District Council 50 » DC 50 News

Aloha Stadium Demonstration on March 31, 2010

jade — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 02:11:48 +0000

On March 31, 2010, equipped with bullhorns, cowbells, whistles and sirens the fight for “Local Jobs for Local People” shook up Aloha Stadium in an early morning march. Approximately 100 people gathered from many diverse unions such as the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, District Council 50 (IUPAT, DC50), Hawaii Masons Union, Ironworkers Union and the Hawaii Building and Construction Trades Council to show support for the “Local Jobs for Local People” movement and to voice disapproval that state contracts are still going to out-of-state contractors.

“The Local Jobs for Local People’ campaign is about change. We need to remind the people of Hawaii and the politicians that in a recession, taxpayer money needs to stay here. As you can see by the support from the various building and construction trade unions that this is not just an IUPAT, DC50 problem, it’s everyone’s problem,” states Lynn Kinney, Business Managers/Secretary-Treasurer, IUPAT, DC50.

The “Local Jobs for Local People” campaign was first heard last August. The IUPAT, DC50 ran pointed documentary-style commercials shot at Aloha Stadium job sites with close-up work trucks with mainland license plates. The commercial concluded with a rally at the state capitol with over 100 attendees. Hawaii is not the first state to organize a “Local Jobs for Local People” campaign. Times of crisis affect social movement. With the worsening economy and jobs at stake people are fighting for their rights. “This is the time for change in Hawaii,” says Kinney. “This is the time for Joe Citizen to let politicians know it’s not okay to take our jobs. This is about survival.”

The Local jobs for local people movement has become a grassroots phenomenon nationally and globally with campaigns sprouting organically in Ohio, New York, New Mexico, Australia and the United Kingdom.

District Council 50 out in force for Hanabusa!

jade — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 01:16:44 +0000

As you all well know, State Senator Colleen Hanabusa is in the running for the First Congressional District seat that was recently vacated by Neil Abercrombie. Many District Council 50 members have been tirelessly canvassing, sign waving and supporting Hanabusa’s campaign. The ballots have been scheduled to be mailed out on or around May 1 and the last day to send in your ballot is May 22. We encourage all of you to get involved to help send Colleen Hanabusa to congress. “I will work toward reforms that will expeditiously and effectively address the needs of everyday people including creating jobs for Hawaii residents and the rest of the nation,” said Hanabusa. We urge all members to get involved in the campaign to send Senator Colleen Hanabusa to Washington. Please call 808-941-0991 for information on how you can make a difference and be a part of this very important election!

Our Hands Build Hawaii

jade — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 21:43:27 +0000

Over 100 men and women united at the crack of dawn on February 26, to express support for “Local Jobs for Local People.” This demonstration took place in front of the Ilikai Yacht Harbor Tower Waikiki construction site. Many of our members came out to show their discontent with non-union hires, and unlicensed contractors who pay substandard wages and employ out-of-state workers. “We are exercising our first amendment rights and freedom of expression by bringing to light the exploitation of workers. We will not tolerate this kind of treatment and will fight to keep Hawaii working.” said Nathaniel Kinney, Director of Organizing. Many families who make these islands their home should also have a sense of security of knowing that they will also be able to provide for their families too! If we all come together to join in the quest to help preserve Hawaii’s work force future, we can ensure that there will be local jobs here in the state for local people who call Hawaii home.

District Council 50 Endorses Colleen Hanabusa

jade — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 21:01:12 +0000

Senate President Colleen Hanabusa who represents the Waianae coast, is making a bid for the First Congressional District seat that will be vacated by Congressman Neil Abercrombie at the end of February. Senator Hanabusa, a labor attorney and a staunch advocate for workers’ rights pledges to protect and ensure that the people of Hawaii are represented in Washington, DC. Senator Hanabusa has been instrumental in overseeing the State’s spending of federal stimulus or ARRA money that ensures that public works projects get off the ground quickly. District Council 50 humbly asks you to support and vote for COLLEEN HANABUSA to the First Congressional District seat!

John D. White, Jr., makes a run for City Council seat, District 2

jade — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 14:38:46 +0000

John D.White, Jr., has announced his candidacy for the Honolulu City Council seat, District 2, which encompasses the areas of Mililani Mauka, Wahiawa, North Shore, Kahaluu and Ahuimanu. The seat is currently held by Donovan Dela Cruz who will be completing his eighth year in the city council. John pledges to help remedy the state of Hawaii’s economy, the lack of jobs and affordable housing by pursuing new and creative ways to diversify our state. He will look to promote renewable and sustainable energy industries such as wind and solar power that will in turn create jobs and lower energy costs. District Council 50 is proud to support John D. White, Jr., for Honolulu City Council.

Local 5 pickets Kaiser Permanente on Tuesday, January 19, 2010

jade — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 17:37:27 +0000

District Council 50 was out in force to support the brothers and sisters of Local 5 on the picket line at Kaiser Permanente, Honolulu Clinic. Local 5 represents nearly 1800 Kaiser Permanente employees statewide. These union health care workers are striking because many of them will be displaced when Kaiser begins to subcontract their jobs to the mainland. This is just one of many situations that are impacting our state – we need to take a stand and fight to keep jobs here in Hawaii. Please join in to help ensure that there will always be “Local Jobs for Local People”! If you would like to get involved please call 941-0991 for more information.

AIA Rail Demonstration at the State Capitol on Monday, January 18, 2010

jade — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 00:33:33 +0000

As many as 400 rail supporters came out to the State Capitol on Monday, January 18, 2009. Governor Lingle hosted a presentation by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) regarding the proposed rail system at the Hawaii State Capitol Auditorium. The panel discussed an at-grade rail system which would result in further delays and even the possibility of killing the rail project all together. District Council 50 members, as well as many other trades, came out to attend this important event in support of the elevated rail system. As we all know, the Rail will help stimulate our local economy by providing thousands of jobs in Hawaii that will in turn help to get our local people back to work.

Painters Award AAA Winners for Fall 2009

jade — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 00:07:13 +0000

Shelden Kahaleua, Jason Bartels and Russell Valmoja – from M. Shiroma Painting, and Edward Kinmoto and Calsen Kaawa, from Jade Painting Inc. were recognized as the Apprentice Achievement Award (AAA) winners this semester. The AAA is awarded to painter apprentices who excel at both school and at work. Calsen Kaawa is a three-time AAA winner, having won in each of the three semesters he has attended. What a remarkable achievement! Congratulations to these AAA apprentices!

Glaziers Union Graduation on December 19, 2009

jade — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 20:24:02 +0000

On December 19, the Glaziers, Architectural Metal & Glassworkers, Local Union 1889, celebrated the graduation of 35 apprentices. The Class of 2009, held its graduation at the Dole Cannery, Lanai Ballroom. All of the graduates fulfilled the criteria of 8 semesters or a minimum of 580 classroom hours and also completed working 10,000 apprenticeship hours. The International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, District Council 50, would like to recognize and extend its heartfelt congratulations to these outstanding members and wish them all the best in the coming years!

THE GRADUATES OF THE CLASS OF 2009

Wendall Tavares, Michael Rita, Harry Shimizu (Kona), Richard Tacgere, Jr., Ted Galton, Jonathan Lenchanko, Michael Rojas, Brant Arelliano, Scott Nitta, Neal Wakabayashi, Dexter Ching, Walter Nunuha, Ikaika Lacson, John Atiburcio, Bronson Adric (Maui), Douglas Gonzaga (Maui), Nathan Nakamura (Maui), Sean Cordero, Anthony Oliveira, Shane Sunahara, Bradley Gackstetter, Brandon Shito, Stephen Dela Cruz, Larry Tolentino (Kona), Angel Pascual, Joseph Dela Cruz, Jonah Nunuha, James Agana, Keoki Galton, Jerry Hanawahine, Jerry De Peralta, and Darryl Ohelo.

CLOSEST TO GRADUATING

John Perez Doi, Lance Kaui, and Chester Popa

Kapolei High School’s “Shadow a Union Journeyperson Day”

jade — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 19:45:47 +0000

The Third and Fourth Round of Kapolei High School’s “Shadow a Union Journeyperson Day,” took place on December 8, and December 12, 2009. On December 8, Training Director, Alvin Van Treese, instructed students on the proper way of installing VCT flooring. Mr. Van Treese explained the importance of good math skills to ensure accurate flooring alignment. Simeon Harmon, Journeyperson, mentored students in the technique of applying adhesive glue to the floor. On December 12, students were given instructions in the set up, measurement configuration and were also afforded the opportunity to apply VCT floor tiles. Also assisting were David Stone, President; Local 1926, floor layer apprentices; David Hallberg; Kaipo Pajente; Jared Imoto; Jason Martillano; and Roy Johnson, Field Representative, Glaziers, Architectural Metal and Glassworkers, Local 1889. Industrial Technology Academy Instructor, Brian Ichida expresses his heartfelt thanks to all of the members of the Floor layers Local 1296, for their hard work and continued support of Kapolei High School. District Council 50 also recognizes and commends these gentlemen for their time, energy and dedication to the trade and to the students at Kapolei High School.