ILA President Harold J. Daggett Set To Open Union’s 56th Quadrennial Convention Monday; Over A Thousand Delegates and Guest Ready For Four-Day Convention at Diplomat Hotel in Hollywood, Florida
HOLLYWOOD, FL (July 23, 2023) The International Longshoremen’s Association is set to begin its 56th Quadrennial Convention at the Diplomat Resort Hotel in Hollywood, Florida. More than a thousand ILA Delegates and guests are expected to pack the Convention Hall on Monday morning, July 24th at 9 am when ILA President Harold Daggett bangs the gavel to start the four-day conclave.
The ILA leader, who serves as Convention Chairman, will deliver the keynote address that is expected to touch on ILA Master Contract negotiations upcoming with United States Maritime Alliance; the ILA’s strong opposition to automation; and the need for dockworker unions from around the world to unite to take on the threat of automation and other common issues.
In addition to ILA delegates from the East and Gulf Coast of the United States, Great Lakes region, Canada, and Puerto Rico; the ILA for the first time will seat delegates from the Bahamas. Bahama dockworkers affiliated with the ILA in the past year.
Scores of dockworker union leaders from the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), including their president Willie Adams, will be in attendance as well as dockworker union’s from around the world. ILWU President Adams will address the ILA Convention on Wednesday, July 26th and be joined by Paddy Crumlin, the president of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF). Jordi Aragunde of the International Dockworkers Council (IDC) will also be a featured speaker on Wednesday, showcasing the ILA’s connection and affiliation with powerful world-wide Dockworker union organizations.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy is a featured speaker on Tuesday morning. His appearance comes months after New Jersey won a case in the United States Supreme Court allowing the State to withdraw from the Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor. This was a huge victory for the ILA and its employer group, the Shipping Association of New York and New Jersey.
“We are excited to get this convention. Started,” said ILA President Harold Daggett. “I believe it will be one of the most historic and monumental Conventions in our union’s 131-year history.”
The ILA’s 56th Quadrennial Convention will meet Monday through Thursday, with Election of Officers culminating convention business on the final day.