The Convention is the highest governing body of ILWU Local 142. It is held once every threee years and is attended by some of the most active and dedicated members of the union, many of whom hold positions of leadership. These delegates to the Convention review the work of the officers and have the power to set the policies and programs of the ILWU for the next three years.
This was the 24th Convention and it was held from September 25-29, 2006, at the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua on the Island of Maui. This was the first time the Convention was held on a Neighbor Island and the first time at an ILWU organized hotel. There were other “firsts.” To reduce costs, delegates traveled Monday morning instead of Sunday and the Convention started Monday afternoon. To increase participation and to expose delegates to more of the union’s activities, delegates were assigned to two committees.
What did you like best about the Convention?
The Convention is much more than a 5-day long, working meeting. It is one of the only times when ILWU members from every island, every industrial group, and every unit can come together, meet each other, and talk story. It is a learning experience for many new delegates who will learn first-hand what the union is all about. It is when old-timers can pass on the culture and legacy of the union to younger members. And, finally, the Convention builds solidarity and tightens the bonds that tie the diverse membership of the ILWU into a single organization.
Delegates shared their thoughts of what they liked best about the Convention in their evaluations. Most of the delegates who responded thought the education and wealth of information they received from the speakers and the materials were the best part of the Convention. Meeting new people, seeing old friends, and building solidarity were other common high points of the Convention. Many delegates were proud of the topnotch facilities of the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua and the excellent service provided by the hotel workers.
Convention participants work hard setting Local 142’s policies, programs, and budget for the next three years.
Strength and Solidarity
“Solidarity of union members—our union brothers and sisters.”
“Working together and building a stronger union.”
“Getting together with our brothers and sisters and seeing how strong we are.”
“How we support each other and hearing the words “an injury to one is an injury to all.”
“The encouragement to be a good member and participate in union functions.”
“Seeing everyone come up with feedback. People come from other places and we are very united in trying to make a difference together.”
“Democratic process, where everybody can be heard.”
“Meeting the people in charge and learning more in depth on union function and procedures.”
“The best thing was learning all aspect of the union and how changes and improvements are made to the ILWU 142 constitution.”
Meeting our Brothers and Sisters
“Meeting our brothers and sisters. different islands and unit and good learning lessons to bring back to our unit.”
“Meeting and speaking with other units. Learning how important PAC was to us as a union and as an individual.”
“It’s a great learning experience. To meet all other rank and file and delegates in other divisions of the ILWU.”
“I learned so much and I also met a lot of ILWU members. I also got so much ideas.”
Education
“My first time to attend this Convention and I learned a lot, especially the importance of political action and the Bylaws and Constitution of the ILWU.”
“Being the first time attending a convention, it was a very educational experience. I’ve learned so much of why we are ILWU!”
“My first, so information, education to take back to my unit.”
“First time to attend this convention, its wonderful, learned a lot of new ideas.”
“Learning about politics and who is not helping us as working people or our Union and what they stand for. Learning that political action is very important.”
“All about the politics and recognizing all the individual and the people who work hard for the union.” ◆
Speakers at the Convention
Political Action was the dominant message throughout the Convention—it was a theme repeated by almost every speaker.
The following speakers addressed the 24th Convention: Maui Division Director Willie Kennison welcomed the Convention to Maui; Local 142 President Fred Galdones challenged the delegates to adopt a Convention program to build a better future; Maui County Chairperson Riki Hokama welcomed the Convention on behalf of Maui County; Hawaii State AFL-CIO President Randy.
Perreira spoke of the need for people to vote and become more active in politics; retired ILWU Social Worker Ah Quon McElrath talked about learning from the union’s past; candidate for Governor Randy Iwase and candidate for Lieutenant Governor Malama Solomon thanked the union for its support; and candidate for US House of Representative Mazie Hirono spoke of the need to shift the national priorities of our country.
Congressman Neil Abercrombie provided a video-taped message and Senators Daniel Inouye and Daniel Akaka sent written messages.
The International ILWU officers also spoke at the Convention. President Robert McEllrath talked about solidarity. Vice President Mainland Joe Radisich talked about the importance of political action. Vice President Hawaii Wesley Furtado talked about the upcoming longshore negotiations, political action, and the need to organize. And SecretaryTreasurer Willie Adams spoke of the need to restore the balance of justice and rebuild America. ◆
Convention Sgt. at Arms kept order, distributed material, and coordinated with the Local Officers to make sure the Convention ran smoothly. (L-r) Patrick DeCosta (The Honolulu Advertiser), Galen Teraoka (Pepsi Bottling Group), Claro Romero (Maui Business Agent from Island Movers), Aurelio Mina (Yamada Diversified), Amy Kawaguchi (The Ritz Carlton Kapalua), Bobby Andrion (Maui Business Agent from Hawaiian Commercial and Sugar Co.), Joey Silva (Grand Hyatt Kauai), and Jon Garcia (Kauai Commercial).
Local President Fred Galdones (right) addresses the committee on Officer’s Report, Resolutions and Organizing.
Changes to the Constitution
The ILWU Constitution sets the rules by which the Union and its members operate. Ten Constitutional amendments were adopted by the 24th Convention. Four of the amendments made small changes so the requirements would be more realistic and practicable. These dealt with how often to hold meetings and how to fill a vacancy for unit chairperson. Four other amendments made corrections— dealing with election procedures, associate membership fees, and the International ILWU’s name.
A total of 16 Constitutional amendments were submitted to the Convention. Ten were adopted, five were rejected by the Constitution Committee, and one was withdrawn by the maker.
1. Amendment C-2 adds new language to Article 1 on the “Composition of the Union” which gives the Local Executive Board the power to disclaim an existing bargaining unit that no longer meets the legal requirements of union representation, where the unit wants to get out of the union, or where the unit refuses to comply with the ILWU Constitution. This is a rare event but clarifies some of the conditions where a unit can be “disowned” by the Union.
2. Amendment C-5 changes Article 2 Section 2.02.3 by reducing the six elected business agent positions for Hawaii, Maui, and Oahu Divisions to five. There is no change in the two positions for Kauai. This would take effect for the next union elections in 2009. The intent is to fill these positions with appointed Full-Time Officers and to provide better service to the membership by having a combination of elected and appointed officers.
Practical amendments
3. Amendment C-9 modifies Article 7 Section 7.01 by removing the requirement for the Local Executive Board to hold at least one meeting in each Division. It now gives the officers the option of holding meetings on a Neighbor Island if there is a need to do so.
4. Amendment C-13 modifies Article 17 Section 17.06 dealing with a vacancy in the office of unit chair. The unit now has the option of appointing the next officer in succession or to conduct a special election. The old language required a special election within 60 days.
5. Amendment C-15 modifies Article 32 which required the Titled Officers to meet at least once a week. The new language gives them the option to meet once a month or more often as needed.
6. Amendment C-16 modifies Article 32 Section 32.07 which required the Unit Executive Board and Stewards’ Council to meet at least once every month. The new language gives the unit the option to meet once every six months or more often as determined by the unit. Reference to the Stewards’ Council is removed.
Corrections to Constitution
7. Amendment C-1 corrects a reference to the International Longshoremen’s and Warehousemen’s Union in the “Declaration of Principles.” The ILWU’s name was changed to International Longshore and Warehouse Union.
8. Amendment C-3 changes Article 1 Section 1.04 on the “Composition of the Union” to require staff employees of ILWU Local 142 who are not members or eligible to be members to become Associate Members of ILWU Local 142 and pay associate membership fees. The old language required them to become Associate Members but to pay Local 142 dues.
9. Amendments C-12 and C-14 changes an election procedure for handling extra ballots in Article 14 Section 14.03.1.3 for local elections and Article 18 Section 18.05 for unit elections. The old procedure called for randomly removing and not counting extra ballots which is probably a violation of federal rules that govern union elections.
