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International Union of
Elevator Constructors
Hawai'i Local 126
Hawai'i Local 126
Local 126: A Place in Hawai‘i's History
A Humble Beginning
Native Hawaiian workers walked off their sugar plantation jobs at Koloa to win a wage increase of about 2 cents an hour, or 25 cents a day. The year was 1841, and it was the first recorded labor dispute in Hawaii. This strike, and the lack of native workers, spurred growers to look for foreign sources of labor.
As a result, waves of Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, Portuguese and Puerto Rican laborers arrived in Hawaii to satisfy the growing demand for plantation workers. The major sugar companies consolidated their holdings and became more powerful. The Big 5 companies emerged and eventually dominated Hawai‘i's economy.
After Hawai‘i was annexed in 1898, Caucasians from the U.S. mainland moved to Hawai‘i to work in the skilled trades. In hopes of obtaining better pay, many native Hawaiians and immigrants left the plantations to apprentice themselves to these skilled many of the unions at that time were weak and ineffective because organizing was divided strictly along racial lines. These factors allowed the Big 5 to keep the unions under their control.
Progress on Paper
Unions were given official recognition in 1935. Congress passed the Wagner Act and created the National Labor Relations Board, which gave workers the right to legally form and join unions, and the right to negotiate with employers.
Unions seemed to be making progress, but the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Martial law was imposed upon the islands and union growth was severely limited. During this period, however, labor leaders were appointed to significant war-time agencies alongside management counterparts, and labor discovered its political voice. World War II was a catalyst that changed Hawai‘i's political and social structure, the economy and unionism; and the post war era created a construction boom in the islands.
Local 126 and the Golden Years o f Unionism
From 1945 to 1947, in a span of just two years, Hawaii developed from one of the least developed states to one of the most highly organized. It was during this period of union expansion that the Hawai‘i chapter of the International Union of Elevator Constructors, Local 126 was established.
Establishing
the Hawai‘i chapter of the IUECIn a letter to the president of the IUEC, dated May 30, 1947, five mechanics and five helpers petitioned for a local chapter. Their names are John Wojick, Ersel L. Kilburn, William H. Cummings, Herbert H. Yorita, Virgil L. Gettmann, Yoshio Kawaguchi, Wallace H. Nishimura, Leslie D. Wood, Anthony P Tomko and Buster T. Higa. All were employed by the Von Hamm-Young Co., Ltd., agents for the Otis Elevator Company in Hawai‘i.
John Wojick received an RCA Radiogram on June 27, stating that their application for a charter had been approved. The very next day, a letter signed by the 10 men was sent to Local 1357, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, stating their intentions to sever all connections to form their own union. The letter closes with appreciation: "You may be assured that we will always cooperate and uphold the principles of the Local 1357 of the I.B.E.W. to the fullest extent possible... with faith and confidence in what the future may hold for us in this new chapter, we hope to benefit ourselves as well as those of the Elevator Constructors Union on the Mainland." A few days later, on July 1, 1947, the 10 original members of the International Union of Elevator Constructors, Local 126, signed the charter.
In 1947, the number of elevators and other lift devices were few. As of December 1996, the total number of elevators, escalators, moving walks, dumb waiters and other types of lifts totaled 5,591. Local 126 has grown too, in more ways than one. A health plan was established in 1952, and is today one of the best plans in the country. The pension plan began in 1962. The National Elevator Industry Educational Program (NEIEP), instituted at Local 126 in 1967, covers the basics on safety and tools to semiconductor fundamentals, PC boards and transistors. Today, Local 126 has grown to approximately 200 members.
Politics and the Community
A union cannot isolate itself from politics. Local 126 devotes much time, effort and expense to the preservation and betterment of its members. With this political effort, adverse legislation can be prevented, and beneficial laws can be enacted. An example of the positive influence Local 126 has had in the political arena is the passing of legislation to require all mechanics to be licensed and qualified by the state in 1971.
We have been blessed by the community in many ways throughout the years. It is with this in mind that Local 126 gives back to the people of Hawai‘i by supporting organizations such as the Lions Club, Hawaii Food Bank, Hawai‘i Special Olympics, Hawaii Jaycees, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Aloha United Way and the Hawaii High School Athletic Association. Through the Building and Construction Trades Foundation, Local 126 also participates in fundraisers to provide scholarships to high school seniors.
Our Future
The Elevator Constructors, Local 126 will continue to speak in behalf of its members and their families. We will be a voice in government and in the community. As demand for our services continues to grow, we will add qualified, licensed mechanics to our ranks. Together, we will shape our future, and continue to provide valuable services to the people of Hawai‘i.