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 of NY/NJ
NYSA/ILA 2026 WORKER’S MEMORIAL DAY OBSERVANCE
🙏🙏🙏
STELLA MARIS CHAPEL
NEWARK, NJ
On April 28, 2026 we honored and remembered our ILA sisters and brothers who have been killed or injured in workplace related accidents this year.
A special mass was held on this Worker’s Memorial Day at Stella Maris Chapel in Newark, NJ.
🙏🙏🙏
May God Bless All ILA Members And Their Families!!
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
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Wow🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
The Special Mass was a blessing, Father John. Thank you for your tireless service to the community. You truly are a guiding light! 🌟
Great turnout!!
🙏🏻🙏🏻
#UnionStrong #ILAStrong
God bless! 🙏🏻❤️
Port of Halifax
Nova Scotia
Canada
ILA Local 269
National Day of Mourning
ILA Worker’s Memorial Day Observance
April 28, 2026 is the ILA Worker’s Memorial Day Observance. Please take a few moments to remember your ILA Local 269 Brothers out of the Port of Halifax who went to work one morning and didn’t return home. 🙏🙏🙏
Rest Easy ILA Brothers:
Herb Gavin
Harry Sampson
James “Jimmy” Casey
Dick Howard
Tommy Raymond
Kenny Messervey
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
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Rest Easy Brothers
Rest easy job well done
🙏🙏🙏
🙏🏾
Port of NY/NJ
November, 1934
ILA ENDURES GLOBAL ECONOMIC CRISIS DURING THE GREAT DEPRESSION
The Great Depression was a severe global economic downturn from 1929 to 1939, marked by the 1929 stock market crash, widespread bank failures, and a peak unemployment rate of 25% across the United States.
The Great Depression was caused by factors like overproduction, consumer debt, and reckless stock market expansion. It led to drastic drops in industrial output, trade, and prices, ultimately requiring the manufacturing boom of World War II to fully end the crisis.
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In photograph, from the National Archives, unemployed ILA members sit at the New York City docks during the Great Depression in November of 1934.
The 1930’s economic crises hit port cities especially hard, particularly those that were heavily dependent on international trade.
This resulted in major social and economic reforms taking place under President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal proposals.
Ultimately, the International Longshoremen’s Association would recover as thousands of ILA workers would eventually return to work on the waterfront to provide for their families.
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PORT OF NY/NJ
PORT HOUSTON, TX
APRIL 26, 1956
THE DAWN OF CONTAINERIZATION TOOK PLACE 70 YEARS AGO ON APRIL 26, 1956 AND IT CHANGED OUR INDUSTRY FOREVER
As container shipping turns 70 years old, we look back on how American trucker Malcolm McLean converted a World War II tanker (the SS Ideal X) into a vessel carrying 58 containers from Port Newark, NJ to Port Houston, TX. This replaced the traditional breakbulk services.
Containerization is born and has been used ever since!
The standardized steel containers he developed were stackable and theft-proof, revolutionizing cargo transport by reducing costs and speeding up loading times. This innovation led to the modern container shipping industry and transformed global trade.
In photos, McLean overlooks port activities as his Ideal X moves along the open ocean with containers on board.
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
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EL DISEÑADOR DE LOS CONTENERS,REVOLUCIONO EL TRABAJO PORTUARIO.
The history of cibtainerization. Thank you Malcom MacLean .
Amazing
Malcolm McLean was a truck driver.
Great man! Sea-Land 💪
Wow
Port of Boston
ILA members at the Port of Boston attend the Teamster’s Local 25 17th Annual Gala for Autism at Encore Casino in Boston, MA.
A great event to raise money for a great cause. Thank you to Teamsters Local 25 for hosting us and always being a true friend to the ILA.
Left to Right:
Rob Luzzo, Business Agent, ILA Local 1604
Tom Mari, President of Teamsters Local 25
Bernie O’Donnell, ILA International Vice President
Eugene Stancato, Vice President, ILA Local 800
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
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My Heros... 💚😎🐷
You can see their salaries on Unionfacts.com
Port of Savannah
The ILA awaits to unload cargo as a container ship arrives at the Port of Savannah…..at sunset….June 17, 2024.
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
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Bring’em in we gone send’em out #local1414 🫡😎
ILA
ESTABLISHED 1892
THE INTERNATIONAL LONGSHOREMEN’S ASSOCIATION REPRESENTS DOCKWORKERS AT PORTS FROM MAINE TO TEXAS, THE GREAT LAKES, PUERTO RICO, EASTERN CANADA AND THE BAHAMAS….
WE ARE THE ILA AND THE DOCKS ARE OURS!!
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
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Solidarité entre dockers ✊
Proud of my local 1303
USA 🇺🇸 proud and loud
Local1291 Phila.💪👍🇺🇸
🇺🇸 Local 333 Baltimore 🇺🇸 ✌️
Proud to be Union! 🇺🇸
1291🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
👍
Proud local 13 ILWU crane operator west coast union strong solidarity strong hats off to all unions
ILA all the way!!
Nice post
PORT OF AVILÉS, SPAIN
A MESSAGE FROM IDC LABOR COORDINATOR JORDI ARAGUNDE:
“Congratulations to the Sepra stewardesses….
There are moments that explain everything.
In the “work battles” and in life, it all boils down to instants in the end.
My union life feeds off of it.
Moments like yesterday early in the morning, when after so many hours of negotiations the “yes” arrived.
Or that hug in October with Dennis, when we knew the terms of the master contract were guaranteed, back to October 2024
Or Lisbon, a few months ago.
Because in the end, all the hours, all the work, all the wear and tear... sums it up in that instant. And that’s where it all makes sense.
Thank you, I mean it.
Thanks to Manu — you’re a fucking machine, kid. And one of the smartest people I’ve ever met, Pani — we owe you a lot, more than you surely think, Kaba — from minute one, when no one believed, you were there. And that’s not forgotten.
Miguel - the importance you have... “This is ganao, Miguel” 😂
And also Javi, Paco Valtu, the legend Rubio Casal, Nacho, Luismi, Jose, Josetxo, Guillermo... and all the people who, in one way or another, have made this step forward possible.
Because this goes in a team.
And without a team, this wouldn’t have happened.
Also to Dennis, who from the first moment said: “Jordi, we have to help”, and put everything he had: IDC, Andy, Max, Matt, Kenny, JD, Sergio, Juanpi, Cesar, Paul, Mau... and to eventual companions... and so many others.
Thank you for always being there. Always in good and always in bad.
Therefore, this is yours too.
Leaving for Canada shortly, but leaving with the satisfaction of a job well done.
Union power.
If we’re together, it’s impossible to fail.
I think Today is one of the bests days of my life!”
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
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ILA Strong 💪 ❤️
Solidarity never fails!!! 👏🏻✊🏻💪🏻❤️🙏🏻
Amazing work!
Go Union
Solidarity, Jordi ✊
Port of Avilés, Spain
A message from IDC General Coordinator Dennis A. Daggett
The Dockworkers of SEPRA Are Victorious!
The spokesperson, Manu Pravia, along with delegates Pani, Miguel, and Kaba, and the rank and file dockworkers of the SEPRA Union in Spain, released a video thanking not only their own members, but also the IDC and all affiliated unions for their support throughout the strike in Avilés.
After a long and difficult dispute, they were successful in securing a contract. They stood strong because they knew they were not alone.
Special recognition must be given to Jordi Aragunde for his unwavering commitment to seeing this through. He was there every step of the way, standing in solidarity and helping guide this effort to a successful conclusion.
I am proud of all the locals within the ILA who stepped up, whether by providing resources or standing shoulder to shoulder on the picket lines in Avilés. I especially want to recognize my home local, ILA Local 1804 1, for its continued support and for understanding the true importance of global solidarity.
SEPRA stood up against subpar contracts and came out victorious. That is what unity looks like.
If we are together, it is impossible to fail!!
CONGRATULATIONS!!
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
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Retired Local #28 Port of Houston... 💪
❤️
✊
Congratulations from retired ILA Local 1242 Clerks and Checkers member Phila Pa USA
👍🏽
💯
✊🏽
🙏🏽
Port of NY/NJ
ILA TAKE YOUR KID TO WORK DAY
On Thursday, April 23, 2026, these ILA KIDS visited the docks in NJ at Port Newark Container Terminal and Maher Terminals to see first hand what their parents do each day on the waterfront.
The next generation of ILA women and men are getting an education at early age to keep our ILA legacy going!
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A message from ILA Local 1804-1 Master Lasher Foreman Luis Alves:
“This past Thursday was Take Your Child To Work Day on the docks—where the next generation got a firsthand look at what it means to be a Longshoreman. From massive cargo ships to the teamwork it takes to keep everything moving, it’s more than a job—it’s a legacy.”
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In first photograph:
Starting from the left:
Valentina Salvador-Daughter of Michael Salvador, ILA Local 1804-1
(Powershop Mechanic)
Lorenzo Tesoro-Son of Sabino Tesoro, ILA Local 1804-1
(Powershop Mechanic)
Adrianna Defelice-Daughter of Francesco Defelice, ILA Local 1804-1
(General Formen)
Joseph and Sienna Ferraro Son and Daughter of Joseph Ferraro, ILA Local 1804-1
(Powershop Mechanic)
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In second photograph:
Nicholas Alves, Son of Luis Alves, ILA Local 1804-1
(Master Lasher Foreman)
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#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
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