DPH Labor Caucus

The Labor Caucus strives to bring to the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i a fresh outlook on the purpose and objectives of organized labor in Hawai‘i and to improve the quality lives of the working people throughout the State.

All honest work should be treated with dignity and respect.

Organized labor has contributed immeasurably to the improvement of the social, political, and economic well-being of Hawaii's people and we defend the right of workers to organize unions; to bargain collectively over wages, hours and working conditions; and to participate freely in the political process. We support the principle of economic justice through a living wage, not simply a minimum wage. We believe that all workers should have healthcare, sick leave, and safe workplaces. We support pay equity and equal opportunity for all regardless of race, color, creed, gender, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, or sexual orientation. As we continue to seek ways to provide better and more efficient public services to the people of Hawai‘i, we pledge not to compromise the principle that government money, coming from the taxes of all of us, shall not be used to depress the wages or standard of living of the working people in our service.

We encourage the working people of Hawai‘i to participate in the political process. We help to educate the elected leadership within the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i and the State Legislature on the core values of the Labor Caucus and the impact of political issues and public policies on the lives and well-being of the working men and women of Hawai‘i. We encourage participation in the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i and the expanded use of grassroots/community organizing activities at all levels from the precincts to the State Policy Committee. We also recruit and support candidates for public office who come from the labor movement and who are truly committed to represent the interests, values, and perspectives of employees.