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.
A MESSAGE FROM OUR INTERNATIONAL:
F. Paul De Maria Named CEO and Chairman of United States Maritime Alliance (USMX)
NORTH BERGEN, NJ – (April 29, 2025). In mid-April, United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) Board of Directors announced the selected of F. Paul De Maria to be CEO and Chairman of USMX. De Maria served as the organization’s chief negotiator in the latest Master Contract negotiations between USMX and the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), helping secure a landmark new agreement that protects current ILA jobs and establishes a framework for implementing technologies that will create additional jobs while modernizing East and Gulf Coast ports.
“It’s an honor to lead this organization as we work together with the ILA to ensure we have the strong and efficient supply chains necessary to ensure American companies can access the global marketplace,” said F. Paul De Maria, CEO and Chairman of USMX. “Our focus will be on working day-in and day-out to make sure we are successfully implementing our agreement that prioritizes creating modern and safe working conditions across the industry while supporting Longshore jobs.”
After the successful ratification of the six-year Master Contract Agreement between the ILA and USMX, International Longshoremen’s Association President Harold Daggett noted the importance of DeMaria leading USMX management in negotiations.
“Thank goodness USMX made Paul DeMaria the Lead Negotiator for management’s side when they did,” ILA President Daggett said. “Paul was uniquely qualified to move negotiations in the right direction and his appointment to this new role was instrumental in avoiding a second strike.”
Over a nearly three-decade career in the maritime industry, De Maria brings a unique knowledge of the maritime sector – skills that earlier this year he leveraged to successfully avoid a potential second strike and secure a new six-year Master Contract that received unanimous support from USMX membership.
Since the signing of the new Master Contract De Maria has focused on structuring USMX to best support the immediate needs of implementing the new agreement as well as meet and respond to the evolving demands of the industry.
“There was a lot of uncertainty as to how we would align around a shared path forward that ensures our industry continues to grow and thrive," said De Maria. "Now it is time to apply what we've learned through this challenge to strengthen our organization, ensuring we are equipped to oversee our current agreement and fully prepared to meet the demands of tomorrow."
De Maria replaces David F. Adam, who earlier this year retired from USMX after having served as its Chief Operating Officer from 2011-13, and CEO and Chairman from 2013 until his retirement on April 1, 2025.
De Maria joined USMX in 2012 as Vice President of Labor Relations and was later promoted in 2021 to the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Prior to joining USMX, he was Senior General Manager at Ports America, where he oversaw the organization’s stevedoring operations from Maine to Texas. De Maria is a graduate of SUNY Maritime, Fort Schuyler, with his USCG Third Mates license, a Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation, and a minor in International Business.
CONGRATULATIONS!!
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Well deserved. Congratulations Paul De.
Port of Tampa
**WOMEN OF THE ILA**
**JACKIE CASILLAS**
SISTER JACKIE CASILLAS CELEBRATES 20 YEARS IN THE ILA WORKING ON THE WATERFRONT IN TAMPA, FL
Please join us in congratulating ILA Local 1402 member Jackie Casillas as she celebrates 20 years in the ILA at the Port of Tampa.
Sister Casillas job on the pier will vary from day to day but she does it all on the waterfront. And it’s quite a list:
She is a top loader operator, big lift operator, pole man, top man, lineman, deck man foreman, ship side/lander, jockey truck/yard dog, driver and porter.
“I am so proud to be a member of the ILA. I love meeting all the ILA members whenever they come to Tampa for the meetings and Great Lakes Conference,” commented Sister Casillas.
**ILA WOMEN CONTINUE TO MAKE HISTORY ON THE WATERFRONT**
CONGRATULATIONS JACKIE CASILLAS!!
WE WISH YOU CONTINUED SUCCESS!!
STAY SAFE!!
GOD BLESS!!
27 CommentsComment on Facebook
Congratulations Young Lady God's Blessings To You
Congratulations 👏👏👏
Congratulations !
Congratulations
CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations from Bama!
Congratulations from Va!👏👏
Congratulations 🎉🎈🎊
THANK YOU VERY MUCH APPRECIATED 🫶🏽💙🤍.
Huge congratulations to you, Jackie! 🎉
Congratulations,from Philly.
Nice job sis 👏 i.l.a strong 💪 I love ❤️ it
Congratulations to you and enjoy 20 more.
Congratulations
I'll be there soon
Congratulations Jackie Casillas witcha working behind self💯💪🏿🤣🤣🤣🤣
Showing love from Jersey local 1233
AWESOMENESS...CONGRATULATIONS 🤗 20yrs=Respected
Congratulations sista, all the way from ILA Local 273 in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. 🇨🇦 🇺🇸 keep up the great work Jackie Casillas. 🎉
Congratulations!
Congrats
1402!!
👋1588
👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Port of Jacksonville
ILA LOCAL 1408 SCHOLARSHIP FUND RAISES MONEY FOR STUDENTS IN THE JACKSONVILLE COMMUNITY
The International Longshoremen’s Association Local 1408 out of Jacksonville, FL raised money for local students’ scholarships during its 30th annual golf tournament, which took place on Monday, April 28, 2025.
This amazing program was founded by ILA International Vice President Charles Spencer.
Spencer has served the ILA for six decades and his mark on the community is incredible. His program, founded in 1995, has awarded more than 1,000 scholarships totaling more than one million dollars.
Congratulations Vice President Spencer and your amazing team of volunteers that organize this event on a daily basis.
The ILA and the Jacksonville community are grateful for all the work you do to make this program a success.
Photo Credits:
Darryl Alston
ILA Local 1408
Thank You!!
**ILA STRONG**
**ILA COMMUNITY**
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WORLD DAY FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK
APRIL 28, 2025
THE INTERNATIONAL LONGSHOREMEN’S ASSOCIATION RECOGNIZES AND HONORS WORLD DAY FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK
In 2003, the International Labor Organization (ILO), began to observe “World Day for Safety and Health at Work” in order to stress the prevention of accidents and diseases at work.
The ILA has always been about safety being the number one priority on the job. The World Day for Safety and Health at Work is a significant tool to raise awareness of how to make the workplace safe and healthy and to also raise the political profile of occupational safety and health.
The World Day of Safety and Health at Work, which is observed on April 28, 2025, is to stimulate dialogue on the importance of investing in safety and health at work and responding to emergencies and crises’ affecting workplaces.
Every day around the world, 6,300 people die as a result of occupational accidents or work-related diseases totaling more than 2.3 million deaths per year.
Over 317 million accidents occur on the job annually; many of these resulting in extended absences from work. The human cost of this daily adversity is vast and the economic burden of poor occupational safety and health practices is estimated at 4 per cent of the global Gross Domestic Product each year.
Please scroll through the photos of the ILA Local 1804-1 members and how they use the proper equipment to stay safe each and every day on the job.
STAY SAFE ILA SISTERS AND BROTHERS!!
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES!!
Photo Credits:
Luis Alves, ILA Local 1804-1 Master Lasher Foreman, APM Terminals
Frankie DeFelice, Power Shop Foreman, PNCT
Thank You!!
**ILA AWARENESS**
**ILA SAFETY**
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Port of NY/NJ
October 10, 1919
Striking ILA members gather in front of their headquarters on West Street in New York City during the fall of 1919. The strike has tied up shipping and halted cargo as Longshoremen fight for better wages and working conditions.
**ILA HISTORY**
**ILA SACRIFICE**
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My Great Grandfather Thomas Weldon led the Wildcat Strike of 1919. First Secretary of the Union 1886. Westside of NY ☘️
Please join us in wishing Atlantic Coast District General Vice President/ILA Local 1804-1 Vice President John Daggett a very Happy Birthday!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHN!
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY 🎂
Happy Birthday !!
Happy Birthday John , Hope you have a great day
Happiest birthday John 🎉🥃
Happy birthday john
HAPPY BIRTHDAY from the Port of Hampton Roads!!
Happy birthday John!!
Happy Birthday John!!
Happy Birthday!
Happy birthday!!!!
Happy Birthday !!!
Happy Birthday!
Happy birthday John 🎊🍾🎂
Happy Birthday, John!🥳
Happiest of birthdays
Happy Birthday!!
Happy Birthday John!!!
Happy birthday 🎉🎉🎉🎉
Happy birthday pal !!!
Happy Birthday John !!
Happy Birthday brother
Happy Birthday 🎂🎉🥳
Happy birthday
Happy Birthday 🎁🎈🎊
Happy Birthday John 🎂🎉🍻
PORT OF NY/NJ
PORT HOUSTON, TX
APRIL 26, 1956
As container shipping turns 69 years old, we look back on how American trucker Malcolm McLean converted a World War II tanker (the SS Ideal X) into a vessel carrying 58 containers from Port Newark, NJ to Port Houston, TX. This replaced the traditional breakbulk services.
Containerization is born and has been used ever since!
The standardized steel containers he developed were stackable and theft-proof, revolutionizing cargo transport by reducing costs and speeding up loading times. This innovation led to the modern container shipping industry and transformed global trade.
In photos, McLean overlooks port activities as his Ideal X moves along the open ocean with containers on board.
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Freddy Fields, a top official of the International Longshoremen's Association, was asked what he thought of the newly fitted container ship. Fields replied, "I'd like to sink that son of a b*tch."
My father could have work on that ship that’s history
The containers were 1 in thick marine plywood with steel frames
35ft Aluminum, stainless steel, wood floor was the Sealand standard container for years
Jerry Fernandez
THE INTERNATIONAL LONGSHOREMEN’S ASSOCIATION
ESTABLISHED 1892
MAINE TO TEXAS, THE GREAT LAKES, PUERTO RICO, EASTERN CANADA, THE BAHAMAS
Photo Credit:
Mike Sosa
ILA Local 24
Port Houston
Thank You!!
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Port of Savannah
HEALTH IS WEALTH!
ILA LOCAL 1414 HOLDS WELLNESS DAY FOR MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES AT THE PORT OF SAVANNAH
Earlier this week, on April 23, 2025, ILA Local 1414 held a Wellness Day for its members and their families at the union hall.
President Paul Mosley, Sr. was joined by Local 1414 members and encouraged them to get health check ups.
“HEALTH IS WEALTH” was a phrase that was heard throughout the day. The local executive officers were also on hand as they got a health check up as well.
President Mosley encourages his membership to always go to doctor to check on themselves.
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USMX/ILA CHILDREN’S FUND GOLF OUTING SET FOR MAY 19, 2025
THE USMX/ILA JOINT CHARITY HAS RAISED NEARLY $10 MILLION FOR CHILDREN’S CHARITIES
A message from James McNamara, ILA Chief of Staff:
USMX-ILA Children’s Fund Charity Outing Set For Monday, May 19th At Forsgate Country Club; Annual Event Raises Money For St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
NORTH BERGEN, NJ – (April 25, 2025) The 32nd Annual United States Maritime Alliance-International Longshoremen’s Association Children’s Fund Golf Outing, benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is scheduled for Monday, May 19th, 2025. The charity outing returns to Forsgate Country Club, in Monroe Township, New Jersey where the ILA and USMX join forces to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Hospital that leads “the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.”
“For 32 years, the ILA has been proud to join with our management partners at USMX to help raise money through our USMX-ILA Children’s Fund,” said International President Harold J. Daggett who serves as co-chairman of the annual event along with F. Paul DeMaria at USMX. “We are excited to again raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital that allows children with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses with cutting-edge treatments not covered by insurance at no cost to the young patient’s families.”
The USMX-ILA Annual Children’s Fund Golf Outing has enjoyed phenomenal support and success over the years, attracting nearly 300 golfers and hundreds more who participate in the dinner and awards program.
The joint management-union charity has raised nearly $10 million for children’s charities that are dedicated to treating and providing services for children with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.
The ILA and USMX note that St. Jude is consistently ranked as one of the best places to donate by Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator. The ILA and USMX added that St. Jude shares the breakthroughs it makes to help doctors and researchers at local hospitals and cancer centers around the world improve the quality of treatment and care for even more children.
The 2025 USMX-ILA Children’s Fund Golf Outing is shaping up to be its most successful ever – the event is nearly sold out and the organizers expect to match and possibly exceed their 2024 donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital of $125,000.00.
“I thank my ILA membership and our employers at USMX for their contributions and support for this most worthy charity,” said ILA President Daggett.
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