HC&S Company members (from left) Business Agent Joe Aquino, Wesley Bissen, Kelly Ruidas, Chair Daniel Martinez, Zenaida Andaya, Ben Wilson, Merlita Crespin, Rodney Medeiros, Conchita DeCambra, and Francis Martin, accepting the Outstanding Unit Award (501 or more members) from their Business Agent Steven Lee. Ruidas also received recognition as Outstanding Unit Leadership (male).
Brothers and Sisters, I want to begin by wishing you all a happy and healthy New Year. I hope you enjoyed some well-deserved time with family and friends over the holidays. I also want to thank the many ILWU members who donated holiday toys to children from families facing hard times.
The top executive officers of ILWU Local 142 are the president, the vice president, and the secretary-treasurer. They serve the same three year terms as business agents from January 4, 2016, to December 31, 2018. In addition to their individual duties, the officers work collectively as a threeperson team called the “Titled Officers.” Together they direct and coordinate the work and programs of the union. They work out of the Honolulu Office.
The main office of Hawaii Division is in Hilo at 100 West Lanikaula Street. The Hawaii Division also has an office in Kona at Kaiwi Square, 74-5565 Luhia Street, A-3A. These offices are open as needed for meetings and other activities. The Honokaa office is closed until further notice.
The main office of Maui Division is in Wailuku at 896 Lower Main Street. The Maui Division also has an office in Lahaina at 840 Wainee St. Unit H4 & H5, and on Lanai at 840 Ilima Avenue. These offices are open as needed for meetings and other activities.
Hawaii Division Director Elmer Gorospe welcomed everyone and thanked members, units, and pensioners who have participated in the Division’s program throughout the year. He recognized his team of business agents, organizers, and staff who are committed to ensuring good wages, benefits and working conditions for our members and to organizing to grow the Union.
Eleven individuals and four units were singled out at the Maui Division Recognition Awards Banquet right after the regular Division Executive Board (DEB) meeting on March 16, 2016. It was a night of fun, ono food, and fellowship as active members, their families, pensioners, and guests from all corners of the island, including Lanai came together to salute the award winners.
And the award goes to . . .
Recognition of Unit Member: Lolohea Hong, Unit 2505 - The Westin Maui and Francis Martin, Unit 2101 - HC&S Co.
Hawthorne Pacific Corporation union negotiating committee: (Standing, from left): Wilfred Chang, Calvin Corpuz, Jose Ancheta, Elmer Gorospe. (Sitting, from left):Jaydene Texeira, Herman Calasa III, Corinna Salmo, and Clayton Hao.
HONOLULU - Throughout the year, the Local holds training classes for rank-and-file stewards. These one-day training classes are attended by hundreds from all divisions. In the most recent series of classes on February 27 and March 9, 2017, rank-and-file members learned about their responsibilities as stewards, how to understand their union contract, and connect with their members to grow and strengthen the union.
-- continued on pages 4-5
The new Trump administration announced some disturbing news in February that signaled a growing threat to union members.
Support for anti-union law
On February 1, “right-to-work” legislation (H.R. 785) was proposed in Congress by anti-union Representatives Joe Wilson of South Carolina and Steve King of Iowa. The term “right-to-work” was coined decades ago by anti-union business owners. Union members are more likely to describe it as “right-to-freeload,” the “right-to-work-for-less” or “right-towreck-the-union.”