ILWU Local 142 Endorses Mazie Hirono and Matt Matsunaga
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OF August 2002 VOICETHE ILWU page 1 Volume 42 • No. 6 The VOICE of the ILWU—Published monthly except April and a combined June/July issue by Hawaii Local 142, International Longshoremen’s & Warehousemen’s Union August 2002 ILWU Local 142 endorses LABEL ADDRESS Mazie Hirono and Matt Matsunaga Why union by Eusebio “Bo” Lapenia Jr., Local President As an organization, the ILWU sat on the bench in the primary election for members governor. We had an “open endorsement” in that race which allows our members should vote to vote for anyone they choose but prohibits the union and its leadership from publicly supporting any particular candidate. This meant no signholding, no for Patsy Mink house-to-house, no phone calls or mailouts to members for any candidate—no official support at all. —page 7 For the General Election, it will be completely different—the ILWU Local 142 is endorsing Mazie Hirono for Governor and our support will be considerable. As a democratic, member-based for 22 years, starting in 1980 when families of Hawaii. From what we lege. This is “change” for the worse union, the ILWU has always had an she first ran for the State House of can see, Matt is following in his that will come at the expense of extensive grassroots network that Representatives and from 1994 when father’s footsteps and shares our working people. It would tear down can reach every one of our 23,000 she was elected Lieutenant Gover- vision of a fair and just Hawaii years of gains made in advancing members. Over the past 12 months, nor. This is a long time and a lot where people come first. workers’ rights and dismantle years we have worked hard to revitalize happens in 22 years, but throughout Mazie is the only candidate for of expanding government services to this network by recruiting, educat- this period, Mazie earned our respect governor who has the trust, respect, include programs most needed and ing, and activating scores of new and continued support, because of and a proven ability to get business, used by working families. labor, and government working Lingle and her Republicans pay lip Mazie puts people first, but she does so by together to solve problems and make service to workers’ rights, but con- Hawaii an even better to place to tinually propose “changes” aimed at working to balance the interests and needs of live, work, and play. Mazie Hirono as taking away these rights and crip- Governor and Matt Matsunaga as pling the one organization through business, government, and workers. Lieutenant Governor is the leader- which workers defend their rights— ship team Hawaii needs at this time. labor unions. In their party platform, union activists. her solid and consistent record as a This endorsement of Mazie Hirono strong leader and advocate for the Lingle’s idea of “change” and a “new beginning” is means that hundreds of union working families of Hawaii. activists throughout our membership Mazie puts people first, but she nothing more than a return to the old Hawaii and the network will be out there holding does so by working to balance the signs, walking door-to-door, making interests and needs of business, dominance of private profit, private property, and phone calls and educating our government, and workers. This members on the issues. Our entire balancing act is sometimes the private privilege. This is “change” for the worse that organization and our energy can now hardest way to lead, because it will come at the expense of working people. be focused on reaching out to thou- involves getting different groups to sands of our members and their work together and getting people or families to make sure Mazie Hirono businesses to accept compromises. Change for the worse the Republicans say they support the and Matt Matsunaga win in Novem- Matt Matsunaga is a relative Linda Lingle’s idea of “change” and “concept” of collective bargaining, ber. newcomer to public service, but his a “new beginning” is nothing more but apparently they don’t support father U.S. Representative Spark than a return to the old Hawaii and the “right” to bargain collectively— Why Mazie and Matt? Matsunaga had a long history of the dominance of private profit, they introduced House Bill 877 to The ILWU has worked with Mazie dedicated service to the working private property, and private privi- —continued on page 7 OF Page 2 VOICETHE ILWU August 2002 Job security is most important issue for workers Job security topped the list as the most important public policy issue for ILWU members, according to a survey of 122 unit leaders who attended training classes this year. The “Member to Member Survey” asked people to list the biggest concerns facing working families. Responses ranged from the envi- Yet, even a union contract can fail ronment to crime and taxes, but “Job to protect jobs in certain situations. Security” consistently appeared as Most changes of ownership and an important issue in most of the management are fairly routine, completed surveys and had the where all workers continue their highest score of 62. “Health Care” employment and the new owner came in a close second with a score of agrees to sign on to the existing 60. “Wages” also scored fairly high at collective bargaining agreement. 37. Education and Social Security However, union members are par- trailed in fourth and fifth place with ticularly vulnerable during an scores of 28 and 21. abnormal change of ownership, where the new management refuses Economic uncertainty to recognize the union and the Why do workers fear for their jobs? existing collective bargaining agree- Where does this growing insecurity ment. Employers can get around the The bill went on to conclude, “The the vote). In the Senate, the vote was come from? A number of trends and law if they fire all the workers and public interest of the State is best tied at 12 yes and 12 no (one senator events, including September 11, hire less than half of the original served by seeking to ameliorate the was absent)—nine Democrats joined made it clear to everyone how workforce. financial and social problems caused the three Senate Republicans to vote interdependent our lives have This has happened at a number of by these economic dislocations and against the bill. become and how global events can ILWU companies with the most resultant unemployment. Therefore, The law nearly passed—it failed change our lives in Hawaii. recent case being the Hawaiian the retention of incumbent workers by a single vote. The Asian monetary crisis which Waikiki Beach Hotel. The previous furthers the State’s interest in provid- weakened many of our companies owner of the hotel went bankrupt ing stable employment to its Political Action Important with Japanese roots; the collapse of and the property came under new residents, uninterrupted and efficient The widespread concern about job Enron and the loss of billions of management in a foreclosure sale. service for its visitors, and a healthy security and the fate of the Worker dollars in pension fund money; the All employees were terminated and consumer base for its businesses.” Retention bill is one more example of roller coaster stock market; the the new management hired only a In its final form, the proposed law why union members should support increasing corporate buyouts and the handful of the former workers. This on Worker Retention would require a their union political action programs. resulting layoff of workers; govern- is the main reason the ILWU went to new owner to keep at least 50 One more vote and the Worker ment trade policies that threaten our the State Legislature to propose a percent of existing, nonsupervisory Retention bill would have passed. sugar and pineapple industries; the law which would require a new employees. The bill passed in the Your vote in support of union en- loss of tourism and hotel jobs after owner to keep the existing workforce. House of Representatives with the dorsed candidates can make the September 11. All of these have vote split along party lines—31 difference the next time. affected our jobs and lives in Hawaii. Worker Retention Democrats voted in favor and 18 Register to vote. Make sure every The Worker Retention Bill (SB Republicans voted against the bill (2 eligible member of your family is Concern about job security 2118) pointed out that because of representatives were excused from registered to vote. Union members have a collective “growing global interdependence” the bargaining agreement which gives State’s economy is affected by “finan- The widespread concern about job security and the fate of the Worker them far more job security than non- cial distress in other geographical union workers. Unorganized workers regions.” This has caused changes, Retention bill is one more example of why union members should who have no union protection are transfers of ownership, and divesti- employed “at-will” which means they tures of companies in Hawaii and support their union political action programs. One more vote and the can be fired for any reason or no sometimes the abrupt and unex- Worker Retention bill would have passed. Your vote in support of union reason. For the non-union workers, pected unemployment for the there is no such thing as job security. employees of these companies. endorsed candidates can make the difference the next time. American workers pay more, get less in healthcare Americans pay more for healthcare of health of its people and #37 in #1, Italy #2, and San Marino #3. drugs, manufactured by the same than the people of any other country terms of the overall performance of companies.