Negotiating Committee members from left to right: Robyn Tadio; SecretaryTheresa Cabulizan; Leanne Perez; Hawaii Division Director-Richard Baker; Business Agent-Elmer Gorospe; Unit Chair-Myra Spencer.

Mauna Lani Bay Hotel settlement

Mauna Lani Bay Hotel members approved a new contract this June 2008. The negotiating committee worked very hard and represented “ALL” of their members to the maximum extent possible.

Some of the highlights of the new agreement include: wage increase of 14% compounded over 4 years; a 25 cent wage adjustment for Housekeepers–Rooms and General Cleaners; increase in porterage to $4.50 in and $4.50 out by July 1, 2011; Special function gratuity of 16% for full meal services, limited meal services, hosted cocktail party and no hosted cocktail party; Trainer rate of $1.00 per hour for non-tipped and $2.00 per hour for tipping; and pension contribution to increase to $.50 cents an hour by July 1, 2011.

There were many increases in premium pay for specialty work: requirement to use CDL of $3.00 per hour; operating a Refrigerated Truck weighing 10,000 lbs. plus of $2.00 per hour; paving, top coating of all walkways, parking lots and driveways of $5.18 per hour; and tree trimming of $3.00 per hour.

Big Island wins fast-pitch tournament

Hawaii Division’s Mauna Lani team took first place in the 53rd ILWU Statewide Fast Pitch tournament held on May 10, 2008 at Oahu’s Lanikila District Park. Mauna Lani pitcher Patrick Prieto was the tournament MVP, and ILWU basketball standout Laurence Kauka won three awards: Best Batting Average, Most RBIs, and Most Runs. Mauna Lani won their first game against Oahu’s Weyerhaeuser 23-1 and the championship game against Kauai’s PS&D 10-2.

Softball aces from Kauai Division - Unit 3408 PS&D NAPA took second place in the tournament. Joel Green, Kito Nonaka and Caesar Duarte were selected to be part of the all-tournament team. Green took the Most Home Runs award with two home runs.

Front: Maui Business Agents Abel Kahoohanohano, Jr. and Delbert Derego. In back are Marc Gonsalzes (left) and Mark Kamaka (right), ILWU members from Walker Industries Unit 2406. Marc and Mark also recruited fellow members from Walker to help Habitat for Humanity.

Maui volunteers help build homes for needy with Habitat for Humanity

Union members from the ILWU and the United Public Workers volunteered to build homes in Waiehu, Maui, with Habitat For Humanity on June 28, 2008.

The volunteer work was coordinated by Lena Staton, who is currently the Maui AFL-CIO Labor Community Services liaison with the Maui United Way.

The Labor Community Services program is a partnership between the labor movement and the United Way. A staff person like Lena works with unions and their members to obtain services provided by United Way agencies, to promote volunteerism such as the Habitat project, and to increase labor’s participation in the annual fundraising drive which supports the United Way.

Lena was a former ILWU unit officer from the Renaissance Wailea Beach Resort which has closed for extensive renovation.

If you want to volunteer or have any questions about social services on Maui, call or contact Lena at the Maui United Way on 270 Hookahi Street, #301, Wailuku, phone (808) 244-8787.

Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, Christian organization which works to eliminate substandard housing and homelessness worldwide. Habitat is founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a simple, decent, affordable place to live in dignity and safety.

Habitat homes are not free. Homeowners must contribute 300-500 hours on the construction of their home or someone else’s home and pay an affordable mortgage. Habitat houses are built using donations of land, material and labor, so mortgage payments are kept as low as possible.

Labor Community Services

Lynn Ching is the overall coordinator of the Labor Community Services program and works at the Aloha United Way main office at 543-2211.

Ronald Tanaka is the labor liaison for Oahu - phone 543-2249.

Steve Querobin is the labor liaison for Hawaii Island - phone 969-3236. 

Kauai’s United Way is not part of this program.

Although team members had fun playing in the tournament and enjoying a few beers with long-time friends, it was also a sad day for Oahu’s Weyerhaeuser softball team. This tournament was their last as ILWU members because of the closure of their company. Weyerhaeuser played hard, showing true sportsmanship and class. Aloha and Mahalo, Weyerhaeuser ILWU members!