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Volume 42 • No. 4 The VOICE of the ILWU—Published monthly except April by Hawaii Local 142, International Longshoremen’s & Warehousemen’s Union May 2002 ADDRESS LABEL ADDRESS Union political action success New laws benefit working families HONOLULU—Thanks to union political action, working families made big gains in this year’s legislative session. Four significant pieces of new legislation sought by the ILWU were passed by state lawmakers. The Hawaii RX (SB 2520) and RX Expansion Program (HB 2834) will make prescription drugs more affordable for retirees and union members. Health Insurance Regulation (HB 1761) should help control the rapidly increasing cost of medical insurance, which affects wages and benefits on the job. A ban on discrimination based on genetic information (SB 2180) protects our members from unfair treatment by insurance companies and employers.

nother very important recycling bill will help protect our A piece of legislation environment by reducing solid ILWU Local Executive Board Meeting Schedule: sought by the ILWU, which waste. •September 12-13, 2002 would protect workers when a In all, this year’s Legislative 10:00 a.m., Harry Kamoku Hall (Hawaii Division Hilo company is sold, narrowly failed session was very productive Office, 100 W. Lanikaula Street) passage by a single vote. The and beneficial for Hawaii’s Employment Security Bill (SB working families. See below for •December 12-13, 2002 2118) would have required a more information on these new Time and location for the December LEB meeting will new owner of a company to programs. be printed in the VOICE prior to meeting date keep at least half of the workforce. The bill passed in the —continued on pages 2-3. House but the vote in the Senate was tied at 12 yes and 12 no. Unfortunately, a bill does On the Inside . . . ILWU pensioner conference, pages 4-5 not pass with a tied vote. Other important worker benefits and programs were protected or maintained. The Employment Training Fund (SB 733) which has provided funds to train thousands of workers was made permanent but will be funded at a reduced contribution rate. An attempt by Republicans to make workers pay up to 40% of the cost of medical coverage under the Prepaid Health law (HB 2750) was defeated. The Legislature also passed a number of other laws which the ILWU supported, because of the benefit to working people. A new law which goes into effect two years from now sets a maximum price which can be charged for gasoline. A bottle OF Page 2 VOICETHE ILWU May 2002

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New laws benefit working families—continued from page 1

ACT 76 (HB 2834, SD 2, CD 1) health care insurers to submit rate filings for approval by the Insur- Reduce cost of Prescription Drugs. ance Commissioner. Also, establishes penalties and appeal procedures. This bill takes effect on July 1, 2003. This legislation will provide relief for consumers from the high cost The ILWU supported this bill because the increasing cost of medical of prescription drugs by establishing, within the Department of Hu- plans is becoming a major issue in negotiations. Companies were man Services, a pharmaceutical discount program for all state either demanding that workers pay a larger portion of the cost of residents under which the State obtains manufacturers’ rebates on medical benefits or get less in wage increases and other benefits. drugs that are offered at discounted prices to program participants. Almost all states have some form of medical premium rate regula- The program would take effect July 1, 2004. It provides reimburse- tion, and the idea behind this bill is to require medical insurance ment to participating pharmacists, establishes an advisory providers such as HMSA and Kaiser to provide information to and get commission, and creates the Hawaii RX Special Fund. It also appro- approval from the State Insurance Commissioner for rate increases. priates funds to develop a plan of implementation and to provide that This is already required for insurance companies selling workers’ plan to the Legislature before the 2004 Legislative session. This bill compensation, motor vehicle, and other property and casualty insur- takes effect July 1, 2002. ance lines. This would give the public some handle on determining whether these increases are fair and necessary. ACT 75 (HB 1950, SD 2, CD 1) Expands Medicare Prescription SB 2180, SD 2, HD 1 Drug Eligibility. Prohibits Discrimination This bill would establish a Medicaid prescription drug expansion Based on Genetic Information program to offer discounted prescription drugs to qualified individuals whose income is at or below 300 percent of the federal poverty level. It and Genetic Testing. also establishes the Medicaid prescription drug rebate special fund to This legislation prohibits discrimination in employment due to an receive all rebates from pharmaceutical manufacturers from the individual’s of family member’s genetic information. The law also prescription drug expansion program. The bill appropriates funds for prohibits insurance companies from requiring genetic testing or using rebates and administration of the program. It takes effect July 1, genetic information as a condition to obtain benefits, coverage, or 2002. renewed coverage for health, life, and long-term care insurance. The ILWU supported both of these bills because the high cost of prescription medication was causing extreme hardships for many retired ILWU members who have to pay for prescription drugs out-of- ACT 77 (SB 2179, SD 2, HD 1, CD 2) pocket. These programs would help reduce the cost of drugs by using Caps the Price of Gasoline. the buying power of the state to negotiate lower prices from drug This bill responds to long-standing concerns over the high price of manufacturers. gasoline in the State of Hawaii. The Legislature received valuable information as a result of the State’s antitrust lawsuit against several ACT 74 (HB 1761, HD 1, SD 2, CD 1) major oil marketers, including that the major oil companies realize profit margins far in excess of the margins realized in other Regulates Health Insurance Rates. oligopolistic and equally concentrated markets. In a state where employers are required to provide health insurance The legislation increases the efficiency in the use of the State’s benefits, this bill assists Hawaii’s workers and their employers by energy resources by instituting measures to reduce the price of gaso- ensuring a floor against inadequate or predatory rates and providing line at the wholesale and retail level. It improves energy management a safeguard against excessive or in state facilities by requiring agencies to comply with certain energy discriminatory rates. efficiency standards, strategies, criteria and practices, which will save It authorizes the Insurance taxpayer dollars and reduce emissions. Commissioner to regulate the More specifically, the bill establishes gasoline price caps effective rates of managed care plans, July 1, 2004. It requires the Department of Business, Economic Devel- The VOICE of the ILWU (ISSN 0505-8791) is published monthly except April for $2 per year by Hawaii International which includes health insurers, opment and Tourism (DBEDT) to analyze fuel prices and conduct Longshoremen’s & Warehousemen’s Union, 451 Atkinson Drive, Honolulu, Hawaii 96814. Periodicals postage paid at health maintenance organiza- audits under the Petroleum Industry Reporting Act. DBEDT is also the post office of Honolulu, Hawaii. tions, and mutual benefit required to conduct extensive analysis and develop a comprehensive POSTMASTER: Send address changes to VOICE of the societies. It prohibits health report with recommendations before the 2003 Legislative session on ILWU, c/o ILWU Local 142, 451 Atkinson Drive, Honolulu, HI 96814. Editorial Board: Eusebio Lapenia Jr., Robert G. insurance rates that are exces- further legislation that may be needed regarding the gasoline markets Girald and Guy K. Fujimura. sive, inadequate or unfairly and price controls. The bill appropriates funds for the study. It be- Editor: Mel Chang discriminatory, and requires comes effective upon approval. OF May 2002 VOICETHE ILWU page 3

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SB 733, SD 1, HD 1, CD 1 ACT 43 (SB 2787) Provides Funds for Worker Training. Protect Workers Under Wage and Hours. The Employment and Training Fund was set to expire at the end Increases the monthly guaranteed compensation required to ex- of 2002, but this bill makes the program permanent by assessing empt an individual from the protection of minimum wage and employers 0.01% of payroll which goes into the fund. It also requires overtime requirements under the Hawaii Wage and Hour Law. Under employers who use these training programs to contribute 50% of the the previous law, workers who were guaranteed a monthly wage of cost of the assistance in cash or in-kind contribution. $1,250 or more were not protected under the Hawaii Wage and Hour US employers spend less than 2% of their payroll on training and Law. The new law increases the amount to $2,000 which would protect most of this is for managerial and supervisory employees. Regular more low-wage workers. The ILWU supported this bill. workers receive very little training and what training they do receive is mostly informal on-the-job-training. In 1992 the ILWU supported the creation of the Employment Training Fund to provide more formal training for workers at all levels. In its first year of operation in 1992, only 630 people took advan- tage of the free training offered by the State’s Employment Training Fund (ETF). Last year, that number mushroomed to 18,576, a phe- nomenal increase that confirms the need and demand for worker training. Employers can refer their employees to existing short-term, non- credit training courses such as those offered at the University of Hawaii Community Colleges and other ETF approved public and private training vendors. Training courses that are available include, Oahu Division members sign-wave for windward area Senator Bob Nakata, but are not limited to: computer, business, management, health, who heads the Senate Labor Committee. (L-r) Tyrone Tahara, Wallace Abe, Calvin Werner, Brian Tanaka, Sharon Basmayor and Richard Desmond. medical training, or soft skills training. The program is open to all within a company. Non-profit agencies and even unions like the ILWU are eligible to Important Notice on ILWU Political Action Fund use ETF training programs. The ILWU has used the ETF to upgrade Delegates to the 30th Convention of the ILWU, meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii, April 7-11, 1997, amended Article X of the International Constitution to read: the skills of its office staff and business agents. Most of the classes “SECTION 2. The International shall establish a Political Action Fund which shall consist exclusively of voluntary contributions. The union will not favor or disadvantage any member because of the amount of taken were computer related. Two Oahu business agents took the his/her contribution or the decision not to contribute. In no case will a member be required to pay more than introductory class on Windows 98 from the Computer Training Acad- his/her pro rata share of the union’s collective bargaining expenses. Reports on the status of the fund and the uses to which the voluntary contributions of the members are put will be made to the International emy. Tuition for the one day class cost $109 which was paid by the Executive Board. “The voluntary contributions to the Political Action Fund shall be collected as follows: ETF. “Up to One Dollar and Fifty Cents ($1.50) of each March and July’s per capita payment to the International Union shall be diverted to the Political Action Fund where it will be used in connection with The ETF also develops specific training programs. A program for federal, state and local elections. These deductions are suggestions only, and individual members are free health care workers includes: personal safety (dealing with infectious to contribute more or less than that guideline suggests. The diverted funds will be contributed only on behalf of those members who voluntarily permit that portion of their per capita payment to be used for that purpose. disease and bloodborne pathogens); violence prevention; teamwork; The Titled Officers may suspend either or both diversionsThe averageif, in their judgement, salary the financial condition in of the International warrants suspension. leadership; and problem solving. A program for agricultural workers “For three consecutive months prior to each diversion each dues paying member of the union shall be advised of his/her rightright-to-work to withhold the contribution or any (for portion thereof less) otherwise states made in March is and July. includes: growing and caring for seeds; planting trees; operating Those members expressing such a desire, on a form provided by the International Union, shall be sent a checksignificantly in the amount of the contribution lower or less ifthan they so desire, in in otheradvance of the states.member making his/her heavy equipment; preparing sites; logging; and maintaining roads. dues payment to the local union for the month in which the diversion occurs. Certification training for landscape technicians includes: plant identi- “Those members who do not wish to have any portion of their per capita payment diverted to the Political Action Fund, but wish to make political contributions directly to either the Political Action Fund or their local fication; irrigation maintenance; seed and sod installation; sprayer union, may do so in any amounts whenever they wish.” calibration; water conservation; and environmental protection. These ❑ No contribution - I do not wish to contribute to the ILWU Political Action Fund. I understand that the International will send me a check in the amount of $1.50 prior to July 1, 2002. programs helped many laid-off ILWU sugar workers on the Big Island ❑ train for new jobs. Less than $1.50 - I do not wish to contribute the entire $1.50 to the ILWU Political Action Fund. I will contribute______. I understand that Over the past ten years, the ETF provided a total of 31,323 train- the International will send me a check for the difference between my contribution and $1.50 prior to July 1, 2002. ing programs, most of which were in use of computers and computer ❑ More than $1.50 - I wish to contribute more than the minimum voluntary contribution of $1.50 software. Not surprisingly, small businesses with 10 or less employees to the ILWU Political Action Fund. Enclosed please find my check for $______. were the biggest users of the training fund. ______ILWU members can take advantage of the ETF to get free Signature ______training to improve their skills on the job. For more information on Name the classes available, the requirements, and how to apply for these ______Address classes, go to the ETF website at: http://dlir.state.hi.us/wdd/etf/ ______micro.htm. Workers need to be referred by their employers, but this Local # Unit # can be as simple as having your employer sign the application form Return to: ILWU, 1188 Franklin Street • San Francisco, CA 94109 NOTE: CONTRIBUTIONS ARE NOT DEDUCTIBLE AS CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS supplied by the ETF. OF Page 4 VOICETHE ILWU May 2002 21st Biennial ILWU State Every two years, members of the ILWU State Pensioners Association gather for a conference to learn about issues and programs that benefit seniors, hear about the state of the union, reunite with old friends and make new ones.

his year’s conference was rebound, the tragic events of Tno exception. More than September 11 set us back once 100 ILWU pensioners from again. Rep. Takamine assured the Kauai, Maui, Hawaii and Oahu pensioners that, despite revenue met on April 18-20 at the Ala shortfalls, the Legislature was Moana Hotel in Honolulu for a committed to providing for the schedule full of activities. needs of Hawaii’s residents. Pensioners heard from all three Rep. Takumi provided first- Local officers during the confer- hand information about two bills ence about the state of the union. that would provide relief for the Some of the Maui Division pensioners with their Pensioner Club Coordinators Local President Bo Lapenia high cost of prescription drugs. Bill Drury and Virgilio Viernes (back left) and Local Vice President Robert G. talked about the importance of He noted that only Republicans Girald (front right). this year’s elections (see full text voted against both bills (just as of speech below). Local Vice- only Republicans voted against President Robert Girald provided the Prepaid Health Care Act in an update on the multi-million 1974), saying that we should wait dollar renovations at the ILWU’s for Congress to enact prescription Honolulu headquarters. Local drug coverage through Medicare. Secretary-Treasurer Guy But Rep. Takumi said our seniors Fujimura spoke with gratitude for cannot wait for Congress; the loyalty and dedication of our Hawaii’s legislature needs to do pensioners and the challenges of something now. Both bills even- instilling those same values in tually passed this session and our members today. were signed into law on May 31. Also speaking at the conference Laura Manis educated the were Rep. Dwight Takamine, pensioners about Care Plus, a Rep. Roy Takumi, and Laura proposal to provide long-term Manis of the Coalition on Afford- care services through a payroll able Long-Term Care. tax of $10 per month. In 1992, Rep. Takamine spoke about the when the Family Hope Program challenges he faced this legislative was first introduced, nursing session as chair of the House home costs were about $40,000 a Finance Committee. Just as year. Today, costs average Attentive pensioners learn about issues important to Hawaii’s elder citizens. Hawaii’s economy was beginning to $168,000 a year. Few can afford President Lapenia’s address to pensioners’ conference delegate Brothers and Sisters, I am honored rank-and-file democracy. This the ILWU have it much easier retirees in other ways, we will do to be here, addressing your 21st enabled the ILWU to bring the because of you. You showed us the what we can. Some of you may know Biennial ILWU State Pensioners different ethnic groups together into way; you blazed the trail; and all we about the group drug plan started by Conference. You and other ILWU a single, industrial union, which the had to do was follow your footsteps. our Memorial Association, which has retirees like yourselves really de- Big 5 was unable to break. Today, in these tough economic helped to reduce the cost of prescrip- serve most of the credit for building You had the vision to combine the times, we consider it a success if we tion drugs for retirees. Using the this great union and starting a economic struggle for better wages manage to negotiate a contract with resources of the union and the ILWU peaceful revolution that transformed and conditions on the job, with the a small wage increase and prevent Memorial Association, we were able Hawaii into a modern, democratic political struggle. You the takeaway of the to put together a large enough group society. got union members rights and benefits that of several hundred retirees. We then You had the courage to stand up and their families to you put into place. This negotiated with providers like HMSA against the power of the Big 5 organize the power of “You had the vision is particularly true in for a group drug plan. It’s not a companies—a group of employers their vote and elect to combine the political action where solution to the high cost of drugs, but that had accumulated great wealth candidates who were most of our work is it does provide some immediate relief by exploiting native Hawaiians and friendly to labor. economic struggle aimed at preventing the to our retirees. This is a good ex- immigrant workers from China, Instead of allowing for better wages other side from weaken- ample of how much more we can Japan, the Philippines, Portugal, and government to be a ing and taking away accomplish by organizing and acting elsewhere. We all know the history of tool of the wealthy and and conditions on laws that benefit collectively—which is what unions how the plantations deliberately the Big 5, you put the job, with the working people. are all about. recruited workers from different government to work This union will never Our Political Action Program will countries to keep them divided and building schools, political struggle.” forget how much we continue to place high priority on how any attempt to form unions parks, and hospitals owe to you retirees. issues important to senior citizens— were crushed. The Big 5 had abso- for working class This Pensioners Asso- to protect social security, for lute control of Hawaii’s economy, communities, and passing laws like ciation, the pensioner clubs, and affordable long-term care, and to find legal system, and government, but workers compensation, unemploy- each of you will always have a place a solution to the cost of prescription you had the courage to stand up to ment insurance, and prepaid health of great honor and respect in this drugs. the Big 5 and fight for economic to protect working people on the job. organization. When we negotiate justice on the docks and on the sugar new contracts, we’ll remind our Back to politics and pineapple plantations. Follow your footsteps active members they should do what This problem with prescription You learned from the mistakes of By the time I got into the union, they can to negotiate pension in- drugs is a good time to talk about the the past, and built a union based on you retirees had already done most creases for past retirees. 2002 elections and politics, which is the principles of racial equality and of the work. The active members of Where the union can help our the last subject I want to talk about OF May 2002 VOICETHE ILWU page 5 Pensioners Conference

nursing home care so many end John Arisumi, retired Maui up on Medicaid, which is also Division Director). Appreciation paid for with tax dollars. The was extended to officers for the Legislature this session failed to past term (Fred Lee, president; enact Care Plus, but did agree to John Arisumi, vice-president; establish an interim board of Juan Francisco, secretary; and trustees to develop a recommen- Tom Poy, treasurer). ILWU dation for the next Legislature to Memorial Association President implement a long-term care Yoshito Takamine installed financing program. officers for the new term: Allen Each pensioner club gave a Alconcel, president; Juan Fran- brief report about the club’s size, cisco, vice-president; Tom Poy, officers, and activities. Several secretary; and Haruye Ichiki, clubs (like G&R, Honokaa, treasurer. On both nights, mem- Paauilo, Pepeekeo) are active bers of the Oahu Division volunteering in their communi- Pensioner Council hosted the ties as friendly visitors at nursing hospitality room where pension- After the second day’s session, retirees walked over to the ILWU building on homes and in the schools. Club ers were able to meet and mingle. Atkinson Drive to see the restored ILWU mural, “Solidaridad Sindical.” representatives were all very The third day was devoted to a articulate in their reports. tour of Oahu, mapped out by Bob After the second day’s session, Freitas, Oahu Division Council pensioners walked across president. The tour traveled Atkinson Drive to the ILWU through downtown Honolulu, to headquarters, currently under Pali Lookout, along H-3, to renovations, to tour the com- Kapolei’s “Second City,” through pleted Phase I and see the Ewa Villages, along Kunia, to restored ILWU mural. Pensioners Dole Visitor Center and who contributed toward the Helemano Plantation. Pensioners mural restoration were pleased to saw parts of Oahu they had not see their names etched in glass seen before and also could see the on the conference room doors. many changes since the closing of The conference was not all the sugar plantations. speeches and serious stuff. Pen- Neighbor island pensioners sioners enjoyed a great dinner returned home with fond memories and bingo the first night, coordi- of Oahu and their old and nated by Oahu Division FTO’s newfound friends, especially who sent each guest home with a grateful for the hospitality ex- nice “goodie bag.” The second tended by all the Oahu pensioners night’s banquet featured enter- and FTO’s. One and all are looking The pensioners conference was a good opportunity to see old friends and tainment by the pensioners forward to an even better confer- make new ones. (L-r) Kauai’s Haruo “Dyna” Nakamoto with the Big Island’s themselves (including jokes by ence on Maui in 2004. Shintaro “Rocky” Higa and Shigeichi Asuka. es: “I know we can count on you to help . . . with political action”

before I conclude my remarks. Security and Medicare. Instead, Democrats. Sufficient funds should also includes those who support and The ILWU has not changed its Republicans want to “fix” Social be invested to strengthen Social advocate the same or similar conser- policy of Independent Political Security by diverting money from the Security and expand Medicare to vative programs as the Republicans, Action. The ILWU is not tied to the trust fund into “personal savings include prescription drugs. One but it is within the Democratic Party program of any political party. We accounts” which are invested in the reason these programs are that labor has found its most consis- start with what is in the best inter- stock market. You might want to ask underfunded in the first place is tent allies.” est of our members, and then we Enron employees what they think because of budget cuts that started These words about the Republicans endorse candidates from either party about this idea. Republicans propose under Republican Ronald Reagan are harsh, but let me give you some based on their support of union “modernizing” Medicare by offering a and continued under George Bush. examples of the kinds of laws they programs. greater choice of coverage and Social Security should remain a want to pass in Hawaii. Republican But the political reality is this— reducing administrative costs. public program and not be priva- Senator Sam Slom introduced Senate the Republican Party has adopted a Republicans want us to trust the tized. Our union supports the idea Bill 626, which would make it illegal political program and goals that are drug companies to do the right thing, that government needs to keep an for unions to require members to pay almost the direct opposite of what we and they give the example of the eye on business. As workers, we union dues as a condition of employ- seek in the best interest of our Medicare RX Discount card being know we can’t depend on manage- ment. This is the so-called Right To members. We have our differences offered by some drug manufacturers. ment to do the right thing—that’s Work law, which is really aimed at with Democrats, but we also share On the other hand, the platform of why we join and organize unions. destroying unions. Slom also intro- many of the same goals. This is why the Democratic Party calls for more duced bills to abolish the Hawaii our union endorsements have mostly public investment in Social Security Difference between Republicans occupational safety and health law been Democratic candidates and the and Medicare. The Democrats want and Democrats and to weaken workers compensation. few Republicans we do endorse are to add prescription drugs as a There’s a big difference between On the House side, Republicans usually at the County level. Medicare benefit. They want to use Republicans and Democrats. Let me Jim Rath and William Stonebraker Take prescription drugs and Social the budget surplus to pay for these read from our Statement of Policy on introduced House Bill 877 to remove Security—there is a big difference in improvements instead of giving away Political Action, adopted by our 22nd “the right to organize for the purpose how Republicans and Democrats the surplus in tax breaks. The ILWU Local 142 Convention: of collective bargaining” from our approach this problem. Democrats believe that government “The Republican Party, historically State Constitution. Another bunch of The Republicans—and this is is needed to keep business in line in Hawaii and today, nationally and 8 Republicans (Meyer, Rath, Ontai, spelled out in the party platform of and should step in to do something locally, has represented a conserva- Djou, Auwae, Fox, Davis, and Leong) the Republican National Committee about medical costs and prescription tive, often reactionary, point of view and one Democrat (Kahikina) intro- and supported by President Bush— drugs. that is anti-union, anti-worker, anti- duced House Bill 313 which would oppose using any more public funds On these issues, our Union’s family, anti-community and require the governor to seize and to expand or strengthen Social program is closer to that of the anti-people. The Democratic Party operate the docks in case of a —continued on page 6 OF Page 6 VOICETHE ILWU May 2002 Union bids farewell to “Voice of the ILWU” Saburo Fujisaki HONOLULU—ILWU members 142 in October 1947, Sabu served as allowing ILWU pensioners from and retirees across the state are interim secretary-treasurer and was throughout the state to come together mourning the loss of a man who truly elected to that position in January on a biennial basis to re-establish ties dedicated his life to building the 1948. He was also assigned to the with one another, learn about union union and serving its membership. ILWU Reporter (later VOICE of the programs, and renew their commit- On May 30, 2002, Saburo Fujisaki, ILWU) as staff writer. ment to the ILWU. known at “Sabu” to friends and fellow ILWU members, died on Oahu “In 1952, he was appointed Territo- “Without Sabu’s vision, the ILWU following a long illness. He was rial Union Defense Director as the pensioner program may never have survived by his wife Bette, son Lance union mobilized its ranks to defend materialized. Sabu provided the Fujisaki, daughter Luann Yoshida, ILWU Regional Director Jack Hall, who initiative, the energy, and the hard and two granddaughters. was indicted under the Smith Act. work to establish the ILWU pensioner In April of this year, a resolution of Sabu worked hard to fend off strong program as a strong, vital part of the appreciation was passed at the anti-union attacks and fight for the ILWU. It is to Sabu’s credit that the ILWU State Pensioners Association union’s very existence. At the same program continues almost 20 years 21st Biennial Conference that best time, he was appointed sports program after his retirement. describes how the the ILWU feels and medical claims department “Today, despite his illness, Sabu about Sabu: director. In 1955, he was appointed to head the newly established member- remains a strong union man. His Saburo Fujisaki example is an inspiration to us all. “Saburo Fujisaki has been a union ship service department. May 1920 - May 2002 man for many years. “NOW THEREFORE BE IT RE- “ILWU pensioners especially owe a SOLVED that the 21st Biennial State people—and bringing major eco- debt of gratitude to Sabu for what he “In 1943, as a 23-year-old electri- Conference of the ILWU State Pen- nomic, social, and political gains accomplished as Membership Service cian, Sabu and a small group of sioners Association express deep and which benefit everyone in Hawaii. Director. In 1958, he organized the workers organized Olaa Sugar planta- sincere appreciation to Saburo Fujisaki May the ILWU continue to be a ILWU State Pensioners Association, tion and were chartered by the ILWU in for his dedication to the ILWU pen- moving force, maintain its respected forming clubs in all Divisions. He was 1944. Sabu served as officer, orga- sioner program and to the union which position within trade union circles, instrumental in forging close ties with nizer and bulletin editor at Olaa Sugar he served so well.” for many, many more years to come.” Local 148 (later Local 142 Unit 1103) ILWU pensioners clubs and county The contributions that Sabu made and as Big Island strike committee senior citizen programs. Until today, ...“for many, many more years to come.” to the ILWU during his years of secretary and publicity director during several Big Island pensioner club Upon his retirement Fujisaki service to the union are immeasur- the historic 1946 sugar strike that remain an integral part of the county stated, “My years of relationship able. He has touched the lives of lasted 77 days. programs. with the ILWU has been a great thousands of ILWU members learning and rewarding experience— through the education and member- “Sabu established the ILWU state “When six sugar locals were consoli- I am fortunate for having met ship service programs he pensioners conference in 1961, dated into United Sugar Workers Local thousands of wonderful people on all administered. And ILWU workers of the islands. will continue to benefit from from the “The ILWU has done much to- programs he helped to develop for Lapenia addresses pensioner conference wards improving the lot of working many, many years to come. —continued from page 5 longshore strike. They also proposed For the first time in 40 years, the House Bill 319 which would cut the Republicans think they have a good minimum wage in half for tipped chance of electing the next governor employees in the food and beverage and capturing more seats, even a ILWU LOCAL 142 BULLETIN industry. Gomes, Djou, and majority, in the House of Represen- McDermott introduced HB 886 to tatives. If this happens, we will have ISSUED BY ILWU LOCAL 142 451 ATKINSON DRIVE, HONOLULU remove the presumption clause from a state government that is hostile to To All ILWU Units Workers Compensation, which would unions and worker’s rights. If this make it harder for injured workers to happens, we can expect increasing qualify for benefits. attacks on the wages and benefits we Recruitment begins for These are just a few examples of all worked so hard to achieve. If the the anti-labor bills being pushed by Republicans gain control, our fight to Sixth ILWU Labor Institute the Republicans. And it is not just a improve Medicare and Social Secu- August 25-31, 2002 few individuals, because they are rity will become even more difficult. HONOLULU—The ILWU Tokai University Pacific Center signing these bills as a group. A lot is at stake in this election. Sixth Labor Institute, a week- These are not ordinary or innocent We have made political action a top long leadership training Honolulu, Hawaii proposals. The same kind of bills are priority in every Division. We have program for rank-and-file of the Institute will also deal being introduced by Republicans all started registering our members and leaders, is scheduled for August with the upcoming elections across the country. This is part of a their families to vote. We are spend- 25-31, 2002, at Tokai and a mobilizing plan to defeat Units will need to hold calculated and deliberate strategy to ing more time educating our University in Honolulu. Tokai anti-labor candidates. membership meetings to destroy unions, to weaken govern- members about the issues in this has a strict non-smoking policy Units are encouraged to choose delegates and to get ment, and to give business a free election. Soon our Political Action which will be enforced. take this opportunity to membership approval to spend hand to pursue the almighty dollar. Committees will begin meeting with The Institute will begin improve the skills and unit funds for this purpose. candidates who seek the union’s with registration and education of their unit Units should work with Election 2002 support, and we expect to complete orientation on Sunday leaders. The Local will take their Business Agents to We don’t get this kind of anti- the endorsement process by July afternoon August 25. Classes care of instructional costs, submit names of participants worker and anti-union legislation 23rd. Some of you may be involved in will run from Monday through materials, travel, room, and and alternates to their from Democrats. We get some bad this process, as the State PAC Friday, and delegates return board. Units are responsible for Division by July 22, 2002. The bills from the Democrats and we may Committee has invited each Division home on Saturday, August 31, paying lost wages for any Division will make the final disagree with how they do things, to send a pensioner observer to sit on 2002. Units on Oahu may send delegates they may send. selection of delegates. The but the Democrats are not conspiring the committee. additional delegates for shorter deadline for Divisions to to destroy unions. We can usually I know we can count on you to periods of one or more days. submit names to the Local for work with them to find solutions we Questions? help, as you always have, with our The Institute will focus on the Institute is July 31, 2002. can all live with. the leadership and practical Ask your Business Agent A total of 90 participants The Republicans, on the other Political Action program. This is or call your Division office: skills needed by rank and file will be accepted into the hand, have become the party of going to be a tough election, but with • Hilo: 935-3727 leaders to mobilize members Institute. Following are the business and the wealthy, and they your help, this is a fight we are going • Waimea: 885-6136 and win better contracts. • Kona: 329-2070 number of delegates allocated are waiting for their chance to run to win. Delegates will have the • Waikulu: 244-9191 to each Division: Hawaii - 31; this state. This is why the 2002 On behalf of the 22,000 active • Lihue: 245-3374 opportunity to choose from a Maui - 44; Kauai - 13; and elections will be the most critical members of the ILWU, I want to • Oahu: 949-4161 wide a variety of classes. Part Oahu - 28. election ever faced by working people thank you for all you have done and in Hawaii. are continuing to do for this union. OF May 2002 VOICETHE ILWU page 7

47th Annual ILWU Men’s Fast-Pitch Softball champs “Sons of Kauai.” Hawaii Division’s “Mauna Lani” team took home second place. Kauai Division team builds fast-pitch softball dynasty by Brian Tanaka Also contributing to the win were the 10-run rule was invoked. Kauai as follows: Most Valuable Player: Oahu Division Business Agent David Perreira and Ronald “Blackie” was led by Leonard Vegas, who Fred Medeiros (Kauai); Best Batting Viquelia, who had two hits each for batted three for two with two runs Average: James Kawasaki (Hawaii); HONOLULU—The 47th Annual Kauai, with Perreira doubling twice. and two RBIs, Greg Santos, who Most Hits: James Kawasaki (Ha- ILWU Fast-Pitch Softball Tourna- went three for four, with two RBIs, waii); Most Home Runs: Joby Amaral ment was held May 11, 2002 on Game 2: Hawaii vs Oahu and Sam Dias, who had three RBIs. (Hawaii); Most Runs Batted In: Joby Oahu at Salt Lake District Park. The A combination of seven walks and Patrick Rita, David Planas and Amaral (Hawaii); Most Runs: Ronald usual single elimination format was two singles let the young Honolulu Darrell Borrero had two hits each. Viquelia (Kauai). changed to a round robin format Advertiser team from Oahu take the All-tournament team members because Maui Division was not able lead over Mauna Lani 5-1 after the Team Awards were: James Kawasaki (Hawaii), to field a team this year. The change first inning of play. The team awards for the 47th Fred Medeiros (Kauai), Ronald in format did not rattle standing But the tide turned, and from the Annual ILWU Men’s Fast Pitch Viquelia (Kauai), Joby Amaral state champion Kauai from winning third inning onward the game was Tournament were: First Place: Sons (Hawaii), Felix Cablay (Oahu), their fifth straight fast-pitch title. dominated by the Big Island team. of Kauai; Second Place: Mauna Lani; Patrick Rita (Kauai), David Perreira Hawaii’s rally started with Joby and 3rd Place: Honolulu Advertiser (Kauai), Darrell Borerro (Kauai), Ira Game 1: Kauai vs Hawaii Amaral’s two-run double, and they Poindexter (Hawaii), Greg Santos The Sons of Kauai defeated quickly scored five runs on three hits Individual Awards (Kauai), David Planas (Kauai), Hawaii’s Mauna Lani in the first and two walks. Mauna Lani scored Individual awards were given out Patrick Prieto (Hawaii). game behind the throwing arm and runs in every inning but the second. hitting of veteran Kauai pitcher Fred Amaral, who hit three for four with a Medeiros. Medeiros pitched a three- double, two home runs, three runs hitter and batted two for three— and four RBIs, displayed awesome including a triple and two runs hitting power and lead his team to a batted in. 13-5 win. Mauna Lani’s James Featuring: Early on in the game, Hawaii Kawasaki batted 1.000, going four ★ The Mana‘o Company jumped out to a 2-0 lead on a hit for four with two runs and two RBIs. ★ Pati batter, two singles and a bases ★ Ekolu loaded walk. Hawaii pitcher Patrick Game 3: Oahu vs Kauai ★ Prieto baffled Kauai and kept them The veteran Kauai team could Three Plus scorless for five innings. sense another championship in the ★ Keahiwai In the top of the sixth Kauai came making and gave a clinic on pitching ★ Maunalua alive and took advantage of two and hitting to the more inexperi- ★ Kapena costly errors, scoring three runs and enced Honolulu Advertiser team. The taking the lead. Medeiros’ two-run Sons of Kauai banged out 15 hits ★ Augie T triple in the top of the final inning with seven walks to completely ★ Da Bruddahs pushed Kauai’s lead to 5-2, and the demolish the Oahu team 17-2. The ★ Andy Bumatai fired-up pitcher shut out the Hawaii game ended after five innings when ★ team for the rest of the game. Kauai lead by more than 10 runs and Opihi Pickers Sunday ★ Ho‘okena ★ The Next Generation September 1 ★ Darrell Labrado Gates open at 1 pm and special guest artists! F R E E A D M I S S I O N (contact your union for tickets) LD rev 7/3/02 Union Displays • Children’s Activities Union Karaoke Contest • Entertainment Order concert t-shirts from your union • $9 presale, $10 at the concert Parking at Kapiolani Community College (KCC) Continuous shuttle service - 12:30 to 10:30 pm

Coolers less than 18" and backrests are allowed (no lawn chairs). Patronize the Waikiki Shell concession for food and drinks, or pack your own picnic. NO outside alcoholic beverages.

Sponsored by the Hawaii State AFL-CIO and Hawaii’s unions

“Honolulu Advertiser” represented Oahu Division in the fast-pitch tournament. OF Page 8 VOICETHE ILWU May 2002 Report on the 2002 Legislature Republicans opposed programs benefiting workers

The 2002 Legislature passed a number of good bills that bring real and substantial benefit to working families. However, a look at the voting records on five issues supported by the ILWU reveals a big difference in how Republicans and Democrats in the State Legislature look at these worker friendly “The Republican Party, historically programs. in Hawaii and today, nationally The five issues were: Health wrong way on all five labor bills and locally, has represented a Insurance Regulation; Wage and for a score of “0.” Only one Repub- Hour Protection; Worker Reten- lican scored 50%. Three conservative, often reactionary, tion; the Employment Training Republicans scored between 25 point of view that is anti-union, Fund; and Prepaid Health Law. and 20%. Four of these bills are described As a group, House Democrats anti-worker, anti-family, in the article on legislation im- scored 96% right, with only one portant to workers on pages 2-3. person scoring less then 80%— anti-community and anti-people.” The Prepaid Health issue was a Representative Lei Ahu Isa proposed bill that would have scored 60%. It should be noted —22nd ILWU Convention increased the amount workers that Representative Ahu Isa would be required to pay for announced she would be leaving health benefits. The ILWU urged the Democratic Party to join the legislators to vote against that Republicans. A solid majority of five bills, with a similar contrast always tell the whole story and bill. 27 Democratic House members between Republicans and Demo- can be misleading when it comes As a group, House Republicans voted 100 percent in support of crats. The three Republicans in to assessing an individual legisla- posted a failing score of only 6 these five labor positions. the Senate—Slom, Hemmings, tor. Was the vote in unconditional percent in support of the five and Hogue—opposed all four support of the bill? Did that worker friendly positions. Fifteen The Senate labor bills for a score of 0. legislator help talk to colleagues Republican lawmakers voted the The Senate voted on four of the As a group, Senate Democrats and line up other votes? Or did it had a solid average take a lot of lobbying and pressur- score of 83 percent. ing to get that vote? Some votes Only five individuals are the result of playing politics What does the bill to amend the scored poorly at 50% where votes are traded or a posi- prepaid health law propose to do? or less. A strong group tion changed for some other of 13 Senators voted political reason. The Prepaid Health issue was a proposed bill (H.B. 2750) that would 100% in support of However, the voting records on have increased the amount certain workers would be required to pay for these labor bills. these bills show a substantial health benefits. Currently, the law requires employers to provide a single difference in the outlook and The Whole Story coverage health plan to employees who work 20 or more hours a week for at philosophy of Republicans and Voting records don’t Democrats. least 4 consecutive weeks. The employee may be required to pay up to 50 percent of the cost of the plan, but no more than 1.5 percent of the employee’s monthly wage. The 1.5 percent cap meant that in practice, employees could only be required to pay about 10 percent of the actual The Republicans in the cost of the health plan. The Republicans in the House of Representatives wanted to change the House of Representatives Prepaid Health program by removing the 1.5 percent cap, which would wanted to change the allow employers to require employees to pay up to 40 percent of the cost of the plan. The Republicans pushed this bill as a way to provide direct and Prepaid Health program by immediate economic relief for small business, due to economic hardships after 9/11. removing the 1.5 percent This change simply shifted the burden to workers, who could face an increase from paying 10 percent to paying 40 percent of the cost of their cap, which would allow health benefits. This would be a huge and unfair increase for workers, so employers to require the ILWU urged legislators to vote against that bill. The Democratic majority also believed the change to Prepaid Health employees to pay up to 40 was unfair and did nothing to address the real problem—which was the high cost of medical insurance. The Republicans, however, forced a floor percent of the cost of the vote on the bill, which was defeated by a vote of 26 to 16. Republican House member Colleen Meyer has vowed to bring up this issue in next [health] plan. year’s legislative session.