This education link has been set up to keep all ILA members informed of whatβs taking place in our industry; past and present. This site will include articles, stories, photographs and videos. At times, some of the videos will include training and be educational. Other times, we will take a look into our past and learn more and more about the history of this union and how it was built into what it is today.
ILA Education/History
Never forget the sacrifices ILA members made to build our great union into what it is today
CBS EVENING NEWS
FEBRUARY 11, 2025
CHINESE CRANES AT UNITED STATES PORTS RAISE NATIONAL SECURITY CONCERNS
The concerns regarding automation at ports and how it can affect our national security were clearly stated by our ILA leaders throughout contract negotiations.
CBS Evening News is acknowledging exactly what the ILA had predicted all along.
Thank you to ACD General Vice President John Daggett for sharing this with us.
(Please click on the link below to see full story)
5 CommentsComment on Facebook
Automation is a threat to everyone not just longshoremen. This video is very educational, thank you for posting!
Maybe the country will wake up to this automation now!
This should of been the argument from the beginning
No automation
They are not our friends they are the enemy
Port of Boston
Circa 1906
Photograph of Boston docks and harbor, with sail and steam vessels.
If you enlarge the photo you will see Roweβs Wharf on the right and the Metropolitan Steamship Company on the left.
Photo Credit:
Dana Smith, Boston Mass, Vintage
Thank you!!
Source: Library of Congress
Collection: Detroit Publishing Company
1 CommentComment on Facebook
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Port of Baltimore
ILA WORKFORCE HELPS THE PORT OF BALTIMORE SEE DOUBLE DIGIT GROWTH OVER THE LAST YEAR
A message from ILA International Vice President and Local 333 President Scott Cowan:
βWe had a very busy day at the Port of Baltimore today thanks to the amazing ILA women and men that make up our incredible workforce.
We are happy to report that we are seeing double digit growth over last year in container volume with a great forecast for the remainder of 2025.
We would also like to report to the membership that The Howard Street Tunnel Double Stack Project is underway along with the great progress that is taking place on The Sparrows Point Container Terminal.
Both of these projects are scheduled to be finished during the first quarter of 2028!β
This is a remarkable accomplishment for the ILA membership considering that the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed on March 26, 2024, which blocked most shipping at the Port of Baltimore for 11 weeks.
Thank you ILA Local 333 President Scott Cowan for forwarding this information to us!
2 CommentsComment on Facebook
Solidarity Local 333 & President Scott Cowan!
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Port of NY/NJ
May 7, 1950
LONGSHOREMEN ATTEND COMMUNION MASS IN NEW YORK CITY
ILA members attend a special Communion Mass on Pier 61 in New York during the spring of 1950.
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Port of NY/NJ
WINTER ON THE DOCKS
MAHER TERMINALS
ILA Local 1804-1 members prepare for winter storm at Maher Terminals in Port Elizabeth, NJ
Thank you James Brill, ILA Local 1804-1, for sharing these amazing photos of ILA members working during the winter at night on the waterfront.
**ILAβ¦UNSTOPPABLE**
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ILA FAMILY WE THE BEST UNITED STRONG IN SOLIDARITY AND UNITY
Damn right. Local 1248 got your back
Thanks guys
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Port Miami
ILA Locals 1922 and 1416 welcome MSC Cruises on its first ever call to the newly constructed cruise terminal AA at Port Miami
**ILA STRONG**
5 CommentsComment on Facebook
I watched that port go from 2 warehouses and one administration bldg. 1965, to what it is today!!
10 Cruise ship at the Port of Miami 506 Porters
β€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈ
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Nice
Hollywood, FL
ILA INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT DENNIS A. DAGGETT SPEAKS TO THE WAGE SCALE DELEGATES ABOUT THE DETAILS OF THE TENTATIVE CONTRACT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE INTERNATIONAL LONGSHOREMENβS ASSOCIATION AND THE UNITED STATES MARITIME ALLIANCE AT THE DIPLOMAT HOTEL IN HOLLYWOOD, FL
Please take a moment to read the following message from Dennis A. Daggett:
To ILA Members,
The International Longshoremenβs Association (ILA) recently convened our Coast-Wide Wage Scale Meetings, where our International President, Harold J. Daggett, provided a comprehensive explanation of the critical events leading up to the October 1st strike and the days that followed. By painting a vivid picture for the wage scale delegates, he detailed every step of the processβoutlining the challenges we faced, the decisions that had to be made, and the pivotal moments that shaped our negotiations. He spoke about his conversations with President Biden and Acting Secretary of Labor, Julie Su, explaining how each phase of the bargaining process unfolded and how Secretary Su played a key role in securing the wage increases with the Ocean Carriersβ Global CEOs.
After we returned to work following a three-day strike, we endured relentless attacks from the mainstream media, personal attacks, and even threats. Yet, despite these obstacles, negotiations pressed forward, and tensions remained high. With wages settledβafter USMX conceded to a 62% increase over six yearsβthey shifted their focus to automation and semi-automation, seeking to regain ground in a different battle.
President Daggett then shared details of his meeting with President-Elect Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago. Going into the meeting, he was cautiously optimistic but uncertain of what to expect. To our surprise and relief, the President-Elect expressed strong support for the ILA and our members, particularly in our fight against automation. Two key objectives seemed like long shotsβhaving President-Elect Trump publicly voice his support for the ILA on Truth Social, sending a clear message to the ocean carriers and employers, and urging him to personally call USMXβs newly appointed Chief Negotiator, Paul DeMaria, to reinforce that foreign-owned companies would not be allowed to take away great family-sustaining jobs. To our elation, President-Elect Trump did both.
President Daggett and I were both very appreciative of how President-Elect Trump fought for great, family-sustaining American jobs over the interests of foreign-owned companies. His decisive action sent an unmistakable message that the livelihoods of hardworking men and women would not be sacrificed in the name of corporate greed and automation. President Daggett expressed his sincere gratitude for the bold stance in protecting ILA jobs, and it was clear that this moment marked a major turning point in our fight.
Paul DeMaria then addressed the wage scale delegates, acknowledging how President Daggett and the ILAβs negotiating team successfully convinced USMX to invest in ILA members instead of automation. He emphasized the importance of proving that decision right by ensuring that every member remains committed to the job. Habitual absenteeism, he noted, cannot be tolerated. The world is watching, and we must show that our wayβinvesting in people over machinesβis the right way.
President Daggett then played a video prepared by the International that broke down every detail of the tentative agreement. The video was well received by the delegates, and following its presentation, I provided a detailed, hour-and-fifteen-minute breakdown of the contract. In the spirit of transparency, I wanted to ensure that every article and section was thoroughly explained, so the wage scale committee could fully understand how and why we reached an agreement on each item. It was important to me that every aspect of this historic contract was laid out clearly, reinforcing our commitment to our members.
President Daggett and I both took a moment to personally thank the entire Wage Scale Committee for their tireless efforts during the local and master contract negotiations. A special acknowledgment was given to the 34-person Wage Scale Committee for their dedication, unity, and hard work in securing one of the greatest contracts in organized labor historyβone that equates to $35 billion, even using conservative estimates.
Most importantly, we praised the unwavering strength, determination, and grit of our rank-and-file members. These negotiations were the most contentious since 1977, and there is no doubt that we could not have achieved this historic victory without the full support of our membership. The men and women of the ILA stood strong, and because of that, we won.
At our last Quadrennial Convention, I closed my speech with a simple statement: Solidarity is the way to victory.
Our members proved me right. This was a war, and we won because of themβ¦.
Submitted by:
Dennis A. Daggett
ILA
8 CommentsComment on Facebook
Great job ILA. I want to send a special great job to my dad. I have watched him in these negotiations my whole life. You all never stop fighting for your men and employees. I’m thankful for the opportunity to see it first hand.
Yes yes yes that’s my brother congratulations Jim . I have always known how hard you have worked. Ask anyone.
It’s a continuous fight…We so lucky to have Those Men in our side….π€πΊπΈπ·π·
Love this Casey Paylor.
All hail The Chief
ππ
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ILA LFG!
ILA RATIFICATION VIDEO
ILA International President Harold J. Daggett and International Executive Vice President Dennis A. Daggett break down the details of the tentative agreement between the International Longshoremenβs Association and the United States Maritime Alliance
FROM OUR INTERNATIONAL:
International Longshoremenβs Association (ILA) Wage Scale Committee Unanimously Approves New USMX-ILA Master Contract Agreement With Full Membership Ratification Vote Set For February 25, 2025
HOLLYWOOD, FL β (February 7, 2025) The full International Longshoremenβs Association Wage Scale Committee today gave unanimous approval to the new USMX-ILA Master Contract, paving the way for the ratification vote by ILA rank-and-file members that has been scheduled for Tuesday, February 25, 2025.
More than 200 ILA Wage Scale Committee delegates representing ILA locals from Maine to Texas gathered today at the Diplomat Hotel in Hollywood, Florida and were presented with details of the tentative USMX-ILA Master Contract by International President Harold J. Daggett and International Executive Vice President Dennis A. Daggett. The Wage Scale Committee delegates also heard from Paul DeMaria, Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Lead Negotiator for United States Maritime Alliance, Ltd. (USMX).
βI believe our work here today moves us to the ratification vote on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, when ILA rank-and-file members will vote on what I believe is the greatest ILA contract, and the greatest contract negotiated by a labor organization,β said ILA President Harold J. Daggett, the unionβs Chief Negotiator who opened the ILA Wage Scale Committee meeting. βOur collective strength helped produce the richest contact in our history.β
ILA Wage Scale Committee delegates were shown a video explaining general details of the tentative USMX-ILA Master Contract, which will be made available to all ILA locals to view prior to the February 25th ratification vote. Following the video screening, ILA Executive Vice President Dennis A. Daggett presented a detailed description of the tentative agreement that is in the form of a Memorandum of Settlement between USMX and the ILA and supplements and amends the current Master Contract.
The new agreement and all of its benefits are retroactive to October 1, 2024, and, if ratified by ILA members, will be in effect until September 30, 2030.
In addressing ILA Wage Scale Committee delegates, Executive Vice President Dennis A. Daggett praised the hard work it took by many to produce the landmark agreement between USMX and the ILA and said: βMost importantly, I want to thank the ILA rank-and-file membership.β
ILA President Harold Daggettβs statement following the full ILA Wage Scale Delegatesβ unanimous approval of the tentative agreement:
βThis was the hardest and most complicated contract to bargain possibly in the history of the ILA. I am proud to have previously delivered two historic contracts for the men and women of the ILA, but with the changes weβve seen across our industry we knew what this contract meant for securing our future. As we meet with the full wage scale committee, I want to make clear that this not only means more money in the pockets of our ILA members, but also a strong future for them and our entire industry.
βAfter the first strike in 50 years, we showed the entire world the strength of the ILA, and won a hard-fought economic agreement. But even after that historic moment, I thought that it was almost certain that we would have to go out on strike again in January to get what we deserved. Weβve been able to avoid a strike for so many years because the ILA and USMX have had a strong relationship, which is the single biggest factor when it comes to reaching a deal. It isnβt good enough to just come to an agreement, we need a partner with the leadership and skills and one we trusted so that we knew we could work together and see it through.
βIt was President Donald Trumpβs courageous actions in December, after meeting with Dennis Daggett and me at Mar-A-Lago, coupled with the relationship and trust we had with Paul De Maria, that made this deal possible.
βThank goodness USMX made Paul DeMaria the Lead Negotiator for managementβs side when they did. Paul was uniquely qualified to move negotiations in the right direction and his appointment to this role was instrumental in avoiding a second strike.
βWhen we were at Mar-A-Lago, it was Paul that I called and had speak directly to President Trump because I knew that he was the only person who could sit across from us at the table and get a deal done.
βIf it weren't for Paul's leadership, we would have been on the picket line again. We all knew that Paul was a tough negotiator, but he showed a lot of skill in how he worked with me, Dennis and our bargaining committee to see this through.
βAt our wage scale meetings today, I wanted to make sure that our members heard from Paul firsthand, possibly the only person who understands our industry, and knows and respects our ILA longshore workers, so that we can start to rebuild our relationship with the USMX and the shipping community.
βWe all have a bad taste in our mouths with how some of this played out, but we need to ratify this historic contract and then implement it. This means working with someone who will do this the right way to make sure that we donβt end up negotiating in this way again.β
ILA rank-and-file members will receive details of the agreement approved by the ILA Wage Scale Committee at local meetings in the next two weeks and then participate in the ratification vote on February 25, 2025. The specific details of the agreement will not be made public.
30 CommentsComment on Facebook
Incredible leadership! Thank you to all that participated in making this happen. πΊπΈβπΌβοΈ
Love this video. God Bless the ILA and thank you.!!!!!!
Congratulations Good job Harold
Great job Harold and Dennis
Congratulations β€οΈ π
Thank you guys! Life changing news! Let's get to work boys
I can’t express the gratitude I have for Dennis A. Daggett his father Harold Daggett and the members of the rank and file who fought for us in this contract negotiation. These men and women truly care about their work force and the future of our industry. I thank you and my family thanks you! Now we have a bright future for ‘hopefully my son who is a new born and maybe even my grandson and generations to come have an option to work in this great industry! This goes down in history and many other unions from all trades will look at the success of your joint negotiations to try and better there workplace . Thank you and Job well done! We are lucky to have such caring and intelligent leadership . Proud Ila member since 2005! ILA all the way
Ty President Daggett and all ILA officials local and International for their Hard work and Dedication…..it is greatly appreciated!!!
Congratulations, I.L.A. ALL THE WAY
Congratulations!!!!
Congratulations
Congratulations
Good job. ππΌππ»
I.L.A. Thank you to all who fought for us πππ
Hi Popπ ILA all the way πͺπͺ
Thank you Dennis and Harold for negotiating the best contract we ever had ILA Strong πͺ good work
Thank God , and all of you for fighting for us
Joe the leg. Says Hello
Great job and thank you to everyone involved for making this happen.
Awesome job Ila family
Congrats to all who made this incredible deal a reality .
I.l.a strong πͺ
No sirve, nos traicionó a la π¦§
Michael Scott
Well done and Thank you ILA all the way
Port of Savannah
ILA LOCAL 1414 PROUD FAMILY MEMBERS OF PHILADELPHIA EAGLES LINEBACKER NOLAN SMITH, JR ARE EAGER TO SEE HIM TAKE THE FIELD AGAINST THE KANSAS CITY CHEIFS IN SUPER BOWL LIX THIS SUNDAY IN NEW ORLEANS, LA
Philadelphia Eagles star linebacker Nolan Smith, Jr will be taking the field this Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX.
The ILA is proud to announce that Nolan Smith, Jr. has several family members that are in ILA Local 1414 out of the Port of Savannah, GA.
Smith, Jr. was born in Savannah, GA and attended Calvary and the IMG Academy during his high school years.
Smith, Jr. signed to play college football at the University of Georgia where he and his teammates went on to win 2 National Championships.
Nolan Smith, Jr. was selected in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft by the Philadelphia Eagles.
THE ILA SENDS ITS CONGRATULATIONS TO THE ENTIRE SMITH FAMILY AND GOOD LUCK THIS SUNDAY IN SUPER BOWL LIX.
GOD BLESS!
116 CommentsComment on Facebook
Nolan is a heck of a player glad to have him on the team!!! Go birds!! 1804-1!!!
He went to Calvary for 2 years also οΏΌ
Go eagles and Nolan my family member praying for you and the Eagles y’all are victorious
1414 PROUDπππ
ππΌππΌππΌππΌππΌ go birdssss
Congratulations! Love to see you fly Nca Nolan Smith!!!!!
Don't forget Slay he was born and raised 45 mins away Brunswick GA area code 912 Bleeds Green
Where is the superbowl parties π₯³
Awesome congratulations beautiful
Awesome. Go birds
So proud of you π keep up the good job
Way to go Nolan I met this young man his parents did a great job he’s a fine young man
Congratulations!!!
Good luck π
Congratulations on their Superbowl Victory
Fly High Eagles!! π¦ Go Nolan!!ππ€
Congratulations Nolan smit, a big shout out to his grandfather mark and his grandmother, Barbara, uncle peewee. And uncle peewee and uncle Kwan. Congratulations again
Always a #DGD!!!! β€οΈπ€ Good luck in the Super Bowl!!!! π¦
Congratulations
Congratulations π₯³
Go birds
I LOVE THIS. LOCAL 970
Congratulations!!!
Huge congratulations
BIG CONGRATS π
Port of Charleston
ILA LOCAL 1771 CLERKS AND CHECKERS UNVEILS THEIR NEW LOGO BY ARTIST AND ORIGINATOR BROTHER WILL TURNER
AMAZING JOB!!
9 CommentsComment on Facebook
Great job! Lots of hard work and time - just beautiful! Proud of you son!
Grandad and Mr. Parnell would be proud!
Shirts, hats and stickers?
I know Grandad and Mr. Parnell
I L A 1291 “Philadelphia “
ILWU Local 13 port of Los Angeles/Long Beach πͺ
thewilliamturnergallery.com
The William Turner Gallery William Turner
We see you William Turner!