NORTH BERGEN, NJ – (June 20, 2017) The International Longshoremen’s Association today announced its endorsement of Phil Murphy for Governor of New Jersey.
“On behalf of the thousands of members of the International Longshoremen’s Association who work and reside in New Jersey, I am proud to announce that our union endorses you for Governor of New Jersey,” ILA President Harold J. Daggett said in a letter to Mr. Murphy. New Jersey is home to several of the largest ILA locals and busiest port areas, noted President Daggett whose membership works at docks on the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, Great Lakes region, Eastern Canada and Puerto Rico.
“New Jersey may be the most important State in the ILA’s jurisdiction and we need strong leadership in our New Jersey Governor,” Daggett continued. “Phil Murphy represents that strong leadership.”
The ILA said that Mr. Murphy offers New Jersey the best path to success and to reverse the devastation the Garden State has suffered the past eight years under Governor Christie. The ILA said Mr. Murphy’s opponent for Governor, Kim Guadagno, has served under Christie for the past eight years as Lieutenant Governor, and would continue the horrible anti-labor, anti-worker agenda of the current Republican Governor.
The ILA’s enthusiasm for Phil Murphy has blossomed over the past several months as candidate Murphy has made himself available for several meetings with the union’s leadership.
“Along with my Executive Vice President Dennis Daggett, we appreciated the chance to meet with you on a number of occasions to discuss your vision for New Jersey and its citizens,” said ILA President Daggett. “We are grateful for your commitment to prevent and eliminate outside government agencies from interfering with our Collective Bargaining Agreement and to help maintain the Port of New York and New Jersey’s status as one of this nation’s leading ports.”
The ILA noted that Mr. Murphy’s commitment to the ILA and its work force extends to the Port of Camden, New Jersey to the south.