The ILWU Membership Services Program helps members get the most from the benefits provided by their union contract or by government and private agencies. This program is not limited to job-related problems, but will help members and their families with any problem they have, whether at home, in the community, or in school.
ILWU contracts provide many medical, dental, and retirement benefits. Sometimes members need advice on how to get the most out of these benefits. Sometimes members have problems, such as being over-charged by a doctor or hospital may
overcharge the member. Members should call the Union for help or advice on how to get the most from their union-negotiated benefits.
Members can receive help with benefits provided by law such as workers’ compensation, unemployment compensation, temporary disability insurance (TDI), or in dealing with government agencies such as Immigration and Naturalization Service, Social Security, Medicaid, or Medicare. Many times members will only come to the Union after they are denied benefits or
something goes wrong. Members should see the union first before it is too late.
Personal and family problems may also be referred to Membership Services. The Union maintains close relations with many community welfare and service agencies and can refer members to the appropriate agency for help. Just call your Division office and talk to your Business Agent. He or she will help you directly or will put you in touch with the right people in
state and community agencies. They may also refer you to the full-time social worker who works out of the ILWU office in Honolulu.
Sports Program
There are ILWU sports leagues for men’s slow and fast-pitch softball, bowling, golf, and men’s basketball.
You can join a team or start your own. The program is open to all members, their spouses and dependent children (who are full-time students).
The ILWU organizes these leagues and holds yearly statewide tournaments. Many of these leagues havebeen going strong for over 40 years and are well-known and respected in local sports circles.
Legal Advice
Your job-related problems are handled by ILWU Business Agents and two of the best labor law firms in the State—King, Nakamura & Chun-Hoon, and Takahashi, Masui & Vasconcellos. Some grievances involve a lot of time and costly legal
work, but there is never any charge to you.
Members may go to our Union Law Firms for help with personal injury and workers compensation cases. The Union Law Firms are highly skilled in these matters and charge reasonable fees.
Union members may also go to the law firm for advice for personal matters. There is no charge for the advice; and if any legal work is required, the attorney will advise you on any fees. Appointments can be arranged through your ILWU Division office.
UH Scholarships
Scholarships to the University of Hawaii (Manoa or Hilo campus) are available to high school seniors of ILWU families. The scholarships may be continued into graduate school. Every year, recipients are selected from each Division based on short written essays about the history of the ILWU. This scholarship is offered to children and grandchildren of active and retired
members of the ILWU only through the Harriet Bouslog Labor Scholarship. Applications must be submittedby April 1 of each year.
Union News
Members receive the ILWU Local 142 newspaper, the VOICE of the ILWU, every month. This paper is an important source of news about the labor movement and provides valuable information not found anywhere else. You can read about job safety and health, contract improvements, economic issues, and world events—all from the workers viewpoint. Many Units also publish their own monthly bulletins with news about what is happening at your Unit.
ILWU membership services include activities like sports leagues, Labor Day celebrations, and pensioner get-togethers. (Above) Kauai pensioners enjoy games at their annual picnic held in August at the Lihue Union Hall.
