on family and unity, "It's not about clerks vs. longshore, or about what the mainland wants versus Hawai'i. It is about empowering the rank-and- file to stick together when it comes to providing for the next generation."
"I know you guys are about 'oha- na," said ILWU Secretary-Treasurer Ed Ferris, "and will work hard to make sure no one gets left behind."
Effective caucus -->
strong contract
After each day's general assem- bly at 9 a.m. that was preceded by a mandatory rapid COVID test, the delegation broke into their separate committees by trade, or in the case of Young Brothers, by company (see photos for each category and a brief description).
"I was here at the last caucus in 2014," said Nelson Rita from Unit 3201 Nawiliwili Stevedores. "This one went so smoothly because I think everyone came here ready to work and everything was very organized." On the last day of the caucus, the general assembly included a video compilation of nearly 20 politicians.
Many of them shared well wishes for the caucus, expressed appreciation for the labor of the longshore work- ers and acknowledged the fact that all of Hawai'i's economy depends on them. Even though each committee had their own concerns and priorities to bring to the bargaining table based on the specific type of job they do, each job classification has a part to play in terms of making the longshore industry as a whole run smoothly. This kind of thorough preparation can only bode well for the contract negotiations that are approaching. "It is the organizational struc- ture of the union that allows us the blessing of being democratic," said International Vice President Hawai'i Sam Kreutz. "We all have a chance to look closely at our contract that affects our livelihoods, our families, our health and safety, and helps set the standard for Hawai'i." Mahalo to our brothers and sisters in the Longshore industry for exem- plifying leadership with heart and setting a standard for unionism that is based in the solidarity of 'ohana.
Wharf Clerks work on both shipside and bargeside operations. They oversee delivery operations, such as checking in truckers as they come and go into the yard. They are also in charge of notating when and where cargo goes and flows from the ships. Front: Dean Tomita, Marilyn Soares, Melanie "Mel" Watts, Annie Kaopua. Back L-R: Henry Kreutz, Brian Nakagawa, Jon Siracusa, Kenny Flores, Keaka Sardine, Sheldon Kaiwa, Justin Pierce.
CFS/CY stands for Container Freight Service and Container Yard. These brothers and sisters are in charge of job duties that range from dealing with customers, truckers, as it relates to the movement of cargo within the terminals. L-R: Anthony Galzote, Lorin Lum, Rinda Josue Young, Russell Mascoto.
Longshore Mechanics work on the piers and repair anything that needs maintenance and fixing. Their skillset is immense as they fix anything from heavy equipment, dry containers (containers with goods such as household items), reefer containers (refrigerated containers with goods such as milk and ice cream), and trailers. Front: Shannon Oshiro, Gar- rett Higa, Jarvis Cruz, Henry Velasco, Dennis Inouye. Second row: Kevin Esona, Chris Ancheta, Mark Diego, Andrew Parr, Ryan Ah Quin, Michael Tompkinson.
Our brothers and sisters at Young Brothers are unique in the fact that they deal exclusively with intrastate (island to island and contained statewide) cargo from barges, rather than imports and exports from the continent and foreign freight ships. Young Brothers contains all long- shore job classifications within their unit. Front: Nichole Arce-Aricayos, Shawna Rapoza. Back: Kawailoa Texeira, Ikaika Decker, Daylan Sania- tan, Radford De Motta, Business Agent Jesse Andrade, Michael "Sully" Sullivan, Royal Komomua, Bula Amaral, Ikaika Curnan.
