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
WE ARE THE INTERNATIONAL LONGSHOREMEN’S ASSOCIATION
ESTABLISHED 1892
Maine to Texas, the Great Lakes, Puerto Rico, Eastern Canada and the Bahamas!
Have a blessed evening ILA Sisters and Brothers!
God Bless You All!
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
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Madison Square Garden
New York City
November 18, 1958
DECADES LATER, THE FIGHT AGAINST AUTOMATION CONTINUES
ILA HOLDS PORTWIDE MEETING AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN
AUTOMATION IN THE LONGSHORE INDUSTRY AND WHAT IT MEANS TO YOU
YOUR JOB—YOUR PENSION—YOUR WELFARE BENEFITS
The poster below from November 18, 1958 encouraged all ILA members to attend a meeting at Madison Square Garden to fight something we are still fighting today….Automation.
Notice the cartoon of a robot with hook in hand being used as an indication jobs could be in jeopardy.
This poster serves as a serious reminder that the International Longshoremen’s Association has been fighting automation for decades and we will continue to fight against any shipping lines that use robots and/or machines which will threaten to take our jobs.
**SAY NO TO AUTOMATION**
**ILA STRONG**
**IF WE ARE TOGETHER IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO FAIL**
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
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I say we do this again! A meeting at MSG!
so many meanings for 'automation' - at that time they/we must have been talking about palletization and containers. Now much of the public thinks our work is 'automated' since they can't see the crane operators or the lashers.
Wow . I was born in 1958 that makes us realize automation has been around for at least 68 years . Incredible . Jobs over machines .
Just sat no to any automation!! Conditioners killed a lot of man hours back in my day!!!
I’ve learned so much about our great union through this education history page. Great job to the I.L.A. 
ILA @ Is best!!!!🇺🇸🤘🍷🍷
🫡💪🏾
I l a union all the way
Anybody know what was Allied Crafts?
Some things never change.
Port of New Orleans
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Grants Federal Permit for Louisiana International Terminal, Authorizing Construction of America’s Next Great Deepwater Port
NEW ORLEANS— The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has granted the federal permit authorizing construction of the Louisiana International Terminal (LIT), clearing the way for the nation’s only new greenfield container port currently under development — a project positioned to redefine Gulf Coast trade capacity, strengthen the U.S. supply chain, and accelerate American manufacturing and commerce.
Strategically located on the Lower Mississippi River with direct access to the Gulf of America, LIT will connect more than 30 states to global markets through direct access to every major Class I railroad and the interstate highway system. Backed by a public-private partnership among Port NOLA, Terminal Investment Limited (TiL), the port terminal operating arm of MSC, and Ports America the project has advanced through federal review with strong support from Louisiana’s bipartisan congressional delegation, the State of Louisiana, and regional economic development leaders.
“This is a defining moment not just for Louisiana, but for the entire country,” said Gov. Jeff Landry. “The Louisiana International Terminal will stimulate economic growth and cement Louisiana’s role as the nation’s gateway to global trade. This investment will expand opportunities for American businesses and workers, lift up opportunities for Louisiana families, and ensure Louisiana remains a driving force in the nation’s future.”
According to independent economic analysis, (www.portnolaimpact.com/) cargo activity through Port NOLA already supports more than $101 billion in total economic value nationwide and more than 342,000 American jobs, including over 122,000 in Louisiana alone. At full buildout, the Louisiana International Terminal is projected to add thousands of jobs and generate billions of dollars in new tax revenue across the country.
Portions of this story was shared to us by the American Journal of Transportation and westcentralsbest.com
Thank You!!
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
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Take that shit somewhere else assholes
Port of NY/NJ
August 17, 1956
ILA HISTORY
70 YEARS AGO TODAY:
ILA LOCAL 1247 MEMBERS WORK ON THE WATERFRONT IN JERSEY CITY, NJ
In photograph, ILA Local 1247 members move cargo at Harborside Terminal in Jersey City, NJ on August 17, 1956.
Harborside Terminal is a historic waterfront property at 210 Hudson Street in Jersey City, New Jersey. Built in 1930 by the Pennsylvania Railroad as a massive rail-to-keel freight storage and distribution center, it was later transformed into a modern multi-use office, dining, and multi-modal transit complex along the Hudson River waterfront.
In 1930, the Harborside Terminal facility served as a freight terminal for the Lehigh Valley Railroad, handling rail freight from Pennsylvania and transferring it to ships for transport across the Hudson River into Manhattan and beyond.
Many years later, Local 1247 would become part of Local 1588.
Today, ILA Local 1588 is led by President Virgil Maldonado as they proudly move the world’s commerce at Port Liberty Container Terminal in Bayonne, NJ.
Int'l Longshoremen's Virgilio Maldonado Dennis A. Daggett James A. McNamara
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
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Oh, I remember them days ILA 1291 Dennis Stewart I wind it up on deck thank you Jesus I took every hard job down there licorice fruit taco beans, collide cocoa butter one time dry point we had 12,000 drums on the ship all by hand I had over 30 something is that I missed it now I’m in Saint Malik is nursing home at 10 eager
A little history on ILA Local 1588 that was told to me when I was a kid. Local 1588 was originally a warehouse Local in Bayonne. Jersey City Local 1247, which represented longshore deep sea workers on the Jersey City waterfront and finger piers, was later merged into Local 1588. In November 1982, Bayonne Local 1587, which represented the Bayonne deep-sea longshoremen, was also consolidated into Local 1588. Through these mergers, the longshore and warehousemen jurisdictions of Jersey City and Bayonne ultimately came together under the Local 1588 charter, creating the ILA Local 1588 that we know today.
There’s Bolock , he’s the one with a cap on
The memories are flooding back as I look at this.
That’s what the long hook was used for !! ILA LOVAL 1291 Philly!!
Super esa foto Izada con Bandas antes estrobos
Remember so well port after balto same gear and basa coffee years ago
Go Union
I’ve been driving dock gantry crane’s for a minute. I drove truck and I still drive Rtg’s
You got automated ports as a problem
ILWU local 502 represents
Port of NY/NJ
ILA members unload cargo at the American Sugar Refining Company
Brooklyn, NY
October 1950
Longshoremen unloading bags and barrels of raw sugar at the receiving dock of The American Sugar Refining Company in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, which was located on Kent Avenue between Division Avenue and South 11th Street in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY
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Port of NY/ NJ
Port Liberty Container Terminal, Bayonne, NJ with the New York City skyline in the distance.
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
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Go Union
Port of Philadelphia
ILA LOCAL 1291 MEMBER WESLEY MCCUE OUT OF THE PORT OF PHILADELPHIA PASSES TRAGICALLY IN A MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2026
On Thursday, August 13, 2026 our ILA Brother Wesley McCue (35) died in a tragic motorcycle accident.
Brother McCue was a dedicated member of Local 1291.
A message from ILA Local 1291 member Maurice Mulgrew:
“Wesley McCue started working with ILA Local 1291 at the Port of Philadelphia- South Jersey with John Mulgrew’s gang.
He learned to operate all types of machinery and he handled any type of cargo that came his way. He eventually joined Larry Bonner’s gang as a reach stacker operator and later began operating ship-to-shore cranes.
Brother Wesley McCue loved his job and enjoyed being around his fellow members. He left a piece of himself with everyone he met and will be deeply missed.”
Brother McCue leaves behind his three beautiful children and his loving partner, Christain.
Thank you !
Please keep Wesley’s family and loved ones in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time.
🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
Int'l Longshoremen's
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Hi, this is Wesley’s little sister. Thank you all so so so much for your kind words about Wesley it absolutely means the world❤️
R.I.P. AND THANKYOU FOR ALL YOU HELPED
So sad ! Such a great guy and a pleasure to work with . May he rest in peace . My heartfelt condolences to his family .
Very good young man & worker who had a bright future on the ILA waterfront in Philadelphia ahead of him, heartbreaking, he will be sorely missed, prayers & condolences to his family 🙏 ⚓️ 🇺🇸 🙏
My condolences and prayers to his family. 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
May he rest in eternal peace with our creator. Love u brother
Sending prayers from ILA Local 1233 🙏🏻
RIP Wes, he was a good guy I enjoyed talking with him when he comes up to the shop.
Prayers
Rest in Peace🕊️🕊️
My condolences to all his family and friends 🙏🏼RIP
Condolences 💐 to all.
RIP BROTHER
My deepest condolences to Wesley's family
Ride in paradise
Rest in peace way too young
Condolences to his family he was a good guy and a good worker he will be missed
I worked with him for many years what a good guy
R.I. P.🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Condolences to the family may the find the strength to carry on Rest easy Brother gone far too soon 🙏
Prayers sent 🙏
My sincere condolences 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
Peace be with him 🙏
Rip Wes 🙏
Sending prayers from ILA Local 1414 Savannah,Ga.🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
GOOD MORNING ILA SISTERS AND BROTHERS!!
Have a safe day on the docks and enjoy your weekend with family and friends!
God Bless You All!!
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
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Union Strong 💪💪
Good morning, have a great day!
Less stress,stay focused and do your job the best you can !
That would be a sharp license plste
Good Morning
Good morning,Be safe and have a great weekend
It will be bad azz
Good morning have a great safe weekend to all.
Have a great weekend!
Good morning
Need to put that on SHIRTS
🌴 🐅 Hello BIGG BOSS MANN ✊😤 RACIST TEXANS SAYS I TALK 2 MUCH I SAY THINGS AINT GOT STARTED YET EYE FOR A EYE AND TOOTH 4 TOOTH AND COLORS ARENT OPTIONAL @ ALL 🌎 ITS A NEW WORLD EVERYBODY🌍 BLACK PEOPLE JUST HAVE TO WAKE “ ALL THE WAY UP AGAINST RACISM “ And That Is My Calling With Mission To People That Are Racist Against Blacks , WE WILL NOT LET RACISM TO TEAR DOWN THIS GREATEST NATION OF THE WORLD THAT BLACK PEOPLE BUILT AND GAVE ALL OF ITS GREAT IDEAS 🤔 💭 AND INVENTIONS, GAVE THE WORLD THE SCENES 🎬 FOR VIRTUAL ENTERTAINMENTS THAT CURED DEPRESSIVE STATES OF MINDS , TAUGHT EVERYBODY IN THE WORLD HOW TO LIVE EXOTICALLY , AND TO WORSHIP HOLY GOD IN THE CORRECT FORM WITH HAVING TRUE FAITH WITH SERVING ONE JUST GOD, THE HOLY GOD AND CREATOR THAT DOES NOT NEED FOLLOWERS TO BE GOD , THE SAME GOD THAT DOESNT HAVE TO LIAR , CHEAT , STEAL , OR KILL LIKE THE RACIST SOCIETY THAT HATES ALL BLACK PEOPLE , Meanwhile THEIR GOD IS EVIL 👿 ASSED SATAN ,Who Is As Busy As Hell , With Knowing Holy God Is Fixing To Lock Him Up ( Bound ) In Hell For 1 Thousand Years , THIS IS WHY THE CABINET OF THE REpublicTARDS ARE SO BUSY WITH DOING EVERY SINGLE LAST THING OF THE COMMANDS OF THE 🤯ANTI👿CHRIST GOV CODE-666👨🏻🦰 ********** 👉 3 IN 1 OIL 👈 ********** They Used You BIGG BOSS , WHEN HE TOOK A PICTURE WITH YOU TO DRAW ✍️ VOTES 🗳️ KNOWING HE WAS NOT GOING TO TO DO ANYTHING TO STOP ✋ 🛑 THE USE OF AUTOMATION WITH UNMANNED MACHINERIES ON THE ESPECIALLY WEST COASTLINES OF THE UNITED STATES OF 🔔🇺🇸🦅 L
Port of New Orleans
August 28, 1943
Longshoremen load barrels into a ship’s hold at the Port of New Orleans during the summer of 1943.
We are the International Longshoremen’s Association
Established 1892
Int'l Longshoremen's ILA South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
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We loaded on pallets then took pallets out to be able to stack them better
I do remember drums were loaded that way, many,many memories.
Pier98 barge John Horans Gang!💪👍(And Pier84)
Wow check out those wooden hatchcovers. Thats a blast from the past.
In the Port of Phildelphia we were still loading drums that way in 1974.
In 1968 that was how we loaded drums in Houston.
A lot of times we had them fringing drums at pier 80 on a barge. Our gang always had number 1 hatch and had to climb down on that God damn Jacob’s ladder. With number 1 hatch you had that sheerness . You climb down and swing and sway like Sammy k . Lmao !!!
What are those pouches they're wearing
I remember that well, Dennis Stewart
Port of Savannah
THE SEAPORT FEDERAL CREDIT UNION IS COMING TO THE PORT OF SAVANNAH
We are proud to announce that the Seaport Federal Credit Union is expanding to yet another ILA port. On Wednesday, August 12, 2026 the ILA members of Local 1414 out of the Port of Savannah had a chance to meet the Seaport Federal Credit Union team of Elaine Thompson, CEO and Melissa McCann, COO as they informed ILA members all the about what the Seaport Federal Credit Union has to offer to them and their families.
The International Longshoremen’s Association continues to educate their members and their families about the financial opportunities that are available to them to buy a home, purchase an automobile, create a savings account, apply for a student loan and/or prepare for retirement.
For more information go to the following link:
seaportfcu.org/services/
MEMBERSHIP IS CONVENIENT
“We realize that it may not always be convenient for you to visit our office to conduct your business in person.”
Direct Deposit: Automatically deposit your paycheck, retirement, or government checks into your account each pay period—free, secure, and no office visit needed.
Payroll Deduction: Have part or all of your pay automatically deposited into your account—ideal for loan payments or regular savings contributions.
Debit Card: Access your account at ATMs nationwide; use Allpoint Network ATMs to avoid fees (find locations at Allpoint.com).
A message from Seaport Federal Credit Union CEO Elaine Thompson:
“We’re excited to announce that our credit union is expanding into Savannah, Georgia! We look forward to serving our members and becoming a part of the I.L.A local 1414 community. We’re incredibly excited for this next chapter and all that’s ahead!”
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
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Look at me… 👀 Inquiring minds wanna know about this NEW credit union! 🤔💰 I’m doing my homework because if they’re talking better rates, lower fees, and better benefits… BABE, I’m listening! 😂💅🏾
Rock Lovett Karsene HodgesJawan White this the new way to bank for US
Great turnout !!!!!
How do we get this to spread to more ports? Would love to see this come to Baltimore 👍
My favorite ILA drivers
Khalil Sharif Abdullah Michael Frye
Mary Barker
💪🏾
💪🏾🤍⚓️💙
I hate I’m just seeing this
💪🏽 Head Teller and only Teller from 2007 - closed 2016 secretary 2014-2016🩷 International Longshoremen's Federal credit Union Local 1402 Tampa🙌🏽⚓🤑🙌🏽
Can anybody join?
Awesome for the union members family and friends
Go Union