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
ILWU
WEST COAST PORTS
PORT OF SEATTLE
PORT OF TACOMA
WASHINGTON STATE JUST BANNED PUBLIC FUNDING FOR PORT AUTOMATION
Longshore unions backed green measure aimed at box handling equipment.
A new state law means two major U.S. West Coast ports (Seattle and Tacoma) won’t be tapping public funds for automated container handling equipment.
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee in March signed state Senate bill 5995 into law, which aims to protect maritime jobs by ensuring that public investments in port decarbonization do not lead to the replacement of human workers with robots.
The measure ensures a permanent ban on automation funding by repealing a “sunset clause” that would have allowed the prohibition to expire on Dec. 31, 2031.
The law covers fully automated equipment if it is remotely operated or monitored, regardless of whether a human can intervene or control it.
At the same time, port districts are still explicitly authorized to use public funds for zero and near-zero emission equipment, provided it remains human-operated.
The restriction applies to both individual port districts and port development authorities in Washington, including Seattle and Tacoma. The hubs rank ninth and tenth among U.S. gateways, handling about 3.3 million TEUs annually.
The International Longshore and Warehouse Union has approximately 42,000 members at ports along the West Coast, including Washington.
Automation in 2024 became a flashpoint during longshore contract negotiations when a three-day strike by the International Longshoremen’s Association shut down container handling at dozens of East and Gulf Coast ports.
In photograph:
Port of Seattle
Excerpts of this article were shared to us by Stuart Chirls of “freightwaves.com”
Thank You!
@ilaunion.org @ilasagcd @ddag21
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
21 CommentsComment on Facebook
Thats what California did but the last company to go automated, Maersk funded it all themselves.
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻if we don't stand up for ourselves (each other) no one will. Great job guys/gals
That's right ✅️ 👏
Nice work to the WA ILWU District Council and Political Action committee members and everyone who called Legislators and got involved!
I hope Oakland follows this same path
What happened to LA and Long Beach Oakland etc
Labor is what we sell
🏗️👊🏻👊🏻
Gov. Newsome screwed the west coast
that won’t stop automation. The companies have billions of dollars to invest.
Great news , now if we could only get the BC GOVERNMENT TO DO THIS ILWU 502 New Westminster bc
Awesome 👍😎
We tried, but newscum stabbed us in the back
California governor screwed us
ONCE ALL I LA STANDS UNITED IN SOLIDARITY AND UNITY FOR ALL THEN AND ONLY THEN WILL WE TRULY ACHIEVE OUR GOAL
👏👏👏Bravo 👏👏👏 Now it’s time to pass the same legislation in NJ Robots crush communities for another benefit feeding the profiteers … the insatiable greedy corporations
Than maybe you should work like you supposed to. You (people) are the one who causes long lines at the port for truck driver. You work whenever you feel like working, meanwhile so many drivers are sitting in lines, burning expensive fuel, and loosing or not making money because you hold them hostage at the Seattle-Tacoma port. You taking your breaks from 15 to 45 min morning breaks, and your lunch is almost 1hr 45 min long. Now you proud of the union you work for because they protect your job or position. But how about all those people (truck drivers) that are not making money because you cause long delays and people are not able to make multiple trips in and out of the port? Hypocrites
Port of NY/NJ
1968
ILA Local 1235 member Victor Bitette took these photographs of his crew working on the docks at Port Newark ITO terminal back in 1968.
Photo Credits:
Chris Bitette
ILA Local 1804-1
TIR-Maher Terminals
Thank You!!
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Hollywood, FL
July 2011
HAROLD J. DAGGETT DELIVERS POWERFUL SPEECH ON THE DAY HE IS UNANIMOUSLY ELECTED THE NINTH INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL LONGSHOREMEN’S ASSOCIATION
In July of 2011, ILA International President Harold J. Daggett addressed Executive Officers, Delegates and Guests as he was sworn in as the ninth ILA International President at the 53rd Quadrennial Convention of the International Longshoremen’s Association at the Diplomat Hotel in Hollywood, FL.
Daggett’s powerful message to the delegation was accompanied by Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come” blaring in the background.
Daggett’s list of accomplishments have been extraordinary during his incredible career on the waterfront, but none may be bigger than when he served as the chief negotiator and signed the greatest contract in the history of organized labor. This agreement included a 62% raise, enhancements to our MILA health plan and promises of no automation at all ports from Maine to Texas. The contract package was signed, sealed, delivered and ratified by the ILA rank and file on March 11, 2025.
The ILA will be celebrating President Harold Daggett’s 80th Birthday on May 12, 2026 as he will be honored and recognized by St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital at the Hyatt Hotel in Jersey City, NJ.
To watch President Harold Daggett’s speech in its entirety please click the link below:
vimeo.com/reviews/41dadbff-7713-4fb3-920f-5374cb4a44f8/videos/1181998129
@ilaunion @ilasagcd @ila1804_1official
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
10 CommentsComment on Facebook
Happy birthday Harold may God continue to bless your life with more yrs to come.
Wish I could go celebrate his b day but unfortunately have to to work and keep the lights on lol. But happy b day
Happy birthday Harold
Happy Birthday from Queensland Australia
Happy 80th birthday to an incredible leader! Wishing you love, health, and happiness on your special day and for many years to come.🎂
Happy birthday!!
Happy birthday 🎂
Happy birthday Harold!
Happy Birthday Harold !!!
14 CommentsComment on Facebook
And the Supers!!
No one ever says it must be nice at 3:30 am…
RESPECT
Virginia longshoreman here brothas they dont get it. Constant sacrifice
Local 13 retired.LA/LB Keep pumping.
I retired from the ILA Philadelphia we used to work around the clock the ship ⚓ took 4 days to unload then another one Comes in ! A lot of Overtime !$$$$$
Like most people don't know, nor understand!
✅
1359 1860
Aloha Gang From Honolulu Harbor Stevedores ILWU 142 round the clock
BIG FACTS
1694 Wilmington Delaware port💪🏼
Local 1922 Miami retired
Port of Wilmington, NC
THE PORT OF WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA….FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS TO A MODERN STATE-OF-THE-ART PORT MOVING CARGO AROUND THE WORLD
It all started in 1913 when the city’s voters decided to build a marine terminal. The idea was to improve business greatly for local industries that manufactured ships, cars, and carriages. A Board of Harbor Commissioners was created to develop an economic development plan for the city’s waterfront. The city then purchased forty-one hectares of land from the Lobdell Car Company in 1920 to build the port. The Port of Wilmington was completed and went into operation in 1923. In the first year of operation, the port handled a total of 17,000 tons of cargo. It handled all manner of cargo including lumber, wood pulp, ore, lead, fertilizer, and petroleum products.
Today, the Port of Wilmington, North Carolina, is a major East Coast port on the Cape Fear River, managed by the North Carolina Ports Authority (NCPA). It handles container, bulk, breakbulk, and Ro/Ro cargo, featuring a deep channel, multiple berths, and modern cranes, with strong intermodal rail connections via CSX. The port is known for its strategic location, efficiency, and ongoing expansion, including new cranes and technology to improve gate times.
Key Features
Location: On the Cape Fear River, about 26 miles from the Atlantic Ocean.
Facilities: Container terminal, general cargo terminal, cold storage, and nearly 1 million sq. ft. of warehouse space.
Cranes: Equipped with both Post-Panamax and Neo-Panamax cranes to handle large vessels.
Rail Access: Direct, double-stacked intermodal rail service with CSX to Charlotte.
Cargo Handled: Fertilizers, pulp and paper, textiles, grain, chemicals, and perishables.
Technology: Utilizes RFID, OCR, and weigh-in-motion scales for faster gate processing.
THE INTERNATIONAL LONGSHOREMEN’S ASSOCIATION AT THE PORTS IN NORTH CAROLINA:
ILA LOCAL 1426, DEEP SEA, WILMINGTON
ILA LOCAL 1838, DEEP SEA, SOUTHPORT
ILA LOCAL 1766, CLERKS AND CHECKERS, WILMINGTON
In photographs:
The Port of Wilmington, North Carolina in 1926 and 2025
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
5 CommentsComment on Facebook
Started at 1426 in 1991 and retired 2021 home port . I seen a lot and it taught me a lot. 💪🏾
1426, now let’s get these big ships back!
1426 💪🏾
👌🏾💪🏾💪🏾
Very cool my homeport
Port of NY/NJ
ILA LOCAL 1235 HOSTED THEIR ANNUAL PENSIONER LUNCHEON AS THEY HONOR RETIREES AT DON PEPE IN NEWARK, NJ
The International Longshoremen’s Association has had a long history of never forgetting where we came from and also honoring and respecting all who came before us to build our great union into what we have today.
On Thursday, April 9, 2026 ILA Local 1235 President Brandon Garcia hosted the “Third Annual ILA Local 1235 Pensioner Luncheon” at Don Pepe Restaurant in Newark, NJ.
The retirees from decades past proudly came together and remembered their days on the waterfront and how the industry has changed over the years. They also expressed how being members of the ILA changed their lives and the lives of their families.
——————————————————————-
A MESSAGE FROM ILA LOCAL 1235 PRESIDENT BRANDON GARCIA:
“Yesterday, we participated in our Annual Pensioner Luncheon at Don Pepe Restaurant in Newark. We, as a local, are honored to pay homage to the men and women who came before us and were so dedicated to Local 1235 before our current membership. It is, by far, our favorite tradition that we started just three short years ago. It brings the members of the past together with the members of the future.
Thank you all who came out and participated in this special event!”
**ILA HISTORY**
**ILA RESPECT**
@ilaunion @brandon_gar
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
17 CommentsComment on Facebook
Great Job Brother!! Always remember that the Retirees paved the way and made the rules that we live by today.
Very nice, class act! Trailblazers!
Great job, Brandon. Geat job, 1235!
Nice event Brandon. Solidarity 💪🏼
This is really nice! Much respect!
BONAFIED 🙌 🙌 🙌 🙌 🙌 🙌
Great idea
Thoughtful event! Nice work!
Joe the leg says helo to everybody. Keep up the good work Brandon. I knew your farther well. His nick name was Gar. A great guy had lunch with him every day at Josefina’s deli
That is one stand up act of respect, Great job Local 1235.
Outstanding!!!!
Nice ❤️
Big blessing 🙌🏿
Go Union
Nice
Port of Baltimore
ILA MEMBERS AT THE PORT OF BALTIMORE HANDLE OVER 700,000 AUTOMOBILES AND LIGHT TRUCKS FOR THE 13TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR
For the calendar year 2025, the ILA at the Port of Baltimore handled 728,225 autos and light trucks. That’s ranked second overall in the United States and is the 13th consecutive year exceeding 700,000.
Car dealerships in 30 states across our country receive their vehicles from the Port of Baltimore.
The Port of Baltimore continues its recovery following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which took place on March 26, 2024.
Information shared to us by the Port of Baltimore
Thank You!
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
3 CommentsComment on Facebook
Ro ro...good times!
Keep getting it boys!!!
Amazing. Great job!!!
Port of Wilmington, Delaware
December 18, 1972
Longshoremen unloading pallets on the docks at the Port of Wilmington, DE during the winter of 1972
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
7 CommentsComment on Facebook
Probably the most enjoyable job in the winch category I ever did was those 2 legged winches. It took real skill because the stacks on those pallets were loose and the gear was lightning fast.
It was all about rigging up
ERA LA ÉPOCA EN QUE EL TRABAJO PORTUARIO SE USABA LA FUERZA BRUTA Y MUY POCA TECNOLOGÍA ,EL TRABAJO ERA PRECARIO
Yo ise ese trabajo con la compañía Mercantil en los 1064 en el muelle 6 en Puerta de Tierra
Absolutely love this been loved it
Tal cual empezó mi historia en el Callao en el año 1985 han pasado 41 años y vamos por mas
A HEARTFELT MESSAGE FROM OUR INTERNATIONAL:
Harry Hennessey, Secretary-Treasurer, Local 342, United Marine Division, ILA and Atlantic Coast District Vice President Passes Away
NORTH BERGEN, NJ – (April 8, 2026) Harry Hennessey, a dedicated trade union leader from Long Island, New York, who served as Secretary-Treasurer of the United Marine Division, Local 342, International Longshoremen’s Association, and was a Vice President and Executive Board Member of the Atlantic Coast District, ILA passed away on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. Enjoying a long and distinguished maritime labor career, Harry Hennessey was a Captain and Mate with Moran Towing and Transportation and a Union Business Agent at the Town of Huntington, New York.
He came from a large Irish-American family, all with deep roots in the trade union movement. Harry’s brother, William Hennessey, is currently an International Vice President and President of United Marine Division, Local 342, ILA.
“The ILA is deeply saddened by the passing of our Brother Harry Hennessey,” said International ILA President Harold J. Daggett. “Harry was the epitome of a dedicated and fiercely loyal union leader who served his membership with distinction. His accomplishments on their behalf were vast and his memory will endure.”
“I am heartbroken to lose one of my most dedicated and intelligent Vice Presidents,” said Michael J. Vigneron, President of the Atlantic Coast District. “Harry was elected ACD Vice President in 2019. He was an asset to our District and our ACD membership.”
Harry Hennessey leaves behind his wife, Maryann; daughters Siobhan and Deirdre; son-in-law Jordan and granddaughters Shannon and Claire.
Funeral Services for Harry Hennessey will be as follows: A Wake will be held on Sunday, April 12, 2026, at Robertaccio Funeral Home, 495 Main Street, Center Moriches, NY. 11934. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, April 13, 2026, at 100:45 am at St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, 25 Ocean Avenue, Center Moriches, NY 11934.
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
35 CommentsComment on Facebook
A Gentleman A Class Act A Great Labor Leader We Will Miss You Brother
Rest easy Harry.
Condolences to the family and friends ! Rest Easy Sir !!
🙏⚓️🙏
Proud to call him my lifelong friend. He will be dearly missed.
RIP Brother 🙏🏻🙏🏻
I knew Harry for a long time. He was a gentleman and a great union official. My condolences to his wife and family.
My Condolences to his family. 🙏🏾🙏🏾
My thoughts and prayers 🙏🏼 are with his family and friends 😔
Prayers for his family and friends.
Prayers for the family. Im from ILA 1408
A tribute to a respected leader in the ILA 🙏
RIP
Condolences to the family and the friends of a good union brother.
Rest in Peace Brother 🙏
Condolences to the Hennessey family
A good man 🙏🙏🙏
🙏🏾💙🙏🏾
🙏🏻🙏🏻
🙏🙏
🙏
🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
🙏🙏🙏
Port of NY/NJ
**WOMEN OF THE ILA**
In photograph are proud ILA Local 1233 Executive Board ladies from left to right:
Phyllis Edmonds, Alicia Dudley, Betty Hooker, Heather Bradley, Laura Sheffield, Amenah Mathis
ILA Local 1233 out of Port Newark has a long, storied history on the waterfront dating back to 1927.
In the almost 100 years since that local was established it has flourished under tremendous leadership that has made history on the waterfront. Today, ILA Local 1233 continues to make their own piece history as the membership is well represented by the women that are apart of their proud Executive Board.
As our union continues to evolve, grow and change the women of the ILA are making their mark and the maritime unions from around the world are noticing.
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
17 CommentsComment on Facebook
This is a beautiful picture
Great picture 💕
Nice ladies
Hey Family. Looking Good
✅✅✅💯💯
💎💎💎💎
💯👏👏👏
⚓🩷⚓
🙏🏽👍🏾💪🏽💯
#SaluteLadies 💪🏾💪🏾
1588
💪🏿💪🏿
Nice my ILA sister..1359 Port Canaveral