The International Longshoremen’s Association’s South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District will hold its 91st Convention (Second Quadrennial Convention) beginning Monday, July 16th and continuing until Thursday, July 19th, 2018 at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach Hotel in Miami, Florida.
Hundreds of delegates at ILA ports from North Carolina to Texas will be converging on the Fontainebleau Hotel for the convention, which will culminate on the final day with elections for all position on the Executive Board of the South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District.
Tradition calls for the District Convention to open with the ringing of the “J.H. ‘Buddy’ Raspberry Bell”, an honor to be performed at Monday’s opening session by Buddy Raspberry’s widow and daughter, Velda Raspberry and Lisa Bowers, along with Gwendolyn Pittman and Judy Kelly.
Delegates will then hear from an impressive list of opening day speakers, including International ILA President Harold J. Daggett; District President Alan Robb and two members of Congress: Rep. Al Green of Texas and Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart from Florida. Dave Adam, Chairman and CEO of United States Maritime Alliance; Juan M. Kuryla, Miami Port Director and Paul Cozza, Executive Director, North Carolina Port Authority will round out the speakers portion at the opening session.
“District convention delegates and guests will hear from powerful speakers representing important advocates of our industry throughout the week,” said District President Robb who will serve as Convention Chairman. “From Congressional Representatives and State and local officials; to ILA officers; port authority executives and community leaders, we believe all ILA participants will gain important knowledge and perspective from these speakers that they can take back to their local memberships.”
The ILA and USMX recently concluded successful Master Contract negotiations where a tentative six-year contract was reached. It is likely ILA President Daggett and other ILA speakers as well as USMX’s Dave Adam will discuss their successful negotiations.
Rep. Diaz-Balart and Rep. Green are sure to discuss President Donald Trump’s recent Supreme Court nomination as well as the impact of the Janus Decision against Public Sector unions.
Top Executive Officer positions and all Vice President positions for the next four years will be filled at elections to be held on the final day of the convention, Thursday, July 19, 2018.
Registration for delegates and guest to the South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District 91st Convention will begin on Sunday, July 15, 2018 at 4 pm and General Sessions, Monday through Thursday, are scheduled to begin at 9 am.