1 - American Memory

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The Hawaii State Senate has endorsed the proposal as have the rep-
resentatives of Guam and American Samoa. The Honohihi Chamber of
Commerce and other Hawaii economic interests support the measure.
Tlie county councils have indicated their support. Despite differences
of party and political philosophy we have achieved a remarkable de-
f;ree of unity in support of this measure. While some seek greater re-
ief than that provided in S. 1566,1 have yet to receive a single letter
of outright opposition.
S. 1566 is not a cure-all but it does represent a surprising consensus
among those who have long struggled to find a solution to the unique
problem which is ours.
On each occasion when there is a shipping stoppage in the west
coast trade or even the threat of such a stoppage, in which the ship-
pers and consumers of Hawaii are held hostage in a dispute not of
their making and one over which they have little, if any, influence, we
experience irreparable damage.
During our 1972 hearings, we received extensive documentation de-
tailing the severity of the crisis foisted upon the people of our State.
Nothing that has happened since has lessened our concern. The strike
then current cont'nued for another 34 days after the expiration of the
Taft-Hartley injunction. Anotlier, involving a very small number of
workers, has since closed down our shipping for 41 days.
We are now facing the expiration of the current ILWU-PMA con-
tract on June 30 and even though the prospects for settlement look
good, people in Hawaii are once again busy trj'ing to stockpile to pro-
tect themselves in case of a strike or lockout.
With 99 percent of our trade by weight arriving by ship or barge
and with some 90 percent of our imported food products dependent
on west coast-Hawaii shipping the need for relief can be clearly
shown. In conjunction with Guam, American Samoa and the Trust
Territories of the Pacific we are in a uniquely dependent and vulner-
able state.
Some have suggested that we seek a solution to our problem through
general legislation which would apply to all transportation stoppages.
I have opposed this course of action for our problem is unique and
there is no justification in my mind for placing restrictions on the
right to strike or the right to bargain collectively where no clear and
overriding threat to the very economic health and sur\'ival of a people
exists.
We may not be able to measure the costs in precise dollar amounts
which have been added to the cost of living and doing business in
Hawaii because of the recurring stoppages. Yet we know that they are
substantial. We know that these costs are eventually borne by every
businessman, every worker and every consumer in Hawaii. We know
that the Federal Government has once again found it necessary to
continue the 15-percent cost-of-living allowance for Federal employ-
ees in Hawaii.
We know that it is time that we take effective action to bring an end
this added burden. We are confident that this can be done without
giving up the important rights of any group. We believe that S. 1566
is the legislative vehicle through which our goal can be achieved.