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 Houston, TX
ILA MEMBERS HELP MAKE PORT HOUSTON THE NUMBER ONE PORT FOR MOVING BREAKBULK IN NORTH AMERICA
Port Houston, in the great state of Texas, has been operating and moving cargo around the world for over 100 years. During that time, and right up until today, the women and men of the ILA at Port Houston have gained a reputation of being able to handle breakbulk cargo as it has become the number one port in the United States and as well as North America for moving breakbulk cargo.
Breakbulk cargo refers to goods that are too large, heavy, or irregularly shaped to be shipped in standard shipping containers. These items are typically handled and loaded onto ships individually, often using cranes or other specialized equipment. Examples of breakbulk cargo include machinery, steel products, lumber, and project cargo like wind turbine components.
Port Houston supports the creation of nearly 1.35 million jobs in the state of Texas and 3.2 million jobs nationwide. Its economic impact is $340 billion in the state of Texas and $802 billion across the United States.
Please scroll through the photographs to see the International Longshoremen’s Association Locals 24 and 28 moving break bulk at Port Houston.
Photo Credits:
Gabriel Garza, President, ILA Local 24
Jack Pennington, President, ILA Local 28
Thank you!!
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Shared to us by “Maritime Updates” social media pages:
Container shipping accounts for about 90 percent of global trade, yet the entire fleet is operated by a surprisingly small number of major companies, with just five controlling more than 60 percent of capacity.
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The vessels aren't that full when they dock in Montréal.... geez
Nickname for Sealand Candy land
 I work the waterfront 43 years started in Brooklyn local 1814 retired local 1235
ILWU local 13 Port of LA/LB
Ila 1248 norfolk Virginia babyyyyy 😎
US should have never allowed the sale of Sea Land to Maersk
Almost 90 percent of the revenue comes from the port operation! We move the world 🌍 cargo!!
Mahalingam 9994794853
Port of Virginia
December 1961
Longshoremen loading cargo on a ship at the Norfolk & Western Railway Dock in Norfolk, Virginia during the winter of 1961
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I did this.Coca Beans.<So you wanna be a Longshoremen Son> ( MY Dad) I still have my Hooks in My tool Box. ✔️
They sure didn’t give them much room to work.
Discharging Turkish tobacco
What real work looked like on the waterfront 💪 legends,leaders and path pavers for the future
I caught the tail end of handling cargo this way with Farrell Lines working out of Baltimore. A whole different day and era. We went on the ship an hour before start time to rigg the boom and set the fall.
Love the old photos,
Great picture!!! Proud of you all! ✊🏽⚓💪🏾
WE'RE DEFINITELY STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS
Lambert point docks
Port of NY/NJ
June 8, 1953
ILA members picket in New York City across the street from the Bar Association Building on June 8, 1953.
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A MESSAGE FROM OUR INTERNATIONAL
ILA INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT HAROLD J. DAGGETT’S STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF THE HOLY FATHER POPE FRANCIS
ILA President Harold J. Daggett Statement on the Passing of His Holiness, Pope Francis
“The International Longshoremen’s Association mourns the passing of His Holiness, Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday 2025 at the age of 88. Pope Francis was the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, and a champion and advocate of working men and women around the world.
It was an honor and a personal blessing for me to send an ILA delegation, including my sons Dennis and John Daggett, to Rome last year to meet with The Holy Father, as part of a delegation of global dockworker union leaders who met with the Holy Father. “He was a passionate advocate for organized labor and stood firmly with working people – especially dockworkers and our global movement,” wrote Dennis Daggett, our ILA Executive Vice President, about Pope Francis.
Throughout his 12-year Papacy, Pope Francis truly served as “the workingman’s Pope.” and who famously said: “There is no union without workers, and there are no free workers with a union.” His Holiness added that labor “builds society” and is a “primary form of citizenship” from which the community takes its form.
I ask my family of ILA Sisters and Brothers to join with me in prayer and remembrance of this remarkable Servant of Our Lord and honor his memory by the Holy Father’s example of living the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage and universal love.”
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The Vatican
REST IN PEACE POPE FRANCIS
ILA International Executive Vice President Dennis A. Daggett and IDC Labor Coordinator Jordi Aragunde share a very special moment with the Holy Father Pope Francis at the Vatican in January of 2024.
The ILA and IDC delegation were very fortunate on this unforgettable day as Pope Francis gave his blessing to dockworkers all around the world.
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🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
The Vatican
REST IN PEACE POPE FRANCIS
ILA Local 1804-1 delegates Billy Hartigan and John Daggett share an unforgettable moment with Pope Francis at the Vatican during January of 2024
The ILA and IDC delegation were very fortunate on this incredible day as Pope Francis gave his blessing to dockworkers all around the world.
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An Amazing Experience John & Billy !! God Bless Pope Francis ✝🙏❤
God bless
My Boys ♥️♥️🙏🙏
❤️❤️❤️🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
🙏🙏🙏
The Vatican
REST IN PEACE HOLY FATHER POPE FRANCIS
Pope Francis, who became the first South American to ascend to the most powerful position in the Catholic Church, has died at the age of 88…just one day after Easter Sunday.
ILA members and dockworker delegates from around the world were humbled and honored to meet with the Holy Father Pope Francis at the Vatican in January of 2024.
“It is a very sad day for our team as we thank God we had the amazing opportunity to meet his humble servant. We will never forget,” remarked ILA International Vice President Kenneth Riley.
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Rest in peace, Pope Francis. You worked tirelessly for economic equality and fought hard for workers' justice. 🙏
Rest In Peace 💔
Rip
Pope Francis has been very influential part of our families lives. My Wife and I have been blessed by the Holy Father twice. Both times were an amazing experience.
🤍🪽
🙏
WISHING ALL ILA MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES A BLESSED EASTER SUNDAY!!
HAPPY EASTER!!
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Happy Easter
Happy Easter to all my Ila brothers and sisters
Happy Easter to All 🐰
Happy Easter
Happy Easter!
Happy Easter to all!
Happy Easter!
Port Houston
These are the ports up and down the East and Gulf Coast
The ILA is unstoppable!!
Photo Credit:
Thompson Robb, ILA Local 28
Port Houston, TX
Thank you!
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Great shot!
Any vacancy for rtg operator
That's what we do
Great picture Thompson Robb 🚢🏗️💪📸
I ❤️ The Port of Houston!👍🏿
How can I become a Union member?
One helluva port!
Empty thxs Trump