Frankie DeCosta passed away on June 10, 2012 at the age of 84. He was a longtime member of the ILWU at Kekaha Sugar Company and was heavily involved in the Union, his community, and the Democratic Party. He was a rascal, a charmer, and a strong ILWU member to the end. Clayton Dela Cruz, retired Kauai Division Director, gave the following eulogy at Frankie’s service.

—PROCEDURES—

NOMINATION—September 1-15, 2012 
Nomination Petitions (ILWU-E-Form 14) signed by 25 members in good standing must be submitted to the Local Secretary-Treasurer between September 1 and September 15, 2012, inclusive. The Local President, Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer, and members of the Local Executive Board At-Large from the Industrial Groupings shall be nominated from the floor at the Local Convention.

A press conference was held on April 26, 2012 at the ILWU Local 142 headquarters, to announce the endorsement of Kirk Caldwell for Honolulu Mayor. Caldwell is endorsed by the ILWU and a majority of labor unions because of his commitment to the working families of Honolulu.

Likely voters perhaps do have more time to get out and vote. It might be likelier for them to be able to step out of their workday to perform their civic duty. They have the luxury of perceiving voting as a duty, because their life enables them to.

Welcome to the ILWU!

Are you a new employee, hired within the last twelve months? If so, this issue of the Voice of the ILWU was prepared especially for you. As a union member, you are entitled to many rights and benefits and some responsibilities. This issue will help get you started with the essential information you need as a member of the ILWU. (Even longtime members may find the information useful.) First of all, the Voice of the ILWU is the official newspaper of the ILWU Local 142. You are receiving the newspaper because you are now a member of the ILWU.

In today’s political discourse, the argument of “trickle-down economics” reigns within the Republican Party as a way to protect the top-bracket tax breaks of the richest Americans. The GOP has successfully argued for many years that this will then improve the standard of living for the working class. The idea is that jobs will be created, wages will be raised for the average worker and there will be an overall upturn in our economy. As it turns out, it’s not only a bad idea but also a tactic to broaden income inequality.

Believe it or not, most workers organize into unions because of bad working conditions and poor treatment by management and not for higher wages and benefits. When workers are organized into unions, they gain the power to change their working conditions and demand respect and fair treatment from management.

Your union contract is a written agreement with your employer. It defines your wages, benefits, conditions of employment, and rights on the job. It is enforceable through a grievance procedure and ultimately in a court of law.

Most union contracts are renegotiated every three years, although some contracts run for only one year and others run for as long as six years. How long the contract runs is up to you and your negotiating committee. The ILWU is a democratic union and members are involved in every step of the negotiation process.

If you cannot reach a unit officer or steward you can call your business agent at the ILWU Office on your island. Regular office hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The thirty-fifth Convention of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union will be held beginning June 4, 2012 to June 8, 2012 at Del Coronado, in San Diego, California. On the basis of the International’s records to date, Local 142 will be entitled to 145 votes.