The ILWU is a democratic, rankand-file union that is built on the conviction that working people are fully capable of acquiring all the skills needed to run their own union. In addition, rank-and-file democracy and control of the ILWU requires an educated and informed membership and unit and full-time officers who get the support and training they need to do the work of the union. This is why ILWU Local 142 has run its own education program since 1946 that focuses on developing the skills and knowledge of union officers and members.
Education for Unit Officers and Stewards
Grievance Handling - 14 one day classes were held for 307 stewards and unit officers. This class covers the job of the steward, the grievance procedure, how to understand and use the contract, and a short section on the importance of political action.
Mobilizing Our Units - 6 one day leadership classes were held with 140 unit officers. These leadership classes cover the job of unit officers, the structure of the ILWU, skills needed to run a unit, and how to set up specific programs such as new hires orientation, voter registration, or oneon-one member mobilization.
Treasurers classes are run by the Local Secretary-Treasurer for all unit treasurers on the proper way to handle unit funds, how to put together a budget and finance policy, and insuring that new members are signed up and paying dues.
Advanced Leadership - one Labor Institute was held, attended by 90 people. The Institute’s 5-day program focused on contract campaigns—how to research your employer; how to build membership power; how to put pressure on your employer.
Full-time Officers - two programs were held, attended by 62 full-time officers (FTOs). A Labor Law Conference was held in September 2001 to update FTOs on the changes in state and federal labor laws. The Mobilizing Project summed up the lesson learned in the mobilizing campaign at the Royal Lahaina Resort for FTOs in August 2002.
Political Action Classes - 3 programs were held for the Division Political Action Committees, attended by 95 people. These classes covered the difference between Democrats and Republicans and the anti-union legislation proposed by Republicans; reviewed the gains the union made through political action; explained how the union makes endorsements; and discussed the proposed PAC programs of voter registration, member education, and candidate support.
Convention Workshops and Briefing Sessions - Educational Workshops are now a regular part of the Local 142 Convention. This Convention featured 21 presentations in the Briefing Sessions which gave delegates a broad education on what is happening in this country.
Publicity Activities
Voice of ILWU - The union’s eight-page newspaper is mailed to all ILWU members and retirees upon request. The VOICE keeps members informed on the work of the union, issues that affect working people, and contains legal notices such as elections and balloting information.
Unit Bulletins - Thirty-one unit editors published bulletins during this triennium. Most of these editors publish monthly and a few publish bulletins as needed. The bulletins serve to strengthen the union at the unit level.
Union Pamphlets - Our Education Department is responsible for a number of pamphlets, including the “Guide for New Members” and revising the ILWU Constitution and Bylaws.
Shirts and Hats - Building Pride in Our Union - We continue to offer a full line of ILWU logo ware shirts, hats, and jackets which give the ILWU exposure and encourage our members to show pride in their union.
Promoting the ILWU and Unionism in the Community - The ILWU supports the production of educational programs on the ILWU, labor history, or unionism which can be used for new hire orientations and high school students. The union supported the production of Ian Ruskin’s one-hour radio program—“From Piers to Plantations — a Union in Hawaii” and a program on former ILWU attorney Harriet Bouslog, produced by the Biography Series and shown on Public Television this month.
Education recommendations
The same basic education program is proposed for the next triennium— grievance handling classes, leadership classes, and a 5-day labor institute. As 2004 will be a critical political year, more priority will be given to leadership and political action classes over grievance handling classes in 2004. The Labor Institute will be held in 2005 or early 2006 and will probably be held at 451 Atkinson Drive in Honolulu.
Publicity recommendations
We propose continuing and strengthening the same publicity program for 2004-2006—consisting of the Voice of ILWU, Unit Bulletins, and the Shirts and Hats program. Promoting the ILWU and unionism - we should continue this program to the extent our finances permit.
Rank-and-file democracy and control of the ILWU requires an educated and informed membership and unit and full-time officers who get the support and training they need to do the work of the union
Library and Archives
The Local 142 library has played a vital role in the daily operations of the ILWU since its beginnings, serving the informational needs of the union in the areas of collective bargaining, organizing, contract administration, education, political action, and membership services.
The library continues to have three major functions: to provide reference sources to support union activities, to maintain the records of Local 142, and to preserve materials related to the history of the ILWU in Hawaii.
The renovation of the ILWU headquarters at 451 Atkinson greatly improved the physical environment of the library and expanded the previous space by about 50 percent. The improvements were designed to make more effective use of space and to preserve the union’s important documents, publications, and artifacts for as long as possible.
The library and archives staff provides reference services to Local and International titled officers and FTOs, Local administrative and clerical staff, union members, and other authorized library users.
With the renovation and expansion of the library facilities, the library and archives staff now has the opportunity to further develop reference services, to assist in systematizing the flow of records within the union, and to organize, better preserve, and make available materials that document the history of Local 142.
ILWU Sports
Started in 1953, the ILWU Local Sports Program has the distinction of being the oldest of its kind in Hawaii and is the envy of many Unions. The late Brother Saburo Fujisaki molded and nurtured the ILWU Sports Program with the help of the rank and file during the early years. The late Brother Fred Paulino continued the work after Brother Fujisaki retired and worked diligently to improve and add to the Sports Program until his death in August 1993.
The Convention adopted MS-2, a budget of $60,000 for the Sports Program (MS-2a), and Sports Program Policy and Rules (MS-2b).
The eligibility rules remain unchanged: Only Local 142 members in good standing, their spouses, pensioners and spouses, and dependent children attending school full-time and members of the ILWU office staff and spouses are eligible to participate in all activities. A special rule “grandfathers” chartered members of ILWU Golf Clubs who were registered members as of 1961 in recognition of the role they played in setting up the clubs. West Coast, Canada or Alaska ILWU members in good standing may participate in state, island golf-bowling tournaments as “regular members.”
Future State Tournaments
1) Men’s Fast-Pitch Softball — Single Elimination: Kauai - May 14- 15, 2004; Maui - May 13-14, 2005; Hawaii - May 12-13, 2006.
2) Men’s Slow-Pitch Softball — Single Elimination — Hawaii - September 24-25, 2004; Kauai -September 23-24, 2005; Maui - September 29-30, 2006.
3) Golf — 36 holes, Mixed - Hawaii - September 4-5, 2004; Kauai – September 3-4, 2005; Oahu – September 2-3, 2006.
4) Bowling — Mixed - Hawaii - November 26-27, 2004; Kauai - November 25-26, 2005; Oahu - November 24-25, 2006.
5) Men’s Basketball — Kauai - December 10-11, 2004; Hawaii - December 9-10, 2005; Oahu - December 8-9, 2006.
Division Activities
1) Softball — Men’s Leagues - Each Division has the option of organizing a fast-pitch, slow pitch or mountain ball league. Women’s leagues are optional depending on interest.
2) Golf — Clubs will play monthly/ twice monthly/quarterly tournaments, whichever best suits the needs of the membership.
3) Bowling — Mixed men’s/ women’s leagues - dates, mode of play, optional by Division.
4) Basketball — Men’s leagues geared to December state tournaments. Women’s leagues—optional within each Division.
5) Other sports are optional within each Division.
6) Out-of-State Tours – Bowling, softball, and golf tours may be explored for the next three years.