It could not have occurred at a more opportune time. More than 50 members of the ILWU met in Washington, D.C. from March 13-17 to lobby members of Congress on issues that matter to working families. Following on the heels of the Dubai Ports World controversy, politicians were more prepared to listen to the agenda of the ILWU.

Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa in setting goals for a 20 percent ship emission pollution reduction by the year 2010 for all carriers that call at U.S. ports. He also noted that the efforts in Los Angeles have piqued the interest of the mayors of Seattle and Oakland.

Over the next three years, almost the entire membership of the ILWU’s tourism grouping will be negotiating new contracts with the management of their hotels. The tourism grouping is the largest  within the union and makes up one-half of the ILWU’s membership of 21,000. The other industrial groups within the ILWU are sugar, longshore, pineapple, and general trades. In 2006, the ILWU will be negotiating contracts covering 2,800 members at 12 hotels.

“I want to extend my congratulations to the units and individuals we are honoring tonight. All of you, not just the winners of these awards, but all of you here—members, families, retirees, the full-time officers—have done a tremendous job in serving our members and your community.

The ladies from Unit 1402 - Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corp. were out in force on the awards night, pictured here with Division Director Richard Baker Jr. and Business Agent Isaac Fiesta Jr. (center). Mauna Loa received one of two awards for Outstanding Unit, 100 and Over Members. This is the second year in a row that they have won this award.

Leaders developed 
The ILWU understood that earlier attempts to organize sugar workers failed because the unions consisted of a handful of leaders at the top and the workers had no lasting organization. The sugar industry could easily destroy the early unions by attacking the leaders, which was done by spreading rumors or by charging them with crimes and deporting them.

The ILWU Local 142 Political Action Committee voted to support Dan Akaka for U.S. Senate, based on Senator Akaka’s progressive voting record and long-time commitment to the working families of this state. The ILWU believes that Senator Akaka exemplifies the best values of the people of Hawaii, including justice for all, support for ohana, and fair laws to protect working people.

Singapore’s PSA International had offered $6.3 billion, but Dubai Ports World won out with a bid of $7 billion to buy the British Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company (P&O).

Hawaii’s pineapple industry is not in trouble. There are challenges, but the two remaining pineapple growers, Dole Foods and Maui Pineapple Company, see a future for pineapple in Hawaii. In 2004, Dole reported profits of $257 million from sales of $3.54 billion in fresh fruit, most of which came from sales of banana and pineapple. Partial results for 2005 show that sales and profits for Dole will be slightly higher.

Each year, the Oahu Division of the ILWU honors some very deserving people in a special program at their February Executive Board Meeting. The Division looks over the work of the union in the previous year and chooses the winners in the following categories — Outstanding Unit, Outstanding Unit Leader, Outstanding Steward, Inspirational Leader, and Outstanding Unit Editor.