House Bill 634—also known as the “worker retention” bill—was held in Conference Committee this past legislative session. Although it did not pass this year, the bill is still alive and can be revisited in the 2014 session. The ILWU will again push for passage of the bill because “worker retention” is good for the community, good for workers, and good for business.

What is the Hawaii Health Connector? 
The Hawaii Health Connector is an exchange established by the State to serve as a “marketplace” for individuals and families, and even small businesses with fewer than 50 employees, to connect with health insurance. These exchanges are being set up for each state as a result of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (also known as the Affordable Care Act and “Obamacare”), which was passed in 2010 to address the growing crisis of uninsured in this country. 

HONOLULU—Seven pensioners of Murphy-Aloha Motors met at the ILWU Hall at 451 Atkinson Drive in Honolulu on September 26, 2013, to exchange the latest news among themselves and reminisce. The camaraderie that they shared at the worksite has gotten stronger as they have gathered every month for the last twenty-eight years.

Murphy-Aloha Motors was a Chevrolet and Oldsmobile dealership located at the corner of Kapiolani Boulevard and Atkinson Drive, now the site of the Hawaii Convention Center. Murphy-Aloha Motors went out of business in 1985.

KONA—Hawaii Stevedores, representing the Longshore Division, beat Team Kauai, Kauai Division’s all-star team to win the ILWU 28th Annual Slow-Pitch Softball Tournament. The tournament was hosted by the Hawaii Division and played at the Kona Old Airport Ball Park on Saturday, September 28, 2013.

The first semi-final game, between Hawaii Stevedores and Hawaii Division’s Fairmont Orchid started off with a bang and continued for seven innings. The 21 runs that Fairmont Orchid scored was not enough as Hawaii Stevedores scored 25 in the slugfest.

HONOLULU—The Straub Clinic & Hospital ILWU negotiating committee met on October 4, 2013, at the ILWU Hall on Atkinson Drive in Honolulu to review and check the new contract for any errors before sending it for signature by the union and the company. The union committee makes sure the new contract correctly contains all the agreements made during negotiations and no other section of the contract has been omitted or altered.

Oahu Division Business Agent Paris Fernandez, Local Secretary-Treasurer Guy Fujimura, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz, Oahu Division Representative Jose Miramontes and Oahu Division Business Agent Dillon Hullinger at the Hawaii Labor Unity Picnic at the Waikiki Shell on Labor Day, September 1, 2014.

Foodland Negotiating Committee, sitting (l-r): Unit Vice Chairperson Jasmine Amaral (#45 Kehalani); Unit Co-Chairperson and Negotiating Chairperson Annie Dickinson (#27 Pupukea), Business Agent Dillon Hullinger, Business Agent/Spokesperson Karl Lindo, Business Agent Jose Miramontes and Unit Chairperson Jennifer Yadao (#41 Keaau).

HONOLULU—Dole Food Company workers numbering 213 ILWU members are now covered by a new three-year agreement which goes in to effect on October 1, 2014 and expires on September 30, 2017.

Chief union spokesperson Dillon Hullinger says that the settlement calls for a 5% pay increase, to be paid out in increments of 1.5% effective October 1, 2014, 1.5% effective October 1, 2015 and 2% effective October 1, 2016.

Oahu Labor Day brings union families together

HONOLULU—Music filled the air on a sunny Monday at the Hawaii Labor Unity Picnic at the Waikiki Shell on Labor Day, September 1, 2014. More than 3,000 union members and their families enjoyed the afternoon filled with games, ono food and numerous prize giveaways of Foodland gift certificates and VISA gift cards.

The delicious food was provided by Sumo Drive Inn & Catering.

The United Way has been a part of our community for decades. Their workplace giving campaigns have raised millions of dollars over the years to support nonprofits throughout Hawaii that provide services to so many in our community. But how many of you realize the role that the ILWU played in establishing this fundraising organization?