This education link has been set up to keep all ILA members informed of what’s 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
OFFICIAL ILA EDUCATION/HISTORY PAGE ENDORSED BY OUR INTERNATIONAL
Never forget the sacrifices ILA members made to build our great union into what it is today
Port of NY/NJ
Lady Liberty stands tall and proud as container ship passes by her with the Freedom Tower in the background as ILA members look on at Port Liberty Container Terminal in Bayonne, NJ
May God Bless America and God Bless ILA members and their families!
Have a great evening ILA sisters and brothers!
We are the International Longshoremen’s Association
Established 1892
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
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❣️
Go Union
ILA AT THE PORT OF BALTIMORE KEEPS AMERICA MOVING
Ford Motor Company, Chevrolet, Honda, Ram Trucks, Toyota USA, GMC and Nissan are among the top-selling vehicle brands in the United States and they all come across the docks at the Port of Baltimore.
These vehicles are all moved by the women and men of the International Longshoremen’s Association.
In fact, vehicles moving through Baltimore are shipped to dealerships in 30 of the 50 states in America, meaning there is a good chance your vehicle likely came through here.
Thank you to the Port of Baltimore media pages for sharing this information to us.
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
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Port of NY/NJ
ILA LOCAL 1804-1
31st Annual Outing
Sunday, June 7, 2026
Costa del Sol
2443 Vauxhall Road
Union, NJ
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
4 CommentsComment on Facebook
Better hire a few extra companies to patch the coarse that day
Always a great day
Rossy Ross
Go Union
Port of Philadelphia
ILA International Assistant General Organizer James Paylor is surrounded by his family as the Philadelphia Phillies defeated the San Diego Padres on Tuesday, June 2, 2026 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Paylor is a longtime ILA member and delegate who has dedicated his life to our union and its membership.
**RESPECT**
**ILA FAMILY**
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
14 CommentsComment on Facebook
It was a great night ❤️
Looks like everyone was having a great time 🤗
Love this family right here !!! Thee BEST of the BEST
Goat right there !!
Great picture!
Looking good Jim ILA strong I hope all is well with you my friend.
My boys are so blessed to have him as their role model! To have his love and understanding. And that he gives them experiences that turn into life long memories!
ILA you guys 1291 in Phili?
Great Union Man.
Port of SD
Ilwu Local 29 San Diego Southern California
Great picture!!
ILA Family is strong!
Port Everglades
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Circa 1930’s
⚓️ ILA LOCAL 1526: PROUD HISTORY. STRONG FUTURE. ⚓️
We were proud to spend some time today with ILA Local 1526 President Johnnie Dixon and he shared this incredible photograph with us of Port Everglades from back in the 1930’s
Johnnie Dixon shared this message with us on the rich history of ILA Local 1526 and Port Everglades with us:
“Since receiving its charter in 1937, ILA Local 1526 has been the backbone of commerce at Port Everglades, helping move cargo that fuels our local, national, and global economy. For nearly nine decades, generations of dedicated longshore workers have handled every type of cargo imaginable, from breakbulk and lumber to containers, automobiles, and project cargo, keeping the port moving efficiently and safely.
This historic photograph is a powerful reminder of the hardworking men and women who built the foundation of our Local. Their dedication, skill, and sacrifice paved the way for the modern waterfront workforce we proudly represent today.
Today, the members of ILA Local 1526 continue that proud tradition. Our workforce takes tremendous pride in delivering professionalism, productivity, and safety every day on the docks of Port Everglades. Whether working aboard vessels, in warehouses, rail operations, or container terminals, our members understand the critical role they play in maintaining the flow of commerce throughout Southeast Florida.
We are proud to be recognized as a model workforce and one of the most respected labor organizations in the region. Our success is built on the strength of our membership, our commitment to excellence, and our unwavering dedication to the maritime industry.
As we honor our past, we remain focused on the future, continuing to grow, innovate, and uphold the values that have defined ILA Local 1526 since 1937.
89 years of strength. 89 years of pride. 89 years of moving Port Everglades forward.”
#ILALocal1526 #PortEverglades #UnionStrong MaritimeIndustry LaborHistory MovingCommerce ProudTradition ILAStrong🇺🇸🇺🇸
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
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I remember very well 100 pound bags of coffee.All day long
Nice picture
Great pictures.
In the shed here but unloaded from a ships hull
Remember so well how I got started years ago
Port Miami
ILA LOCAL 1416 HONORING 90 YEARS OF BROTHERHOOD, STRENGTH, SERVICE & FAMILY
On June 23, 2026 ILA Local 1416 will celebrate their 90th Anniversary at the 9th Street Mall, Miami, FL, which is located directly across from the union hall.
This event is open to all ILA Local 1416 members and their families.
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
1 CommentComment on Facebook
Congratulations Brother Andres Osoria ex President local 2062 ILA Miami
GOOD MORNING ILA SISTERS AND BROTHERS!!
ILA ROLL CALL!
If you wish, in the comments section, please list the local you are in and the port you work out of!
Have a great start to your week and be safe!
June 1st already!
WE ARE THE INTERNATIONAL LONGSHOREMEN’S ASSOCIATION
ESTABLISHED 1892
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
356 CommentsComment on Facebook
Local 20 & Local 1504-8 Port of Galveston, Tx
1804-1 in the house
Local 20 Galveston Texas 🏝️ 🛳️ ☀️ Local 30 Freeeport Texas ⚓️ 🏗️ 🚢 ILA🫡🫡
Local #28 Houston “TEXAS”
Local 1604 Boston
Local 1359 Port Canaveral 💪
MRS.Walking Foreman Local #20
Local 1985 Port of Mobile, Al. Roll Tide Roll
Retired Intl. & SAGCD, Local 1351 Port Houston.
Local 1351 / Local 1438 Houston, Texas
Local 1317 Cleveland Ohio. Proud 39 year member
Local 24 Port of Houston 🤘🏾
Local 1985 Mobile, Al
1814 S/I N/Y
Local 1423 ⚓️ Port of Brunswick Local 1414 ⚓️ Port of Savannah Dual Seniority!! 💪🏿
Local 1351 Houston, TX
I.L.A. Local 1286 Buffalo NY
Local 269 Port of Halifax NS Canada 🇨🇦
Ila local 28 headed back to work
Local 1233 PNCT
Local 1817 Freeport, Tx
1804-1 NY/NJ
ILA Strong Local 20 Galveston Texas🤙🏻
Teresa alvine local 1 port of Nj &Ny
ILA 1804-1 🇺🇸 PORT LIBERTY (RETIRED)
Port Houston
Year unknown
ILA Longshoreman moving cargo by hand on the rail at The East End of Port Houston, Texas, Harrisburg/Magnolia Park & 2nd Ward.
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
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Brothers stood in line to get this job, check out this old rail car.
Steel wheels...it is pre-WWII. Goodyear provided rubber after the war. We used the trucks at Hill&Hill mid and late 70's. Thanks for the pic.
This is what paved the path for me today !
En qué año sería ?
Wrong type of hook but same idea
That photo shows back in the day when nobody wanted this job
Port of NY/NJ
LONGSHOREMEN OF YEARS PAST LAID THE FOUNDATION TO BUILD OUR GREAT UNION INTO WHAT WE HAVE TODAY
THE LEGACY OF THE INTERNATIONAL LONGSHOREMEN’S ASSOCIATION
Longshoremen have always been the backbone of our ports, working tirelessly behind the scenes to keep commerce moving and communities thriving. Through hard work, sacrifice, and dedication, they helped build the foundation of our economy and laid the groundwork for generations to come.
Every shipment unloaded, every piece of equipment serviced, every box checked, and every challenge overcome contributed to the growth and prosperity we all enjoy today.
The hardworking ILA workforce have moved cargo since 1892. These jobs allow us to support our families and strengthened communities across the nation.
However, these benefits and opportunities we enjoy today did not appear overnight—they were built upon the efforts of working men and women who showed up day after day, regardless of weather or circumstance. Through decades of blood, sweat and tears, Longshoremen are proud to stand among those whose commitment and perseverance helped shape the world we know today.
The ILA legacy is more than the cargo they move and the equipment they repair; it is the foundation they helped create, ensuring that future generations could build, grow, and prosper. We owe a debt of gratitude to the Longshoremen who laid the groundwork and carried the weight of progress on their shoulders.
In photograph, ILA Local 1814 members report for the shape on the Brooklyn Waterfront sometime during the 1950’s.
**ILA HISTORY**
**ILA LEGACY**
**RESPECT**
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
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The old bystate
They were men of iron, when ships were made of wood.
Morning Shape Up!
The Real Gangsters. ILA all the way.
It’s a shame to have to fight automation some things are better left alone
Port of New Orleans
ILA Local 2036 member Benjy Toups retires after 47 years working on the waterfront at the Port of New Orleans
His son Matt Toups shared this special message in honor of his father:
“Today was bitter sweet but also a great day. After 47 years, my Dad has officially retired! He has been a proud member of ILA Local 2036 out of the Port of New Orleans since 1982. Congratulations Dad….I hope you and Mom enjoy retirement. Love you Benjy Toups Christine Walch Toups Jamie Hallock.
CONGRATULATIONS!!
**ILA FAMILY**
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
27 CommentsComment on Facebook
Congrats my friend glad for you
47 years, long time, congratulations.
Glad to see you pull up the anchor,you served a lifetime local 2046 port of Savannah Ga.
It's about time we had a lot of good times
Congratulations enjoy retirement my friend.
Congratulations 🎉 Enjoy that new camp with your family and thanks for your support of the ILA and our local 2036 at the port of Nola!
Congratulation well deserved brother
Congratulations!
Congratulations to Benjy on his retirement! 🎈
Congrats!!!
Congratulations and job well done. 🎉🍾🎈🎊
Congrats my brother Just retired 47 years out of port ny nj 1804-1 and ny shipping Had a tear in my eye when leaving
Now you can do whatever you want whenever you want..... Congratulations 🎊
Congratulations, well earned, ENJOY!✌️
Congratulations on your retirement from local #24 Houston,Tx.
congratulations!!
Congratulations!!!
Congratulations
Congratulations 🎊
Congratulations 🎉🎈🎊
Congrats
Congratulations!!!
Congratulations 🎊
Congratulations!
congratulations!