Retired ILWU Maui Division Director and long-time union leader William “Willie” Kennison passed away on May 21, 2019. Willie retired from the ILWU in 2012 after 30 years of active involvment in the labor movment.

The Local would like to honor William “Willie” Kennison in this issue of the VOICE because we are proud to call him ours. The ILWU Local 142 would not be the same kind of organization it is if we did not have people like Willie who devoted a good portion of their lives to the membership and the labor cause.

(Editor’s note: the following was written with information from Leah Bernstein, Director of the Harriet Bouslog Labor Scholarship Fund - HBLSF).

Who was Harriet Bouslog? 
The scholarship is named for the lawyer who represented ILWU Local 142 in the 1940s and 1950s.

Harriet Bouslog defended workers who hardly had the means to defend their cases, let alone receive any type of counsel.

Bouslog’s courage and commitment to social justice coupled with the ILWU workers’ tenacity brought deep lasting change to the whole state.

Syvee Ashley 
Galam Syvee’s father Meliton G. Galam, Jr. works at Unit 4405 Foodland.

Front L-R: Unit Secretary-Treasurer Kanani Numata, Unit Vice Chair Chris Nakama, Unit Chair Kimberley Goo. Back L-R: Jeff “Ronny Jr.” Mueller, Business Agent Dennis Morton, International Field Representative Dustin Dawson.

AQ doing what she did best...giving galvanizing speeches. She is pictured here giving a fiery speech that earned a standing ovation at the 32nd ILWU International Convention in 2003.

...If you don’t know, you better ask somebody... 

This is someone to be proud of when you think of ILWU history; this is part of your labor legacy.

KALAHEO — The 39th Annual State Basketball Tournament was held on May 18, 2019 at Kalaheo Gym on Kauai.

This year the state tournament was held in May instead of December. Maui Division was unable to get a team because of the timing, but all other divisions participated with Kauai competing with an extra team.

If you are a new member reading this, welcome to the ILWU Local 142! With over 18,000 members statewide, the ILWU Local 142 is the biggest private-sector union in Hawaii. ILWU Local 142 members work in every major industry such as pineapple, tourism, longshore, transportation, service sector and hospitals. Continue reading the Voice to learn more information about joining our `ohana!

As a new member, you are now part of a growing family of over 18,000 members strong. You are part of a long and proud tradition where workers organize to promote fairness and justice on the job. Your membership with the ILWU Local 142 is just the beginning of an exciting journey that will allow you to collectively bargain for improved working conditions.

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 negotiating process.

Quiet, but effective. Most who knew Michael Murata would note his unassuming nature and strong work ethic.

The ILWU is deeply grateful to Michael and his ‘ohana for their contributions and sacrifices over 20 years of service to the union. His work to create the foundation of the Contract Administration Department serves as his legacy. Local 142 continues to benefit from his groundwork. We will miss his wisdom, dedication and gentle nature. Rest in Aloha.