As a new member, you are now part of a growing family of over 18,000 members strong. You are part of a long and proud tradition where workers organize to promote fairness and justice on the job. Your membership with the ILWU Local 142 is just the beginning of an exciting journey that will allow you to collectively bargain for improved working conditions.
What is “I.L.W.U.”?
Established in 1934, ILWU is an acronym for International Longshore Warehouse Union. Guided by our shared motto, “An Injury to One is an Injury to All,” longshore and warehouse workers on the West Coast of the United States merged to form a single union working together in solidarity.
Composed of various locals across the globe, workers shared a connection to historical struggles and triumphs for a democratic union run by its membership. After countless acts of violence, strikes, adverse work-related actions, and negotiations, ILWU became a known advocate for workers rights.
Because the ILWU provided job protection, rank-and-file members could realize their full strength by becoming more active in politics. affairs. As a result, ILWU members supported labor-friendly candidates who were successfully voted into elected office and supported legislation to benefit working families.
Today, the International Union Hall is located in San Francisco.
ILWU Local 142 is Born!
Local 142 is one of over 60 locals located throughout the West Coast, Canada and Panama.
In 1937, longshore workers in Hawaii chose to join the ILWU because it was a democratic union standing up for equality within its membership. Working men and women united despite their cultural differences.
Within a few years, tens of thousands of sugar and pineapple workers joined the ILWU because of the strong principles held by the members and officers resulting in Hawaii workers coming together and creating strength in numbers. This ultimately brought down the powerful employer groups that controlled the islands.
Since then, Local 142 continues to uphold the princples we were founded on. We have our own officers, constitution, and structure — we are made up of four geographical divisions — Hawaii, Maui, Kauai, and Oahu, and one industrial division of Longshore that covers members statewide. Our main Union Hall is based in Honolulu near Waikiki.
You have Rights on the Job
As a member of a union, you have rights on the job. With the ILWU you have the combined strength and experience of the union on your side.
Weingarten Rights
If you are called into a meeting with management and you believe the meeting may lead to disciplinary action, you have the right to ask for a union representative. This right is called your “Weingarten Rights.”
If you or your co-worker requests a union representative, the company should stop the discussion and you or your co-worker should refrain from answering any more questions.
The company can call any steward available -- unfortunately, you cannot insist on a particular unit officer or business agent. When a union steward arrives, you should consult with the steward first. Thereafter, the company can continue their questioning.
“Work First, Grieve Later”
You have the right to have a union steward or business agent help you with any problem on the job.
Members should be advised to, “Work First, Grieve Later.” This means a member should adhere to or carry out their supervisor’s order and do the work, even if it is a violation of the contract, or unfair treatment. You should politely inform your supervisor that you will be notifying your union steward regarding the matter.
There are only three exceptions to the “Work First, Grieve Later” rule:
1) if the job is dangerously unsafe;
2) illegal; or
3) immoral. In any of these cases, you should protest to the boss and offer to dosomething else. You still risk being disciplined for insubordination, but if the job was truly unsafe, illegal, or immoral, the discipline will likely be rescinded.
Knowledge is Power
You can read more about your rights and benefits under the union contract and the ILWU Constitution and Bylaws. Copies are available through your unit officers or business agent.
Additionally, every Division has a Division Executive Board (DEB) meeting that is usually held every month, and is open to all members. You can call your Division office to find out when your next DEB meeting is scheduled, or if you have any questions!
