District Council 50 » Local Jobs for Local People

Why are jobs STILL going to out-of-state workers?

jade — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 13:00:35 +0000

The International Union of Painters and Allied Trades will protest at the state capitol today at 11:00 a.m. on Punchbowl Street to protest Aloha Stadium work still being done by non-local workers.

The ‘Local Jobs for Local People’ law passed yet out-of-state job poachers are being paid good taxpayer money. According to Act 68, out-of-state workers should not be working on state and city jobs. The economy has not turned around and our workers are facing their third economically devastating year. It doesn’t make sense. We won but the legislatures beholden to Lingle are still trying to prevent what is rightfully law from happening.

Last spring, the bills dubbed the “Local Jobs for Local People” bill, passed both houses only to be vetoed by then governor Linda Lingle. Then both houses unanimously overrode the governor’s veto to make Act 68 law. However, taxpayer money is still being paid to out-of-state workers for city jobs siphoning money out of the local economy still stuck in the recession and in a deep deficit and facing a 22% Japanese tourism downturn this year.

The International Union of Painters and Allied Trades is a labor union of 140,000 plus men and women across the United States and Canada who are committed to providing the finest craftsmanship in the collective trades. Locally, District Council 50 was formed in 1999 and is comprised of painters, glaziers, architectural metal and glassworkers, carpet, linoleum and soft tile installers and drywall finishers and tapers. DC50 is more than 2,000 strong in the state of Hawaii.

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.

KHVH News Radio 830 discusses Local Jobs Local People Campaign

admin — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 22:32:20 +0000

You can listen to the program by downloading the mp3 file below.

Download the radio show MP3 9.74MB

District Council 50 demonstrates against Walmart’s policy of hiring out-of-state contractors!

jade — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 02:39:12 +0000

Walmart store, a common household name and well-known to many Kamaaina for their vast product selection and great prices is employing out-of-state contractors from Pennsylvania to renovate their stores in Hawaii. District Council 50 members took to the street to demonstrate that this kind of behavior is just not right, especially in these tough economic times! Initially, members went to the Kunia and Mililani Walmart stores to educate consumers on the travesty and hardship that Walmart is causing our local economy. Members wanted to take a stand and gain the attention of Walmart’s management. As stated by Nathaniel Kinney, “A corporation that conducts business in Hawaii has an obligation to employ local people.” Many of our brothers and sisters are out-of-work throughout the state and are impacted by the lack of jobs. We all need to unite together to help get people back to work. Please go out and advise your local Walmart Manager that local jobs need to got to local people! To get involved in the “Local Jobs for Local People” campaign, please contact your local union Business Representative.

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.

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.

2nd Annual Labor Unity Picnic at the Waikiki Shell

jade — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 01:36:37 +0000

Approximately 5,000 people joined together this past Labor Day to partake in the festivities at the Waikiki Shell recognizing union members, retirees and their families. This 2nd annual Labor Day Unity Picnic was the coordinated efforts of the Hawaii Building and Construction Trades Council, AFL-CIO, and various local unions. This event featured lots of free food, games, rides and awesome local entertainment. Because of our struggling economy, District Council 50 was out there educating other union members on the importance of our “Local Jobs for Local People” campaign. This picnic was a great way to honor and recognize all of Hawaii’s dedicated union members and their families.

“Local Jobs for Local People” Rally – A HUGE Success!

jade — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 20:00:53 +0000

On Tuesday, August 18, 2009, the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, District Council 50 (DC50), initiated a rally at the State Capitol to promote public awareness that many local jobs through the state are being done by out-of-state contractors. There were over 200 supporters from other unions and public and private sectors that joined in to rally for the “Local Jobs for Local People” campaign. Senator Robert Bunda, President Emeritus, Senator Will Espero, Chair of the Senate Public Safety and Military Affairs Committee, and Mr. Kirk Caldwell, Managing Director of the City and County of Honolulu, also joined the cause.

“The show of support today is very encouraging and we want to take the ‘Local Jobs for Local People’ movement to the next level by bringing legislative changes in the way public contracts are awarded” says Allen Wong, President of the Painters Local Union 1791 and delegate to DC50.

A big mahalo to all of you who took time out of your busy schedule to be a part of this movement. We are all so fortunate to be able to live and raise our families here in these beautiful islands, and we should also be able to work here too! Let’s continue to work together to secure our future and ensure that we will have “Local Jobs for Local People”.

“Local Jobs for Local People” Takes to the Streets Afternoon Rally Tuesday (Press Release)

admin — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 18:40:54 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

“Local Jobs for Local People” Takes to the Streets
Afternoon Rally Tuesday – Labor and Business Come Together

Honolulu, Hawaii (August 17, 2009) – The “Local Jobs for Local People” call to action first heard from the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 50 in a pointed, documentary-style commercial last week is taking to the streets. Tomorrow, Tuesday, August 18, 2009, District Council 50 will be joined by unions, private business members and concerned citizens of Hawaii in the first “Local Job for Local People” rally to be held in front of the State Capitol from 4 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

“This is the beginning of the ‘Local Jobs for Local People’ movement,” says Lynn Kinney, leader of District Council 50. “District Council 50 organized this initial rally and bought the airtime to get the ‘Local Jobs for Local People’ message out. What’s happening at Aloha Stadium is just a symptom. Hotels are being remodeled by workers and companies from the mainland. And now we see government jobs being sent to the mainland and our people sent to the scrap yard of unemployment.”

Allen Wong, president of the Painter’s Union and delegate for District Council 50 added, “We hope that the people of Hawaii will join us so we can build a real movement ‘Local Jobs for Local People’.”

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CONTACT:
Kimi Takazawa and Associates
phone: 808.384.6740
fax: 808.537.5432
email: kimitakazawa@gmail.com

Download the press release: “Local Jobs for Local People” Takes to the Streets (PDF)