Your union contract is a written agreement with your employer. It defines your wages, benefits, conditions of employment, and rights on the job. It is enforceable through a grievance procedure and ultimately in a court of law

Most union contracts are renegotiated every three years, although some contracts run for only one year and others run for as long as six years. How long the contract runs is up to you and your negotiating committee. The ILWU is a democratic union and members are involved in every step of the negotiating process.

Before the old contract expires, the union members at your company (which we call a “unit” in the ILWU) will be asked for their input and ideas on what to change in the contract. This is usually done at a membership meeting called by the officers of your Unit. This is one good reason why you should attend union meetings. It’s your chance to improve your union contract.

Your unit will also select a committee to represent them in negotiations with management. This committee is usually composed of your elected unit officers, but many units will expand the committee to make sure different parts of your unit are represented. For example, a hotel unit might select a committee with members from different departments like housekeeping, food and beverage, maintenance, and front desk.

The Local or Division office will also assign a full-time business agent or officer to work with your negotiating committee as your spokesperson.

When your committee thinks a fair settlement with management has been reached, they must get your vote of approval before the new contract can be finalized. This happens at a membership meeting where your committee will report on the settlement. This is another part of ILWU democracy, which requires membership approval for all contract settlements.

In rare cases, management may refuse to agree to a fair settlement and your committee may ask you to authorize a strike.

Your union contract is a very important document. You should read the contract and be familiar with its terms. You should challenge management whenever they violate the contract. You can get a copy from your unit officers.

Grand Wailea Workers Vote YES on New Contract

WAILEA — The luxurious property of Unit 2520 Grand Wailea Resort, Hotel & Spa attracts guests like Oprah and Phil Mickelson on a regular basis. “To maintain this beautiful property and provide excellent service, we strive to exceed the expectations of our guests. We believe the best way to acknowledge our efforts is to ensure our wages reflect our hard work,” said Myla Onellion, a member of the negotiating committee from the banquets department.

On February 12, 2019, members at Unit 2520 Grand Wailea Resort, Hotel & Spa voted to ratify their contract. Members volunteer their time to be part of the negotiating committee, the committee that meets with management with the workplace’s demands. Pictured here are some of the negotiating committee after they facilitated the voting process and counted the votes from the day. Front L-R: Faye Cooper, Ligaya Parilla, Valerie Salmon, Henry Oandasan, Michelle Takahama, Business Agent Emmanuel Baltazar, Remy Valdez, Chris Barut. Back L-R: Dino Guzman, Maui Division Director Bobby Andrion, Local President Donna Domingo, Adrienne Tsukiyama, Charles Andrion. Negotiating committee members from each department were on hand all day to explain the contract and answer any questions to their coworkers before they voted.

“In a non-union workplace, management is much less interested in finding out what your concerns are or finding the middle ground, because they don’t have to. With a union they need to listen to us.” -- Daniel Sporrer (Guest Services).

Knowledge is power and there is strength in numbers. Mahalo to the members who took the time out of their work day to vote on your new contract on ratification day