by Mindy Aguon

Guam - Two unions are competing to represent 273 workers at the Guam Shipyard. There is an election this week to give workers an opportunity to be represented.

The Guam Federation of Teachers and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers are on the ballot hoping to get the majority of votes by Shipyard workers who will decide whether they want union representation, and if so, who they want to represent them. IBEW business manager Brian Ahakuelo told KUAM News, "There's huge disparities in the whole thing. The union contract brings balance to the island. It gives a living wage to the employee and their families and it also allows them to purchase homes and it helps the economy."

The IBEW currently represents 1,000 workers on Guam and has maintained a presence here for the last decade. "The union brings balance and a voice to the workplace for the workers and we've been on base we have six contracts that we administer for the last ten years," Ahakuelo continued. "Guam and Hawaii have so much similarities and we want to make sure that we're protecting the wage rates and benefits in both the state of Hawaii and the territory of Guam."

Ahakuelo says Shipyard employees are currently underpaid. He cited an example, saying a crane operator at the Shipyard is currently making $15 an hour but a crane operator currently under contract is making $22 an hour. "Totally undercompensated for what they're doing. We meet with individuals last night, some of them in different crafts. I can tell you a welder position, is paying like $12 an hour where a welder position at DZSP is paying $18 an hour," he noted.

And should Shipyard workers support the idea of a union and a new company take over later this year (as the Navy is going to put out an RFP for the lease of the Naval Ship Repair Facility), Ahakuelo says successor clause language is a key element in all of their contracts.

"If for example someone else comes in, they will be represented by the IBEW, it may just be another contractor. They change their hat and shirt, but their contract, benefit, wages and their work conditions all remain the same and I think that's very important," he stated.

GFT president Matt Rector meanwhile contends his union is the better choice because the members have a voice on Guam and have local access. He says Shipyard workers approached the GFT several months ago about getting union representation. The election will be held at the Shipyard on Wednesday from 6-9am and again from 3-6pm. The votes will be tallied after.

Either union must get at least 50% plus 1 in order to win.