ers implore the Commission on Water Resource Management, when setting interim instream flow standards for East and West Maui streams, to ensure that an adequate amount of stream water is available to HC&S for the irrigation of its crops so that the benefits provided by HC&S to this community are sustained and the vast green fields of Central Maui are kept in agricultural production.
Convention delegates and observers urge members of the legislature, state administration and County officials to support HC&S’ beneficial use of stream water for the irrigation of sugar cane in light of the significant economic and social benefits provided to the people of this state.
R-12 The ILWU Stands for Equality
The ILWU has always stood for unity of all workers and has taken the lead in fighting against practice and attitudes that divide workers by race, sex, national origin, age, religion, or political beliefs. In 1997, the 30th Convention of the International ILWU reaffirmed this commitment to unity and equality by changing the name of the union from the “International Longshoremen’s and Warehousemen’s Union” to the “International Longshore and Warehouse Union”.
The change in name says that the union belongs to men and women members equally. It was done out of respect for women and recognizes the presence, status, and important role of women in our union. It was the right thing to do. It was farsighted and progressive.
Language can be a powerful influence on attitudes, behavior and perceptions. Male-biased language can be an obstacle to equality between men and women. Male-biased words can dehumanize and demean women, make wrong and incorrect assumptions about people, and perpetuate harmful stereotypes and lead to unequal treatment and injustice.
The 25th Convention of ILWU Local 142 reaffirms the name of our International as the “International Longshore and Warehouse Union” and urges all Local 142 units to set an example by avoiding the use of gender-biased words in the work of our union and in our collective bargaining agreements.
RCA-1 Promote ILWU VEBA Trust
Medical coverage is crucial to everyone’s well-being. With insurance, health care can be affordable and accessible. Without insurance, however, a person must decide between getting needed health care and doing without, leading to potentially more serious and costly medical conditions.
Yet for many ILWU members, medical coverage ends just when their need is the greatest. Very few ILWU members have medical coverage when they retire. Instead, they are forced to purchase medical insurance on their own or pay for all medical expenses out-of-pocket until they become eligible for Medicare.
That is why delegates to the Local Convention in 2003 took action to establish a Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA) Trust when sufficient numbers of members voted to participate in the program. By 2005, after numerous meetings with members on all islands, the VEBA program was put into place and contributions to the Trust began. With these contributions, participating members are expected to receive a benefit toward payment of expenses for medical costs when they retire.
However, the amount that a member may receive when eligible is likely to be small, even with contribution investments, because the monthly contribution itself is relatively small ($3). That is why the Local encourages members participating in the VEBA Trust to increase their monthly contributions with voluntary Supplemental Contributions.
Supplemental Contributions may be made at any time and in any amount, but the earlier the contributions are made, the greater the potential for investment earnings.
The 25th Convention of ILWU Local 142 encourages units to participate in the ILWU Local 142 VEBA Trust to allow unit members to benefit from post-retirement benefits; and encourages members of participating units to consider Supplemental Contributions to increase future benefits.
RMS-1 Support the United Way
The United Way has a unique partnership with labor and financially supports the Labor’s Community Services Program. On Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island, labor liaisons assist laid-off union members with food, offer seminars and workshops on services to benefit union members, and participate in programs like the annual Letter Carriers’ food drive which brings together union volunteers to support food banks on all islands.
The United Way embodies the ILWU slogan, “An Injury to One is an Injury to All.” If one in our community is hurting, we all are and must pull together to help. In recognition of Jack Hall’s founding role and in support of the valuable programs and services provided through the United Way’s partner organizations statewide, all ILWU members, staff, and full-time officers are encouraged to contribute to the United Way.
The 25th Convention of the ILWU Local 142 promotes the United Way and its work to support agencies that provide services to the community. ILWU members, staff, and full-time officers are encouraged to contribute to the United Way, preferably through payroll deduction. The ILWU supports the Labor’s Community Services Program.
RMS-2 Appreciation of ILWU
Pensioner Participation in Union Programs ILWU pensioners, individually and through pensioner clubs, provide support to the union in various ways. In political action, they signwave for endorsed candidates, help with campaign mailings, and appear at legislative hearings. In organizing, they urge their relatives and friends to support the ILWU and share their organizing experiences with new organizers and prospective members. In other union activities, they come out to show support and be a part of the ILWU contingent whether walking a picket line, joining a Martin Luther King Day parade, or coming to a Labor Day event.
While pensioner involvement in the ILWU benefits both the Union and the pensioners themselves, the ILWU is grateful for the participation of pensioners in union programs. They provide numbers when active union members cannot turn out. They enhance the public’s image of the ILWU. They lend credibility and respectability to the Union’s position.
The 25th Convention of the ILWU Local 142 extends sincere appreciation to the pensioners who have participated in the pensioner program and supported ILWU programs. ILWU Local 142 reaffirms its commitment to the ILWU pensioner program and involvement of pensioners in Union activities. All ILWU members are encouraged to join existing ILWU pensioner clubs or form new ones.
RPAC-1 Resolution o ILWU Political Action
Political action is a major part of the ILWU’s program and has aided the Union in securing benefits for members through changes in laws that affect working people in general and the ILWU in particular. Political action should be viewed as part and parcel of the Union’s efforts to negotiate contracts that provide for good wages, benefits and working conditions. The strength we demonstrate at the polls and the influence we have on elected officials play a role in our bargaining position.
ILWU members must participate in the Union’s political action program if we are to remain a viable and effective organization working on behalf of its members.
The 25th Convention of ILWU Local 142 supports a strong Union political action program. All ILWU members are urged to participate actively in the Union’s PAC program by registering to vote, getting out to vote, and helping to elect ILWUendorsed candidates.
Longshore volunteers send relief containers to Samoa
When longshore workers of Samoan descent wanted to help their native land after the Sept. 29 tsunami, they sought help from their fellow ILWU members. Longshore workers stepped up to volunteer their labor, Local 13 leadership offered their support, and International President Bob McEllrath worked with PMA President Jim McKenna.
LONG BEACH, California— More than 75 longshore workers from Locals 13, 63 and 94 volunteered a full day's work to load 15 containers full of donated relief supplies on the Cap Tapaga, which should arrive in Samoa in a few weeks. Los Angeles Councilwoman Janice Hahn met several of them on the waterfront to thank them for their work.
The Long Beach Press-Telegram wrote: “The ILWU worked with shippers, relief agencies and members of Carson’s Samoan community, which represents the world’s largest Samoan population outside their native land. …The containers, donated by Hamburg Shipping and Polynesia Line, carry a capacity of 23,525 cubic feet, which were filled to the brim. Space aboard the ship was made available by the shipping company, International Transportation Services, who also agreed to waive the regular $45,000 shipping fee.”
“About 75 longshoremen chipped in to help with loading throughout the day, and the ship, Cap Tapaga, departed by nightfall.”
The Journal of Commerce wrote: “This is a worthy cause and we commend the ILWU for its efforts. We are happy and honored to have the opportunity to contribute,” said Alex Cherin, the Port of Long Beach’s Managing Director of Trade Relations and Port Operations.
George Malauulu, an ILWU Local 13 longshoreman whose parents live in Samoa, was among several who coordinated the effort. He said, “The union, the shippers, the community-based groups, volunteers from around the community and the country - before you knew it, our shared passion turned a little pebble into a big boulder.”
The Samoa Disaster Relief Coalition for American Samoa and Samoa continues to collect goods through their web site, at HelpSamoa.com.