Business Agent from the
Kaʻanapali Beach Hotel.
When asked about his vision for
![](/sites/default/files/2025-01/1523-02.jpg)
Maui as the new Division Director, West replied, “Together, we’ll empower Maui Division through member education, inclusiveness, and engagement, returning to a bottom up organization where every voice matters. I plan to help every Unit in the Maui Division set goals for political and community action that will lead to stronger outcomes for our members and their families.” Titled Officers turn a corner Leaving their freshmean term as a team behind, the current Titled
Officers are moving into a new triennium. When asked about his vision for the next triennium, President West shared, “Our focus continues to be strengthening a bottom-up union. We were built on a solid foundation, and that foundation is our Units.” President West outlined the plan, which emphasizes Unit officer training in 2025, continuing to expand the stewards program, and increasing local support for Unit contract campaigns, particularly with negotiations and mobilization efforts. —continued on page 7
![](/sites/default/files/2025-01/1523-01.jpg)
New triennium, new energy for Local 142
As the Trump administration takes office, Corporations target Workers’ Rights
As the Trump administration takes office, Corporations target Workers’ Rights
The Trump administration’s arrival has emboldened some of America’s biggest corporations to attack workers’ rights. Amazon, SpaceX, and Trader Joe’s all have lawsuits in federal court arguing that the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is unconstitutional. The NLRB interprets and enforces labor law, playing a critical role in protecting workers’ rights, including the right to form or join unions. Bad Reaction to workers rising These lawsuits against the NLRB are a reaction to historic union drives that have been sweeping the United States for over two years now. Amazon warehouse workers and
drivers, Tesla autoworkers, and Trader Joe employees are leading major unionization efforts. In response, these companies—well-known for their union-busting tactics—are attempting to dismantle the labor protections that enable organizing. In essence, corporate giants are aiming to gut labor protections entirely, striking at the heart of worker power. The NLRB and the U.S. President The President of the United States holds significant influence over the NLRB’s direction, as the President appoints the five-member board. These appointments shape whether
the board leans toward supporting workers’ rights or corporate interests. Currently, there is one vacant seat on the board, and an additional seat will expire in each year of the upcoming administration. By the end of President Trump’s term, all five board members could be Trump appointees. Trump, labor, and corporate elites The President-elect’s appointments thus far reflect a strong alignment with corporate elites and billionaires, though there is indication of potential support for working-class interests. Here are two key figures to watch: Elon Musk’s anti-labor agenda Elon Musk, perhaps the world’s most —continued on page 8
Changed your address? Let us know! Hawaiʻi Division (808) 935-3727 Kauaʻi Division (808) 245-3374 Maui Division (808) 244-9191 Oʻahu Division (808) 949-4161 Hawaiʻi Longshore Division (808) 949-4161