Education

ILA Education/History

6 hours ago

ILA SISTERS AND BROTHERS!!
PLEASE READ THIS IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM OUR INTERNATIONAL:

ILA President Harold J. Daggett Achieves Success With Deeply Personal Goal Of Securing Generous Death Benefits For Families of ILA Members Killed on the Job

NORTH BERGEN, NJ (August 6, 2026) For decades, securing robust financial protections for the families of ILA longshore workers killed on the job was a primary, deeply personal goal for International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) President Harold J. Daggett. The waterfront has historically been one of the most hazardous work environments in the world, where heavy machinery, massive shipping containers, and unpredictable conditions pose daily risks to life and limb. Recognizing that a workplace tragedy could instantly shatter a family's financial stability, Daggett long maintained that the union's ultimate responsibility extended beyond active wages to the permanent security of a member's loved ones left behind.
ILA President Daggett spent many sleepless nights following the death of an ILA member killed on the job. He was most troubled that the families of ILA members left behind, grieving over the loss of their loved one, but also facing daunting financial challenges. Food and clothing expenses; home mortgages and paying for education of the ILA member’s children.
Through relentless negotiation and steadfast advocacy, Daggett announced last week at the ILA’s South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District Convention that he successfully achieved this milestone, transforming the ILA’s death benefit structure into one of the most generous in the labor movement.
Earlier this week, the ILA and USMX officially announced the creation of ILA President Harold Daggett’s Master Contract Death Benefit that provides significant financial support to the families of any eligible ILA member who suffers a fatal accidental injury while working under the Master Contract.
“I truly feel the Good Lord inspired me to press hard for this overdue benefit for ILA members’ survivors,” said ILA President Daggett. “It troubled me that our employers devoted significant resources for safety training, and safety awards, but failed to consider what happens to the family of an ILA member killed on the job.
“I fought hard and long and now can announce that up to $2 million dollars will be provided to the family of an ILA longshore worker killed on the job.”
By leveraging the union's collective bargaining power, he successfully pushed employers and industry stakeholders to create a new Master Contract Death Benefit to dramatically increase the financial compensation provided to beneficiaries following a fatal workplace accident. This victory ensured that if an ILA member made the ultimate sacrifice while keeping the nation's supply chain moving, their spouse and children would not be forced to navigate immediate economic ruin or lose their homes.
The benefit will be jointly administered through a newly established Master Contract trust structure, providing meaningful support of up to $2 million, tax free, to an eligible family.
The new benefit complements the parties' successful efforts to strengthen safety initiatives throughout East and Gulf Coast ports, which have helped create the safest work environments at every port across the U.S. East and Gulf coasts.
This achievement stands as a defining pillar of Daggett’s leadership legacy, reflecting a human-centric approach to union contract negotiations. By codifying these expansive death benefits into the Master Contract, he institutionalized a permanent safety net that honors the dignity of longshore work and treats the families of fallen members with the respect they deserve. For Daggett, the victory was more than a contractual win; it fulfilled a lifelong promise to the rank-and-file membership that no ILA family would ever be left to suffer alone in the wake of a workplace tragedy. ... See MoreSee Less

ILA Education/History

6 hours ago

ILA Local 2070, Port of Chicago, Appeals For Support From Fellow ILA Members and Maritime Unions, To Save Their Jobs In Tough Jurisdictional Battle With Operating Engineers

CHICAGO, IL – (August 4, 2026) Dozens of members of International Longshoremen’s Association Local 2070 in the Port of Chicago are facing a multitude of challenges to retain their jobs at QSL, a terminal operator and stevedore located at the Iroquois Landing terminal facility. A vicious political campaign, launched by an Operating Engineers Local 150 in Chicago, is seeking to pressure local officials in the Windy City to terminate QSL’s lease, a retaliatory measure to punish ILA Local 2070 for successfully organizing workers at the QSL facility.
The Chicago based ILA Local 2070 is appealing for support from the entire rank-and-files membership of the International Longshoremen’s Association and all maritime unions, as it wages this campaign to save their jobs and the company that employs them.
Local 150 is trying to undo the recent success of the ILA organizing campaign with QSL employees with its all-out, crusade against the ILA and QSL. As part of its public smear campaign, Local 150 is calling for the Port District to terminate QSL’s lease—which will mean that these employees who have built careers and raised families working in the Port will be out of a job. It will also damage the City of Chicago economically, requiring the Port to shut down while a new licensed stevedore is located through an often protracted bidding process. This does not serve the people of Chicago; it only serves the interests of Local 150.
At the time the ILA was recognized as the exclusive collective bargaining representative of longshore workers at QSL’s marine terminal facilities in the Port of Chicago in November 2025, Operating Engineers Local 150 had publicly informed QSL that it had disclaimed any interest in representing QSL employees or seeking recognition from QSL.
For decades, the Operating Engineers had represented crane operators employed by a subcontractor at Iroquois Landing without showing any interest in organizing longshore workers at the facility, according to ILA General Organizer John D. Baker, who directed the organizing campaign at QSL with ILA Local 2070. Baker believes that when QSL recently canceled its lease with the subcontractor that employed the Local 150-represented crane operators, they seemed bent on revenge against QSL; and now the ILA longshoremen stand to suffer.
To counter the Operating Engineers ugly campaign, ILA Local 2070 members sent letters to Chicago City officials urging them to support QSL and ILA members.
“We are writing to respectfully ask that you reconsider the decision to close our workplace,” ILA Local 2070 members wrote. “This decision (to cancel QSL’s lease) affects not only the business, but also the dedicated employees who have devoted years of hard work, loyalty, and service. We have proudly worked at QSL for as long as 20 years. During that time, we have consistently worked hard to perform our jobs with professionalism, support our coworkers, and provide the best service possible. For us, this job is more than just a paycheck—it is how we provide for ourselves and our families.”
In their collective letter, ILA Local 2070 members described their gratitude for having the ILA represent them:
“Our voice was heard when we chose the ILA as our union. When we became ILA union
members, we understood we were investing in a better future for ourselves and our
coworkers. The union helped us achieve improved wages, better benefits, stronger
workplace protections, and a voice in matters that affect our jobs and our families. Those
improvements have made a meaningful difference in our lives. The ILA has also
strengthened the company’s commitment to the community, through our CBA, which
requires them to hire first from local applicants within your wards—our friends, family, and
neighbors.”
ILA Local 2070 officers and members are urging all ILA locals and maritime unions to show their support online for Local 2070 to demonstrate that they are not alone in fighting for their jobs and livelihoods against the Operating Engineers.
A copy to ILA Local 2070 members’ letter to Chicago officials and the ILA Organizing Department’s description of the Organizing Campaign and conflict with Operating Engineers Local 150 is attached. WE ASK THAT YOU SHOW YOUR SUPPORT BY REPOSTING THESE TWO LETTERS TO YOUR OWN FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, OR OTHER SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES ALONG WITH MESSAGES OF SUPPORT FOR THE EFFORTS OF YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHICAGO!!! THANK YOU!!!

ILA Local 2070 Letter From Membership
mmmpc-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/p/knanavati/IQCcjEUt-bxtTryNx4Jb89kcAZmAUUQ2UmT_Tn425G6LiCc?e=BRx1Gi

ILA White Paper From Organizing Department
mmmpc-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/p/knanavati/IQAP9u1T83ftSrxRXfPp5XNuAUotHcd7naCH7chybLgr-g4?e=kageNW ... See MoreSee Less

ILA Education/History

11 hours ago

Port of Virginia
Hampton Roads

ILA LOCAL 970 PRESIDENT JONATHAN COLEY SWEARS IN THREE NEW MEMBERS AT UNION MEETING; MEMBERSHIP THANKFUL FOR DEATH BENEFIT

A message from ACD Vice President/ILA Local 970 President Jonathan Coley from last night’s meeting:

“We just wrapped up a very good membership meeting. Three new guys were sworn into the ILA tonight. Membership was very appreciative & thankful to President Harold Daggett & Executive Vice President Dennis Daggett for the recently announced 2 million dollar life insurance benefit.”

In photograph, ILA Local 970 President Jonathan Coley swears in the newest members of the local, left to right:
William Askew
Michael McKnight
Jae Damewood

**CONGRATULATIONS AND WELCOME TO THE ILA**

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ILA Education/History

21 hours ago

Port of Baltimore

A heartfelt message from our ILA sisters and brothers as we mourn the loss of our union Brother David Deon Smith
🙏🙏🙏🙏

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ILA Education/History

1 day ago

Port of Baltimore

The International Longshoremen’s Association mourns the loss of our fallen brother David Deon Smith
🙏🙏🙏

Tragic Accident on Monday, August 3, 2026, at Dundalk Terminals in the Port of Baltimore takes the Life of David Deon Smith, 53 years old and a longtime member of ILA Local 333. Brother Smith leaves behind a wife, three children and two grandchildren.

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ILA Education/History

1 day ago

PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO READ THIS IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM ILA INTERNATIONAL CHIEF OF STAFF JAMES MCNAMARA:

The International Longshoremen’s Association and United States Maritime Alliance Announce New Landmark Death Benefit for Longshore Workers; New Master Contract benefit underscores shared commitment to supporting longshore workers and their families; New benefit complements successful safety initiatives that have significantly reduced workplace safety incidents to the lowest point in history
NORTH BERGEN, NJ — (August 4, 2026) The United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) and the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) recently announced the creation of a new Master Contract Death Benefit that, moving forward, would provide significant financial support to the family of any eligible ILA-represented worker who suffers a fatal accidental injury while working under the Master Contract.
“I am proud to announce that USMX and the ILA have agreed to provide up to $2 million, Tax free, to the family of an ILA longshore worker killed on the job. ILA members do demanding, critically important work every day to keep America’s ports moving,” said Harold J. Daggett, International President of the International Longshoremen’s Association. “They have earned the right to guarantee that their families will be protected if accidental tragedy strikes on the job. This benefit delivers that security and shows what labor and management can accomplish when we stand together for working people. The ILA is proud to build on our partnership with USMX as we fight to protect our members, strengthen workplace safety and secure a strong future for generations of longshore workers.”
" This program reflects our shared commitment to supporting the families of those who dedicate their careers to the longshore industry and demonstrates what can be accomplished when USMX and the ILA work together to deliver meaningful solutions that support longshore workers and their families, said Paul De Maria, chief executive officer of the United States Maritime Alliance. “We will also continue to focus on the positive progress we have achieved together to significantly reduce accident and injury rates and the positive impact we are having on improving worker safety.”
The announcement reflects USMX’s and the ILA’s shared commitment to supporting longshore workers and their families while ensuring that U.S. ports remain safe, competitive and well-positioned to meet the nation's growing trade demands.
The benefit will be jointly administered through a newly established Master Contract trust structure, providing meaningful support of up to $2 million, tax free, to an eligible family.
The new benefit complements the parties' successful efforts to strengthen safety initiatives throughout East and Gulf Coast ports, which have helped create the safest work environments at every port across the U.S. East and Gulf coasts.
Since establishing the ILA-USMX Joint Safety Committee (JSC) and the JSC Safety Data Initiative to closely track and communicate data related to total manhours and incidents, there has been a significant reduction in workplace injuries and the Lost Time Incident Rate (LTIR). The LTIR has decreased approximately 15% over the past year, continuing a sustained downward trend of nearly 200% since joint safety data collection began in 2013.
On a sad and tragic note, this benefit will become available to the family of David Deon Smith, a 53-year-old ILA member of Local 333 in the Port of Baltimore, who was killed on Monday, August 3, 2026, when a large piece of equipment toppled on to him while he was working at Dundalk Marine Terminal. Brother Smith leaves behind a wife, Leana; son James; daughters Jordon Katie and Gracie and two grandchildren. ... See MoreSee Less

ILA Education/History

2 days ago

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. ... See MoreSee Less

ILA Education/History

3 days ago

WE ARE THE INTERNATIONAL LONGSHOREMEN’S ASSOCIATION
ESTABLISHED 1892

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ILA Education/History

4 days ago

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 ... See MoreSee Less