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
ILA INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT HAROLD J. DAGGETT’S OPENING SPEECH AT THE ANTI-AUTOMATION CONFERENCE ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2025 IN LISBON, PORTUGAL
Watch ILA President Harold J. Daggett’s Keynote Address At The Anti-Automation Conference In Lisbon, Portugal.
President Daggett Calls For Formation of Global Maritime Alliance To
Collectively Act Against Massive Job Losses Through Automation.
LISBON, PORTUGAL – Watch Harold J. Daggett, the leader of the 85,000-member International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) open the historic “People Over Profits: Anti-Automation Conference” in Lisbon, Portugal on November 5, 2025, and tell nearly a thousand dockworker and maritime union members in attendance that the threat of automation is “a full-blown attack on our very existence.” The ILA International President called on all Dockers and Maritime Unions to join a Global Maritime Alliance that would target and strike companies that introduced or expanded automation at waterfront facilities in any port around the world.
Harold J. Daggett, President of the ILA, in the keynote address at the start of the two-day summit held at at the Pavilhão Carolos Lopes Convention Center in Lisbon, Portugal, delivered a powerful, yet ominous message to the large gathering about the intent of their employers and the threat to workers everywhere.
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SEALAND MAKES HISTORY AND CHANGES THE SHIPPING INDUSTRY FOREVER BY INTRODUCING THE WORLD TO CONTAINERIZATION
The original SeaLand was founded by Malcolm McLean, an American trucking entrepreneur who revolutionized the shipping industry by packing goods into containers which can be transported quickly.
On April 26, 1956, McLean introduced the world’s first container ship, the Ideal X, which sailed from Newark, NJ to Houston, TX with 58 containers on its deck.
In 1999, Maersk Line bought SeaLand and it is now known as one of the largest container shipping lines in the world.
ILA International President Harold J. Daggett began his career in the ILA in 1967 and moved over to SeaLand in 1968 and remained there until he became a delegate for ILA Local 1804-1 in 1980.
(Click on the link below for more information on the history of SeaLand)
www.mgar.net/sealand2.htm
@ilaunion @ilasagcd @ila1804_1official
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They had a unique pin in the back. To lock down the container to the chassis..
The original containers were 35 feet long
This pin took off a few noses locking them down. Had to use a long bar to lock, sometimes it slipped. All propane rough riding hustlers back then.
Had an uncle Joe Delelis that spent his carrier at Sealand in Port of Ny/Nj. I too worked that port for 30 years.
I was there when they moved to Tacoma, mechanic, still were using 35 foot containers, no steel boxes just aluminum. We fixed everything back then.
Those 35’- 40’- and 45- containers were a trip.
My Mother worked at Sea Land in the late 80s
I got to work on this ship a couple of times before it was scrapped
I'm 3rd generation, and thankful
Amazing I love reading the history of the shipping industry and ILA
I worked for Sea-Land for over 20 yrs, on their ships & on the piers great times & great outfit😎👍
Thank you Harold.💪
Yo empecé a trabajar en el 1965
Rhasan Thomas the container operation here.
En los 80 lo trabajamos en el puerto de Algeciras las grúas portainer ya estaban el propio barco descargaba y cargaba sus contenedores recuerdo el nombre de uno de ellos creo que era el Birmingham
Esas grúas trabajaban una salía y la otra se queda adentro no podían salir las dos juntas
En San Juan PR
Fueron los pioneros en darle comida a los trabajadores de corrido,Good Company.
En la 1575
Wow a name I've known all my life 💕
My father worked there for his whole career 🥰
Paulo Cesar Nscto Leonildo Rosa Santos puxando pro Zella o primeiro que desceu em Paranaguá
My uncle robert and Charlie Sloane worked there
Acabaron con la manera de vivir de los marinos románticos
Port of NY/NJ
“JUST A MAN AND HIS MACHINE”
ILA Local 920 member Kenny Robles, out of Howland Hook Marine Terminal in Staten Island, NY, getting it done on the docks!
Have a safe day ILA sisters and brothers!
Thank you for sharing Brother Kenny Robles.
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Brothers & sisters❤️
ILA STRONG 💪🏻💪🏻
Can ya hire me! I'm a vet and I want to get into it
Go Union
Port of Boston
ILA MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR
ILA Local 800 member Colin Bromley is a container repair specialist. In photograph, brother Bromley is fixing a damaged tunnel rail at the Port of Boston.
Photo Credit:
Warren McMaster, ILA Local 799
Thank You!
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M&R 💪
Goodstuff!
Port Miami
Beautiful photograph of the palm trees and cranes as the sunsets this evening at Port Miami.
Have a great week ILA sisters and brothers!
Stay safe!
May God Bless you and your families!
Photo Credit:
Port Miami
Thank You!
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Port of Boston
ILA Boston Locals breaks ground at Flynn Cruiseport Boston for the 2025 Cruise Season Wrap Up and Modernization Project Celebration!
In photograph left to right:
Eugene Stancato, ILA Local 800 Vice President
George McEvoy, ACD Vice President
Bernie O’Donnell, ILA International Vice President
John Sharkey, ILA Local 1066 Business Agent
Rob Luzzo, ILA Local 1604 Business Agent
Bobby Hickey, ILA Local 799 Business Agent
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Robert Hickey, you’re gonna have to break out the suits and fancy shoes now that you’re the business agent lol.
Really liking the locals coming together unified. Together we are much stronger. Keep up the good work guys and to our 1604 Pres/BA Robert Luzzo
The Boston crew! Great news, great people!
Looking good boys Keep our union strong 
Great group
Good job
Sean Murphy looks like big things for you over there brother!
Awesome
Cruises are awesome!
correction : Black Falcon Cruise Terminal
Let’s Goooo! Big up George McEvoy!!!!!
I just came back from a cruise through Flynn. Every person who works there is so nice and professional!! Another reason I would book again out of Boston.
Whos the GC?
Awesome!!!
Go Union
THE INTERNATIONAL LONGSHOREMEN’S ASSOCIATION
MOVING THE WORLD’S CARGO SINCE 1892
For more than 133 years, Longshoremen have worked in well-organized gangs to move cargo on and off ships efficiently.
Shifts often lasted 20 to 30 hours and could begin and end at any time with short breaks only for meals. Longshoremen worked under unrelenting pressure that “the ship must sail on time.”
In photograph, ILA members load barrels of corn syrup onto a barge on the Hudson River in New York City during the year 1912.
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The gear they are using were called chimes!
Lot of fingers lost on the drum gear.
When I started almost everything was manual labor today mostly containers, but without the laborer the ship would sit at the dock . Laborers are an important part of the industry automation can try to replace us but without humans industry will grind to a halt . No amount of robots or AI can fully replace humans. Automation will eventually destroy investors profits because the company won't need investors just 1 OWNER
TRUST AND BELIEVE "STAND STRONG IN SOLIDARITY UNITY DIGNITY HONOR RESPECT PRIDE
God bless ila
Only if they worked as hard as these guys now a days
💪🏽🦺🥾🌊🪝⚓️
3rd generation,let's go Charleston sc
Go Union
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Back then no one wore hard hat or safety vests. Just good boots and strong backs.
Back the ships were wooden but the men were iron good boots an strong backs got it done #1291
By The cars what year would that be
I thank every last one of them that stood on business back then!
Thank You Local 1422 Charleston SC Union Strong 👍💪🚢⚓️🚛💨
My family sacrificed so much blood so the ILA may prosper. God Bless the Weldons! God Bless the ILA!
1422
Thank you!!!
Thank you!
A couple cars show double headlights tells me my 1958 Belair Chevolet had double headlights, Rudy Ondics aging on 89 yrs 2026 July 07,th
Thank you Grandaddy ❤️💪🏾
Thank you
Thank you 🙏🏿
Go Union
Thank you
AMEN NOW IF ONLY ALL ILA ILWU IDC STAND UNITED STRONG IN SOLIDARITY UNITY PRIDE DIGNTY "MANAGEMENT CAN'T STOP US" PRESIDENT HAROLD DAGGETT SAID DON'T FUCK WIT US TIME TO PUT UP OR SHUT THE FUCK UP. WE EITHER STAND UNITED OR EVERYTHING THAT OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS FOUGHT FOR MEANS NOTHING
Port of New Orleans
STATE OF THE PORT OF NEW ORLEANS
Strong momentum. Strategic investment. Statewide impact.
At this year’s State of the Port, a new Economic Impact Report was revealed that showed the Port of New Orleans supported $101.5B in U.S. economic value and 342,000+ jobs nationally—including 122,386 jobs in Louisiana.
Louisiana’s gateway is growing, unifying, and shaping the future of global trade.
The International Longshoremen’s Association at the Port of New Orleans:
ILA Local 1497 Clerks and Checkers
President Mike Hoelzel
ILA Local 3000 Longshoremen
President Henry Glover
ILA Local 2036
President Blaine Ehrlich
Maintenance and Repair
Learn more in the full report below:
www.portnolaimpact.com/
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Port of NY/NJ
ILA EDUCATION AND TRAINING TAKES PLACE AT RED HOOK TERMINAL IN BROOKLYN, NY
Yesterday, the first large group of ILA members in the Port of NY&NJ received their certification for passing the Self Propelled Modular Transporter (SPMT) training course by Sarens.
We would like to thank the Shipping Association of New York & New Jersey, and Red Hook Container Terminal for all their continued support for the members of the ILA and to acknowledge everyone’s hardwork to help achieve this accomplishment.
The International Longshoremen’s Association has proven once again that no challenge is too difficult. We are a highly skilled labor force that is capable of handling any type of cargo that enters our shores. The ILA has adapted to every new piece of equipment that has been utilized in the shipping industry. This is no different. There is no labor force in the world more capable of handling cargo than the ILA.
Real faces, real people, working for their future.
Thank you Dave Scala, ILA Local 1814 Secretary Treasurer.
#PeopleoverProfit #ILA
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You are the best
STAND UNITED STRONG IN SOLIDARITY UNITY DIGNITY PRIDE RESPECT "DON'T FUCK WIT US" YA HEARD
When my sister past they showed mad support by the bus loads Nj long Sherman🥰
Dell looking good my friend , congratulations all
Congratulations
Congratulations
Well done team , education is power, stronger together, munz New Zealand port of tauranga
Awesome Solidarity
Great job!
Congratulations! You're rolling with the big boys now with that SPMT certification!
Greetings from ILA local 1414 in Savannah, Georgia
Thanks for keeping the world moving 💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼🇮🇹🇺🇸🇮🇹🇺🇸
Congratulations
CCongratulations 💕💕💕
Congratulations 🎉🎉🎉
👏👏👏
Port of NY/NJ ILA EDUCATION AND TRAINING TAKES PLACE AT RED HOOK TERMINAL IN BROOKLYN, NY Yesterday, the first large group of ILA members in the Port of NY&NJ received their certification for passing the Self Propelled Modular Transporter (SPMT) training course by Sarens. “The beginning of the end” Self propelled…… 👀🤷🏾♂️
Go Uniom
Hopefully they do a better job, because the last 30 years they been just a lazy f…k 🖕🏻