WAILUKU—Wage increases and reductions in medical insurance premium co-payments are the highlights of a new three year agreement for Valley Isle Motors, according to union spokesperson Maui Division Director Stephen Castro. The agreement will run from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2017.

Pay hikes amount to a 10% increase over the duration of the contract. The union committee also achieved a reduction in the members’ medical insurance premium co-payment. The ratification was held June 27, 2014, and the memorandum of agreement (MOA) was approved overwhelmingly.

Valley Isle Motors, located in Kahului, is a new and used Ford and Mazda car dealership. The dealership has been in business since 1923, and employs 46 ILWU members, including all employees of the service, parts, and body & paint departments. Some of the job classifications include technicians, rust proofers, polishers and parts salespersons. Jim Falk is the owner of the Falk Automotive group which include Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ford, GMC, Hyundai, Madza and Nissan franchises in Hawaii and a Lexus showroom in Beverly Hills, California.

Unanimous contract “yes” vote by Mililani Town Association members

MILILANI, Oahu—The forty-five ILWU members employed by Mililani Town Association (MTA) are now working under a new contract that runs from June 1, 2014 to May 31, 2017. According to union negotiations spokesperson Wilfred Chang Jr., the settlement calls for wage increases of 2.5% compounded each year of a three year agreement. Other gains include a substantial increase in the contribution to the pension plan and the establishment of premium rates.

The ratification was held May 29, 2014 and the memorandum of agreement (MOA) was approved unanimously.

Mililani Town Association was established in 1968 and represents the interests of the home owners in the planned community of Mililani Town. ILWU members are responsible for the grounds maintenance of the common areas of the community. They are also responsible for the maintenance of the community’s seven recreation centers.

Members of the negotiating committee are as follows: Unit Chairperson Fernando Tadena, Oahu Division Director Michael Yamaguchi and Oahu Division Business Agent/Spokesperson Wilfred Chang Jr.

ILWU members at Unit 4415 - Mililani Town Association work as utility operators, grounds maintenance persons, and building maintenance persons.

ILWU members approve three contracts with Pulama Lanai

Pulama Lanai (Trades) negotiating committee (l-r): Aurelio Batoon, Cyrus Kodani, Keonehana Mano, Marino Barsatan and Local Vice President Teddy Espeleta.

Pulama Lanai (Landscaping) negotiating committee (l-r): Elton Atacador Orlando Raqueno and Maui Division Business Agent Claro Romero. Missing Maui Division Director/Spokesperson Stephen Castro

Pulama Lanai (Heavy Division) negotiating committee (l-r): Maui Division Business Agent/Spokesperson Cyrus Kodani, Local Vice President Teddy Espeleta, Generoso Fernandez Jr., 1st Vice-Chairperson Garrett Hera and Paul Alconcel.

LANAI CITY—The mission of the company Pulama Lanai is to develop, maintain and ensure a sustainable future for the island of Lanai. It was formerly known as Lanai Resorts LLC and changed its name to Pulama Lanai in July 2013.

Unit 2401Pulama Lanai is comprised of four sub-units based upon the job classifications of the members. They are as follows:

jobs related to construction. They include heavy equipment operators, such as tractor, excavator, backhoe and bulldozer operators. Also included are ILWU members approve three contracts wlift truck, cement truck, and semitrailer drivers. 

• Landscaping—which include jobs related to landscaping. They include nursery workers, landscape workers, and irrigation and pesticide technicians. 

• Trades—which include jobs related to utilities, facilities, fleet, housing maintenance and freight. They include waterworks maintenance, carpenters, electricians, welders, light vehicle technicians, housekeepers, and heavy equipment mechanics to name a few. 

• Retail, Transportation & Purchasing—which include the guest services representatives, shuttle bus and van drivers. 

Local Vice President Teddy Espeleta categorized these talks as “a very interesting negotiations considering it was with a new employer.”

Pulama Lanai (Trades) 
A new four year contract for 50 members of Pulama Lanai (Trades) is now in force. It has been announced by Local Vice President Teddy Espeleta, who was the chief union spokesperson. Running from July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2017, the settlement is a 12% wage increase over the four year duration. Other improvements include stronger language to the contract, higher reimbursements for certification testing and personal protective equipment such as steel toed shoes. The ratification was held June 10, 2014, and the memorandum of agreement (MOA) was approved overwhelmingly.

Pulama Lanai (Heavy Division) A new agreement for Pulama Lanai (Heavy Division) brings a 3% wage increase in each year of a three year contract according to chief union spokesperson Maui Division Business Agent Cyrus Kodani. Local Vice President Teddy Espeleta assisted in the negotiations. It will run from July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2017 and covers 14 ILWU members.

The settlement calls for the following gains: stronger language to the contract and higher reimbursements for personal protective equipment such as steel toed shoes. The ratification was held July 08, 2014, and the memorandum of agreement (MOA) was approved unanimously.

Pulama Lanai (Landscaping) 
Twenty-nine members of Pulama Lanai (Landscaping) are receiving a 3% wage increase in each year of a three year agreement running from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2016, according to chief union spokesperson Maui Division Director Stephen Castro. Other key gains includes: stronger language to the contract and higher reimbursements for personal protective equipment such as steel toed shoes. The ratification was held June 12, 2014, and the memorandum of agreement (MOA) was approved overwhelmingly.

Hawaii Logistics members ratify new agreement

HONOLULU—Hawaii Logistics workers numbering 130 ILWU members are now covered by a new four year contract which went in to effect on October 13, 2013 and expires on October 14, 2017. The following warehouse workers are covered by the agreement: dock foreman, loader, forklift operators and selectors.

A subsidiary of C&S Wholesale Grocers, Hawaii Logistics is the largest wholesale grocery supply company in the State of Hawaii. Some of the companies that Hawaii Logistics supplies are: Foodland Super Market, Ltd., Sack N Save, Times Supermarkets, Don Quijote, all the Commissaries, Longs Drugs, Burger King, Jack In The Box and KFC to name a few.

Chief union spokesperson Karl Lindo says that the settlement calls for wage increases ranging from 4% to 6% over the four years, depending on the job classification. Other gains were: stronger language to the contract, increase in vacation hours, an additional step in progressive discipline, an incentive for “perfect attendance” and substantial increase in the contributions to the pension plan. The ratification was held June 21, 2014 and the memorandum of agreement (MOA) was approved overwhelmingly.

The Unit 4405 - Hawaii Logistics Negotiating Committee. (Sitting, l-r): Steward Frazer Nuu, Oahu Division Business Agent/Spokesperson Karl Lindo and Oahu Division Business Agent Jose Miramontes. (Standing, l-r): Vice Chairperson Milburn “Hale” Halemano, Treasurer David “Stixx” Kepaa, Chairperson Dexter Nakayama and Secretary James Duh. Missing: Oahu Division Business Agent Wilfred Chang, Jr.