“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.

Ethnic unity during the 1944 sugar strike

The triennial Convention will be held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, 655 Burrard Street in Vancouver, British Columbia, beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, May 15, 2006, and closing on or about Friday, May 19, 2006. The elected Convention delegates will vote to decide the International budget, proposed increases in per-capita rates, as well as policies and direction of the ILWU for the next three-year period.

This is a reproduction of the Call to the ILWU’s 33rd Convention, to held in Vancouver, B.C. beginning May 15.

The International Convention is the highest decision-making body of the ILWU. Aside from making policy decisions on all matters affecting the ILWU, it has the authority to amend the constitution and receives nominations for Titled Officers and members of the International Executive Board.