Government regulation and oversight of the banking and investment industry could have prevented the economic crisis. Instead, Bush and the Republicans dismantled any effective regulation of the financial industry. They continue to believe less government and less regulation is good.
Most unionized workers have pension plans that are insured and guaranteed by the federal government, through the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC).
ILWU longshoreman and union organizer Joe “Blurr” Kealalio, actor, singer, and trade union activist Paul Robeson, and Ah Quon in 1948.
In December 2008, a number of Hawaii hotels were sued for not informing customers that management was keeping some of the service charge or gratuity fee automatically added to banquets and food and beverage functions.
Are you a tipping category hotel worker? Do you want to increase your tipping income by 10 to 30 percent?
Yes? Then read Michael Lynn’s “Mega Tips: Scientifically Tested Techniques to Increase Your Tips.” Lynn explains 14 methods that are proven to increase your tips. Prof. Lynn’s has given us permission to reprint his tips in the Voice of the ILWU. In the Nov-Dec 2008 issue we printed Tip #7 - Repeat Customers’s Order and #11 Smile.
Newly organized ILWU members of the Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home in Hilo approved a new contract. The 95-bed facility provides long-term care to eligible US veterans. It opened in 2007 and is the first veterans home to be built in Hawaii. (L-r) BJ Greig, Rachel Segawa, Business Agent Isaac Fiesta Jr., and organizer Raynette Filoteo.
Standing: Members of the ILWU Political Action Committee from Hawaii, Maui, Kauai, and Oahu, which includes retiree representatives from ILWU pensioner clubs. Sitting: ILWU Secretary-Treasurer Guy Fujimura, ILWU VicePresident Donna Domingo, Senator Colleen Hanabusa, former ILWU President Fred Galdones, ILWU President Isaac Fiesta, Jr.
The newly formed Hawaii Longshore Division elected their statewide officers in balloting at all longshore units on all islands from December 1 to December 11, 2009.
The results were announced on December 14, 2009. Nathan “Nate” Lum was elected division director, William “Baba” Haole and Henry Kreutz were elected as vice division directors, and Charles Kimo Brown was elected secretary-treasurer.
Two full-time committeemen/ business agents were elected— Dennis Morton and Tyrone Tahara.
On Martin Luther King Day, January 18, 2010, Americans are urged to spend the holiday in a day of service to their community. On Oahu, the ILWU marched in a parade through Waikiki with a message of peace and justice.
After 120 years of growing sugar on Kauai, the Gay & Robinson Company hauled its last load of sugar cane from the fields to the mill on October 30, 2009. The cane haul trucks paraded from the Makaweli Post Office through the town of Waimea, followed by trucks and cars of employees.
About 130 ILWU members remained on the payroll until November 25, 2009.
A handful of ILWU members will continue to work for Gay & Robinson, producing electricity at the company’s hydroelectric plant.
A new company, the Haliimaile Pineapple Co., will continue to grow pineapple to supply the fresh, whole-fruit market and supply juice used by Tedeschi Vineyards to make its pineapple wine.
The new company has purchased some of Maui Pine’s equipment, leased 1,000 acres of land, and bought the rights to use the Maui Gold brand.
The company was formed by former Maui Pineapple Company executives, Ulupalakua Ranch owner Pardee Erdman, and other shareholders.