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.”
SEE THE ORIGINAL SIGNED LETTER
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.
Read 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. 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!!!