In 2008, world refined sugar prices averaged slightly less than 16 cents a pound. In 2009, prices began a steady climb and ended at nearly 30 cents a pound in December 2009. In 2010, world refined sugar prices dipped to 21 cents but by the end of the year prices hit a thirty-year high of 34.78 cents a pound.

Alexander & Baldwin (CIK: 0000003453) is the parent company of Matson Navigation and Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Company (HC&S). The company’s 2010 Third Quarter Report to the US Security and Exchange Commission showed a slight decline in container volume to Hawaii but a huge increase in shipping to China.

During tough economic times, management too often looks only at cutting labor costs to save money. Benefits such as holidays are cut. Wage increases are canceled. Hours are cut or workers are laid off. The savings are small and result in lower morale and lower productivity, as workers are forced to work harder for the same or lower wages.

On January 30, 2009, just nine days after his inauguration, President Barrack Obama issued Executive Order 13496 which requires companies with federal contracts to inform employees of their right to organize and join unions. It also revoked Executive Order 13201 made by George W. Bush, which required federal contractors to inform unionized workers of their right to object to paying full union dues.