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
Stephen L. Sparks, 50 Year ILA Member from Local 1459,
Port of Mobile, Alabama, Passes Away on October 25, 2026, at Age 70
The International Longshoremen’s Association mourns the passing of Stephen Lanier Sparks, a member of ILA Local 1459 at the Port of Mobile, Alabama and who was a proud ILA longshoreman for 50-years.
“In every union, you have that one member who held every office and was loved by all members and held in the highest respect. In ILA Local 1459, that was Brother Steve Sparks,” shared Scott Adams, a friend and long-time ILA Local 1459 colleague of Brother Stephen Sparks.
Brother Sparks is survived by his wife, Liz. She and the family announced the following services: Visitation will be held at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, 370 S Section St., Fairhope, Alabama 36532, on Saturday, November 7, 2026, from 10 am to 11 am. This will be followed by a Memorial Mass at St. Lawrence Catholic Church from 11 am to 12 pm.
Committal will take place at Pine Crest Cemetery, 1939 Dauphin Island Parkway, Mobile, Alabama 36605 on November 7, 2026, beginning at 1 pm.
4 CommentsComment on Facebook
Rest easy brother
Rest easy my brother. Sending prayers and love to the family and friends.
Rest in Peace brother... ILA Local 28
My prayers and condolences
Port of NY/NJ
ILA LOCAL 1233
The long, storied history of the International Longshoremen’s Association continues to be told at every port on the waterfront from Maine to Texas, the Great Lakes, Puerto Rico, Eastern Canada and the Bahamas.
In this picture we honor our past members out of the Port of NY/NJ as we display the Port Security Cards of members out of ILA Local 1233.
Let us never forget the sacrifices ILA members made to build our great union into what we have today.
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
3 CommentsComment on Facebook
Can you find my grandfather Hardis Mosley , Newark NJ probably 60s
Yes sir knew most of this gentleman 👌
ILA Local 1233. 🤟🙏👍
Port of NY/NJ
ILA LOCAL 1814
FRANK REIS
ILA Local 1814 member Frank Reis proudly speaks about what it means to be a crane operator at Red Hook Terminals in Brooklyn, NY
1 CommentComment on Facebook
Great video! ILA LFG
Port of Baltimore
THE ILA IS PRAISED BY THE PORT OF BALTIMORE
The Port of Baltimore gives a shout out to the hardworking men and women of the ILA!
They shared this message on their media pages:
“We love getting an up-close look at the impressive ships docked at the Port of Baltimore!
Today, we had busy days at our Dundalk and Seagirt terminals.
At Dundalk, we spotted two massive vessels with their ramps down and our dedicated International Longshoremen’s Association labor team handling autos and heavy machinery, while at Seagirt we caught a great view of container ships lined up along the waterfront!
The Port of Baltimore is one of the most cargo-diverse ports in the nation. Ports America”
**ILA….UNSTOPPABLE**
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
1 CommentComment on Facebook
ILA Local 333 that's what we do.. longshoreman 4life 💪🏽💯
Port of Charleston
Port of Charleston, SC
Longshoremen reporting for work at the Port of Charleston, SC
January 1913
The early history of Longshoremen and the eventual formation of the ILA in Charleston dates back to 1869, when dockworkers formed the Longshoremen’s Protective Union Association. These men organized to fight for fair wages, better working conditions, and dignity at a time when dockworkers faced widespread criticism. Their efforts established an important foundation for organized labor on Charleston’s waterfront.
In 1936, George Washington German helped organize Charleston’s Longshoremen under the International Longshoremen’s Association, establishing ILA Local 1422. This began a new chapter of a proud tradition of unity and collective action that had begun generations earlier.
Through their determination and sacrifice, Charleston’s Longshoremen laid the groundwork for future generations of union members as ILA Local’s 1422, 1422A & 1771 remain a powerful sisterhood and brotherhood until this day.
The men and women who work Charleston’s docks helped build more than a port.
They built a tradition of brotherhood and collective responsibility that continues to connect generations of union members.
The names, the equipment, and the methods of work may change, but the principle remains the same:
When working ILA members stand together, they can build something stronger than any one individual could build alone.
That is the lasting legacy of Charleston’s longshoremen and the ILA—a legacy built through hard work, defended through solidarity, and carried forward by every generation that understands the value of our incredible union.
We are the International Longshoremen’s Association
85,000 Strong
Established 1892
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
4 CommentsComment on Facebook
Lots of family worked there
Great Grandfather ❤️🙌
👍🏿
Amen 🙏 For their dedication and fight.
Port Miami
In photograph, left to right:
ILA Local 1804-1 member Jesse Miller out of APM Terminals in Port Elizabeth, NJ is welcomed to the Cruise Capital of the World at Port Miami by ILA Local 1416 Business Agent Larry McKnight.
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
1 CommentComment on Facebook
Port of NY/NJ
October 26, 1948
ON THIS DAY 78 YEARS AGO, THE SHAPEUP TAKES PLACE ON THE WATERFRONT IN NEW YORK CITY
ILA members gather for the Shapeup at Pier 92, North River and 52nd street in New York City on October 26, 1948
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
8 CommentsComment on Facebook
Must be a Tuesday, thats when the Queens were in.
Wow, looks like "On The Waterfront" ('54) at the very end.
My first pier. 25 yrs and going. ILA Local 824 🚢🛳️⛴️
“GO TO WORK”—on the Waterfront movie💪👍👏
Love the old shape-up pics
Cruise Terminal today. ILA labor still handle all the baggage and do a great job.
My father's pier.
Go Union
Port of NY/NJ
PNCT
HYBRID STRADDLE CARRIER DELIVERY TAKES PLACE AT PORT NEWARK CONTAINER TERMINAL
At PNCT today, October 25, 2026, ILA Local’s 1804-1, 1233, 1235 and 1 were on hand working the docks as 20 new Hybrid Straddle Carrier’s manufactured by Kones Cranes out of Germany were delivered on the waterfront to the powershop in Newark, NJ
**ILA…UNSTOPPABLE**
Photo Credits:
Frankie De Felice, General Foreman, PNCT, ILA Local 1804-1
Thank you!!
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
10 CommentsComment on Facebook
Yeah, they bought new strands no hustlers for the ship though we still gotta drive this shit
Pnct no nesecita mas maquinas solo nesecitan que las maquinas que tienen los trabajadores quieran operar. 3 hora para que te monten una caja.
My son Kevin work for them it a fabulous job and very strong union.
Robot controlled i hope 🙏
AWESOME! Did they unload them in one shift?
How can I get a job at this company imma certified straddle carrier operator seeking a job
Now our containers will take even longer when there is a software malfunction. Expect waits from the usual 3 hours for a double move to 4 hours for a double move. 👍
Go Union
Looking good 🤟
ILA INTERNSTIONAL LAZY ASSOCIATION
Port of Charleston
Have a great weekend ILA sisters and brothers!!
Stay safe and may God Bless you and your families!!
—————————————————————
On this Saturday, October 24, 2026, we highlight the Port of Charleston.
Our ILA sisters and brothers are never short on facing challenges at the Port of Charleston in the state of South Carolina as they live and work in one of the least friendly states for labor and workers rights in the United States.
We are the International longshoremen’s Association. We are 85,000 strong.
Established 1892
—————————————————————
Our amazing ILA leadership at the Port of Charleston:
-Kenny Riley, President, ILA Local 1422, Deep Sea Longshore, ILA International Vice President
-Leonard Bailey, President, ILA Local 1422A, Maintenance and Repair, ILA International Vice President
-Lance McLaughlin, President, ILA Local 1771, Clerks and Checkers, ILA South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District Vice President
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
9 CommentsComment on Facebook
If you zoom in you can see Hugh Leatherman Terminal that sits empty
Thank You. ILA = I LOVE AMERICA!!! 🇺🇸❤️
ILA Strong!!! #ifwearetogetheritsimpossibletofail
Thank you!! God bless the ILA and God bless the Port of Charleston!! ILA Strong!!💪🏾💪🏾
Great job everyone.
The new year is going to bring lots of changes. Things are looking up💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾
Local 1422 ILA P21 Tamp Peace and Love !!!
Let me know when y’all put a list back up!
South Carolina State leadership will let the HLT Terminal rot and fall in the river before they let the ILA have control of the jobs at that terminal and remember state money built that terminal so it's the people of SC terminal
Port of Saint John
SOLIDARITY WITH ILA LOCAL 273 — NO PORT WORKER STANDS ALONE!
The IDC stands shoulder to shoulder with ILA Local 273 in its fight for a fair collective labour agreement at the Port of Saint John, Canada.
More than 50 days at the negotiating table. 15 days of federal mediation. And still, no agreement.
Our message to the employers is clear: workers will not move backwards. Their rights, their dignity and the sacrifices of previous generations are not bargaining chips.
Collective bargaining requires respect, fairness and a genuine willingness to reach an agreement. You cannot demand sacrifices from workers while ignoring the value of their labour.
To our brothers and sisters of ILA Local 273: you have the full solidarity and support of the IDC family.
ILA LOCAL 273, YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
AN INJURY TO ONE IS AN INJURY TO ALL.
INTERNATIONAL DOCKWORKERS COUNCIL (IDC)
United we stand.
If we’re together, it’s impossible to fail.
ILA Local 273 have been in negotiations since November of 2025 with the Port of Saint John Employers Association , DPWorld, Logistec Stevedores and Quebec Stevedores.
We have meet over 50 days and on the Unions request Federal Mediators have been participating over the last 15 days. Unfortunately the mediation process has run its course without renewal of an agreement. On October 20 ILA Local 273 applied to the Minister of Employment and Social Development Canada to appoint Federal Conciliator’s to try to move things along at a quicker pace to achieve a fair Collective Labour Agreement for its members. Once Federal Conciliators are appointed then the timeframes are in place for further job action should an agreement not be in achieved.
Your negotiating committee is working hard at the table, but are not going to agree to the unrealistic proposals from greedy employers. Some gains have been made by both sides, but the employers are going to have to have a change in course if they want an agreement. ILA Local 273 will not go backwards and lose what our forefathers fought so hard to get us to where we are today. We urge all who can attend the November monthly union meeting to attend once a date has been set.
22 CommentsComment on Facebook
Solidarité du 375 Débardeur Port de Montréal 💪
Solidarity from 1804-1
Automate it
Solidarity brothers and sistes. 💪
Solidarity for life I’m from local 13 in San Pedro, California 👌😎
Dam right ,an injury to one ,is an to all !
I think the learn the lesson!! Let the ILA Provide the Best labor of the word and keep America Moving!! Blessings
Solidarity. All unions representing each other.
Stand together MUA
We are with you!!!
✊✊✊
Solidarity brothers and sisters 💪🏻
Solidarity!!!!!!!!!!!
The only sucks thing is that union workers don’t respect truckers, they don’t care how many hours truckers wait to get one container at the port. Can’t agree with the statement that they are hard working people.
It's hard to have sympathy for them when I'm sending 2 to 3 hours waiting to get loaded or unloaded
Solidarity ILWU West Coast local 52 marine clerks
I've camera right on port
Solidarity brothers and sisters
ILA needs to tell everyone that the port operator is foreign owned by the government of Dubai that goes by the name of Port and Free Zone World Canada you must protect your sovereignty and take back such incredibly important work just for your own independence
Fire them.all!!!!!!! Have new hires ready and wai t in soon as contract expires send in new hires
Trafficking our children through there