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
BARCELONA, SPAIN (August 3, 2026) The International Dockworkers Council (IDC) this week released details for its 10th IDC General Assembly to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from November 17-19, 2026, according to an announcement by Dennis A. Daggett, IDC General Coordinator.
“The future of dockworkers will be forged in Rio de Janeiro,” said IDC Coordinator Daggett, who also serves as Executive Vice President of the International Longshoremen’s Association and President of the ILA Local 1804-1. “Together, IDC leadership, representing 140,000 dockworkers worldwide will strengthen the international solidarity that defines the IDC, exchange experiences, and set the priorities that will guide our organization in the years ahead.”
From November 17–19, 2026, the 10th IDC General Assembly will take place at the Othon Palace Copacabana Hotel in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The IDC will welcome hundreds of delegates, union leaders, and activists from ports across every continent.
“Automation is already transforming our industry. In Rio, we will define the strategies needed to ensure that dockworkers never bear the cost of progress,” said the IDC’s Daggett. “We will not wait until decisions affecting our jobs and our future are made without us. Together, we will anticipate the challenges ahead, lead the conversation about the future of our industry, and ensure that dockworkers have a seat at the table where decisions about our future are made.”
IDC International Labor Coordinator Jordi Aragunde added: “We are confident that Rio 2026 will strengthen our unity, reinforce our determination, and send us home with a clear roadmap for the future.
“We Will Never Walk Alone Again. If We Are Together, It’s Impossible to Fail.”
For more information about the 10th IDC General Assembly, please email queries to Xavier Bellido, IDC Secretariat at [email protected]
Media interested in information regarding the Assembly should direct questions to: [email protected].
In the photo below, IDC leadership in front of IDC General Assembly poster. From left to right, Jordi Aragundi, IDC International Labor Coordinator; Dennis A. Daggett, IDC General Coordinator; and Kenneth Riley, East Coast (USA) Zone Coordinator.
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Prayers for all.be safe enjoy and get things worked out as well for the unions
Mr. Dennis Daggett thank you so much for your leadership.
WE ARE THE INTERNATIONAL LONGSHOREMEN’S ASSOCIATION
ESTABLISHED 1892
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
16 CommentsComment on Facebook
You're doing great work ILA!
Is that a shirt? Love it
And doing a great job
God bless the ILA 1804-1
Where’s the west coast?
💯
Work slow as hell in Norfolk VA...the docks running us at this point
ILA Strong💪
Sad day at the Port of Baltimore today,we lost a brother thismorning. 🙏
Yesir ILA 1694
Go Union
ILA local 333
Right on we are all strong
Baltimore doesn't show up and it is a working hard port as well
A MESSAGE FROM ILA INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT DENNIS A. DAGGETT:
The Battle for the ILA: How the Rank and File Saved Their Union
This week I had the privilege of attending the International Longshoremen’s Association South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District Convention. It was an honor to address the delegates at the invitation of District President Alan Robb. Looking around the convention hall, I couldn’t help but think about how fortunate every ILA member is to still stand beneath the ILA flag.
Many of our newer members know about the 2024 strike and the fight against automation, but few know that there was a time when the ILA itself was fighting simply to survive.
In 1953, following investigations into corruption on the New York waterfront, the American Federation of Labor (AFL) expelled the ILA from its ranks and chartered a rival organization known as the International Brotherhood of Longshoremen (IBL). The stated purpose was to replace the ILA as the bargaining representative for waterfront workers.
The effort to replace the ILA was supported by influential political and labor leaders of the day. New York Governor Thomas E. Dewey publicly opposed the ILA and supported efforts that ultimately led to repeated representation elections on the waterfront. AFL President George Meany urged longshore workers to abandon the ILA in favor of the IBL. Paul Hall, then a leading official of the Seafarers’ International Union, became one of the principal supporters of the IBL campaign.
For waterfront families, this was far more than a jurisdictional dispute.
Brothers stood against brothers. Fathers and sons found themselves on opposite sides of the hiring line. Friendships that had lasted a lifetime were destroyed. Entire waterfront communities were divided over one question:
Who would represent the American East Coast longshoremen?
The first major National Labor Relations Board election was held on December 23 and 24, 1953, with approximately 17,000 longshore workers voting in the Port of New York. The ILA won the election. However, the results were challenged and later set aside, resulting in another election.
Despite enormous political pressure, another NLRB election was held on May 26, 1954. Once again, the membership chose the ILA. The results were ultimately certified, preserving the ILA as the bargaining representative in the Port of New York.
The IBL refused to concede and forced another representation election in 1956.
Once again, the waterfront voted for the ILA.
Three separate representation elections produced the same result. The men on the docks repeatedly chose the International Longshoremen’s Association over the organization created to replace it.
By 1959, the effort to replace the ILA had collapsed. The IBL dissolved, and its remaining Great Lakes organization returned to the ILA.
The lesson for today’s members is straightforward.
The ILA was not preserved by politicians.
It was not preserved by newspaper editorials.
It was not preserved by government agencies.
It was preserved because thousands of rank-and-file longshore workers cast their votes and refused to surrender the union that generations before them had built.
That history should never be forgotten, because every ILA member working under today’s Master Contract is benefiting from a decision made by courageous dockworkers more than seventy years ago, and by God’s grace, We are still the ILA….
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Long Live the ILA!
Go Union
Such great history, I never knew this of George Meany!!
Port of NY/NJ
December 1953
ILA MEMBERS CAMPAIGN TO SECURE VICTORY IN NLRB ELECTION AGAINST IBL
On December 23rd and 24th of 1953, 17,000 Longshoremen voted in a National Labor Relations Board election that took place between the International Longshoremen’s Association and the International Brotherhood of Longshoremen to determine representation at the Port of New York.
The ILA was victorious despite aggressive IBL campaigning.
The IBL did not go quietly as another election took place in 1954.
Once again, the ILA was victorious.
The IBL forced a third election in 1956 and, once again, was defeated.
In 1959, the IBL was officially dissolved.
Never forget the sacrifices our ILA brothers and sisters made to make our great union into what it is today!
(Pictured below are ILA members with signs encouraging their union brothers to “STAY IN THE ILA ALL THE WAY”)
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
Int'l Longshoremen's
4 CommentsComment on Facebook
Tony Anastasio was a great man. He got all the benefits for my grandfather and the longshoremen. Same with Albert Both helped him out with ain issue back in the 1940s. He shared a lit with me.about them and despite what is known about them, there's a lot of good about them that's, sadly, not known. Thanks RIP🙏
I was there and voted in both elections. Local 895.
Nice my dad. S f. Retired. 1971. Labor is what we sell.
Great many stories about him and others
Galveston, TX
ILA International General Organizer John Baker is proudly joined by his family at the 93rd South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District Convention in Galveston, TX
In photograph, left to right, are:
Michael Baker, Atlantic Coast District Vice President
John Baker, ILA International General Organizer
John Baker, Jr., ILA International Vice President
Johnny Baker, Son of John Baker, Jr. and grandson of John Baker, Sr.
Int'l Longshoremen#InternationalLongshoremensAssociationssociation
15 CommentsComment on Facebook
Looking good guys! I’m so glad I had the privilege of working with you.
Great Cleveland family and friends
A rock solid family!!
Looking good old friends
ILA Proud!Family is everything!
Great ILA Family! Union Proud!
Great picture 1317!! ILA
1317 proud. Nice pic
Great family photo and tradition guys .
There's a generational oicture for the books!!! ILA STRONG!!!
Right koiw bymly the the mates the back bone of the longshoremen God bless you my mates
Great picture!
Great picture. Union Strong 💪
Great picture I l a proud for sure
Blessings
Galveston, TX
93RD SOUTH ATLANTIC AND GULF COAST DISTRICT CONVENTION
ILA SAGCD Vice President/Local 1504-8 President Rodney Priestley is surrounded and congratulated immediately following the election of the district officers’ at the South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District Convention in Galveston, TX.
Priestley proudly represents his hometown ILA Local 1504-8 as he was born and raised in Galveston, TX.
Int'l Longshoremen's ILA South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL!!!
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
10 CommentsComment on Facebook
Congratulations Prez love you Boi
Well deserved!
thank you, my brother you are a class act
Bravo
Congratulations
Congratulations
Congratulations 🎉
Congratulations
NEWLY ELECTED SOUTH ATLANTIC AND GULF COAST DISTRICT OFFICERS; 93rd Convention of the ILA’s South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District culminated in election of officers on Thursday, July 30, 2026. ILA Executive Vice President Dennis A. Daggett officially swore in new officers. Pictured here are newly elected District Officers, Representatives. Lower Level, (left to right) Mark Bass, Rodney Priestley, Tim Harris, Gilbert Arreazola, Ryan Willams, Mark Bridges, Henry Glover, Darius Johnson, James Campbell, Dwayne Boudreaux, Benny Holland, Clyde Fitzgerald, Eloy Cortez, John Williams, Richard Nixon, Paul Mosley, Johnnie Dixon, Luis Gonzalez, Daniel Teague, Leonard Bailey, Charles Seaton, John Ellis, Kenny Riley, and Benny Bryan.
Top Row left to right : Torin Ragin, Bill Williams, Charles Spencer, Alan Robb, Wilbert Rowell, Willie Seymore, Jim McNamara, and Dennis Daggett
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
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Galveston, TX
ILA 1422A
PORT OF CHARLESTON
ILA 1422-A out of the Port of Charleston representing at The South Atlantic & Gulf Coast District Convention
Left to Right:
Matt Givens, Exec. Board
Antwan Green, Delegate
Jeremiah Perry, Vice Pres.
Jamie Brown, Delegate
Clarence Heyward, Delegate
Leonard Bailey, President
Isaiah Pinckney, Exec. Board
Randy Edwards, Retiree
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
21 CommentsComment on Facebook
Stone cold say twenty-five good year and still at the top of my game
1422A that's how you represent. Team work not I💪🏽💯🎯
1422A representing💪🏾
PORT OF HOUSTON LOCAL#24 PROUD
ILA For Every LOCAL 1408 You Brother Be Bless.
Very nice representation fellas
💪🏿💪🏿💪🏿💪🏿💪🏿
💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽
💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾
❤️💯💪🏾🙏🏾
💪🏿💪🏿💪🏿
🫡🫡🫡
💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾
Nice @!
Great Picture guys.
Looking amazing
Congratulations 🙌🏽🙌🏽💪💪💪
ILA 1416 miami florida
Alan A. Robb Re-elected President of the ILA’s South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District; All Executive District Officers Re-elected To New Four-Year Terms Along with 20 District Vice Presidents
GALVESTON, TX (July 29, 2026) Alan A. Robb was unanimously re-elected to his third term as District President of the International Longshoremen’s Association’s South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District on the final day of the union’s 93rd Convention held here in the Port City of Galveston, Texas. Five other District Executive Officers were also unanimously re-elected to new four-year terms, along with 10 Vice Presidents from South Atlantic ports and 10 Vice Presidents from Gulf ports.
“Thank you all for your support and faith in me,” said District President Robb following his election. “We have a lot of work in front of us and a great team to get it done.”
Willie J. Seymore, District Executive Vice President; Bill Williams, District Secretary-Treasurer; Wilbert Rowell, District Assistant Secretary-Treasurer; Clyde Fitzgerald, District President Emeritus; and Charles Spencer, District Executive Vice President Emeritus, all received unanimous support for re-election in their respective offices, from the hundreds of Convention delegates in attendance at the Galveston Convention Center, the site of the four-day District Convention.
International ILA Executive Vice President Dennis A. Daggett administered the oath of office for the District Officers.
The South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District Executive Board includes 10 Vice Presidents from South Atlantic Ports and 10 Vice Presidents from Gulf Ports.
Re-elected as Vice President from Gulf Ports were James Campbell; Dwayne Boudreaux; Darius Johnson; Mark Bass; Tim Harris; Gilbert Arreazola; Rodney Priestley; Mark Bridges and Henry Glover. Ryan Williams was elected as a new Vice President from the Gulf Ports.
The re-elected Vice Presidents from South Atlantic Ports included: Benjamine Bryan; Luis Gonzalez; Kenneth Riley; Daniel Teague; Charles Seaton; Lonard Bailey; Greg Washington; Paul Mosley; and Johnnie Dixon. Joining the South Atlantic Executive Board as a newly elected Vice President is John Ellis.
6 CommentsComment on Facebook
Congratulations Brothers!!🎉🎉✊
Congratulations to all!!
Congratulations!!!
Congratulation’s💙
Congratulations 🎉!
Congratulations
Galveston, TX
ILA International Executive Vice President Dennis A. Daggett is center stage as he prepares to swear in the newly elected officers of the South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District at the Galveston Convention Center in Galveston, TX.
Daggett is joined on stage by SAGCD Secretary Treasurer Bill Williams, Sr.
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
1 CommentComment on Facebook
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