In Dr. King’s Letter from a Birmingham Jail, he famously stated, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affected one directly, affects all indirectly.” This quote deeply reflects ILWU’s motto “An injury to one is an injury to all.” Oahu Division participates in the MLK Day Parade in January of every year. Pictured above is last year’s MLK Day Parade (occurred before COVID-19 hit). Even though there was no parade this year, Dr. King’s principles still provide hope and inspiration for us all.
“We may have all come on different ships, but we’re all in the same boat now.”
So many of Dr. King’s quotes and insights hold wisdom that ring true to today. COVID-19 has definitely put the country as a whole in the same boat, collectively facing not only a global pandemic, but also the destructive forces of structural racism and economic inequality.
Dr. King was assassinated in March of 1968. He was shot while on a trip to Memphis, in town specifically to energize and express solidarity to Black sanitation workers who were striking to demand better working conditions and fair pay.
Dr. King was assassinated for challenging racism and white supremacy, the same destructive forces we saw overtake Capitol Hill this year earlier in January.
With a country still deeply divided by racism and the pandemic surging all around us, it is a blessing and comfort to remember Dr. King – a man who expressed courage and compassion even as fear and violence engulfed him.
As we remember Dr. King, let us also remember to draw attention to the many people in ILWU Local 142’s membership who have also shown courage and strength in the face of adversity through this last year. Our front-line workers – healthcare staff and technicians, grocery store workers, longshore brothers and sisters, to name a few, have shown up to their jobs every day and help keep our community healthy and safe. It has taken their courage and sacrifice for us to function as close to normally as possible.
Dr. King supported unions until his literal dying day. He fully embodied ILWU’s motto “An injury to one is an injury to all.” May we all keep his vision alive and uphold his legacy this coming year and beyond.
In warm memory of Roy Jardine
Roy Jardine in Honolulu at the ILWU Pensioners Conference in 2018.
ILWU Local 142 lost a guiding light and big-hearted union leader in former Hawaii Division Business Agent Roy Jardine. He passed away on November 15, 2020.
Always a union man
Roy was born and raised in Hilo. He first worked for Pan American Airways from 1965 to 1983, and served his fellow workers there by participating actively in the Transport Workers Union.
After the company downsized, he became a longshoreman at Hawaii Stevedores Inc. in 1984. His goodnatured outgoingness made him a natural leader, and he caught the attention of ILWU leaders who appointed him as a Division Representative in 1989.
After working for Oahu Division for a couple years, Roy asked to be transferred to the Big Island in 1991.
He ran for the seat of Business Agent in 1992 and assumed the role in 1993 and worked out of the ILWU Kona Office.
Strong love of sports
Roy loved the game of softball, probably because he was such a great team player in real life. During his tenure at Pan Am he got to travel to California, Tahiti and Japan playing in different leagues. He played every position except pitcher.
By the time he got to ILWU, he had gathered his own team together, the “RJ Hammers.”
The realm of sports and the work of the union complement each other naturally with both of them requiring teamwork and cooperation for success.
Roy utilized the ILWU Sports Program as an organizing tool, and brought his joy for athletics to all members regardless of their interest level in the union.
When he moved to the Big Island, Roy became Sports Coordinator there and promoted the ILWU Sports Program as an entry way for members to make a connection to the ILWU.
His extensive network from sports and the union helped him make meaningful bonds with so many, which helped grow the ILWU ohana and a sense of connectedness throughout his community in general.
Active in the union through retirement
Roy officially retired from being a Business Agent on August 1, 2006. He earned well-deserved time to spend with his wife Dotty, two daughters and three grandchildren.
His invaluable experience and wisdom, and his continued commitment to the union led him to be selected to serve on the Board of Directors of the ILWU Memorial Association. The Memorial Association is composed of retired ILWU leaders who provide guidance to the ILWU in areas such as asset management and pensioner programming.
Upon retiring, it was Roy’s idea to help found a pensioner club in Kona. He served as President of the Kona Pensioner Club until he passed away.
Mahalo, Roy, for leaving behind such a beautiful legacy of what it means to exemplify union values. You used your voice to speak up for issues that mattered for working people from the honesty of your heart. We are honored to learn from your example and will miss you dearly.