By Gene Vrana, Director of Educational Services and Librarian
The largest and most diverse group of ILWU officers ever to attend the union’s Secretary Treasurers Conference assembled in San Francisco to update their understanding of local union administration. The Jan. 29-Feb. 2 program was designed to help ensure ILWU compliance with federal regulations and internal union procedures. Participating were 31 local secretary-treasurers, 21 who hold other office (e.g. president, business agent, patrolman), nine trustees, and 11 clerical employees, such as book keepers and office managers.
ILWU International President Bob McEllrath, Mainland Vice President Joe Radisich, and VP Hawaii Wesley Furtado welcomed the participants.
“You are the core of the union,” said International Secretary-Treasurer Willie Adams in his opening remarks. “You keep us going and serve the members needs and keep us in compliance with federal regulations and union procedures. The members need you to know how to protect the union so they can be without worry to focus on doing their jobs and taking care of their families.”
Instructors for the conference, which has been held about every two years since 1998, included ILWU attorneys Chris Hwang, Philip Monrad, Beth Ross, Rob Remar and Peter Salzman; ILWU auditor and CPA Jong Lee; ILWU staff members Russ Bargmann and Gene Vrana; and ILWU Secretary Treasurers Jack Wyatt, Sr. (Local 17), Guy Fujimura (Local 142), IBU National Secretary-Treasurer Terri Mast, and Willie Adams.
The rigorous schedule included presentations on reporting requirements under the Labor Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (LMRDA), fiduciary responsibilities of the local union and its officers, Beck procedures regarding financial core members, prohibited union expenditures and payments or gifts from employers, the role of trustees, local union election procedures and regulations, record keeping and records management, understanding and conducting an audit, and fiscal guidelines for political action funds and committees.
