Likely voters perhaps do have more time to get out and vote. It might be likelier for them to be able to step out of their workday to perform their civic duty. They have the luxury of perceiving voting as a duty, because their life enables them to.

Welcome to the ILWU!

Are you a new employee, hired within the last twelve months? If so, this issue of the Voice of the ILWU was prepared especially for you. As a union member, you are entitled to many rights and benefits and some responsibilities. This issue will help get you started with the essential information you need as a member of the ILWU. (Even longtime members may find the information useful.) First of all, the Voice of the ILWU is the official newspaper of the ILWU Local 142. You are receiving the newspaper because you are now a member of the ILWU.

In today’s political discourse, the argument of “trickle-down economics” reigns within the Republican Party as a way to protect the top-bracket tax breaks of the richest Americans. The GOP has successfully argued for many years that this will then improve the standard of living for the working class. The idea is that jobs will be created, wages will be raised for the average worker and there will be an overall upturn in our economy. As it turns out, it’s not only a bad idea but also a tactic to broaden income inequality.

Believe it or not, most workers organize into unions because of bad working conditions and poor treatment by management and not for higher wages and benefits. When workers are organized into unions, they gain the power to change their working conditions and demand respect and fair treatment from management.

Your union contract is a written agreement with your employer. It defines your wages, benefits, conditions of employment, and rights on the job. It is enforceable through a grievance procedure and ultimately in a court of law.

Most union contracts are renegotiated every three years, although some contracts run for only one year and others run for as long as six years. How long the contract runs is up to you and your negotiating committee. The ILWU is a democratic union and members are involved in every step of the negotiation process.

If you cannot reach a unit officer or steward you can call your business agent at the ILWU Office on your island. Regular office hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

More than six years after Del Monte shut down its pineapple plantation and packaging operations in Hawaii, 512 former employees are eligible for $850,000 in additional severance payments plus interest, a testament to the value of union representation.

Background 
In early 2006, Del Monte announced plans to close its operations in Kunia and leave Hawaii at the end of 2008. The workers were understandably devastated by the announcement, some having worked for Del Monte more than 30 years.

Are You a New Member? 
Then this is for you!

Are you a new employee, hired within the last twelve months? If so, this issue of the Voice of the ILWU was prepared especially for you. As a union member, you are entitled to many rights and benefits and some responsibilities. This issue will help get you started with the essential information you need as a member of the ILWU. Even longtime members may find the information useful.

1   Unions are the only organization in our society that stands up for the interest of working people. There are many different kinds of organizations in our community such as social clubs, sports leagues, churches, interest groups, and political parties. Unions are the only organization that advances the interest of working people.

Contract negotiations is a good example of ILWU democracy in action.

Unit members meet to propose changes to their union contract and elect members to their negotiating committee. The union negotiating committee should include members from different departments and job classifications. While committee members may come from different departments or jobs, they should work for a contract that is best for the entire membership.