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
ILA LOCAL 1422 UNION HALL
DEEP SEA LONGSHORE
ESTABLISHED 1936
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Local 1422💪
Post pics of inside would love to see
As a retired ILWU Foreman, I stopped by and AT gave me a great tour of your new hall. Love the decor....Solidarity brothers!
Port Newark, NJ
March 25, 2014
THE ILA AND THE DAGGETT ADMINISTRATION SCORES A HUGE VICTORY IN THE FIGHT TO ELIMINATE THE WATERFRONT COMMISSION AT THE PORT OF NEW JERSEY
Back in March of 2014, ILA International President Harold J. Daggett speaks to ILA members at Maher Terminals at a news conference expressing to all that The Waterfront Commission must stop harassing ILA members and needs to be dissolved as it hurts the hiring of qualified workers as well as the economic needs of the port.
The fight lasted nine long years, but on April 18, 2023 The United States Supreme Court ruled unanimously that New Jersey can withdraw from the Waterfront Commission.
Since that time the ILA has welcomed the arrival of the New Jersey State Police to the Port of New Jersey, recognizing that they have brought professionalism, transparency and accountability to the administration of the port.
@ilaunion
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
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Good riddance!
Can I be down
THE DOCKS ARE OURS!
WE ARE THE INTERNATIONAL LONGSHOREMEN’S ASSOCIATION
ESTABLISHED 1892
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
26 CommentsComment on Facebook
Solidarity to the Dockers.
Go Union
ILWU Local 29 !!!
Robots don’t pay. Taxes
ILA Strong 💪🏾 1423
Union STRONG 💪🏽
ILA all the way!!!
ILA strong Brothers! 💪 ❤️,
My son is the third generation I just hope he doesn’t lose his job to automation it’s becoming scary 😱 ILA 269
ILA all the way!!!
I longshored for 42 years, My dad and 3 Uncles Longshored for 43 years. My Grandfather Longshored from 1936 until 1966. It is the greatest job in the world. Remember those who laid the groundwork before us with their blood, sweat, and tears. Remember the Pensioners.
I wish Charleston could say that 🫠
❤️
🫡🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
ILA Skrong
1426
ILA 1414💯💯💯✊🏾
Love it 💪🏼
Real talk
Retired ILA 24..
ILA 1771 👊💪
1408 💪
Fact!!
Fuck that. The docks do not belong to y'all. They are owned by the state. I fucking hate their mentality Its a shit load of non-union jobs and businesses that are extortioned to support y'all. It's fucking pitiful.
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
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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
#InternationalLongshoremensAssociation
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Prayers for all.
Happy Easter to all ..God bless everyone and keep you safe🙏🙏🙏
Amen local 25 ILWU
Happy Easter ILA! ❤️
Happy Easter, God Bless the ILA
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 🙏 ❤️
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
Happy Easter.God Bless All ILA
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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!
34 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?
they need to think about the "security" aspects... robots and computers are easily manipulated
You have to RAGE against the Machine !!!!
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 THE PEOPLE " That's my take. !!
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 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.
 Forget about automation. Longshoremen do the job— ILA all the way! 🇺🇸💪
I. L.A. 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
Yikes.. hope not
Fight, Don’t let it happen!!
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
Artistic and allegoricaly meaningful photo. The sun(son)rises in strength and grace over our industrious endeavors.
Thank you my brother
Happy Easter from ILA 1997 Oshawa Ontario Canada
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
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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