NORTH BERGEN, NJ (August 8, 2026) When International Longshoremen’s Association President Harold J. Daggett addressed his member-delegates at the South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District Convention in Galveston, Texas, he devoted a portion of his remarks to reminding ILA longshore workers that they should not get lax while enjoying the landmark benefits of the current six-year Master Contract agreement with United States Maritime Alliance.
The ILA leader stressed the importance of ILA members producing high levels of container moves per hour to counter the threat of automation.
“We cannot get lax,” the ILA leader warned. “Automation is around the corner, and they are gunning for us. We must show the shippers that we can do what machines cannot.”
President Daggett added that he is conveying this critical message up and down the ILA coast.
I cannot say it enough – we cannot afford to give our employers any reason to introduce automation,” President Daggett said. “This contract is costing them a ton of money. The most in the history of maritime labor!”
President Daggett added that many management representatives have told him the key to keeping automation out is moves.
“Our best days can now lie ahead for our ILA union, and its membership, if we work together on this important mission,” President Daggett said.
The ILA intends to participate actively in upcoming conferences and assemblies that are geared to addressing the threat of automation, building on the enormous success of last year’s Anti-Automation Summit the ILA co-hosted in Lisbon, Portugal. These include the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada anti-automation conference in Vancouver, BC, in September and the International Dockworkers Council (IDC) 10th General Assembly scheduled for November 17-19 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
And the ILA expects to devote time during next year’s International Quadrennial Convention in Hollywood, Florida, to hold another Global Anti-Automation Summit.
ILA President Daggett said these International gatherings “demonstrate what can be achieved with a common purpose and a united strategy.”