Education

ILA Education/History

3 hours ago

A MESSAGE FROM ILA INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT HAROLD J. DAGGETT:

International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) President Harold J. Daggett 2026 Labor Day Message to the ILA’s 85,000 members across the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, Great Lakes region, Puerto Rico, Eastern Canada, and the Bahamas.

​NORTH BERGEN, NJ (September 7, 2026). As our great International Longshoremen’s Association prepares to celebrate Labor’s National Holiday – Labor Day 2026 - we champion our unprecedented bargaining triumphs, historic family protections, and an aggressive, unified strategy for a prosperous future through 2026 and 2027.

Landmark Successes of the Six-Year USMX-ILA Master Contract
I am proud of the unwavering solidarity of the rank-and-file membership, which permanently solidified the USMX-ILA Master Contract, running through September 30, 2030, as "the greatest Collective Bargaining Agreement in the history of Organized Labor," spotlighting record-shattering achievements:
• Historic Wage Gains: Members are entering the third year of the contract on October 1, 2026, triggering a $4.00 per hour raise, which follows an initial $6.00 raise and a subsequent $5.00 raise. Four additional annual raises are guaranteed through 2029.
• Unprecedented Automation Protections: The contract secures an astounding feature unique to global dockworker labor—full, ironclad protections against job-destroying automation.
• Substantial Benefit Improvements: Landmark returns of full container royalty funds to the ILA, accelerated wage progressions for newer workers, increased money purchase plan contributions, and the comprehensive strengthening of the MILA healthcare plan.

The Newly Negotiated Master Contract Death Benefit
I am grateful to have achieved a Master Contract Benefit for ILA members covered un the USMX-ILA Master Contract. This new benefit recognized the severe hazards longshore workers brave daily to keep the global supply chain moving, prompting the ILA and USMX to officially established the Master Contract Death Benefit.
• Maximum Security: The newly formed trust structure provides up to $2 million, entirely tax-free, to the spouse and children of any eligible ILA member who suffers a fatal accidental injury while working under the Master Contract.
• A Lifelong Promise Kept: I note this financial safety net guarantees that no grieving ILA family will ever face immediate economic ruin or lose their home following a workplace tragedy.

A Bright and Prosperous Future for 2026 and 2027
Looking forward through 2026 and 2027, I state confidently that the ILA’s best days lie ahead, provided the membership remains fiercely disciplined and active.

Global Solidarity: Backed by alliances forged at the Anti-Automation Summit and local labor support, the ILA enters 2027 stronger, and more unified than ever before.

​A Happy, Healthy and Safe Labor Day 2026 to all our ILA members and their families. ... See MoreSee Less

ILA Education/History

3 days ago

A message from Brother Ryan Novak, ILA Local 824, West Side Piers, NYC

BACK-TO-BACK AT MANHATTAN CRUISE TERMINAL

Saturday, August 29th was one of those days that showed exactly what the ILA is made of.
At 12:30 AM, the Norwegian Aqua came alongside Pier 88 and our linemen secured her to the dock. By 6:00 and 7:00 AM, the men and women of ILA Locals 824, 1814, 1 and 1804-1 were checked in and ready for the enormous task ahead.
The Aqua normally sails at 4:00 PM but the Norwegian Escape already on her way to Manhattan, the Aqua had to be completely turned around and sailing by 1:30pm.

By 9:00am, the arriving passengers and their luggage had been discharged and moved toward transportation. At the same time, our stores gang was removing garbage and unloading trailer after trailer to replenish the ship: more than 400 pallets of stores. By 9:30am, the entire operation was moving in the other direction.

Our ILA brothers and sisters received, X-rayed, sorted and loaded approximately 5,000 pieces of luggage, while stores continued moving aboard.
Over 4,000 passengers.
400+ pallets.
Approximately 5,000 suitcases.

By 12:30pm, the job was DONE.

At 1:30pm, the Aqua pulled away from Pier 88 and directly behind her was the Norwegian Escape waiting to come in.

No break. No reset. No excuses.

We had already turned one cruise ship and now later in the day with hours of work already behind us we had to do it all over again.

The Escape brought another massive operation:
267 luggage carts discharged and sorted.
4,600 passengers OFF.
4,600 passengers BACK ON.
Approximately 600 pallets of stores unloaded from trucks and loaded aboard.Garbage discharged.
Luggage received, X-rayed, sorted and loaded.

And at 10:00 PM, Norwegian Escape was finished.

Think about that.

In one day, our ILA workforce turned TWO major cruise ships, moved thousands upon thousands of pieces of luggage, handled roughly 1,000 pallets of stores, and helped move more than 17,000 passenger movements on and off those vessels all while working against the clock.

I cannot express how proud I am of every ILA brother and sister who gave everything they had to accomplish this tremendous task.

Our ILA members have proven time and time again that whatever the task, whatever the conditions and whatever the circumstances, we will answer the call and get the job DONE!
Because this is more than moving luggage, pallets and ships.

It’s pride in our job.
Pride in our brothers and sisters.
Pride in our Union.
And pride in the country whose waterfront we keep moving.

TWO SHIPS. ONE DAY. ONE UNION.

UNION PROUD. ILA STRONG! ... See MoreSee Less

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ILA Education/History

3 days ago

Tampa, FL

ILA SOUTHEASTERN DOCK AND MARINE COUNCIL

The ILA Southeastern Dock and Marine Council Meetings were held this past weekend at the Tampa Marriott Westshore Hotel in Tampa, FL.
At these meetings, ILA delegates and leaders come together to have discussions as they bring updates to the table of what’s taking place in the South.
They also get an opportunity to learn from each other as they share the challenges they may face at their home ports.

Photo Credits:
Darryl Alston, ILA Local 1408
Larry McKnight, ILA Local 1416
Thank You!!

#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation ... See MoreSee Less

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