James H. Paylor, Jr.

Assistant General Organizer,
International Longshoremen’s Association

James Paylor was unanimously re-elected as Assistant General Organizer of the International Longshoremen’s Association at the union’s 2019 Quadrennial Convention. He was first elected to this position in 2015. In this position, Paylor works with
the ILA’s General Organizer, heading up the ILA’s Organizing efforts throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

Prior to his election to one of the ILA’s top seven International Executive Officers positions, Paylor served on the ILA’s Executive Council as a Vice President representing the Ports of Philadelphia and Wilmington since 1995. From 1989 until 1915, Paylor was a Vice President and Executive Board Member on the ILA’s Atlantic Coast District, ILA. Jim was first elected as President of Local 1566 at the age of 25 in 1981. A Second-generation longshoreman and ILA member, Paylor’s father worked on the Philadelphia waterfront after serving in the U.S. Armed Forces during the Korean War. James Paylor immediately started working on the Philadelphia waterfront in 1973 after graduating South Philadelphia High School.

Paylor launched his ILA career working in the hold of the vessel with Local 1291, and later transferred to IAL Local 1566 working as a Ships Carpenter.

Paylor furthered his education attending St Joseph’s University, School of Industrial Relations. He also coached High School Football at St John Neumann High School. James

Paylor has served on multiple Trust Funds and as Chairman of the PMTA/ILA Pension fund.

He now serves as a Trustee on the coast-wide ILA medical plan, MILA.

Within the past year, ILA President Harold Daggett has asked Paylor to direct the ILA’s effort to secure work for ILA Longshore members in the expanding Windmill Turbine projects at many U.S. Ports.

Paylor has three children and seven grandchildren and resides in Penns Grove, New Jersey, with his wife Terry.