Education

ILA Education/History

13 hours ago

A MESSAGE FROM ILA INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT DENNIS A. DAGGETT

PLEASE READ!

The article in The NY Times about Boeing’s union rejecting a labor contract speaks directly to the heart of what we, the ILA, stand for in our negotiations. It’s another clear example of how workers across industries, from aerospace to shipping, are rising up to challenge corporate greed and lack of respect for the working class. Boeing’s workers are standing against a system that wants to extract more from them while giving little back—just like what we’ve been fighting in our own negotiations, whether it’s economics, jurisdiction, or automation.

Just as Boeing workers have rejected contracts that don’t address the loss of pensions or insufficient raises, we at the ILA refuse to accept offers that fail to honor the value of our work. Like them, we’ve endured rising costs of living, inflation, and ever-increasing taxes, all while seeing corporations report record profits. Workers are trying to make up for the hardships they’ve faced over the last few years, and it’s frustrating to hear the argument that increasing wages would hurt the public or raise prices—an argument we hear constantly in the media. Why don’t we ever hear calls for corporations to cut into their record profits instead?

Blue-collar workers are often treated as though they’re second-class citizens, but I vehemently disagree with that. We need blue-collar workers just as much as white-collar workers to keep society moving. And I’m proud to see workers like Boeing’s machinists stand up for what they deserve—because it’s not just what they deserve, it’s what they’ve earned through decades of sacrifice and hard work.

At the ILA, we fight for a fair deal that respects both the contributions of our members and the economic realities we all face. We fight against automation that eliminates jobs, and we stand strong for our jurisdiction and economic demands. Just like the Boeing workers, we’re not just asking for a bigger piece of the pie—we’re asking for recognition of the essential role we play in the economy and the right to negotiate fair compensation for the sacrifices we make.

This wave of labor action we’ve seen, from Boeing to the ILA, isn’t just about money—it’s about dignity, respect, and the future of work. And that’s a fight worth standing up for. ... See MoreSee Less

ILA Education/History

19 hours ago

ILA LOCAL 1804-1
MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR
PORT OF NY/NJ
FOUNDED 1953 ... See MoreSee Less

+1

ILA Education/History

3 days ago

Port of Philadelphia
1952

ILA Local 1566 member John Witiw, Sr. operating equipment on the Philadelphia waterfront in 1952. In the second photo is the pin he wore with ledger number and year it was issued.
The late John Witiw, Sr. was a navy gunner and merchant marine.
His legacy lives on today as he is the father of current Atlantic Coast District Vice President Brian Witiw.

Photo Credits:
Stephen Wagner, Jr.
The grandson of John Witiw, Sr.
Thank You!! ... See MoreSee Less

ILA Education/History

5 days ago

Port Miami

ILA Local 1416 member Stephen A. Wingard works around the clock lashing containers on a vessel at Port Miami.
Wingard has been a member of the ILA for over 23 years and through training and education is certified to operate all
equipment that is used on the waterfront.

Brother Wingard shared his thoughts with us:
“Sometimes doing this work takes a major toll on my body and I have to sacrifice time away from my family. If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn’t change a thing. That CEO who didn’t want to give the ILA a raise but wrote himself a 4 BILLION DOLLAR BONUS CHECK IS SOMETHING I STILL CANT BELIEVE!”

Thank you Brother Stephen Wingard ... See MoreSee Less

+1