Education

ILA Education/History

12 hours ago

Lisbon, Portugal

ILA HONORS AND RECOGNIZES THE PASSING OF ANTONIO MARIANO OUT OF SEAL IN LISBON, PORTUGAL

Former President Antonio Mariano of SEAL out of the dockworkers in Lisbon, Portugal passed away on January 20, 2026 leaving a legacy of passion and commitment to the dockworkers movement around the world…
Antonio Mariano was the first labor leader who contacted ILA International Executive Vice President Dennis A. Daggett in their on going contract dispute and negotiations that lasted nearly 12 years.

“The ILA was involved in a contentious Master Contract negotiations in 2012. Antonio Mariano and the Union SEAL was the first Union to come to the ILA’s defense when he called me and sent a letter of support to the ILA for the world to see,” remarked ILA International Executive Vice President Dennis A. Daggett.

RIP BROTHER ANTONIO MARIANO AS WE HONOR YOU AND REMEMBER YOU AND ALL YOU HAVE DONE FOR THE WORLDWIDE DOCKWORKERS MOVEMENT ... See MoreSee Less

ILA Education/History

2 days ago

WE WERE SO PROUD TO VISIT PORT NEWARK CONTAINER TERMINAL TODAY AS ILA LOCAL 1804-1 MEMBERS COLLABORATE WITH MANAGEMENT TO BUILD A STATE-OF-THE-ART STRADDLE AND TERMINAL MAINTENANCE SHOP

A New Era for Maintenance at PNCT: The Straddle and Terminal Maintenance Shops Designed with Insight from “Those Who Know Them Best.”

A MESSAGE FROM ILA LOCAL 1804-1 PRESIDENT DENNIS A. DAGGETT:

At Port Newark Container Terminal (PNCT), the mechanics who keep the operation running finally have the state-of-the-art shop they deserve. This milestone was not just a product of corporate investment—it was the result of a true partnership between management and labor, a collaboration that ensured the people who know the job best had a voice in shaping their workplace.

The driving force behind this project was a fundamental shift in approach, championed by PNCT President Jim Pelliccio. When plans for the new Straddle Shop were in their early stages, I had a conversation with Jim, emphasizing the lessons of the past. Over twenty years ago, PNCT’s predecessors designed the original shop without any input from the mechanics—the very people who work in those shops every day, through all weather conditions, ensuring PNCT’s equipment remains operational. Engineers, unfamiliar with the non-stop, 24/7 demands of the Port of New Jersey, built a facility suited for a traditional three-shift, eight-hour day model. That design simply did not fit the reality of this port’s continuous operations, and the limitations were clear from day one.

The issues were many: break rooms and locker rooms were too small, space was inadequate for servicing PNCT’s growing fleet of straddle carriers and other terminal vehicles, and the overall layout failed to meet the demands of an operation that never sleeps. The mechanics of ILA Local 1804-1 bore the brunt of those shortcomings for decades.

This time, it was different. Jim Pelliccio and his team did what great leaders do—they listened. They spent hours working with our Master Foremen, General Foremen, Foremen, and Mechanics, taking their input seriously and designing a facility that truly meets the needs of those who work there. The result? A state-of-the-art maintenance shop that is not only a better workplace but also enhances the ability to service PNCT’s equipment efficiently in a high-demand industry.

An equally important part of this expansion is the brand-new Terminal/Facility Maintenance Shop. This long-overdue addition finally gives ILA Local 1804-1 Terminal/Facility Maintenance Mechanics a dedicated, modern space to perform their critical work. It will provide a much better environment for them to maintain and repair essential infrastructure, while also offering sufficient storage for parts and equipment—something that was sorely lacking in the past. This new facility reflects an understanding of how vital their work is to the overall success of the terminal.

We, as a Local, couldn’t be prouder of where this project stands. On behalf of the officers and members of ILA Local 1804-1, we thank Jim Pelliccio and his team for not only investing in a world-class facility but for recognizing the expertise and dedication of the mechanics who play a major role in keeping PNCT running.

I told Jim from the start: “At the end of the day, it’s your company making the investment and improving your terminal, but I truly believe that involving the workforce in this process will benefit PNCT’s future operations.” I am beyond grateful that he and his team not only agreed but allowed us to play a role in shaping this new shop.

This collaboration proves what’s possible when management and labor work together with mutual respect and shared goals. The future at PNCT looks bright.

Submitted by:
Dennis A. Daggett
President, ILA Local 1804-1

**ILA AND MANAGEMENT….WORKING TOGETHER FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THE MEMBERSHIP**

Please take a moment to scroll through the photographs of the new facility at PNCT, which is scheduled to be completed in April of 2026.

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