Port councils across the country continue to involve their Labor community in different activities to raise awareness of issues affecting workers as well as generate support for local causes.
In Honolulu, the Hawaii Ports Maritime Council held its traditional Maritime Ohana Pa’ina (family barbecue in Hawaiian) on July 5. More than 120 people attended at the YWCA’s Café Julia.
According to PMC President Randy Swindell, the barbecue allows union officers to meet and mix with local maritime business representatives and elected officials to discuss the Jones Act, cargo preference and other issues. Among those participating were U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and U.S. Representative Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI), who reaffirmed their support for the Jones Act.
In the heartland of the country, the Chicago and Western Lakes Port Council gathered on June 19 for its annual golf outing. More than 100 union members and friends were on hand.
Following the outing, the council recognized John Valone, president of Elevators Local 2, with its Bernard Spatz Labor Man of the Year Award. In addition, the council offered a new award that pays tribute to its late president James Sanfilippo, who passed away in December. Receiving the first-ever James Sanfilippo Able Helmsmen Award was John Moirano, the retired financial secretary-treasurer for Carpenters Local 434.
“James played an important role in keeping our council moving forward,” note PMC Secretary-Treasurer Chad Partridge. “All of us felt we needed to do something to keep his memory alive.”
