There is a wide-spread belief that the United States is a democratic, free, and fair country. Most Americans also mistakenly believe that these rights, spelled out in the U.S. Constitution, also protects them on the job. They are mistaken because these Constitutional rights only apply to government and does not apply to private employers at their place of business.

“Worker involvement in company decision-making strengthens a democratic, social and competitive Europe,” this is the main conclusion of the worker-participation website run by the European Trade Union Instititute. The following information comes from their website.

Forbes Magazine has compiled a list of the world’s billionaires for the last 25 years. Their list for 2011 contained 1,210 people from 55 countries. The United States had the largest number of billionaires with 413; followed by China with 115 (this does not include 36 billionaires from Hong Kong). Russia came in third place with 101 billionaires, followed by India with 55 and Germany with 52.

ILWU members held signs and marched showing their support of the wind power project on Lanai during a Public Utilities Commission visit to the island for the review of the Young Brothers freight increase on July 26. Over 200 members urged the PUC to put the wind project on their agenda.

Posing with their son Clyde Silva, an officer of the Pahala ILWU Pensioners Club, are the Big Island’s longest married couple, Mr. and Mrs. George Silva. They were married October 25, 1947 and are also members of the Pahala Club. The Labor Day Pensioners Picnic was held at ILWU Hilo Hall on August 27, 2011. The retirees enjoyed live entertainment, games, raffles, dancing and a box lunch.

National Labor Relations Board orders HTH management to obey the law.

ILWUrank-and-filemembers fromtheHonoluluStar-Advertiser, ILWULocalExecutiveBoardmembers andsupporters fromthe30thWesternRegionalSummerInstitute forUnionWomenralliedonJune 17,2011tocallforHTHmanagement to stop the delays and injustices to workers of the Pacific Beach Hotel.

The 2011 Session of Hawaii’s State Legislature was preoccupied with trimming $1.2 billion from the cost of operating the state’s government, but a number of important laws were passed which will benefit workers.

Reinstatement, bargaining, and payment of union’s bargaining expense ordered

The National Labor Relations Board, in a 3-0 decision issued on Tuesday June 14, 2011, found that the Pacific Beach Hotel (HTH Corp.), violated the National Labor Relations Act in numerous respects—the latest episode in a 10-year effort by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) to secure a collective bargaining agreement for approximately 500 employees at the prominent Waikiki lodging.

Caucus members look to future with a focus on improving medical, pensions and organizing new members

Over 180 member-delegates from 84 ILWU units attended the first caucus of the union’s General Trades Industrial Grouping on June 20 and 21, 2011. Delegates from the union’s Sugar and Pineapple Groupings, and Longshore Grouping mechanics also attended the meeting. Included in the count of delegates are 38 full-time officers and staff of the union.

Nine fortunate and deserving high school seniors from ILWU families are the 2011 winners of the Harriet Bouslog Labor Scholarship. The scholarships will pay part of the tuition for a full-time student for up to eight semesters at any of the University of Hawaii campuses. The scholarships range from $2,000 per semester while attending the UH Manoa, $1,000 per semester while attending UH Hilo or UH West Oahu, and $750 per semester for any of the UH community colleges.