The working class has no interest in war. Only in a stable, secure, peaceful world can the ILWU, or any other union, hope to be able to fight for and win those improvements in the lives of the members to which the trade union movement is dedicated.

ILWU policies and actions on foreign affairs have always been built on the belief that international labor solidarity and world peace are the cornerstones of social and economic justice for all workers, including the membership of the ILWU.

“Of all the enemies to liberty war is, perhaps, the most to be dreaded...”

These are the words of James Madison, who is often called the “Father of the Constitution” because many of his views about
government became part of the U.S. Constitution. Madison also served as the 4th President of the U.S. from 1809 to 1817.

The Constitution of the United States

Article I. Section 8. The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and
provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States; but all duties, imposts and excises shall be uniform
throughout the United States;

While most nations have reduced their military spending—including Russia, which has cut its military spending from $300 billion in 1988 to $45 billion today—the U.S. continues to divert vast sums of our tax dollars to increase military spending. The 2003 military budget of $414 billion is almost equal to the $451 billion that the rest of the world combined spends on defense, and 18 times more than the $22 billion spent by China.

Since taking office in January 2001, George W. Bush has led the U.S. into two wars—the war against Afghanistan and the war against Iraq.

Are ILWU members in the healthcare and hotel industry at a greater risk of catching SARS? There are some risks
and ILWU members should know the basic precautions and safety protections to avoid catching SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome).

A large percentage of the early SARS cases have been healthcare workers who treated SARS patients before infection control precautions, such as using gloves and respirators, were instituted. Once precautions were taken, however, there were very few secondary infections and the disease was contained.

HONOLULU—Oahu Division held its annual unit recognition awards night on February 21, 2003 after its Division Executive Board (DEB) meeting. The DEB meeting was the first held in the newly renovated ILWU union hall at 451 Atkinson Drive.

According to Division Director Raymond Camacho, the awards are a way of “recognizing the volunteerism of units and members that is so vital to the union’s success.”

ILWU longshore members on Oahu hold a stop work ratification meeting on January 31. The longshore negotiating committee (left) explains the terms of the contract before members vote.

The ILWU will hold its 32nd International Convention this year in San Francisco from April 28-May 2. The delegates you have elected from your locals will be entrusted with setting the direction our union will take in the next three years.