This issue of the Voice of the ILWU is your official notice of the 2012 ILWU Local 142 Election. It contains the positions and candidates who will appear on the ballot and the dates, times and locations of voting for your unit. This issue also contains statements and photographs submitted by candidates.
The dates, times and locations of voting for your unit are listed separately by geographical division—Hawaii, Maui, Kauai, and Oahu—and sorted by unit number. Hawaii Longshore Division voting schedules are listed as they have been in the past; they are included in the geographical division where the unit is located. For example, the Unit 2201 - Kahului Stevedores schedule is included in the Maui Division list. Look up your unit number or company name and take note of the dates, times, and locations indicated for your unit
nd locations indicated for your unit. For most members, THERE WILL BE NO OTHER OFFICIAL NOTICE OF THIS ELECTION. Some units may post this notice on their union bulletin boards, but this is not required for all units. In a few cases, where there is an error or change in this notice, members may receive an updated notice in the mail. However, for all other members, this will be your only notice of this election.
Candidate statements
All candidates in the upcoming ILWU Local 142 elections had the equal opportunity to submit a photograph and statement which would be printed in this issue of the VOICE of the ILWU. The deadline for submission was 4:00 pm, September 28, 2012.
The statements were limited to 200 words and those statements longer than 200 words were cut to the last complete sentence. Otherwise, the content of the statements are printed exactly as received, with no editing for spelling, punctuation, or grammar.
All attempts were made to preserve the physical appearance of the original statements—capitalized words, underlining, boldfacing, and italicizing were maintained. However, all statements are printed with the same fonts and font size, except where limited space required a smaller font size.
Some candidates did not submit a statement or photo. Their names are printed and we indicate that they did not submit a photo or statement by the deadline.
Elections Committee
The ILWU Local Election Committee is made up of one representative from each Division. The current members are Francis Kamakaokalani from Maui Division, Herbert Kekuawela from Kauai Division, Frankie Pang from Hawaii Division, Allen Rabut from the Hawaii Longshore Division, and Eddie Sekigawa from Oahu Division.
ILWU Local 142 rank-and-filers make important policy decisions
26th Triennial Local Convention
The rank-and-file members of the ILWU Local 142 make the policies that direct the work of the Local union. This democratic duty of ILWU Local 142 members is done once every three years at a four-day Convention. The 26th ILWU Local 142 Convention was held this year from September 18-21 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Honolulu, Hawaii.
A total of 450 delegates, observers and special guests attended the Convention. Members from Hawaii, Maui, Lanai, Oahu and Kauai all attended, representing the entire state. The delegates worked hard for four days and a few evenings to make decisions that will guide the union for the next three years. All actions of the Local Convention take effect upon adoption by the Convention.
Honored guests call for political action
Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa delivered the Welcome Address. Hanabusa spoke on the history of the Longshore and the ILWU. She called on the membership to support the Longshore Division in protecting the Jones Act, educating the Convention on the importance of the Jones Act, here in Hawaii. ILWU International President Bob McEllrath followed the Congresswoman with a speech from the heart. He recognized the hard work of International Vice President (Hawaii), Wesley Furtado. He shared with the membership the struggles of
(L-r) International Vice President Hawaii Wesley Furtado, U.S. Representative Congressional District 2 candidate Tulsi Gabbard, and International President Robert McEllrath at the 26th ILWU Local 142 Convention. Members are urged to vote for ILWU-endorsed, worker-friendly candidates Gabbard, Mazie Hirono (U.S. Senate), and Colleen Hanabusa (U.S. Representative Congressional District 1) in the November 6, 2012 General Election.
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