Late last year, some hangman’s nooses appeared on the docks. The response from the ILWU was clear: Symbols of hate will not be tolerated in this union, period. Local leaders, the International Executive Board, and Coast Committee all moved quickly to adopt strong statements that condemned symbols of hate. Meetings were held with the PMA to discuss what happened and take action to prevent future incidents.
How could something like this happen in a union like the ILWU? Our union proudly led the charge against racism from the beginning. Harry Bridges knew that strikes had been broken— and unions crushed—because employers were using race to pit one group against another. He challenged prejudice in our ranks and helped build a union that practiced racial equality when much of America was still segregated.
Why is the noose such a frightening and offensive symbol? Because lynching was used to terrify African Americans for over a hundred years. Unfortunately, this history isn’t always taught in schools. So where can we learn more about how the noose has been used as a symbol of racial hatred?
CNN recently aired a one-hour program called “The Noose” that everyone should see to understand how this symbol of hate was used to terrorize African Americans, Chinese, Native Americans, Latinos, Communists, and labor organizers.
I think everyone who learns more about this terrible history is going to be much more sensitive and respectful about living and working together with different kinds of people. That was part of Martin Luther King’s dream, and this issue of the Dispatcher is dedicated to his life and work.
This April marks the 40th anniversary of Dr. King’s assassination. Naturally, Dr. King is remembered for leading the Civil Rights movement. But many don’t realize that he worked closely with labor unions—and was killed in Memphis while helping 1,300 striking sanitation workers fight for dignity and their right to have a union.
The strike had gone a month when Dr. King came to Memphis. He quickly helped rally church, labor, and community support for non-violent marches that focused national attention on the antiunion mayor and city council. The night before he was killed, Dr. King gathered his supporters in a local church where he gave his famous “mountaintop” speech. The strike was settled less than two weeks after his death.
Secretary-Treasurer Willie Adams visited Memphis last month to represent the ILWU, along with a thousand other union members from around the country who gathered to honor Dr. King’s life and work.
Both Dr. King and Harry Bridges understood the power of unity, and how racial hatred can divide and destroy us. Both men were able to work with people from all backgrounds, and that approach made it possible for them to improve the lives of millions of working people.
We can honor the legacy of Harry Bridges and Dr. King by continuing to struggle for equality in our workplaces, opposing discrimination wherever it appears, and by building a stronger union that unites all of us to improve the lives of working families.
An injury to one is an injury to all.
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Future Retirees Health Plan
Handbook of Benefits
A handbook which describes your benefits, rights, and responsibilities under the ILWU VEBA Trust Fund is available at your Division office. Your unit officers or business agent may also have copies.
Over 80 ILWU units with a combined membership of over 10,000 have voted to participate in the VEBA Trust Fund. The fund has now been in operation for three years.
Important Notice
Members who leave the company, quit, or retire before making 10 years of contributions may continue to contribute on their own. However, you must submit the required form (included in the handbook) and make payments by a certain date. For more information about contributing on your own or any other questions, you should call the Trust Fund Office in Honolulu at 808- 441-8600 or neighbor islands may call 1(888) 256-3578 from 8:00 A.M. through 4:30 P.M.
Board of Trustees
The VEBA Trust is administered by a board of trustees appointed by the union. Board members are: Dave Mori - Oahu Division; Wallace Ishibashi - Hawaii Division; Delbert DeRego - Maui Division; Pamela Green - Kauai Division; Eusebio (Bo) Lapenia – ILWU Retiree. Fred Galdones and Donna Domingo serve as alternates.
Joining the VEBA TRUST
If your unit is not listed below, then you are not part of the VEBA Trust. Individual members cannot join the VEBA Trust—your unit must join as a group. Units may still join the fund, so talk to your unit officers or business agent. Speakers are available who can explain in more detail how the VEBA works and how it can help you when you retire.
The following ILWU Units are in the VEBA Trust Hawaii Division - BEI Hawaii; Foodland - Waimea; Hilton Waikoloa Village; Mauna Kea Beach Hotel; Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows; Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut; MLP - Kau; Sack N’ Save; The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii; Tropical Hawaiian Products; and Yamada & Sons.
Maui Division - Ameron HC&D - Maui; Castle & Cooke Resorts; Diamond Resort; Hale Makua; Hawaiian Cement; Hawthorne Pacific Corp.; Hyatt Regency Maui; Island Movers Maui; Kaanapali Beach Hotel; Kapalua Land Co - Cart Barn; Maui Blocks; Maui Eldorado Resort; Maui Prince Hotel; Maui Tropical Plantation; Paradise Beverage; Ritz-Carlton Kapalua; Royal Lahaina Hotel; Sandalwood Golf Course & Grand Waikapu; Star Ice and Soda Works; The Lodge at Koele/Manele Bay Hotel; Tri-Isle, Inc; and the Westin Maui.
Kauai Division - Foodland Supermarket; Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa; Kauai Commercial Co.; Kauai Toyota; Meadow Gold; Mid Pac Auto Center; Pacific Service & Development; and Princeville Operating Company.
Oahu Division - BEI Hawaii; Diamond Head Memorial Park Association; Dole Fresh Fruit; Dole Plantation Store; Eggs Hawaii; Foodland Supermarket; Hawaii Logistics; Hawaii Medical Center - Technicians; Hawaii Pacific Health; Hawaiian Memorial Park Cemetery Assn.; Honolulu Advertiser; Honolulu Airport Hotel; Honolulu Ford; Island Movers; Kaiser Foundation; Kapiolani Children’s Medical Center; Kuakini Medical Center; Love’s Bakery; Luana Hills Country Club; Macsteel Service Centers USA; Mililani Memorial Park & Mortuary; Mililani Town Association; Nuuanu Memorial Park; Oahu Cemetery Association; Oahu One Credit Union; Pearl Country Club and Restaurant; Sack & Save; Servco Pacific; Simmons Bedding Company; Straub Clinic & Hospital; The Pepsi Bottling Group; Turtle Bay Resort Golf Club; Valley of the Temples Memorial Park; Vanguard Car Rental USA; Wahiawa General Hospital; Waikele Golf; and Weyerhaeuser Company.