The contracts for just two ILWU hotels expired in 2010—the Royal Lahaina Resort contract expired in September and the Honolulu Airport Hotel expires in December— but over the next four years, many more are expiring. ILWU units should begin preparing and mobilizing their members for contract negotiations at least six months before their union contract expires.
HONOLULU—Oahu Division rank-and-file members and Business Agents participated in an organizing training class on December 13, 2010, in order to learn how the ILWU organizes new members, as well as why organizing is so important to the ILWU.
“The ILWU has a very strong organizing program compared to other Hawaii unions,” said ILWU International Representative Tracy Takano, who was the lead instructor for the day-long training session.
The ILWU Local 142 Political Action Committee has endorsed Mazie Hirono for the U.S. Senate, Colleen Hanabusa for the U.S. House of Representatives First Congressional District, and Mufi Hannemann for the U.S. House of Representatives Second Congressional District in 2012. Senator Dan Inouye’s term runs until 2016 and he already has the full support and endorsement of the ILWU.
ILWU Local 21 members are continuing their fight for fairness at the EGT grain terminal in Longview, Washington, where the high-stakes struggle continues to generate some dramatic twists and turns. “The fight for justice in Longview involves a lot more than just our little town it’s about corporate greed and the future of America’s middle class,” said ILWU Local 21 President Dan Coffman.
Along with this ownership of wealth comes control and influence over the political system. While the wealth of the one percent has grown, the conditions for the vast majority of people have worsened, with more people unemployed, living in poverty, carrying greater debt, and struggling to make a living.
Participants from the Unit 2520 - Grand Wailea Resort discuss their plan and timeline for mobilizing members around contract issues. (L-r, standing) Steve West, Jason Medeiros, Michael Friday, Henry Oandasan, and Valerie Salmon. (Sitting) Helene “Lei” Kaiahua-Sado, Robert Apo, Merlina Valdez, and Perlita Manlansing.
In the afternoon session, the Tourism Caucus focused on how to prepare for negotiations. Officers from two hotel units—the Hilton Waikoloa Village and the Hyatt Regency Maui— explained what they are doing to organize and mobilize their members.
Hilton Waikoloa Village
The Hilton Waikoloa Village on the Island of Hawaii is one of the ILWU’s largest hotels with close to 700 members. Their union contract expires in September 2013, but the unit has already begun to organize and mobilize their members.
In December 2008, Hawaiian Commercial and Sugar Company (HC&S) imposed a one-week furlough on all employees for either the week of December 8 or December 15. A full-time employee of HC&S went to the Unemployment Insurance office and was told the December furlough would be his waiting period and he would be paid for future furloughs. He believed the word of the unemployment officer and did not file a claim.
HONOLULU—Maui Division Business Agent Teddy Espeleta was invited as a guest of Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa to attend a welcome dinner reception for Philippine President Benigno “Noynoy” S. Aquino III on November 13, 2011. Nearly 1,000 local Filipinos welcomed the Philippine president at the reception held at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel in Waikiki. The dinner was organized by the Philippine Consulate General and the Philippine Celebrations Coordinating Committee (PCCC).
Union-wide elections held in November 2012 elected the top officers who will direct the work of the union for the next three years. Elected are 27 full-time officers, 13 rank-and-file members to the Local Executive Board, and 14 Delegates to the ILWU International Convention. The election results were announced on November 20, 2012, but candidates filed six challenges to the election. An ILWU Judicial Panel has ruled on challenges to the election results, and those decisions must be carried out before the results are final.