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 Boston
THE ILA DOES NOT STOP
24/7
3 gangs working tonight in the Port of Boston. ILA Boston Locals 799, 800, 805, 1066, and 1604 on the docks!!
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Be safe out there. ILA...ALL DAY EVERY DAY
THIS IS THE INTERNATIONAL LONGSHOREMEN’S ASSOCIATION
OUR HISTORY….OUR LEGACY
For the past week, we have collaborated with ILA Local 1814 member John Seery to put together some of the most incredible photographs of our history that leads right up until today.
Thank you brother John Seery for always supporting this page and answering the call whenever we reach out to you.
Much appreciated!
Please take a few minutes to watch this video….
This is the International Longshoremen’s Association….this is your union….this is what we do every day to keep the world moving!
BROTHERS AND SISTERS!!
WE ARE THE ILA!!
ESTABLISHED 1892
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Orientation for the job should be a week of labor such as this so that they can be grateful for all that we have today. So many take what we have for granted never once to think what our past brothers and sisters endured.
I’m probably the last generation to hand stow a ship. Don’t forget about us old timers during contract negotiations. We could always use a cost of living adjustment. The longshoreman that paved the way for this generation worked their butts off. Or broken down bodies testify to that.
Great job!!
Love this !! ❤️❤️❤️💪💪💪
Great Video!!
PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY WAS ASSASSINATED ON THIS DAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1963 IN DALLAS, TEXAS
Port of Boston
1946
KENNEDY VISITS WITH ILA INTERNATIONAL VICE PRESIDENT DANIEL J. DONOVAN AT THE PORT OF BOSTON
(Pictured left to right)
A young congressman named John F. Kennedy visits with ILA International Vice President Daniel J. Donovan on the Boston waterfront during the winter of 1946.
Fifteen years later, on January 20, 1961, Kennedy would be sworn in as the 35th President of the United States of America.
Two years after that, on November 22, 1963, John Fitzgerald Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. JFK was the youngest person ever elected President of United States at 43 years of age.
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LEADERSHIP THAT’S SECOND TO NONE…A LABOR LEADER THAT IS KNOWN ALL AROUND THE WORLD…ILA INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT HAROLD J. DAGGETT
Please click link below to watch President Daggett’s opening speech at the Anti-Automation Conference on November 5, 2025 in Lisbon, Portugal
youtu.be/4ov5VmokxnE
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👍💪
Outstanding
THE BEST PRESIDENT HAROLD DAGGETT 👏 ⚓️
The best
God bless
Truly second to none.
Superb leadership. 💪🙌
Numero Uno !!! NOBODY says it better !!
Thank You!
ILA INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT HAROLD J. DAGGETT’S OPENING SPEECH AT THE ANTI-AUTOMATION CONFERENCE ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2025 IN LISBON, PORTUGAL
Watch ILA President Harold J. Daggett’s Keynote Address At The Anti-Automation Conference In Lisbon, Portugal.
President Daggett Calls For Formation of Global Maritime Alliance To
Collectively Act Against Massive Job Losses Through Automation.
LISBON, PORTUGAL – Watch Harold J. Daggett, the leader of the 85,000-member International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) open the historic “People Over Profits: Anti-Automation Conference” in Lisbon, Portugal on November 5, 2025, and tell nearly a thousand dockworker and maritime union members in attendance that the threat of automation is “a full-blown attack on our very existence.” The ILA International President called on all Dockers and Maritime Unions to join a Global Maritime Alliance that would target and strike companies that introduced or expanded automation at waterfront facilities in any port around the world.
Harold J. Daggett, President of the ILA, in the keynote address at the start of the two-day summit held at at the Pavilhão Carolos Lopes Convention Center in Lisbon, Portugal, delivered a powerful, yet ominous message to the large gathering about the intent of their employers and the threat to workers everywhere.
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Powerful message sent💪
Harold incredible message!! There is no one more passionate and honest about the preservation of our jobs!! You saw this coming years ago, and we are so lucky to have you fighting for all of us and our families!! Thank you and we stand behind you!!💪🇺🇸👊
Outstanding!!!!
SEALAND MAKES HISTORY AND CHANGES THE SHIPPING INDUSTRY FOREVER BY INTRODUCING THE WORLD TO CONTAINERIZATION
The original SeaLand was founded by Malcolm McLean, an American trucking entrepreneur who revolutionized the shipping industry by packing goods into containers which can be transported quickly.
On April 26, 1956, McLean introduced the world’s first container ship, the Ideal X, which sailed from Newark, NJ to Houston, TX with 58 containers on its deck.
In 1999, Maersk Line bought SeaLand and it is now known as one of the largest container shipping lines in the world.
ILA International President Harold J. Daggett began his career in the ILA in 1967 and moved over to SeaLand in 1968 and remained there until he became a delegate for ILA Local 1804-1 in 1980.
(Click on the link below for more information on the history of SeaLand)
www.mgar.net/sealand2.htm
@ilaunion @ilasagcd @ila1804_1official
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They had a unique pin in the back. To lock down the container to the chassis..
The original containers were 35 feet long
This pin took off a few noses locking them down. Had to use a long bar to lock, sometimes it slipped. All propane rough riding hustlers back then.
I was there when they moved to Tacoma, mechanic, still were using 35 foot containers, no steel boxes just aluminum. We fixed everything back then.
Had an uncle Joe Delelis that spent his carrier at Sealand in Port of Ny/Nj. I too worked that port for 30 years.
Those 35’- 40’- and 45- containers were a trip.
My Mother worked at Sea Land in the late 80s
When Sea Land built their terminal in Anchorage, the wearhouse part was built to hold 35 ft. containers with the doors closed. 20 double doors. All become useless for what it was intended for. They removed the concrete and made some bays longer and unload vehicles in the wearhouse nowadays .
Oh' No' containers will end our longshore jobs...Never happened
I got to work on this ship a couple of times before it was scrapped
I started in the 'SeaLand Yard' at the Port of Charleston in the mid 90's. I still remember when Maersk bought them out and the yards merged. Started getting real busy real fast!!
I'm third generation my dad was first Paceco crane operator for Sealand port of Houston
I worked for Sea-Land for over 20 yrs, on their ships & on the piers great times & great outfit😎👍
Amazing I love reading the history of the shipping industry and ILA
Yes I remember sea land in New jersey ports!
I'm 3rd generation, and thankful
Wow a name I've known all my life 💕
Thank you Harold.💪
My father worked there for his whole career 🥰
Excelente Cia. trabajamos 40-50 truck por varios años y nos fue 👍, nos gustaria que regresaran al South de la Florida… 👍
ILA strong. Essential to the world
Rhasan Thomas the container operation here.
En los 80 lo trabajamos en el puerto de Algeciras las grúas portainer ya estaban el propio barco descargaba y cargaba sus contenedores recuerdo el nombre de uno de ellos creo que era el Birmingham
Yo empecé a trabajar en el 1965
Built Sealand ships in 'TODD'S shipyard in San Pedro,ca.
Port of NY/NJ
“JUST A MAN AND HIS MACHINE”
ILA Local 920 member Kenny Robles, out of Howland Hook Marine Terminal in Staten Island, NY, getting it done on the docks!
Have a safe day ILA sisters and brothers!
Thank you for sharing Brother Kenny Robles.
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Brothers & sisters❤️
ILA STRONG 💪🏻💪🏻
Can ya hire me! I'm a vet and I want to get into it
Port of Newark
Go Union
Port of Boston
ILA MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR
ILA Local 800 member Colin Bromley is a container repair specialist. In photograph, brother Bromley is fixing a damaged tunnel rail at the Port of Boston.
Photo Credit:
Warren McMaster, ILA Local 799
Thank You!
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M&R 💪
Goodstuff!
Port Miami
Beautiful photograph of the palm trees and cranes as the sunsets this evening at Port Miami.
Have a great week ILA sisters and brothers!
Stay safe!
May God Bless you and your families!
Photo Credit:
Port Miami
Thank You!
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Port of Boston
ILA Boston Locals breaks ground at Flynn Cruiseport Boston for the 2025 Cruise Season Wrap Up and Modernization Project Celebration!
In photograph left to right:
Eugene Stancato, ILA Local 800 Vice President
George McEvoy, ACD Vice President
Bernie O’Donnell, ILA International Vice President
John Sharkey, ILA Local 1066 Business Agent
Rob Luzzo, ILA Local 1604 Business Agent
Bobby Hickey, ILA Local 799 Business Agent
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Robert Hickey, you’re gonna have to break out the suits and fancy shoes now that you’re the business agent lol.
Looks like some of there first time holding a shovel
Really liking the locals coming together unified. Together we are much stronger. Keep up the good work guys and to our 1604 Pres/BA Robert Luzzo
The Boston crew! Great news, great people!
Looking good boys Keep our union strong 
Great group
Good job
Sean Murphy looks like big things for you over there brother!
Awesome
Cruises are awesome!
correction : Black Falcon Cruise Terminal
Let’s Goooo! Big up George McEvoy!!!!!
I just came back from a cruise through Flynn. Every person who works there is so nice and professional!! Another reason I would book again out of Boston.
Whos the GC?
Awesome!!!
Go Union