HAWAI'I STATE FEDERATION OF LABOR
AFL-CIO
In Unity There is Strength!
WHO WE ARE
The Hawai'i State AFL-CIO is a voluntary federation of 74 local affiliate unions and councils in the state. Our basic purpose is to use the collective strength of the labor movement in the state to protect and advance the interests of all workers and their families. We provide affiliates with a mechanism to exchange views and make decisions to promote a unified voice and unified action. We provide affiliates with a process to come together in support of political candidates, to fight for legislation and cooperate in other mutually agreed on goals, programs and services.
WHY PEOPLE JOIN UNIONS
Without a union contract, the law considers workers to be "at will" employees who may be fired, reassigned, demoted for any reason or no reason at all.
What Goes Into a Contract Anyway?
People who join unions find soon enough that they are no longer just interested in "what's in it for me" but in the overall improvement of themselves, their coworkers, their families and the societies in which they live. Solidarity improves standards of living for all.
COMMITTEE ON POLITICAL EDUCATION
(C.O.P.E.)
"All that harms labor is treason to America. No line can be drawn between these two. If any man tells you he loves America, yet he hates labor, he is a liar. If a man tells you he trusts America, yet fears labor, he is a fool."
-Abraham Lincoln
Hawaiʻi's COPE Program
The entire political process through which the people of Hawai'i elect their public officials is at the very heart of the democratic system. It affects the life of everyone in the State, the laws that govern us, the taxes we pay, the services our government provides.
The Hawaiʻi State AFL-CIO believes that all citizens have the right and the responsibility to take part in the political affairs of their community, their state and their nation. For that reason, the Committee on Political Education (COPE) was established.
COPE has encouraged thousands of union members to take part in public life through programs of political education and political action whose goals are better law makers, better laws, better government, and a better life for all the people of Hawaiʻi.
Since a Democracy can only work when the people are informed and vote, COPE's primary functions are to provide year-round programs of political education for union members and to conduct statewide non-partisan registration and get-out-the-vote campaigns. Indeed, at each election we help thousands of previously non-voting union members and their families to register, then to exercise their franchise to vote. The COPE staff prepares leaflets, posters and research materials for elections including voting records on key issues of all state legislators and the state Congressional Delegation.
Hawaiʻi's COPE cooperates with the national COPE and conforms to its policies but is not a branch or subsidiary of national COPE. The Hawai'i State COPE makes its own endorsements of candidates for Governor, U.S. Senators, U.S. Representatives, Hawaiʻi State Senators and Representatives and other state and county officers.
The sole endorsement at the national level comes in presidential contests and is made by the General Board of the AFL-CIO, then implemented by national COPE in cooperation with state and central labor council COPEs.
Want to fulfill your yearning to make a positive difference, advance justice, social equity, promote freedom and vanquish oppression?
The right to vote is a fundamental cornerstone of our country's democracy and can help achieve these aspirations. We encourage everyone to vote! It’s important that our voices are heard! VOTE!
BE THE CHANGE! VOTE!
This is one of the simplest ways to help out our cause. We believe the best way for our initiatives to be successful is for the community to actively get involved.
LABOR COMMUNITY SERVICES PROGRAM
(L.C.S.P.)
The Labor Community Services Program works through our partnerships to unite organizations, working people, and resources to build a healthier community.
*Photo above is from our Feeding the Feds Campaign where food was distributed weekly across the state for one month during the U.S. Federal Government Shutdown. Mahalo to the local food banks for partnering with us to help those in need.
Our LCSP strengthens our community by promoting volunteerism and a sense of responsibility by organizing various service projects
We are a safety net for those in need through our direct services
We offer Learning Sessions tailored to build solidarity in our common goals and current events in the union movement
"In our glorious fight for civil rights, we must guard against being fooled by false sloagans, such as "right to work". It provides no 'rights' and no 'works.' Its purpose is to destroy labor unions and the freedom of collective bargaining."
Martin Luther King, Jr.
RESOURCES
STATE OF THE UNIONS
OPPORTUNITIES
Apprentice Programs
SEAFARERS
Unlicensed Apprentice Program-See what it's all about by clicking HERE
UHWO LABOR EDUCATION CLASSES
The University of Hawai‘i's Center for Labor Education & Research at West O‘ahu is offering these Labor Education Classes. To enroll you must submit an enrollment form.
CLEAR
University of Hawai‘i - West O‘ahu
91-1001 Farrington Hwy. Library 2nd Floor, Kapolei, HI 96707
phone: (808) 689-2760
FAX: (808) 689-2761
E-Mail: clear@hawaii.edu
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