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
Every St. Patrick’s Day we honor ILA labor leader and legend Thomas “Teddy” Gleason
ILA International President Teddy Gleason served the ILA membership from 1963-1987
Thomas “Teddy” Gleason was born on Charles Street in Lower Manhattan. The oldest of 10 children, this incredible man would be working on the docks in Manhattan at the age of 16.
Gleason was blackballed by the industry because of his union organizing activities in his early 30’s (with a wife and three sons to support) and went on to be elected International President of the ILA in 1963.
He would lead the ILA as President for an incredible 24 years!
He became known the world over as one of the greatest labor leaders in modern times. The Gleason and Daggett families would become lifelong friends and a young Harold Daggett would spend a lot of time at Teddy Gleason’s Lower Manhattan offices, where he would learn things that have now made him a great ILA President, cut in the same mold as Teddy Gleason – a fighter for his membership.
Teddy Gleason’s dedication was always focused on improving the lives of the ILA members he represented. When he passed away a little more than a month after celebrating his 92nd birthday on Christmas Eve in 1992, his Mass was celebrated at St. Patrick’s Cathedral (which he marched past in 1984 as Grand Marshal of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade) by Cardinal John O’Connor, and scores of priests. It was attended by the Mayors of New York and Boston; countless Members of Congress and the nation’s top labor leaders. A Labor Giant, still to this day….and always!
Happy Birthday President Teddy Gleason!
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
12 CommentsComment on Facebook
That’s a great picture of him Kenny 👍‼️
Happy Heavenly Birthday , still on our thoughts and every day work ethic. Thank you for your leadership.
May Teddy Gleason rest in peace a great labor leader
Every Longshoreman shall forever be greatful of the opportunities give to us from the men who broke their backs before us ! ILA ALL THE WAY
GreatMan
☘️❤️☘️
REAL LIFE HEROS
Amen 🙏
Legend
Avilés,Spain
ILA INTERNATIONAL VICE PRESIDENT/IDC EAST COAST ZONE COORDINATOR KENNY RILEY (FAR LEFT) LEADS ILA DELEGATION ON THE STREETS OF AVILÉS, SPAIN IN SUPPORT OF DOCKWORKERS AS THEY FIGHT FOR A FAIR CONTRACT FOR THEIR MEMBERSHIP IN AN ON-GOING DISPUTE FOR BETTER WAGES AND WORKING CONDITIONS ON THE WATERFRONT…
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
37 CommentsComment on Facebook
Good Job comrades ✊🏻✊🏿💙⚓️🩵‼️
Way To Go Mr Mosley..ILA 💪
!!Estiba o muerte !!
I see you prez represent ILA1414 Savannah Georgia 💪🏿
"Together we stand divided we fall " Thank you 1422 for showing up and taking a stand.
ILA Local 1422 on the Frontline! 💪🏽✊🏾💙
My Brother Kenny!
ILA STRONG!,
Representing!!
We hope to be able to repay all the support in the future and live up to expectations.
❤️❤️❤️❤️
1414 💪
#UnionStrong #ILAStrong #GodIsGood #ila1408 #ila24
1422
🙏🏾🙏🏾
ILA. Major Moves 💯💪🫶
WE ARE THE CROSBY'S FROM LOCAL 24 IN HOUSTON TEXAS PROUD
How can I become a longshoreman I got my TWIC card they said something bout a work card but I’m lost and need help
ILA💪🏼
✊🏿ILA💪🏿
Avilés, Spain
ILA STANDS IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE DOCKWORKERS AT PORT AVILÉS, SPAIN
The International Longshoremen’s Association was well represented in Avilés, Spain this past weekend in support of our dockworker sisters and brothers as they continue to fight for a fair contract.
Please take a moment to scroll through the amazing photographs that were taken at a rally on the streets and neighborhoods of Avilés, Spain.
THE WORLDWIDE INTERNATIONAL DOCKWORKERS MOVEMENT HAS NEVER BEEN STRONGER
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
8 CommentsComment on Facebook
Nunca os lo podremos agradecer lo suficiente✊⚓
Fuerza a nuestros hermanos portuarios de Avilés en España.....desde la resistencia portuaria del puerto del Callao - Sutramporpc Sin luchas no hay victorias! Ni un paso atrás !
💪💪❤️❤️❤️
Go Union
Solidarity 💪🏻
Global Dockers Are With You Avilés!!! Stand Strong!!! ✊🏾✊🏾💪🏾💯
AVILÉS, SPAIN
ILA LOCAL 1588 STANDING SHOULDER TO SHOULDER WITH STRIKING DOCKWORKERS IN SPAIN
ILA members, left to right, Isaias Franco and Marc Santoro proudly represent Local 1588 as they display banner in the streets of Avilés, Spain.
ILA Local 1588 is a Longshore local working out of Port Liberty Container Terminal in Bayonne, NJ.
The ILA continues to stand in solidarity with the dockworkers as they fight for better wages and working conditions at the Port of Avilés, Spain
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
9 CommentsComment on Facebook
Yesss
Lo que estan aciendo con los puertos españoles cartagena es puerto sin ley no están asesinando moral mente sicológicamente y laboralmente
Nunca podremos agradecéroslo lo suficiente. Si permanecemos unidos es imposible fallar.✊⚓
Get it boys!!!
✊
Excellent. Solidarity Avilés! ✊🏾✊🏾💪🏾💯
My man Marco!!!!
Fucking all stars!!! Solidarity with the dockers in Aviles!!!
Port of Boston
ILA MEMBERS WELCOME THE USS HARVEY C. BARNUM, JR. WARSHIP TO THE PORT OF BOSTON
The USS Harvey C. Barnum Jr. (DDG-124) visits the Port of Boston at Flynn Cruiseport Boston. This warship was built in Bath, Maine and is to commission at the Naval Station Norfolk in April, 2026.
Its crew is visiting Boston during St. Patrick’s Day celebrations as well as participating in community outreach this weekend.
Harvey C. Barnum Jr. is a retired USMC officer who received the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War.
Photo Credit:
Eugene Stancato, Vice President, ILA Local 800, Port of Boston
Thank You!!
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
13 CommentsComment on Facebook
The ddg I served on was built i Bay City, Michigan BUT was commisioned in Boston Naval shipyard. 1961. I arrived onboard i 76, once I learned her history I felt it was destiny!! We worked well together!!
Beautiful Union skilled trades thank you so much for taking care of our country
I helped build this ship❤️
I did a lot of work on this ship.
Bath built is Best built
Looking good God bless prayers 🙏 amen 🙏
Are they giving tours of the ship at all ?
MAINE BUILT( BEST SHIPS IN THE WORLD)!
Hurrah for Maine made ships of Bath. Maine !!! ⚓️🇺🇸
Go Union
Send ur own ships and sailors to the illegal war u started
As an ILA MEMBER of ILA LOCAL 1825 HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA, looking to leave COMMUNIST INFILTRATED CANADA, would you consider myself and other like minded ILA UNION Freedom seekers the opportunity to join your UNION LOCALS. So as to enjoy the FREEDOM AND QUALITY OF LIFE YOU ENJOY IN THE USA? OR CAN YOU GET THE INTERNATIONAL ILA PRESIDENT TO Speak TO Donald TRUMP on our behalf to capture and jail our TREASONOUS TYRANNICAL WEF INFILTRATED GLOBALIST MARK CARNEY and his minions!!
Port of NY/NJ
ILA MEMBERS ON NEW YORK CITY’S EAST RIVER….OCTOBER 16, 1950
Dockworkers on an East River Pier with the Brooklyn Bridge in the background and the Manhattan skyline in the far distance during the fall of 1950.
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
A MESSAGE FROM ILA CHIEF OF STAFF JAMES MCNAMARA:
Annual ILA Great Lakes Pre-Navigation Meetings Held In Tampa, Florida; Great Lakes U.S. and Canadian Ports Hoping For Stronger Season in 2026
TAMPA, FL (March 14, 2026) – The annual meetings of the International Longshoremen’s Association Great Lakes District Council are taking place this weekend in Tampa, Florida as the ILA ports on both the U.S. and Canadian sides of the Great Lakes prepare for their 2026 season.
ILA International Officers Steve Knott, Secretary-Treasurer; John D. Baker, General Organizer; Alan Robb, Assistant General Organizer; and Jim Paylor, Assistant General Organizer, led a impressive list of speakers to address the hundreds of delegates and guests gathered at the Holiday Inn, Tampa Airport Westshore Hotel. Don Joshberger, International President at the International Organization of Masters, Mates and Pilots, was a featured speaker at the three-day meetings held over the March 13-16 period.
One of the panel discussions during the Tampa Meetings was a “Breakbulk ILA Roundtable” led by ILA Assistant General Organizer Jim Paylor.
In the top photo, Alan Robb, President, South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District and International Assistant General Organizer addresses the Great Lakes District Council and is joined on the dais by (from left, Michael Baker, District Council Secretary-Treasurer; John D. Baker, Jr., District Council President; John D. Baker, Sr., District Council President Emeritus and International General Organizer; and Don Joshberger, International President, IOMM&P. Bottom left is Jim Paylor, ILA Assistant General Organizer; Bottom Center, Steve Knott addresses District Council as John D. Baker, Sr., looks on; Bottom right Bill Yockey, District Executive Vice President and International Vice President at the podium with District President John D. Baker, Jr. (Photos by Brian McNamara).
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
1 CommentComment on Facebook
There were some very important and emotional speeches today. I enjoyed every speaker. Thanks
Port Miami
ILA AT PORT MIAMI CRUISING INTO THE WEEKEND
Magnificent photograph shared to us today by Port Miami…..
**ILA LOCAL 1416**
**ILA LOCAL 1922**
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
AVILÉS, SPAIN
The ILA is in full support and solidarity with our sisters and brothers from the Port of AVILÉS, Spain as they hit the streets today at a rally that was attended by many dockworkers from all unions around the world.
**IF WE ARE TOGETHER IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO FAIL!”
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
12 CommentsComment on Facebook
In Solidarity
Solidarity ✊🏻✊🏿💙⚓️🩵‼️
Coordinadora ....ni esta ni se la espera ?.
Ni un paso atras
💪💪💪🙏
Brothers!✊
Ni un paso atrás!!💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼
What are they doing there???
1422 We are with yall ✊🏾✊🏾
1426 we are with y’all
Wepaaaaaaaaa
Tampa, FL
ILA leaders, led by ILA legend John Baker, come together at the Great Lakes District Council Pre-Navigational Meetings at the Holiday Inn in Tampa, FL
7 CommentsComment on Facebook
Great lakes !!
Capiesce !! Oh how I miss that expression ! God Bless Mr. Baker !!!
John is a good man
✊🇸🇪
Go Union
Otro paso más te felicito entre conocidos pa que sepa