WAILEA, Maui—Another new owner but management’s the same—and so the fight for a fair wages and benefits continues for 900 ILWU members at the Grand Wailea Resort on Maui. Since the super luxury hotel opened in 1991, it has changed ownership five times and management three times. The latest ownership change was in April 2004.

A national budget is a statement about our values and priorities as a nation. On Feb. 3, 2004, President Bush presented his proposed budget to the U.S. Congress. It slashes programs to create jobs, to provide health care for Americans and to strengthen public education. Instead, Bush proposes to funnel money to the wealthiest of Americans and supports more “outsourcing” of American jobs.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration by $6.5 million. For the third year in a row, he is proposing to slash OSHA’s worker training and education programs, from $11.1 million to $4 million.

Medicare? Don’t count on it 
The Bush budget is most callous in its cut to health care for the nation’s impoverished. This year’s budget once again proposes to disperse Medicaid funds through block grant to the states. Under the proposal, states have the option to cut benefits to certain Medicaid populations and to roll back benefits.

HONOLULU—A downpour soaked Oahu on February 27, 2004. High winds, heavy rain, thunder and lightning gridlocked Oahu streets. Many areas were flooded, trees were downed, and power was knocked out in Salt Lake and Pearl City. Mud and debris slides further worsened travel into Honolulu.

Dave Mori 
Oahu Division Director

labor agreement. That contract ran three years from July 2000 to October 31, 2003.

The contract fell short in a number of areas, but it was far better than what KSL first proposed. Grand Wailea members decided to live with the second rate conditions of that first contract, but in future negotiations they fully intended to recover lost gains and bring Grand Wailea wages and benefits up to previous first-class levels.

This in turn would help protect the jobs and futures of hundreds of ILWU sugar workers.

by surprise. Many had been born and raised in the camp, which has become a tight-knit community where everyone knows each other. The residents wanted to save Poamoho—they didn’t want their community destroyed.

More time needed 
The ILWU moved quickly to help the residents save their community. The union has a lot of experience in converting plantation camps into low-cost housing for members and retirees. However, it would be almost impossible to develop such a housing program before the June 30 deadline.

HONOLULU—Contract talks between the ILWU and Dole Pineapple will start in early March, then switch to Del Monte around March 22-24. Talks between the Union and Maui Land and Pineapple will be delayed to around August, as members approved a six-month contract extension sought by the company’s management.

HONOLULU—Contract talks between the ILWU and Dole Pineapple will start in early March, then switch to Del Monte around March 22-24. Talks between the Union and Maui Land and Pineapple will be delayed to around August, as members approved a six-month contract extension sought by the company’s management.