Time for Real Change: A New Approach to Contract Negotiations

It’s easy to throw out vague, u

nanswerable questions, especially when the goal is to confuse, frustrate, or distract. But that isn’t leadership. That’s deflection. Over the past few weeks, many members have asked what our plan will be if elected. The concern is real, and the fear of the unknown is understandable. We hear you. But the real issue isn’t about predictions. It’s about results.

For nearly two decades, too many contracts have fallen short of what our members deserve. Wages have failed to keep pace with Hawaiʻi’s soaring cost of living. Benefits have been chipped away. Agreements have left us vulnerable to contractor givebacks that weaken our position and undermine our work. We refuse to accept that as the new normal.

A New Direction for Negotiations

If elected, contract negotiations will not be business as usual. We will overhaul the process from the ground up.

Our approach is simple: preparation, expertise, and strength.

We will bring in experienced professionals, seasoned consultants and skilled labor attorneys with a proven record of securing strong contracts in our industry. No more walking into negotiations underprepared. No more hoping for the best. We will surround ourselves with the kind of expertise that delivers real gains: better wages, stronger protections, and solid benefits that reflect the hard work our members perform every day in Hawaiʻi’s toughest conditions.

Standing Firm Against Givebacks

For too long, givebacks and concessions have been treated as inevitable. That ends now.

We will build a stronger resistance to contractor pressure and refuse to settle for whatever is placed on the table. Our focus will be on fighting for what our members deserve, not what is easiest to accept.

This isn’t about making promises for the sake of promises. It’s about strategy. It’s about preparation. And above all, it’s about putting members first.

The Choice Ahead

Brothers and sisters of IBEW Local 1186, the path forward is clear. After years of contracts that haven’t kept up with the realities of living and working in Hawaiʻi, it’s time for a new approach, one rooted in strength, expertise, and unwavering commitment to the membership.