Re-Elect McWilliams

Brian McWilliams
2 July 2000

For The Record

A lot of comments have been made about a letter that I, as your International President, wrote to the Governor of Hawaii in 1996 during West Coast longshore negotiations stating that in the event of a West Coast strike we would keep domestic cargo moving to the Islands. Over the years International Presidents Harry Bridges and Jimmy Herman sent similar letters to your Governor for the same purpose - to stop the fear of shortages and the hoarding and rationing that comes out of those unnecessary fears. It was the right thing to do for the people of Hawaii when Bridges and Herman did it and it was the right thing to do when I did it.

As your President, I have been effective for ILWU members in Hawaii. I rely on the power and prestige of the International to save your jobs, improve your standards and expand your membership and jurisdiction.

• Sugar Workers -I worked with President Clinton and Secretary of Agriculture, Dan Glickman, to stop them from eliminating the sugar subsidies and to raise the price of sugar. I testified before Congress and explained the importance of the subsidy program and how it helps members of the ILWU. Congress listened and the program was continued. That saved hundreds of ILWU members’ jobs in Local 142, Local 6 and Local 10.
• Hotel Workers - In 1996 the Ritz Carlton was being sold to the Sheraton Corporation on the Big Island. More than 500 members faced pay cuts and the loss of their union security. I immediately made arrangements with the leadership to provide all the International resources possible to ensure the protection of our members. I made many trips to Hawaii, both to guide the rank and file and to deliver the message to the new management that the ILWU was ready to act if need be. This resulted in our members keeping their jobs with conditions that are better than ever. Now that is how the ILWU protects its members!
• Future Workers - I believe in taking a very hands-on approach to organizing. I have devised and guided the most successful organizing the union has done in decades. Today 30% of the money received by the International is dedicated to organizing. I have made sure that Hawaii receives matching funds for their organizing projects. This has allowed Local 142 to organize hundreds of new members.
• 51% Wage Increase Proposal - I opposed this gigantic proposed wage increase for the International Officers. I did so because I believe – as Harry Bridges did - that the International President’s pay should stay within the framework of the rank and file! Not all our members earn big bucks and if the pay raise proposal had been adopted, it would have created a large division between what members earn and what the Officers made. That’s not the ILWU way! I argued that if the union had the extra $1 million the proposal would cost over three years, that money should go into the organizing program instead.

There is one more issue to consider and it has to do with leadership qualities. The ILWU requires a leader who knows that our strength lies in the fact that we are all united in one Union. It requires a leader who can put that understanding into practice, who has a vision to administer the policies and the programs of the Union for the benefit of all of its members. It is said that without vision the people will perish. My vision includes making the ILWU stronger and better, through solidarity, through respecting dissent, protecting democracy and encouraging diversity.

What has my opponent done for Local 142!? I have consistently supported the issues facing Local 142. I answer to the whole union, not just one division. I run on a record that can’t be matched by my opponent. I have been there for you in the past and I will be there for you in the future. I ask for your vote.

In Solidarity,

Brian McWilliams
ILWU International President