Policies Adopted by the 34th Convention—continued from page 7

the nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court.

Japanese visitors in Waikiki are urged to stay away from the Pacific Beach Hotel as Justice at the Beach supporters leaflet and demonstrate during the Golden Week holiday from April 29 to May 6, 2009.

Seattle, Washington will be the host city for the ILWU International Convention from June 8 to June 12, 2009. The Convention is the highest policy making body of the union and is held every three years, rotating through seven areas of the US and Canada where workers are organized by the ILWU.

Local 142 Hawaii will be sending about 120 delegates to the Seattle Convention. Local 142 is one of over 60 local unions, the Inlandboatmen's Union of the Pacific, and ILWU Canada which make up the International ILWU.

President Obama’s economic recovery program will help working people in many ways.

Many ILWU members pay little attention to the sick leave benefits provided by their union negotiated contract. They get sick, and they get paid sick leave benefits. When they get well, they return to work. Most members know they earn a certain number of sick days every year, and unused sick leave may be “banked” or accumulated and used in the future if needed.

Consider yourself lucky, because half of the blue collar workers like yourself in private industry do not have paid sick leave benefits.

One out of every three American workers do not have paid sick leave. This is a little over 50 million workers. If these workers get sick and stay home, they receive no pay.

Many will continue to work when they’re sick, and spread their illness to fellow workers and customers.

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 a few of his tips in each issue of the Voice of the ILWU.

To encourage more membership attendance, Oahu Division has turned their monthly executive board meetings into an event that features a productive meeting, education, food, and fellowship.

The evening starts at 6:00 pm every fourth Friday with dinner, which is hosted by a different unit each month. The March meeting will be hosted by the Hawaii Logistics unit, the April meeting will be hosted by the Love’s Bakery unit, the May meeting by the Pepsi unit, and so on.

Unit Chairpersons recognized for outstanding service in 2008 were Francis Kamakaokalani of Unit 2406 - Ameron (left) and Flora Vila of Unit 2509 - Four Seasons Lanai Resort (right).

Ten days after taking office, President Barack Obama signed three executive orders that recognize a strong labor movement is part of the solution to our economic problems. Obama reversed some of the anti-union policies made by George W. Bush. A fourth executive order creates a White House Task Force for the Middle Class.