ILWU to PMA—port security first

Bargaining Statement August 27, 2002 James Spinosa, ILWU International President

James Spinosa, ILWU International President

Why do people get active in the union? Because they want to help others; because they aren’t afraid to challenge management and speak up for workers’ rights; but mostly because they want to make a difference for working people.

a voice in running their 401(k) plans. Congress failed to counterbalance Enron-style employer efforts to seduce workers into buying high levels of company stock and took no action to reverse the tide of corporations offering employees unregulated stock option plans rather than real retirement security that can be achieved through a defied pensionbenefit plan.

Government and laws affect our lives every day. And working families can have a say in government, but we need to elect the right representatives into office. The power is in your hands—vote on Sept. 21!

HONOLULU—Thanks to union political action, working families made big gains in this year’s legislative session. Four significant pieces of new legislation sought by the ILWU were passed by state lawmakers. The Hawaii RX (SB 2520) and RX Expansion Program (HB 2834) will make prescription drugs more affordable for retirees and union members. Health Insurance Regulation (HB 1761) should help control the rapidly increasing cost of medical insurance, which affects wages and benefits on the job.

ACT 76 (HB 2834, SD 2, CD 1) Reduce cost of Prescription Drugs.

This legislation will provide relief for consumers from the high cost of prescription drugs by establishing, within the Department of Human Services, a pharmaceutical discount program for all state residents under which the State obtains manufacturers’ rebates on drugs that are offered at discounted prices to program participants. The program would take effect July 1, 2004.

Provides Funds for Worker Training.

The Employment and Training Fund was set to expire at the end of 2002, but this bill makes the program permanent by assessing employers 0.01% of payroll which goes into the fund. It also requires employers who use these training programs to contribute 50% of the cost of the assistance in cash or in-kind contribution. 

Every two years, members of the ILWU State Pensioners Association gather for a conference to learn about issues and programs that benefit seniors, hear about the state of the union, reunite with old friends and make new ones.

Brothers and Sisters, I am honored to be here, addressing your 21st Biennial ILWU State Pensioners Conference. You and other ILWU retirees like yourselves really deserve most of the credit for building this great union and starting a peaceful revolution that transformed Hawaii into a modern, democratic society. 

nursing home care so many end up on Medicaid, which is also paid for with tax dollars. The Legislature this session failed to enact Care Plus, but did agree to establish an interim board of trustees to develop a recommendation for the next Legislature to implement a long-term care financing program.