ILWU Local 142 members have the power to decide how the union will be run by choosing leaders who best represent them—and members exercise this power by voting for statewide and Division officers in the union’s Local Election which is held every three years. The Local Election is a crucial part of union democracy, and Local 142 always looks for ways to improve active participation in its democratic processes.
Rank-and-file union women attended the Summer Institute for Union Women to learn and bring back knowledge to their units. “Without units there would be no union! We all need to understand the importance of the union,” said Noelani Rasmussen, Unit 1515 Fairmont Orchid Hawaii.
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.
“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?
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.