WHO
You. Part of an 'ohana 14,000 members strong. A vital part of our democracy. I.L.W.U. stands for International Longshore and Warehouse Union.
WHAT
ILWU is made up of
WHERE
Locals in Canada, CA, OR, WA, and AK in addition to us in HI. Four island divisions (Hawaii, Maui, Kauai, Oahu) and a Longshore Division statewide. Use this issue as a directory!
Democracy
is the defining characteristic of ILWU. The vast majority of ILWU Local 142's leadership officials -- Titled Officers, Divi- sion Directors, Business Agents and Local Reps -- are voted in by the members instead of appointed internally. Each and every one of them started off as a rank-and-file member like you!
This triennium (three year voting cycle) started on January 2, 2022 and will last through the end of 2024. We look forward to connecting so this union can reflect YOU, the rank-and-file who is crucial to our success. Your Titled Officers (pictured above), the top executives of the union always keep their doors open in their offices based out of the ILWU Hall in Honolulu. This is at 451 Atkinson Drive. The number for the main office is 808-949-4161.
"AN INJURY TO ONE IS AN INJURY TO ALL"
ILWU Local 142 represents a diverse workforce who perform essential jobs in a wide variety of industries. Here are our four differ- ent industrial groupings. In a union you are not alone. This union stands for dignity and fairness on the job, empowerment, and connection. We build working class solidarity in Hawai'i through these industries and beyond upon these values of aloha.
LONGSHORE
The Longshore industry's tradition of solidarity dates back to the 1900's. Longshoreman Harry Kamoku (1905- 1957) is arguably the father of the labor movement in Hawai'i. Today's longshore members work at units such as Hawaii Stevedores, Inc., Matson, McCabe, Hamilton & Ren- ny, and Young Brothers.
PINEAPPLE
The pineapple industry dates back to organizing in the 1940's. Today's remaining pineapple units are Dole on Oahu and Ha- li'imaile Pineapple on Maui.
TOURISM
Tourism to Hawai'i began as early as the 1870's, but mass travel by jet service between our islands and the continent began in 1959, the year Hawai'i became a state. By the 1970's ILWU was the union of choice for most neigh- bor island workers, who more often than not had family members who came from sugar or pineapple plantations (plantations were predominantly ILWU-organized). Most of our tourism brothers and sisters work at hotel units concentrated on the island of Maui, fol- lowed by the Big Island, Kauai and Oahu.
GENERAL TRADES
Our General Trades industrial grouping has the most diversity of jobs within it. Here are some of the main categories within this industry: Supermarkets: Foodland and Sack N Save Healthcare: Hawaii Pacific Health, medical techni- cians at Queen's North Hawaii Hospital and Kaiser Auto: Servco Pacific, Big Island Toyota, and more!
STRONGER TOGETHER: This union has an extremely rich history in each industry and together we are working to provide better lives for all working fam- ilies. You can learn more about this dynamic union by reading the Voice and by keeping up with us on social media!
Union Phrase-ology
Commonly-used terms of ILWU Local 142"UNIT": a unit is a company with members that have officially organized with ILWU Local 142. For example, one of our largest units is Foodland, with over 1,000 members statewide.
"BUSINESS AGENT": each ILWU unit is assigned a Business Agent. Business Agents are allowed access to company property in order to serve members at their workplace in case of any contract violations or any other concerns on the job.
"DIVISION or LOCAL REPRESENTA- TIVE": These representatives serve the same function as Business Agents. But where Business Agents were elected by the membership, Division or Local Representatives are appointed as needed at the discre- tion of the Local.
"STEWARD": A union steward or "shop steward" is a member on the job, just like you who volunteers to be the "eyes and ears" at the workplace in terms of his/her fellow workers being treated fairly (aka not violating the union contract). Stewards serve as a vital link be- tween the union leadership and the members. Steward training classes are available year long, contact your Division for more information!