United Public Workers


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UPW provides the following services to members in the Bargaining Units 1 and 10 as well as the Private Sector.

Field Services

UPW Hawaii Division, Maui Division (including Molokai and Lanai), Oahu Division, Kauai Division and Private Sector Division provide union representation to more than 13,000 members statewide in the Bargaining Units 1 & 10 as well as the Private Sector. Division Directors and Business Agents are field staff of the Union that carry out the representation.

The field services focus on collective bargaining representation, interpretation and enforcement of contract and UPW Constitution, grievance filing, division and unit organizing and governance, membership recruitment, education and information meetings, stewards training, interpretation and consultation of labor-related rules and policies, membership communication, workers’ compensation representation, community services, etc.

Fiscal and Membership Services

The Fiscal and Membership Services Department (commonly referred to the Business Office) is responsible for the administration of financial and accounting activities, membership dues and benefits of the Union. The services Business Office provides include but not limited to membership dues and benefits information, accounts receivable, accounts payable, general ledger, financial reports, budget information, internal control, annual audit, etc. The Business Office also provides the financial information used by the State Executive Board and Division Executive Boards to conduct business of the Union.

Legal Services

UPW has staff attorneys and private attorneys to assist the Union with legal issues. As assigned by the State Director, grievances that advance without resolution to arbitration and other legal issues are handled either by staff attorneys or private attorneys.

Political Action

UPW has Political Action Committee (PAC) in the levels of both State and Division, and these PACs play an important role in planning, organizing, and coordinating a wide range of political actions. UPW PACs are responsible for endorsing the candidates for Federal, State, and County offices and developing plans and programs to realize the Union’s political priorities. Organized by PACs, both members and staff coordinate and participate in campaign activities such as sign-waving, coffee hours, friend-to-friend cards, phone banking, mail-outs, house-to-house canvassing, rallies, etc.

Legislative Action

UPW has important function in legislative services. Prior to the convening of the legislature, the Union launches research with staff and PACs, and prepares legislation and ensures introduction in both Senate and House. The Union tracks the records and status of labor-related legislative bills, and actively attends pertinent committee hearings and lobbies members of key committees, and prepares final report on all labor-related legislation enacted.

Other Services

Malama Pono is the official newsletter publicized by UPW, and it is a very important and effective tool to communicate with members. The recently happened events with the Union and important issues concerning the members are the main focus of the newsletter. Besides, UPW official website (www.upwhawaii.org) is another way for the Union to update information with the members, and reports, notices, pictures, calendar, and so forth are the basic frame updated on a day-to-day base; and the electronic version of the current Malama Pono is also available online.