Most of the work of the ILWU takes place at the Division level, which is made up of all ILWU members on your island, or in the case of the Hawaii Longshore Division, all the members of the longshore industry. Maui Division includes members on the islands of Lanai and Molokai.
The Division Executive Board (DEB) meets monthly to advise the elected full-time officers of the Division (the division director and business agents). The Division Executive Board may also take up concerns from the units and plan Division activities such as Labor Day celebrations.
The officers of every unit in your Division are official members of the Division Executive Board. However, all ILWU members and retirees are welcome to attend these meetings.
When you attend the Division Executive Board meetings, you will have the opportunity to meet ILWU members who work in other industries.
You will hear reports and learn about the work of the entire union.
See the big picture
The ILWU is more than just the workers at your workplace. When you attend the Division Executive Board meetings, you will understand you are part of a statewide organization of workers. You will learn how the ILWU works to improve conditions of all working people in Hawaii.
You can also ask questions and share your ideas on how your union can improve its work. Some Divisions have educational programs or guest speakers at these meetings. Some Divisions may also provide food and refreshments before their meetings.
Division Executive Boards have a big role in the ILWU Local 142 Convention which is held every three years.
Divisions are represented at the Convention based on the number of members in each Division. Divisions may propose union policies and amendments to the ILWU Constitution at the Convention.
ILWU members may also attend and observe quarterly Local Executive Board meetings where elected representatives from all Divisions meet to direct the work of the union and carry out the policies set by the Local 142 Convention.
The Local Executive Board meeting is usually held in Honolulu at the ILWU’s Atkinson Drive building, and begins at 9:00 a.m.
Following are the dates, times, and locations of DEB meetings for 2013.
Hawaii Division
Going forward, the meeting dates are: July 26 in Kona, August 28 in Hilo, September 27 in Kona, October 30 in Hilo, November 22 in Kona, and December 11 in Hilo. The Hilo Hall is at 100 West Lanikaula Street near the University of Hawaii. The Kona Hall is in Kaiwi Square, 74-5565 Luhia Street, in #A-3a.
Maui Division
The Maui DEB is held on the third Wednesday of every month at 6:00 p.m., at the Wailuku ILWU Union Hall, 896 Lower Main Street.
Kauai Division
The Kauai DEB is held on the second Wednesday of every month at 6:30 p.m., at the Lihue ILWU Union Hall, 4154 Hardy Street.
Oahu Division
The Oahu DEB is held on the fourth Friday every month except for November, which will be held one week earlier on November 15 due to the Thanksgiving holiday. The DEB starts at 6:00 p.m. at the Honolulu ILWU Union Hall, 451 Atkinson Drive. They do not hold a meeting in December.
Hawaii Longshore Division
The longshore DEB is usually held the week following the Local Executive Board meeting, at the ILWU Honolulu Union Hall, 451 Atkinson Drive. Call (808) 949- 4161 for dates and times.
Oahu Division holds a “Family Night” in conjuction with its DEB several times a year. Spouses and children participate in activites geared toward learning about unions and the ILWU while members attend the DEB meeting.
Union wins additional severance for Del Monte workers—continued from page 1
Claims filed after the deadline will not be honored—which means that the severance will be forfeited and Del Monte will keep the money.
The additional severance amounts to $660,176.29. With interest (3 years @ 10%) of $198,052.89, the total payout available to the 512 former Del Monte employees is $858,229.18.
ILWU assists eligible workers
The ILWU knew that, in the six years since Del Monte closed, many workers would no longer be at their former addresses. Many who lived at Kunia Camp moved voluntarily or were forced to move because of increases in rent. Some have passed away. Still others may have moved out of the country.
To locate as many eligible members as possible, the ILWU put out press releases for the media to publicize the additional severance. The union also did a mailing to confirm addresses and ask former Del Monte workers to help locate their co-workers who may have moved. The union held meetings to explain the additional severance and to encourage eligible workers to file claims. The union continues to be available to assist and to answer questions. For more information, contact Joanne Kealoha, ILWU social worker, at 949-4161.
Welcome windfall
The additional severance payments, plus three years of interest, represent a welcome windfall for eligible Regular, Non-Regular, and Covered Seasonal workers of Del Monte’s plantation and processing and packaging plant. The closure of Del Monte in Hawaii was a sad period in their lives as they considered finding new jobs. Some of them had to retire, many found jobs with the seed corn companies in Kunia, others took whatever employment they could find.
“It’s been a long time since the HLRB decision was issued back in March 2007,” said ILWU President Donna Domingo, “but we are gratified that our former members will finally receive the additional severance they are owed. The ILWU remains committed to ensuring that employers are, like Del Monte, held accountable and that workers are treated fairly.”
Hawaii Division’s All-Star team, with members from West Hawaii hotels, played in the State Basketball Tournament held on Oahu in December 2012 at the Kaimuki Recreation Center.