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 Charleston
THE INTERNATIONAL LONGSHOREMEN’S ASSOCIATION CLERKS AND CHECKERS
ILA Local 1771 President Lance McLaughlin in “The Kitchen” with the Clerks and Checkers at the Port of Charleston.
Clerks and checkers for the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) are responsible for documenting, inspecting, and tracking cargo during loading and unloading. They verify container numbers, ISO codes, and seals, while managing logistics paperwork to ensure accuracy and safety in marine terminals and on ships.
Core Responsibilities of ILA Clerks and Checkers:
• Cargo Documentation: They create inbound/outbound tickets, inspect cargo for damage, and record seal numbers, often using handheld scanners.
• Terminal Operations: They manage the flow of containers in the yard, acting as a liaison between trucks and vessel loading operations.
• Vessel Loading/Discharging: Checkers monitor which hatch or hold is being worked on and track all cargo movement.
• Specialized Roles: They may act as signalmen for crane operators, or as clerks, timekeepers, or weighers.
•Logistics Efficiency: They ensure container numbers, chassis numbers, and cargo details match official paperwork to prevent errors.
Pre-Stow export containers prior to loading to ensure proper vessel weight displacement and also proper Port of Discharge are accurate.
Yard planners stow import containers in container yards to ensure truck drivers can pick up an outbound container in a timely fashion.
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
1 CommentComment on Facebook
Charleston Gate Clerks are the Best!! Thank You Kenny Oelkers for the job you do Educating the ILA from Maine to Texas and around the Globe!!🇺🇸
Every day, longshoremen show up before sunrise, in the heat, in the cold, in the uncertainty of changing times. You carry more than cargo—you carry families, communities, and a legacy of hard work and solidarity.
Easter reminds us:
• The stone was heavy—but it was moved
• The struggle was real—but it did not win
• The sacrifice was great—but so was the victory
Just like on the waterfront, where nothing moves without strength, skill, and unity—God’s promise is that perseverance leads to purpose.
• The struggle was real—but it did not win
• The sacrifice was great—but so was the victory
Just like on the waterfront, where nothing moves without strength, skill, and unity—God’s promise is that perseverance leads to purpose.
To every longshoreman:
Your work matters.
Your fight matters.
Your brotherhood and sisterhood matter.
And just like Easter morning—what feels like pressure today can become power tomorrow.
Stand strong. Stay united. Keep building.
He is risen—and so is the strength within you.
Shared to us by ILA International Vice President/South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District Secretary Treasurer Bill Williams.
Thank You!!
@ilaunion @ilasagcd
8 CommentsComment on Facebook
God's Blessings to all the Men & Woman . For the dedicated time , traveling to and from the job. There hard work and commitment. With good & bad weather they make things happen. God Bless y'all 🙌 🙏 ❤️ keeping you safe on the job. Traveling 🙏 ❤️
Happy Easter to all ..God bless everyone and keep you safe🙏🙏🙏
Amen local 25 ILWU
Happy Easter ILA! ❤️
Happy Easter, God Bless the ILA
My dad san francisco. Retired 1971. He ran the gear room for years. Slings tent etc. allways ready with his crew on the weekends for line jobs. Made great money. Californa stevadore and ballast. Labor is what we sell
5 CommentsComment on Facebook
GOD BLESS THE ILA….🤘🍷🍷
Happy Easter to all my brothers and sisters & ty to our local that works so hard for all of us & our families God bless 1804-1
Please take a moment to watch this video that was shared to us by “Crane Daddy” out of the West Coast Longshoremen’s Union ILWU Local 13 out of Los Angeles/Long Beach, California.
Thank You!
33 CommentsComment on Facebook
We got to evolve with the work I understand that part but we can’t displace the worker! Machines don’t have family’s, machines don’t pay taxes and machines don’t support small business! We do the blue collar dock workers, iron workers, farmers, plumbers and boiler makers, electricians, brick masons and every other blue collar Americans tradesmen in the country we are the back bone don’t let them replace us with AI and robots!
Crane Daddy, didn’t your international representatives agree in negotiations to allow automation in exchange for added jurisdiction for other functions and wage increases?
You have to RAGE against the Machine !!!!
they need to think about the "security" aspects... robots and computers are easily manipulated
I’m a retired longshoremen, it was a great job. Great pay now I have a great pension and have great benefits. God bless the. ILA
We need to be on the offensive! We have to be ahead of the evolving industry. Every job we have is important and we need to capture anything new coming down the pipeline! The premium Jobs (paceco/Rtg Operators, CWS, Planners, ect) need to be guarded at all cost. The locals need to make sure we are always moving the needle. I agree automation never sleeps and always fills the jobs. However, Automation cannot switch gears when a problem arises. The Future is up to us.
" WE THE PEOPLE " That's my take. !!
We need Public Realtions ! The rest of there USA needs to realize if this happens at the ports it will come for all industries. "An injury to one is an injury to all"
It's a hard pill to swallow, but it's the truth. I need to convince my youngest to learn this new work.
I. L.A. all the way
 Forget about automation. Longshoremen do the job— ILA all the way! 🇺🇸💪
Thanks bro we down here in Texas getting ready to fight it too, but i know one day it's gonna come let's just hope it's semi automation.
No people no ports MUNZ NZ
Reezy Passmore I don't understand why any of the ports in America are foreign owned either.
One EMP or hacker could cut off Americas life source. Automation is a national security risk. Longshoremen are not
It's been proven not to be faster or more efficient. Fight it! 💪 51 yrs 1317 ILA
Also the Desimatiin of the Grid. What then. Nothing will take the complete replacement of Man.
Niek Stam
🫡
We say no to automation Local 28
Fight, Don’t let it happen!!
ILA All the way
HAPPY EASTER TO ALL ILA MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES!!
MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!
Photo Credit:
Casey Kilby
ILA Local 1804-1
APM Terminals
Port Elizabeth, NJ
Thank You!!
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
9 CommentsComment on Facebook
Thank you my brother
Happy Easter from ILA 1997 Oshawa Ontario Canada
Artistic and allegoricaly meaningful photo. The sun(son)rises in strength and grace over our industrious endeavors.
Your family as well
Happy Easter brothers & sisters
Port of Baltimore
THE PORT OF BALTIMORE RESPECTS AND SALUTES THE INTERNATIONAL LONGSHOREMEN’S ASSOCIATION
Statement from the Port Baltimore:
“Off to a great start in 2026 with another record for containers! Seagirt Marine Terminal had its fourth best month ever in March.
Thanks to our partners, Ports America Chesapeake and International Longshoremen’s Association, we set new a new record of 109,827 twenty-foot equivalent units (containers). Nice work team!”
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
1 CommentComment on Facebook
Hola. Mi nombre es José Angel González Infante (Joseito) CI: 97061308369. Necesito ser rescatado del país llamado Cuba por prisión política en mi contra. Pago alrededor de 2.600 mil millones en respaldo para la moneda. Necesito el rescate con urgencia y pago más por la rapidez. También necesito personal armado a mi disposición y con dispositivos para la conexión satelital. Mi teléfono celular es +53 55947889.
This video was showcased and displayed at the most recent ILA Local 1804-1 Union Meeting…..we have been asked by many members if they can see it again….we are proud to share this ILA history video with all members from Maine to Texas, the Great Lakes, Puerto Rico, Eastern Canada and the Bahamas….
We are the International Longshoremen’s Association….Established 1892
7 CommentsComment on Facebook
Truly educational. Great peace of history. 👍👍
Great video ILA all the way. ❤️
That's an Awesome video. Great job Kenny 👍
Amazing work, Kenny !!!
💯
What a beautiful video!! ❤️💪..Thanks for sharing
Great video!!! Great work Kenny
Port of NY/NJ
PORTER APPOINTED BUSINESS AGENT OF ILA LOCAL 1804-1
Please join us in congratulating Brian Porter on his appointment as Business Agent of ILA Local 1804-1.
The International Longshoremen’s Association is proud to announce the appointment of Brian Porter as Business Agent of ILA Local 1804-1.
Porter was appointed by President Dennis A. Daggett at the ILA Local 1804-1 Union Meeting that took place at the Short Hills Hilton Hotel in Short Hills, NJ on April 1, 2026.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
122 CommentsComment on Facebook
Congratulations!
Congratulations Brain!! No doubt you’re going to do great!!
Congratulations
Awesome congratulations 👏
Congratulations brian!!!!
Congrats Brian !!!!
Congratulations!
Congratulations
God Speed Brother
Congratulations!
Congratulations Brian!!!
Congratulations Brian welcome to our family brother it was a great meeting.
Congratulations best of luck....
Congratulations 🎉
Congratulations my brother Brian Porter!!
Congratulations Brian well deserved!!!
Congrats Brian!
Congratulations
Congratulations Brother
Congratulations Brian! 👏🏻✊🏻🙏🏻❤️🇺🇸
Congratulations!
Congratulations Brian!
Port of NY/NJ
ILA LOCAL 1804-1
MAINTENANCE & REPAIR
ESTABLISHED 1953
The International Longshoremen’s Association Local 1804-1 Union Meeting took place on April 1, 2026 at the Short Hills Hilton Hotel in Short Hills, NJ.
1 CommentComment on Facebook
Port of NY/NJ
ILA LOCAL 1804-1 VICE PRESIDENT JOHN DAGGETT ADDRESSES THE MEMBERSHIP AT THEIR MONTHLY MEETING AT THE SHORT HILLS HILTON HOTEL IN SHORT HILLS, NJ
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
4 CommentsComment on Facebook
Blaze 🔥
My pal Blaze.. and the entire family! Much love and respect!
Great meeting best representatives for any local I've ever seen ty John & the members of 1804-1.
Go Union