HONOLULU—A downpour soaked Oahu on February 27, 2004. High winds, heavy rain, thunder and lightning gridlocked Oahu streets. Many areas were flooded, trees were downed, and power was knocked out in Salt Lake and Pearl City. Mud and debris slides further worsened travel into Honolulu.
But the terrible traffic and treacherous weather did not deter some very dedicated Oahu ILWU members. They braved the elements to attend the Oahu Division Executive Board (DEB) and annual awards dinner scheduled for that evening. Not all award winners were able to attend, but several did.
The DEB agenda was suspended at 6:45 p.m. and Division Education Coordinator Karl Lindo rose to thank the rank-and-file and retired members who contributed so much to the union in 2003.
Every year, an “MVP” or Most Valuable Pensioner award is given to two retirees for their outstanding participation in union programs. This year Bob Freitas of the Love’s Bakery Pensioner Club and Esther Scharsch of the Dole Pineneers were chosen for the honor. “They have been really great in coordinating the pensioner activities, like the weekend BINGO events,” said Division Pensioner Coordinator Larry Ruiz.
“Community Service” awards are also given out, this year to Chairperson Kenneth Ige of Unit 4412 - Servco Pacific Inc. and Steward TedHugh “Kelii” Johnston of Unit 4404 - Pepsi Bottling Group. Ige was praised for his volunteer work in the ILWU’s political action and sports programs. Johnston is a long-time volunteer with the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) annual food drive.
Two “Most Inspirational Leader” awards were given out for 2003. One was awarded to Unit 4404 - Pepsi Bottling Group’s former Chairperson Sharon Basmayor. Although not currently on the job, Sharon continues to come to union meetings and attend political action functions. According to Division Director Dave Mori, “it’s hard to find leaders of Sharon’s caliber.”
Kenneth Ige (r) receives a 2003 Oahu Division Award for Community Service from Business Agent Brandon Bajo-Daniel for his participation in the ILWU’s political action and sports programs.
The other inspirational leader award was given to a group of members—the workers at new Unit 4310 - Dole Plantation Store. Business Agent Brandon Bajo-Daniel particularly praised the negotiating committee as a core group of strong members who held the unit together for almost a year while they worked to get a first contract.
The “Outstanding Stewards” for 2003 were Ruth Bersabal of Unit 4420 - Straub Clinic & Hospital and David Gravatt of Unit 4420 - Kapiolani Medical Center. According to Business Agent Brian Tanaka, “Ruth is the backbone of the unit. She attends almost all unit meetings and her persistence in the new hire program makes her second to none. David has been very instrumental in keeping his department involved and informed.”
“Unit Leader of the Year” awards went to Dillon Hullinger of Unit 4405 - Foodland Super Market Ltd. and Rendell Banis of Unit 4415 - Mililani Town Association. Dillon, who is chairperson for the unit, manages to build communication in his unit despite the obstacle of having 16 locations islandwide. Rendell is a true unit leader, resolving problems in the workplace and keeping his members informed and involved.
The “Outstanding Units” for 2003 were Unit 4421 - Waikele Golf Club, Inc. (1-29 members); Unit 4408 - Weyerhaeuser (30-99 members); and Unit 4420 - Sodexho, Inc. (100 & over members). Waikele Golf Club members struggled for two years to negotiate their contract. In 2003 they put their jobs on the line with a strike vote. A settlement followed, and although the unit is made up of only 18 members they pulled together and came through with dignity.
Weyerhaeuser negotiations are handled by a spokesperson from the mainland on management’s side, who typically comes for a one-week period during which the contract is settled. In 2003, management dropped a bombshell at the end of the negotiation week, asking for major concessions on the medical plan. The spokesperson left town faced with a possible strike. When word got back to the corporate office about how strongly members supported the efforts of their union negotiating committee and that the concessions were not acceptable, management withdrew its proposal. The medical and retiree medical benefits were preserved.
Sodexho workers are some of the lowest paid workers in the health care field. But what is so significant about them is the way they persist and continue to grow as union members. They suffered from a company split-off from Straub when they were organizing into the union. Despite the setback, they continued to organize. They work hard for the gains in their contract, and are active participants in the union. 94% of the membership attended the most recent contract ratification vote. 90% of Sodexho members voted in the 2003 union officer election. Sodexho members should be proud that they are setting a standard for participation toward which all ILWU units should aim. ◆
Business Agent and Division pensioner program coordinator Larry Ruiz and Bob Freitas, who was honored as “MVP” or Most Valuable Pensioner for 2003. Freitas is a member of the Oahu Love’s Bakery pensioner club.
Unit 4408 - Weyerhaeuser Co. won the award for Outstanding Unit, 30-99 Members. Unit Chairperson Sililo Pale (l) and Steward Clarence Ledward (r) accept the award on behalf of their members from Oahu Division Director Dave Mori.
Unit 4405 - Foodland Super Market Ltd.’s Chairperson Dillon Hullinger (r) was chosen as one of two Unit Leaders of the Year by Oahu Division. According to his Business Agent Karl Lindo (l), “Dillon really grew as a Unit Chair last year. He really took the initiative to bring things up about the unit and help take care of them.”