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
Port Everglades
Fort Lauderdale, FL
ILA LOCAL 1526 LEGEND JOSEPH KELLY, SR. LEADS BY EXAMPLE AFTER NEARLY 60 YEARS ON THE WATERFRONT AT PORT EVERGLADES
There are longshoremen who work on the waterfront, and then there are longshoremen who become part of its history. Joseph Kelly, Sr. is one of those rare individuals whose career reflects the very spirit of dedication, hard work, and pride that defines the International Longshoremen’s Association.
Mr. Kelly began his journey in Port Everglades in 1967, earning his first year of seniority the following year in 1968. Throughout his career, he mastered some of the most demanding equipment on the docks. Before the traditional gantry cranes we are familiar with today, he operated winch cranes, boom cranes, and swing cranes with precision and professionalism. His knowledge, work ethic, and leadership eventually earned him the role of Header, where he was entrusted with leading gangs of longshoremen and ensuring operations were carried out safely and efficiently.
As the years passed, Mr. Kelly continued to rise through the ranks, and became one of the most respected figures on the Port Everglades waterfront.
Nearly six decades after first stepping onto the docks, Joe Kelly still arrives with the same pride, enthusiasm, and love for the work that inspired him in 1967.
Mr. Kelly represents the very best of what it means to be a longshoreman. His career has spanned generations, technological changes, and countless ships that have passed through Port Everglades, yet his commitment to the job has never wavered. He has mentored younger workers, set an example through his professionalism, and demonstrated that success on the waterfront is built on dedication, loyalty, and a willingness to work hard every day.
For nearly sixty years, Joseph Kelly Sr. has helped build the legacy of ILA Local 1526 at Port Everglades. His career stands as an inspiration to every longshoreman who follows in his footsteps, proving that when you love what you do and dedicate yourself to excellence, your impact will be felt for generations to come.
**ILA LEGEND**
**RESPECT**
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
39 CommentsComment on Facebook
The tippy top!
Is he the water man?
Wondering if this is the same Joe Kelly who was a header for Strachan Shipping when I was there in’88/‘89.
They sure have some old longshoremen in fort Everglades and Miami. I was a longshoreman for 48 years in phila. There’s a time you have to let go as far as I’m concerned. The older you get you’re sure enough to get hurt or someone else.
You got the top offthe water bucket outdoors under the crane y’all don’t have ice machines in a closed area where you fill the water bucket then take them to the crane. Something can fly or fall in that bucket no gloves put the top on MANN.
That’s Pops Very Humble Gentleman 🙏🏼❤️🩹
Enjoy your retirement with your family
This man is a LEGEND and ICON of the Port Everglades dock scene, mad respect for this young buck!
Amazing
My guy!💪
Time to start your retirement
Congratulations Sir!
Salute #OG from #1408
If you feel good keep working
SALUTE to you sir!
Big respect MR KELLY AND GOD BLESS YOU SIR
What a blessing congrats 🎉💥🚨
Congratulations. God Bless. 🇺🇸
🫡
🙏💪💪💪
Congratulations 👏
We are the International longshoremen’s Association
Established 1892
85,000 Strong
Moving the worlds cargo from Maine to Texas, The Great Lakes, Puerto Rico, Eastern Canada and The Bahamas
**ILA UNSTOPPABLE**
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
6 CommentsComment on Facebook
The new people coming into this industry, pay attention to what you see. This paved the way for what we enjoy today.
I like the video. My grandfather was ILA Local 1233 member. He was here during late 1950s
Unity, you got it !
I See  Harry Bridges 🫶🥰🙏🙌🏼🤗
Go Union
Miami, FL
July 2018
ILA International President Harold J. Daggett addresses delegates, members and guests at the South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District Convention at the Fountainebleau Beach Resort in Miami, Florida in July of 2018.
The South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District is now preparing for their next convention, which will take place from July 26-31, 2026 at the San Luis Resort, Spa and Conference Center located in Galveston, Texas.
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY TO ALL THE AMAZING ILA DADS WORKING ON THE DOCKS EACH AND EVERY DAY TO PROVIDE A BETTER LIFE FOR THEIR FAMILIES!
LET US NEVER FORGET ALL THE “ILA DADS” THAT CAME BEFORE US THAT HELP BUILD OUR GREAT UNION INTO WHAT IT IS TODAY!
ENJOY YOUR DAY!!
In photograph:
Longshoremen working on the waterfront in 1959.
Port unknown
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
20 CommentsComment on Facebook
And a very special Happy Fathers Day to the ILA Dad running this page, day in day out! Thank You sir!
Happy Father’s Day to all the ILA fathers and grandfathers passed and present! Without your sacrifices, we wouldn’t be where we are today! God bless the ILA!!!
Happy Fathers Day to all the ILA Fathers .
Thank you for the recognition. Are we ever wanted is to feed our families? And watched them grow and prosper. Thank you ILA ,for that place BROTHERHOOD, SISTERHOOD ONE UNIT TO MOVE THE CARGO OH, THESE PEOPLE BLACK AND WHITE, RED AND YELLOW. IF COLOR HAVE TO BE A FACTOR I LOVE MY BROTHER AND AND MY SISTER. ILA STAY STRONG UNITY ABOVE ALL THINGS. I L A ! NATIONAL CARING BISHOP GARY J BAKER SR! P S GENERATION FOURTH
I love the way they dressed the way they did back then it showed a lot of dignity and respect in the profession. Not that I have any issues with the way we are now, I like being comfortable too 😇
Red Hook
Happy Father’s Day
Happy Father’s Day all my ILA brothers
Happy Father’s Day
Happy Father's day to all the Dad's of the ILA....
Happy Father’s Day to all the Dads,Step-Dads,and Dads in Heaven.
Happy Father Day to all the ILA men putting in time for their families. I miss my Daddy so much
Happy Father’s Day ILA fathers !
Happy Father's day To all ILA MEN everywhere from Ga Peach ILA 1408
Happy Father’s Day everyone!
Happy father's day
Wishing a Happy Father's Day to all the ILA fathers out there. Your families are lucky to have you, and I'm sure today is a day you'll always treasure ❤
Yeah , The Shipping Lines Made A Killing In Extra Profits With Only 3 or 4 Items On Each Lift 🏗️, And Now With Upgraded Technology They’re Lifting In Most Cases With Up To 60 And 80 Units Of Goods , While The ILA Even Took Cuts And Worked 38 Years Without A Raise On General Cargo , While Inflation Escalated 7 to 10 Times Over The Price Of Labor From The 1980’s Up Till Now On 2026 , That Is What Made It All Possible For Countries Like China 🇨🇳 To Use Their Extra Billions In Dollars In Profits From Off Of The Longshoreman’s Backs To Become The Great Super Power That They Are Today , When Before President Ronald Reagan Basically Destroyed As Much Of The Commerce Of Economical Growth Of Solidified Industrial Infrastructures That Were Unions That He Could , ALL OF THOSE EXTRA ONE HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT FOREIGN COUNTRIES SUCH AS CHINA 🇨🇳 COULD HAVE STAYED RIGHT HERE IN THIS COUNTRY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, To Where The Workforce In The USA Could Have Been Grossing At Least 1 Million Dollars Annually / Per Year Easily As A Minimum Wage , BECAUSE THERE IS OVER 2 BILLION CHINESE , AND THEYRE STILL CAPITALIZING IN PROFITS EACH YEAR OVER THE AMOUNTS OF HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS OF🚢 DOLLARS BUILDING MORE SHIPS 🌴 🦧 Got Damn How Many Licks Does It Take To Get To The Center Of The Tootsie Roll Pop 🦉🍭= 3 And Its Because Of Racism Against Black People That Leaders Of The Government And Groups Such As The KKK And John Hurst Society Rather Let Foreigners Handle The Manufacturing Industries And The Goods / Commodities Companies Being The Same , With Even More Greed For Paying Pennies Instead Of Dollars , In Countries That Are Ran By Governments That Are Formed With Dictatorships , And Most Of Them Serves Idol Gods And Or Satan 😈 Himself , And Don’t Get Me Wrong , Because The USA Has Some Of Those Same Type Of Leaders , ESPECIALLY NOW 2025 ~ 2026 🌎🐘🇺🇸 , And Let Me Be The One To Tell Yall , Once 2027 Hits , Trust That THEY WILL NOT BE TAKING ANY PRISONERS @ ALL , What Everyone Is Viewing In Every Day Events Is Leading Up To A Bloodier Civil War Than The Slaughtering Of The Indians Here In The United States , And They’re Going By Satan’s 👿 Guide Book 📖 Of NUMBERS IN OF YEARS TO EACH ORDER IN CODES That Emulates EVERY 400 YEARS Until Holy God Spoils Their Planning It’s👁️4-A Eye👁️ & 🦷4 A-Tooth🦷
Port of Cleveland, OH
Please join us in wishing ILA International General Organizer John Baker a very happy and healthy birthday celebration!!
Happy Birthday ILA LEGEND JOHN BAKER!!!
Take a moment to look at his amazing career:
*Graduated Collinwood High School
*Attended Cleveland State University
*Began working on the docks in Cleveland, Ohio in 1959
*ILA Local 1317 Secretary Treasurer from 1964-2014
*ILA Local 1317 President from 2014-present
*Served over 20 years as President of the Great Lakes District Council
*President of Cleveland Maritime Ports Council
*Served on Boards of the Great Lakes Maritime Task Force, Cleveland International Trade Center and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
*International Trade Federation Representative
*During his tenure in the ILA there have been five International Presidents: (Captain William Bradley, Teddy Gleason, John Bowers, Richard Hughes and Harold Daggett)
*International Assistant General Organizer 2007-2015
*International General Organizer 2015-present
*Has two sons currently serving the ILA membership:
John D. Baker, Jr.
International Vice President
Michael Baker
ACD Vice President
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
JOHN BAKER!!
You are an amazing role model and inspiration to all ILA members!!
Int'l Longshoremen's ILA South Atlantic and Gulf Coast D#InternationalLongshoremensAssociationssociation
70 CommentsComment on Facebook
Happy Birthday to my Hero!! Happy birthday Dad!!
Happy Birthday Mr Baker and Thank you for sharing the wisdom second to none!
Happy Birthday to one of the finest Union leaders on the planet!! Your guidance has been most appreciated over the years. God Bless!!
One of the finest! Happy birthday JB!
Happy 85 Mr. Baker! Legend of the ILA!
Happy birthday I.L.A. strong local 1317 Cleveland Thank you for everything you do for us.....
Happiest of Birthdays John ! Hope you have a great celebration! 🥳🎉🎉🎂
Hell of a man. Cheers 🍻
A Gentleman John Baker 🎉🎉
Happy Birthday Legend I hope you have a wonderful day!!!!! ❤️🫵
Happy birthday to an ILA legend!! Not to mention an amazing human being! Love you, John! To many more my friend
Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday to you !
Happy Birthday to a great person 😊💪💪
Looking good, young man and wish you Happy birthday! You're an inspiration to many 🎂🎈
Happy Birthday Young Fella
HBD Mr.Baker!
Happy Birthday John good luck yo you my friend
El Papaupa !! May God continue Blessing you !!
Happy Birthday John you are truly an inspiration to know and to be able to associate with . I am very proud to call you a friend and have you as a fantastic leader, World Class second to none . Hope you have a fantastic day .
Happy birthday John let this be the best one yet !! Amazing leader !!
Happy Birthday Mr Baker
Happy Birthday yo majesty King Baker. The Baker makes the bread and the bread makes the world go round. Congratulations on all your accomplishments and success with ILA WORKERS and organizations. Enjoy your birthday all year long.
Desde Puerto Rico
Happy Birthday Ila 1624 finally retired
Galveston, Texas
ILA JUNETEENTH PARADE
Please join us in congratulating 2026 Galveston Juneteenth Parade Grand Marshal ILA Local 1504-8 President Rodney D. Priestley
In photograph Rodney Priestley is joined by ILA Local 24 President Gabriel Garza
Born on Galveston Island on November 30, 1979, Rodney D. Priestley’s roots run deep in the very city where history was made. On June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger arrived by ship in Galveston, Texas, delivering General Order No. 3 and announcing freedom for enslaved people in Texas. Generations later, Rodney’s own journey would begin on that same historic waterfront.
Rodney began his career on the waterfront in 2000, following the footsteps of his family and the generations of men and women who built the Port of Galveston. In 2002, he was elected Business Agent of ILA Local 1504-8. During his 14 years serving as Business Agent, Rodney dedicated himself to learning the contracts, protecting workers’ rights, filing grievances, fighting for fair wages, and understanding every aspect of the waterfront.
In December 2015, Rodney was elected President of ILA Local 1504-8, a position he continues to proudly hold today. As President, he has worked to strengthen the local, improve wages and working conditions, protect union jobs, and continue building a foundation for the next generation of longshore workers.
In 2018, at the International Longshoremen’s Association South Atlantic & Gulf Coast District Convention held at the historic Fontainebleau in Miami, Florida, Rodney was nominated and elected unopposed as District Vice President. Since Local 1504-8 was chartered in 1933, Rodney became the first member from his local to ever hold a District position, a milestone not only for himself, but for the entire Galveston waterfront.
Beyond the docks, Rodney believes leadership means giving back. Through community involvement, youth sponsorships, holiday drives, and helping families in need, he continues working to uplift the same community that raised him.
But above every title and accomplishment, Rodney considers his greatest blessing and achievement to be marrying his wife, Kiawana Priestley, and raising their four beautiful daughters.
CONGRATULATIONS!!
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
8 CommentsComment on Facebook
Great re to presentation Great job ILA Local Great leadership Rodney D Priestley . God's continued blessings Peace
proud member of the 20
Rodney D Priestley 🫡
💪💪💪
Port of Boston
GOOD MORNING ILA SISTERS AND BROTHERS!!
ILA LOCALS AT THE PORT OF BOSTON WELCOME THE ZIM SCORPIO
It’s was an early start for the International Longshoremen’s Association on the Zim Scorpio vessel at the Port of Boston. The Zim Scorpio, built in 2024, is 272 meters (892 feet) in length with a capacity of 7,928 TEU’s. Two gangs working this morning by ILA Boston Locals 799, 800, 805, 1066, and 1604.
The ILA is expecting three more ships tomorrow on the Boston waterfront.
**ILA UNSTOPPABLE**
Photo Credit:
Eugene Stancato, Vice President, Local 800
Thank You!
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
4 CommentsComment on Facebook
Proud to have worked The waterfront
Great shot Eugene!
For sharing this wow big container ship.we worked big ones in balto but not like this in my time be safe enjoy the work brothers sisters
GM. Great view
THE INTERNATIONAL LONGSHOREMEN’S ASSOCIATION PROUDLY HONORS AND RECOGNIZES JUNETEENTH
Juneteenth, short for “June Nineteenth,” marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, in 1865 to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people be freed. The troops’ arrival came a full two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.
The Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, and it established that all enslaved people in Confederate states in rebellion against the Union “shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free.”
Juneteenth honors the end to slavery in the United States and is considered the longest-running African American holiday. A federal holiday since 2021, Juneteenth occurs this year on Friday, June 19, 2026.
In photograph, a group of dockworkers working on the waterfront during the American Civil War.
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
3 CommentsComment on Facebook
Awesome history. Thanks for sharing.
Respect
Port of NY/NJ
ILA LOCAL 1233 RAISES $140,000 AT THEIR 4TH ANNUAL WILLIAM BERNARD DUDLEY SCHOLARSHIP GALA
ILA Local 1233 hosted their 4th Annual William Bernard Dudley Foundation Scholarship Gala on June 13, 2026.
The evening brought many Local 1233 members and their families together as they honored Port Newark Container Terminal Chief Executive Officer Jim Pelliccio with the 2026 Steward of Service and Leadership Award.
ILA Local 1233 Executive Board Member Abdul Boone proudly accepted the 2026
Annual “Herbie Hall” award for distinguished service to the ILA membership and the community.
On this special evening, The William Bernard Dudley Scholarship Fund raised over $140,000 and that will be distributed to students this fall in the Greater Newark, NJ area.
William Bernard Dudley was one of the most respected leaders in the International Longshoremen’s Association.
Known to his legion of ILA friends and admirers as “B” or Bernard, Brother Dudley was one of the top Executive Officers of the Atlantic Coast District, ILA.
Brother Dudley was a six term President of ILA Local 1233 in Newark. He long was a force in local negotiations in the Port of New York and New Jersey as well as in Master Contract negotiations between the ILA and United States Maritime Alliance.
His leadership of one of the largest ILA Locals for almost two decades was marked with many successes in contract negotiations and expanding membership. As ILA Local 1233 president, Brother Dudley brought great recognition to the ILA within the Newark community.
Sadly, William Bernard Dudley passed away on November 12, 2020 and the membership of ILA Local 1233 keeps his legacy alive with this annual scholarship gala that bears his name.
**RESPECT**
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
10 CommentsComment on Facebook
Congratulations Mr. Boone
A Magnificent Event !!
“ Congratulations “
Fantastic!
Congratulations to ILA Local 1233 on this incredible milestone! Wishing all the scholarship recipients a bright future ahead! 🌟💕
✊🙏
Go Union
Beautiful
Peru, South America
ILA Local 1804-1 banner makes it all the way to South America.
ILA Local 1804-1 member Jimmy Fitzpatrick (far right) out of TIR Maher Terminals proudly displays banner during his visit to Peru, South America.
**ILA WORLDWIDE**
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
11 CommentsComment on Facebook
Love this!! Great job representing!! Union Power!! Be safe….
2046 Port of Savannah. Hell yeah
Awesome fitzy!!
Yeah buddy! Way to represent! Stay safe
Nice pic
SALUDOS Y DISFRUTEN DEL PERÚ, ABRAZOS A LA ILA DESDE EL PUERTO DEL CALLAO- PERÚ HERMANOS ESTIBADORES.
Awesome I can't wait because I'm doing a trip down there I'm going to the Antarctica and I'll be leaving somewhere out of Peru I would love to get an Ila flag I have to talk to Dennis about this 1804-1 Ila all the way
Bienvenido Jimmy Fistzpatrick