ILWU Convention Resolutions—The Principles and Goals of the Union
At each ILWU Convention, resolutions that embody the values and principles of the union are proposed. Resolution topics may include ILWU workplace and industry concerns and problems facing the labor movement—as well as social, political, and legislative issues. In addition to stating the union’s perspective and position on such issues, ILWU resolutions may also propose goals for the union over the next triennium. Read the resolution summaries on pages 4, 5 and 6 to learn more about what your union stands for, and what you can do to be a better ILWU member.
R-1 • “Aloha” to Closed Units
Local 142 bids a fond “aloha” to the units whose companies closed down in the past triennium. These units include: Maui Lu Resort (Maui Division, September 2014); Kauai Commercial (Kauai Division, June 2013); Princeville Operating Co, LLC (Kauai Division, October 2014); Castle & Cooke Homes (Oahu Division, October 2014). The 27th Convention of the ILWU Local 142 thanks the members of the companies that closed for their commitment and loyalty to the ILWU and extends a warm aloha and hope that they will someday join the ILWU again.
R-2 • Retirement of Abel Kahoohanohano, Jr.
After 39 years as an ILWU member and over a decade of service as an ILWU leader, Abel Kahoohanohano, Jr. retired in August 2014. Abel was a labor leader who has earned the admiration and respect of the rank-and-file, colleagues and employers for his fairness and hard work. The 27th Convention of the ILWU Local 142 recognizes the long membership and the almost 40 years of dedicated service of Abel and congratulate Abel on his retirement and extend our warmest wishes for his enjoyment and continued success, happiness, and good health in the years of relaxation that lie ahead.
R-3 • Combating the Right-to-Work Movement
Under right-to work, any worker can opt out and free-ride by not paying their fair share of dues/fees while enjoying the benefits and protection of the union contract. When a few workers decide to opt out, there are fewer union resources available to represent the workers and bargain with the company. With fewer resources, the union becomes less effective. With more workers opting out, the union may eventually disappear.
The 27th Convention of the ILWU Local 142 urges all delegates to go back to their units and educate their members of the dangers of “right-to-work” and oppose candidates who support anti-labor legislation, such as so-called “right-towork” legislation; and calls upon all Divisions to implement an aggressive program to register all members and family members who are eligible to vote and to get them out to the polls for the 2016 elections.
R-4 • Support the United Way and Labor’s Community Services Program
The United Way has maintained a partnership with the AFL-CIO on a national level for several decades, establishing a unique Labor’s Community Services Program in which labor hires “Labor Liaisons” to serve as a link between unions and the services offered by United Way partner agencies, while the positions are paid for by the United Way.
positions are paid for by the United Way. The 27th Convention of the ILWU Local 142 continues to support the United Way organizations on all islands to raise funds for nonprofit agencies that provide needed services to the community, encourages ILWU members, staff, and full-time officials to contribute to the United Way, and strongly supports the Labor’s Community Services Program and its Labor Liaisons.
R-5 • Opposing the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)
The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is a proposed trade agreement between twelve (12) Pacific Rim countries that seeks to promote trade and economic growth of the countries involved. The full text of TPP has not been made public and is cloaked in secrecy. Leaked documents report that the inadequate environmental and labor standards of TPP are virtually unenforceable. TPP also fails to address currency manipulation where countries make their products more affordable and U.S. products relatively more expensive.
In a report issued by the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CPER), TPP would result in wage cuts for all except the wealthiest Americans. TPP will increase the incentive to send jobs overseas and will increase income inequality by displacing wellpaid, middle-class workers. The 27th Convention of the ILWU Local 142 reaffirm the Union’s opposition of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement and urges all its members, their families, and our friends and allies to contact our Congressional delegation to oppose TPP.
R-6 • Support of Hawaii’s Pineapple Workers
During 1885, the first commercial pineapple plantation was established on Oahu and by the middle of the 20th Century there were eight pineapple companies in Hawaii employing more than 3,000 workers.
In the early 2000’s, Hawaii had a difficult time competing in the world market for canned pineapple and juice because of cheaper foreign labor costs. As a result, pineapple production in Hawaii declined over the years. Dole and Del Monte moved their canned production overseas, primarily to the Philippines and Thailand.
Unit 3410 - Wilcox Memorial Hospital members (l-r): Darlene Iwai, Jayelle Bray, Jesus “Jessie” Obiano, Valerie Winchester and Unit 3402 - Foodland Princeville #30 Laura Luka showing solidarity by wearing Kauai Division t-shirts.
Fresh pineapple can be grown for a profit by supplying the market for local consumption and fresh fruit product markets on the U.S. West Coast and Japan. There are currently two unionized fresh pineapple operations left in Hawaii, Haliimaile Pineapple Company on Maui, and Dole Foods on Oahu. Maui Gold® is grown only by Haliimaile Pineapple Company and Gold MD-2 is grown by Dole Foods and sold under the Royal Hawaiian label.
The 27th Convention of the ILWU Local 142 strongly support our brothers and sisters in the pineapple industry by urging their family, friends, and members to buy fresh pineapples under the Maui Gold® and Dole Foods’ Royal Hawaiian labels at the supermarkets and fresh food stores. This will help the two remaining fresh pineapple operations to continue to remain active and provide good union jobs for our brothers and sisters and support our members in the pineapple industry in upcoming collective bargaining. The Convention also thanks our pineapple industry members and retirees for their work and sacrifice in building the ILWU Local 142.
R-7 • Reaffirm the International ILWU Convention Policies
The 27th Convention of the Local 142 reaffirms those policies adopted by the 36th Convention of the ILWU as correct and proper for guiding and building our Union through the coming years and pledges support to work toward the goals expressed in these policies and resolutions.
R-8 • Welcome New Units
Local 142 welcomed 760 new brothers and sisters into the ILWU during the past triennium. These units include:
• Andaz Maui at Wailea (Maui)
• Wilcox Memorial Hospital - Surgical Technologists (Kauai)
• Kaanapali Alii (Maui)
• Anheuser-Busch Sales of Hawaii, Inc. (Oahu)
• Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa - Retail Department (Maui)
• North Hawaii Community Hospital – Clerical (Hawaii)
• Montage Kapalua Bay - Engineering Department (Maui)
• Paradise Beverages, Inc. - Merchandisers (Maui)
• Sheraton Keauhou Resort & Spa - Guest Service Agents (Hawaii)
• Sheraton Keauhou Resort & Spa - PBX Department (Hawaii)
• Foodland Kehalani (Maui) • Gas & Go Kehalani (Maui)
• Polynesian Adventure Tours (Oahu)
The 27th Convention of the ILWU Local 142 acknowledges and welcomes the new members in the units that joined the ILWU during the past triennium.
R-9 • Support Sugar in Hawaii and HC&S Workers
The sugar industry was “king” in Hawaii for a century, but today, Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar (HC&S) is now the only sugar plantation left standing. HC&S is an essential part of the economy of both Maui and the entire state.
HC&S has explored alternative crops and products to keep the company viable, but nothing has yet been shown to be as good as or better than sugar cane. Without an alternative to sugar cane production, water and cane burning are the issues that may determine the future of HC&S and its employees. Sugar is under attack. Our members at HC&S are under attack.
The 27th Convention of the ILWU Local 142 strongly supports the sugar industry in Hawaii and workers at HC&S and will mobilize its members and community allies to support its members at HC&S. The Convention also expresses its gratitude to the members at HC&S, our sugar industry retirees, and their families for building their Union, the ILWU Local 142.
R-10 • Support of the Jones Act
The Jones Act—also known as the Merchant Marine Act of 1920—is the foundation upon which the modern American merchant marine and maritime industry is built. Under the Jones Act, all cargo transported by water between two U.S. ports must be carried on a vessel that is U.S.-built, U.S.-flagged, owned by U.S. citizens, and crewed by U.S. merchant marines.
Opponents to the Jones Act claim that the cost of goods in Hawaii is high because of the Jones Act, which prohibits foreign-owned shipping companies from carrying domestic freight to Hawaii. The truth is that the Jones Act creates and maintains the ships and jobs necessary to protect America in time of war or national emergency and does not add significantly to the cost of goods in Hawaii.
The 27th Convention of the ILWU Local 142 strongly support the Jones Act and will continue to oppose any anti-Jones Act legislation that may be proposed or any attempts to weaken the Act.
R-11 • Support of Organizing
Declining union membership has translated into lower wages and benefits for workers in general, a shrinking middle class and rising economic inequality, as well as weakening labor’s political influence. We cannot, as a union, afford to sit back and accept the continued decline in union density and membership in general. Organizing is the responsibility of every member and is essential for the ILWU because the strength and viability of the Union depends on it.
The 27th Convention of the ILWU Local 142 reaffirms our commitment to organize the unorganized and that ILWU members assist their Local in this effort by identifying organizing targets, talking to potential new members about the benefits of unionism, and encouraging them to join the ILWU.
R-15 • Support for a Labor Institute
The 27th Convention of the ILWU Local 142 supports education for our Union Officials, Unit Officers and Stewards, and commits to having a LABOR INSTITUTE during this triennium.
R-17 • Support of the Harriet Bouslog Labor Scholarship
The Harriet Bouslog Labor Scholarship Fund requirements now allow for even more students to qualify. Any relative of an ILWU member or retiree may apply. Preference is given to high school seniors enrolling as incoming freshmen, but upperclassmen transferring from other colleges or students already enrolled at UH and even graduate students are also eligible. Students attending or planning to attend any of the ten campuses of
—continued on page 6
What are your thoughts on your first Local Convention?
Jeana Medeiros
Unit 2520 - Grand Wailea Resort
ILWU member for 15 years
“I became active because I felt that we need more representation, because my department membership is large. The Convention was enlightening and eye opening. The training that I got has empowered me to spread the message to the other members in my department. I also learned about the procedures that need to be undertaken in order to solve problems at my workplace.”
Douglas DuPont, Unit Secretary
Unit 1515 - Fairmont Orchid Hawaii
ILWU member for 11 years
“I think that it’s a great experience for me. There was a lot of information and I met a lot of other members. I thought that the problems that we face at my unit were unique to my unit, but after talking with the other members, they are the same.”
Amor Cardenas
Unit 1518 – Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel
ILWU member for 23 years
Cardenas recently got active in the unit because he had experienced problems with his manager and the problems were resolved after filing a grievance. “The Convention was really good. I learned a lot and feel empowered to work harder for my unit and the Union.”
Donna Bourdelais, Unit Chairperson
Unit 2414 – Times Supermarket
ILWU member for 13 years
“The Convention has been enlightening. I was uninformed on “right-to-work” and the TPP. I learned what the negative effects of “right-towork” and the negative aspects of TPP. It was nice to meet so many people and I want to thank my members for sending me.”
Alanna Kuhn, Steward
Unit 4526 – Pacific Beach Hotel
ILWU member for four years.
“I am humbled and honored to be elected by my members to attend this Convention. When I got here, my prospective of the union was narrow, but has expanded tremendously with the information that has been presented.”
One of the most unique “chance meeting” experiences occurred at the Convention when Unit 3401 - Kauai Coffee Steward Arnold Ragragola (left) met Unit 3510 - Poipu Bay Resort Golf Course Chairperson Enrique Esposo Jr. (right).
Ragragola and Esposo first met while working at the same company 30 years ago as part-time security guards. They parted ways, and although both of them lived on Kauai, they did not see each again until they attended the ILWU Convention for the first time and were part of the Officers’ Report and Resolutions Committee. They were both surprised and happy to renew their friendship at the Convention.
Ragragola has been an ILWU member since 1981 when he began work as a tractor mechanic at Kekaha Sugar. He moved to Gay & Robinson, and worked there until the sugar company shut down in 2009. “This was a good learning experience for me,” he said. “I didn’t expect to work such long hours—and I was inspired by all the speakers.”
Esposo has been an ILWU member for 13 years. Like Ragragola and many other first time attendees, he felt that the Convention was a good learning experience. “I met a lot of other members and unit leadership,” he said. “There were a lot of things to learn—especially how members debated the resolutions in committee, then were able to come together and arrive at a final resolution.”