A diverse group of 100 rank-andfile members and elected leaders attended the ILWU’s Leadership, Education and Development (LEAD) training in Seattle on May 7-12. The week-long education program seeks to provide tools that attendees can take back to their local unions that will encourage new leadership and more membership involvement -- both fundamental tenants of the ILWU belief that strong unions are built from the bottom-up.

Grant-in-aid for Hamakua Health Center

“What have you done for me lately?”

People ask this question of politicians all the time. It is easy to grow cynical and weary of politicians, especially in the era of Trump.

However, there is still reason to hope because action can still be taken at a state level working with Hawaii’s local politicians.

HONOLULU -- “I asked her why she was quitting,” said Jane Templin, an electrician from Washington attending the Summer Institute for Union Women.

I said, ‘Do you not like your job?’
She said, ‘No, I love it.’
‘Then why are you quitting?’ I asked.
‘My dad said he would rather me be a prostitute than a construction worker because at least that’s a woman’s job.”

Watts. “As a woman, I refused to use my family name, so I could just see how far I could go. I never even told my father I was applying for the job I’m in now. My brother in Longshore didn’t know either, until his coworkers asked if I was his sister when they saw my name on an application. But I just knew I had to try as a woman to get it on my own as much as I could. People always talk and I didn’t want them to discredit me as a “I constantly get sh*t for my short stature and the size of my hands.

The theme of the LEAD Institute in Seattle was “Taking Responsibility for the Future.” Attendees learned how to address membership with the changing times, union values, union history and solidarity, and member involvement and activation. Can you spot the eight Local 142 representatives that attended the LEAD Institute?

...reopening this fall as the `Alohilani Resort at Waikiki Beach’

HONOLULU -- Renovations at Pacific Beach Hotel started March of last year and the whole unit stayed open for business. The workers and the union have been working together to ensure fairness and continuity amidst all the changes to the property.

the five negotiating committees, no one had ever been involved in negotiations, and only one worker had even belonged to a union before.

However, the members were not deterred.

“Members of all the committees worked hard, learned fast, and took their responsibility seriously,” said Furtado

“It wouldn’t be possible to run five separate negotiations for first contracts without strong committees. We also had great support from the Hawaii Longshore Division.”

As a member, you are now a part of a family over 15,000 members strong. You are part of a long and proud tradition where workers organize to promote fairness and justice on the job. This issue of the Voice details your rights and responsibilities so you can make the most of your membership. Your membership in the ILWU started when you were hired into your job.

ILWU members joined with other workers, community organizations and church groups on Saturday, February 25th at a union hall in Hayward, CA where a training was held to prepare for immigration raids supported by President Trump. Those attending from Local 6 included Alejandra Leon, Mirella Jauregui, Pedro Sanchez, Delfina Casillas and SecretaryTreasurer Chris Castaing.

What do the letters stand for?

The letters I.L.W.U. stand for International Longshore and Warehouse Union, a union created in 1934 when longshore and warehouse workers on the West Coast of the United States merged to form a single union. In 1937, longshore workers in Hawaii chose to join up with the ILWU, because it was a democratic union that stood for racial equality within its membership. This was important to the Hawaii members who were mostly of Hawaiian and Asian ancestry.