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
Longshoremen welcome Statue of Liberty as she arrives on the docks of New York Harbor 141 years ago
June 17, 1885, the dismantled Statue of Liberty, a gift of friendship from the people of France to the people of America, arrives in New York Harbor after being shipped across the Atlantic Ocean in 350 individual pieces packed in more than 200 cases. The copper and iron statue, which was reassembled and dedicated the following year in a ceremony presided over by U.S. President Grover Cleveland, became known around the world as an enduring symbol of freedom and democracy.
Intended to commemorate the American Revolution, the abolition of slavery, following the U.S. Civil War, and a century of friendship between the U.S. and France, the statue was designed by French sculptor Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi, with assistance from engineer Gustave Eiffel, who later developed the iconic tower in Paris bearing his name. The statue was initially scheduled to be finished by 1876, the 100th anniversary of America’s Declaration of Independence.
Finally completed in Paris in the summer of 1884, the statue, a robed female figure with an uplifted arm holding a torch, reached its new home on Bedloe’s Island in New York Harbor on June 17, 1885. After being reassembled, the 450,000-pound statue was officially dedicated on October 28, 1886, by President Cleveland. Standing more than 305 feet from the foundation of its pedestal to the top of its torch, the statue, dubbed “Liberty Enlightening the World” by Bartholdi, was taller than any structure in New York City at the time.
In 1892, Ellis Island, located near Bedloe’s Island (which in 1956 was renamed Liberty Island), opened as America’s chief immigration station, and for the next 62 years Lady Liberty, as the statue is nicknamed, stood watch over the more than 12 million immigrants who sailed into New York Harbor.
Today, the Statue of Liberty is one of America’s most famous landmarks. Over the years, it has been the site of political rallies and protests, has been featured in numerous movies and countless photographs, and has received millions of visitors from around the globe.
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Bedminster, NJ
ILA LOCAL 1 GOLF OUTING
ILA Local 1 President David Cicalese welcomes delegates, members and guests to their annual golf outing at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, NJ.
All proceeds from the golf outing will go towards the Local 1 scholarship fund.
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Go Union
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
IDC TO HOST ITS 10TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN RIO DE JANEIRO IN NOVEMBER 2026
The International Dockworkers Council will be hosting its 10th General Assembly in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on November 17-19, 2026.
The International Dockworkers Council (IDC) is an association formed by organizations and unions of dockworkers from around the world.
Under the direction of ILA International President Harold J. Daggett, The International Longshoremen’s Association officially joined the IDC in 2011.
The IDC was officially founded on 27 June 2000, in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands.
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Port of Philadelphia
October 16, 1962
ILA members gather as they wait for a union meeting to commence near Pier 4 at the Port of Philadelphia during the fall of 1962.
We are the International Longshoremen’s Association and we honor, respect and recognize all who came before us that built our incredible union into to what we all have today.
Established 1892.
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✌️ 🇺🇸
Go Union
RESPECT THE STARS AND STRIPES
FLAG DAY
JUNE 14, 2026
Flag Day has been celebrated in the United States since 1916 when President Woodrow Wilson issued a presidential proclamation that designated June 14 Flag Day.
This U.S. flag waves high and proud along with the ILA Local 1804-1 flag at Port Newark Container Terminal in Newark, NJ.
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God bless America 🇺🇸
Go Union
Right on I agree
Port Miami
ILA Local 1588 members proudly come together to support ILA International Vice President Virgil Maldonado on the evening he is recognized and honored at the “Night in White” at Port Miami.
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Now that’s a nice dam picture people!! New money with a smile !!
Looking great!
Very cool guys 💪💪
Congratulations to my friend Virgil Maldonado
Love this!!!
Looking good!!
Lookin good my Brothers!! 👍👍
✊🫶
“A Class Act”… 💯
Looking good brothers!!
Congratulations to ILA International Vice President on your well-deserved recognition!
Yikes.
Port of Savannah
ILA Local 1414 Business Agents Ferguson and Johnson are out on the port keeping members hydrated on this day at the Port of Savannah when the temperatures topped out into the 90’s.
Today, ILA Local 1414 dispatched 30 gangs for container vessels.
It was 90 degrees in the Port City of Savannah, GA and the Business Agents of ILA Local 1414, Terrius Ferguson and Ahmad Johnson, were out serving the longshoremen and longshorewomen with cold Gatorade and water.
“People ask us why we love our position. Truth is, it’s bigger than sitting behind a desk or speaking at a microphone. It’s about showing up, serving, and caring for the men and women who work day and night in this heat.”
That’s what leadership looks like!
Terrius Ferguson and Ahmad Johnson
ILA Local 1414 Business Agents
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50 CommentsComment on Facebook
90 my butt, it was hot af out there today,
That savannah heat ain’t no joke #2046
30 gangs?? Wow
Union STRONG 💪🏽... Awesome Job 👍🏾
It was 98 with 108 heat index
Heat index ranged from 105 to 114 today in Savannah !!! Way to go gentlemen!! Definitely much needed on the docks !
My favorite business agents!! Way to go guys
Love that it takes a village to do the job 1414
Standing ovation we put the right persons in the seat. Keep up the good work.
Great Job
Im ready 💯 im coming this year 💪
Love yall BB'S s💪
Yall should’ve sent us some while we were up there lashing.😂💪🏿❤️ BB (Beyond Blessed) 🫡Thank you guys for your service.
Awesome.1414
Unsung heroes of our area!! 🙌🏼 TY
The crew worked a RORO at CST in Charleston on Saturday. Idk how they did it in that heat. Everyone please be safe out there on the docks!
ILA2046ALLTHEWAY
Awesome Leadership 👌
Fasho, Hot, Cold, raining, freezing, longshoremen are out there,I.L.A strong
Team work definitely makes the dream work 👌🏽💪🏽👍🏽💯
Love builds TEAMS and FAMILY….we need more of this from all off us so not just our ILA TEAM/FAMILY can grow stronger but our community can grow stronger…great job young KINGS 🫡💯
May God continue to cover and Bless us all , Amen 🙏🏾 Amen 🙏🏾 💪💪💪
🗣30 GANGS! 🗣WELL I BE DAM(Money Mike vc)🤣🤣🤣
💯💪🏾
Miami, FL
ILA INTERNATIONAL VICE PRESIDENT VIRGIL MALDONADO TO BE HONORED AT THE A. PHILIP RANDOLPH INSTITUTE MIAMI DADE CHAPTER SCHOLARSHIP DINNER
Please join us in congratulating ILA International Vice President and Executive Council Member Virgil Maldonado as he will lead an impressive list of honorees this weekend at the A. Philip Randolph Institute Miami-Dade Chapter “Clarence Pittman, Jr. Scholarship Dinner-Dance Night in White” to be held at the Biscayne Bay Marriott in Miami, Florida. Virgil Maldonado is a 29-year veteran with the International Longshoremen’s Association and has served as President of ILA Local 1588, out of Bayonne, NJ, since 2010.
The Night In White celebration helps raise funds for the “Clarnece Pittman, Jr. Scholarship Fund.” Named in honor of the legendary ILA leader and long-time president of ILA Local 1416 in Miami who passed away in December 2013, the Clarence Pittman Jr. Scholarship Fund had presented over $200,000 in educational scholarship grants to deserving students in the South Florida.
Virgil Maldonado is the proud father of his three beautiful daughters Madison, Ava and Skylar.
CONGRATULATIONS!!
In photographs:
1. Virgil Maldonado speaks to ILA members during ILA Strike on October 1, 2024.
2. Virgil Maldonado stands proud with ILA International President Harold J. Daggett.
3. Going back to where it all started for him, Virgil Maldonado takes a seat in the new cranes at Port Liberty in Bayonne, NJ
4. Always heavily involved in the community, Virgil Maldonado proudly waves the ILA flag at the Puerto Rico Day Parade in 2025.
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26 CommentsComment on Facebook
Congratulations 🎈 brother
Congratulations brother!You well deserved!!💪🎉
Congratulations Virgil !!
Congratulations brother!
Congratulations Virgil !! Well deserved
Congrats Virgil well deserved!!
Huge Congratulations Virgil! 👏👏
Top tier One hell of a human Congrats boss 👏🏻
Congratulations Brother 🎊 With Mr Daggett in concurrence !!!!!
Congratulations Virgil!!
Congratulations!!
Congratulations Brother!!
Congratulations Virgil, well deserved brother 👏
Congratulations 🍾
Congratulations Virgil 🎉
Congratulations Virgil, well deserved 👏
Congratulations Brother!!
Congrats Brother
Now that’s a standup human being right there! Hell of a labor leader too! Congratulations my brother! Love you pal
Hell yeah brother! Keep up the good work we are behind you 💯
Congratulations brother! Well deserved!
Well deserved, Brother!
Congratulations my friend well deserved 👏
Port of Charleston
Magnificent evening photograph shared to us from the Port of Charleston.
Have a great weekend ILA sisters and brothers!!
Stay Safe!
God Bless You and Your Families!
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
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The all ILA terminal in Charleston. Also the most productive terminal in Charleston as well!
ILA 1422 Stronger Together!! The Future is Ours💪🏿💪🏿!! New S.C. on the Horizon 👊🏿!!! Union Strong 💯✊🏿✊🏿!!!
Any word on the book’s opening up?
1422 ⚓️
1422 💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾
1422
Beautiful
Home Sweet Home 🏡 From Local 1414💪🏾⚓️💅🏾
Y'all give me a job
Home!
Liberty House
Jersey City, NJ
ILA LEADERS COME TOGETHER TO GIVE BACK AT THE MO’HAIR FOUNDATION’S ANNUAL GALA IN JERSEY CITY, NJ
The International Longshoremen’s Association has a long, storied history of giving back to the less fortunate at their port communities and surrounding areas.
Last night was no different as ILA delegates and members attended the Annual Mo’Hair Foundation Gala at the Liberty House in Jersey City, NJ.
We are proud to recognize and honor the sponsors of this event:
ILA International
Atlantic Coast District
ILA Local 1804-1
ILA Local 1588
In photograph, left to right, are:
Dennis A. Daggett, ILA International Executive Vice President/ILA Local 1804-1 President
Billy Hartigan, ILA Local 1804-1 Business Agent/ITF
Isaias Franco, ILA Local 1588
Virgil Maldonado, ILA International Vice President/ILA Local 1588 President
Will Sampson, ILA Local 1588/NJ State Assemblyman
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6 CommentsComment on Facebook
Very Handsome ILA men ..
Great picture of some really great men!
Great crew right there!!
Smoothe Gentlemen (ILA STRONG 💪🏽)
Nice