Brothers and Sisters,
I voted to uphold the vote of the ILWU rank and file, and the International Election Procedures Committee. After hearing the testimony before the IEPC and the IEB, I was convinced that the alleged violation (if there was any) did not determine who won the election and therefore was not valid grounds for re-running the election.
I urge all to re re-elect Leonard Hoshijo as the ILWU Vice President. Because the Rerun is not warranted, and because he is the best candidate for the job.
Leonard spoke for himself during the proceedings and was competent and thorough. The challenge was not presented by the challenger, Wes Furtado, but by David Arian, former ILWU President.
I ask all of you to take time and remember Brother Arian’s words from his candidates statement of May ’94. They were:
“. . . At the ILWU Convention in April, . . . . . . . I [David Arian] also proposed a change that allowed the most talented organizer in our union, Hawaii International Rep. Leonard Hoshijo, to run for office and help meet our goal of organizing 2, 500 new workers each year. The more than 350 delegates showed agreement by voting overwhelmingly to support this program.”
Those who were at the Convention in LA will remember that Brother Bo Lapenia was also very eloquent in promoting Local 142’s position that the Consititution be amended to allow Leonard Hoshijo (because of his long years of dedication to and principled work on behalf of the ILWU) to run for International Office. We should all remember the record that makes up our history. In so doing we don’t just chase the latest rabbit that crosses our path.
Both Arian and Lapenia were correct in choosing Leonard Hoshijo as the best man for the job of ILWU VP - HAWAII at that time. The rank and file were correct in re-electing him in this election. He has done the job.
RE RE ELECT LEONARD HOSHIJO. And let’s get on with building the ILWU, a strong rank & file union.
Fraternally,
Fred Pecker - IEB No. Ca. Local 6
