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United Public Workers represents more than 13,000 workers in Hawaii. Most of our members are public employees who work for the State of Hawaii or a county in Hawaii. We also represent private-sector employees — most employed by healthcare or nonprofit agencies.
As a member of United Public Workers, you are never alone. UPW negotiates strong contracts, wins wage increases, protects jobs, settles grievances, stops privatization, and fights for health, retirement, and other benefits for members from every field of public service. UPW members receive expert assistance from knowledgeable staff, top-notch negotiators, and experienced attorneys.
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 Union Representatives are field staff responsible for your representation.
The field services focus on collective bargaining representation, interpretation and enforcement of the contract and UPW Constitution, grievance filing, division/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.
UPW provides private attorneys to its members to handle grievances that cannot be resolved through the normal grievance process. These attorneys are also available to assist with other legal issues that may arise, as assigned by the State Director.
This service is an important benefit of UPW membership, as it ensures that members have access to legal representation when they need it most. The attorneys are experienced in labor law and are dedicated to protecting the rights of UPW members.
UPW has Political Action Committees (PAC) at the State and Division levels. PACs play an important role in planning, organizing, and coordinating a wide range of political actions. UPW PACs are responsible for endorsing 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.
The Fiscal and Membership Services Department (commonly referred to as the Business Office) is responsible for the management of financial and accounting activities, membership dues and benefits administration.
The services provided by the Business Office include, but are 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 the business of the Union.
United Public Workers provides legislative advocacy for its active and retired members. Prior to the convening of the legislature, the Union launches research with staff and PACs, and prepares legislation for introduction in both the Senate and House.
The Union tracks the records and status of labor-related legislative bills, actively attends pertinent committee hearings, lobbies members of key committees, and periodic reports on all labor-related legislation.
Malama Pono is the official newsletter of UPW. Published on a quarterly basis, it is an essential tool for the Union to communicate with members. The newsletter provides information about work done by members, updates from the Local and Divisions, issues affecting labor in the legislative and political arenas, and union activities and events.
UPW’s website (www.upwhawaii.org) is another way the Union communicates with members. Reports, notices, pictures, events, and more are updated on a frequent basis. The electronic version of the current Malama Pono can also be found online.
