The ILWU has a proud tradition of rank-and-file members believing in the union and willing to fight for it. Members who understood and were committed to our slogan, “An Injury to One is an Injury to All."
In the early days, struggle was constant and sticking together was imperative. Now, some members have become comfortable, complacent, and see the union only for the service it can provide them. But we need to be reminded that the union is only as strong and only as effective as each member’s ability to understand the issues and to fight for the rights of all workers.
The Union’s strength has been challenged by employer proposals to eliminate or weaken union security language. The union now must counter these attacks by going back to basics and using one-on-one organizing tactics to reach out and educate each member. Management wants to disrupt and divide the union. But if each member understands the purpose of their union and the value of union membership, we can be a powerful force.
Building member solidarity should be the job of each member. Whether you’re an officer, a steward, or a rank-and-file member with no title, you can be an organizer by talking to new hires, welcoming them into the union, informing them about the union contract and union activities, and asking them to get involved.
Membership service can help you reach out to your members. Members who believe that the union is concerned about their well-being and their family’s are more likely to trust the union, to get involved, and to help build union power in the workplace.
Some of the issues and projects taken up the past three years were:
1) New Member Orientation. Currently, the orientation includes providing a Guide for New Members to each new member, along with a contract and an orientation by an officer, steward or member. A New Member Video was developed to assist units with this orientation.
2) Response to events of 9/11. The events of September 11 resulted in reduced work hours and layoffs for ILWU members and others in the tourism industry. The State Legislature appropriated $1 million for housing assistance and $1 million for food, provided an extension of unemployment benefits, and developed special medical plans for laid-off workers. With help from food banks and the Labor’s Community Services Program, the ILWU distributed food boxes on Oahu, Maui and Lanai to workers in need. The union also referred members to agencies providing relief.
3) Prescription drugs for sugar retirees. In 1999, the ILWU set up a drug plan for sugar retirees through the University Health Alliance (UHA) for some 800 retirees from Ka‘u Sugar, Grove Farm, HCPC and Hamakua Sugar. In 2001, UHA was forced to cancel the plan and another plan was secured through HMSA with the same benefits but at a higher premium. In 2002, however, HMSA cancelled its plan, citing increased costs. Since then, the union has assisted retirees to use HMSA’s mail-order service for 65C Plus members and drug manufacturers’ discount cards. Currently, no drug plan is available to retirees on an individual basis and no carrier is willing to offer a group plan. As a result, many retirees are paying large amounts for their medications each month.
4) Prescription drug legislation. With leadership from Rep. Takumi and Senator Menor, two bills were passed in 2002 to control costs of prescription medication. However, Governor Lingle has doomed implementation of both laws, favoring her own program to assist 20,000 lowincome people with free medication from drug companies. The bills passed by the Legislature would have helped more than 120,000 uninsured Hawaii residents. More work is required to make prescription drugs affordable in Hawaii.
5) Ka‘u Clinic. The ILWU has long advocated for funding of state hospitals as the means to ensure quality health care in rural areas where many of our members and retirees live and will continue to advocate for clinics like Ka‘u to be responsive to community needs.
6) Long-term care legislation. For more than a decade, the ILWU advocated for legislation to address the cost of long-term care. Legislation finally passed this year, but was vetoed by Governor Lingle who said benefits of $70 a day for 365 days did not justify a tax of $10 a month. The Governor ignored advocates who said the bill was intended to support caregivers and allow long-term care to be provided in a person’s own home.
7) Women’s Committees. A Women’s Committee was formed at the Local level in 1998 and Division Women’s Committees formed thereafter. Committees on Maui, Hawaii and Kauai continue to be active.
8) Harriet Bouslog Labor Scholarship. Established in 1989 through the generosity of Harriet Bouslog and her husband, Stephen Sawyer, the scholarship has provided tuition assistance to 125 ILWU children and grandchildren attending the University of Hawaii.
ILWU members participate in workshops, now a regular part of the Local 142 Convention. This Convention featured 21 presentations in the Briefing Sessions which gave delegates a broad education on what is happening in this country.
9) Dislocated workers. Assistance was provided to the following: Amfac Sugar Kauai; Dole Tropicals; Hawaiian Waikiki Beach Hotel; Maui Oceanfront Inn; Hawaii Motors; Hawaii Baking; Maui Pine Honolua and Cannery (partial); and Del Monte HCFO (partial). “Useful Information” and other materials were developed for dislocated workers.
10) Union solidarity events. The ILWU has actively worked to promote solidarity among labor unions, supporting strikes by other unions (e.g., HSTA, UHPA, Hawaii Nurses Association, Teamsters) and participating in Labor Day activities.
Recommendations
1) Revive the New Member Orientation program with an emphasis on the orientation, not the forms. Personal contact between the new member and the union representative can make a huge difference in how the new member perceives the union and whether or not the member will get involved. Orientation can be at or on the job during breaks or before/after work. Even a simple hello and introduction can lead to future opportunities to talk about the union.
2) Continue assisting individual members and families. The union’s ability to assist with matters of personal concern to them can serve to strengthen our bond with them.
3) Continue networking with public and private organizations. The union must continually be connected and informed about issues and resources. In addition, our involvement in the community serves to enhance the ILWU’s image and role.
4) Build union solidarity. The strength of union influence in the community depends on the cohesiveness and solidarity of unions working together on common objectives. Activities like Labor Day events, labor’s community services, and support for charitable organizations should be continued.
5) Continue assistance to dislocated workers. ILWU members who leave the union with positive impressions are more likely to speak well of the union and be supportive of organizing.
6) Promote the ILWU Associate Member program. Dislocated workers and others should be encouraged to continue their association with the ILWU as Associate Members.
7) Continue involvement in issues which impact our members. The ILWU must take a leadership role in issues like longterm care financing, affordable prescription drugs, rural health care, and living wages.
8) Continue support for the Harriet Bouslog Labor Scholarship. The Bouslog Labor Scholarship should be actively promoted among members as a valuable resource for children seeking higher education at the University of Hawaii.
9) Promote the ILWU Oral History Project. This project seeks to preserve the people, history and character of the ILWU through interviews of our members and retirees.
10) Develop workshops to provide information on community resources and topics of interest. The union can set up workshops on topics like consumer credit counseling, parenting, financial planning, and community resources.
11) Continue ILWU sports program.
12) Continue ILWU housing program.
13) Continue support for ILWU pensioner programs.