International Longshoremen's Association

ILA Local 1233 To Hold Inaugural William “Bernard” Dudley Scholarship Golf Outing, In New Jersey on Tuesday, Named For Legendary ILA Leader

NORTH BERGEN, NJ (July 22, 2024). The First Annual William Bernard Dudley Golf Outing, benefitting the scholarship fund that also bears the name of the legendary ILA leader, will be held Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at Cedar Hill Country Club in Livingston, New Jersey.
Bernard Dudley passed away on November 12th, 2020, just shy of his 73rd birthday. Known to his legion of ILA colleagues, friends and admirers as “B” or “Bernard”, Dudley was a six-term president of ILA Local 1233 in New Jersey and General Vice President of the Atlantic Coast District.
At the time of his passing, International President Harold J. Daggett commented: “The ILA has lost one of its bravest soldiers with the passing of Bernard Dudley. A true champion to the ILA working man and woman he represented with dignity and honor. He was a brilliant negotiator and labor leader and an accomplished man.”
Bernard Dudley was a veteran of the U.S. Army and served in Viet Nam, earning a Bronze Star for his heroic service.
When current International Executive Vice President Dennis A. Daggett was elected president of the Atlantic Coast District in 2011, one of his first actions was to name Bernard Dudley as chair of the ACD’s Civil Rights Committee. Dennis’s brother John Daggett was selected by the ACD Executive Board to fill out Bernard Dudley’s term of office as ACD General Vice President in November 2020 and was elected to a full four-year term at last year’s ACD Convention.
Current ILA Local 1233 President Buddy Smith expects a wonderful event on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, raising funds for their scholarship program and honoring the memory of William Bernard Dudley.
Tyreke Wells, Vice President of ILA Local 1233 who is among the committee members working on Tuesday’s charity outing, said the event will be a huge success.

ILA President Harold Daggett Says Time Has Come For Shippers To Respect and Reward ILA Workers With Great Contract Or “We Will Hit The Streets”

Thank you, Dennis for telling the world how special our jobs are; if it wasn’t for the dockworkers around the world these companies would not be rich companies that they are today. We are the dockers from around the world who made these companies what they are today. And now they’re looking to get rid of us piece by piece. We took them from when they all started with little and brought them to where they are today. They are all greedy because they’re making billions of dollars off the backs of longshoreman around the world. It’s time for the whole world to see how important these workers around the world are and Dennis you explained it very, very well. I’m so proud of you. What you have said and what you have been doing for this great union and the unions around the world. We will not take a step back. We demand to have the best contracts because, we brought shippers to where they are, make no mistake. They would not be making this kind of money if it wasn’t for Longshore workers around the world. The ILA lost 35 members during the pandemic and hundreds of us got sick just to keep the cargo moving so the companies would stay ahead and make money. Now they don’t want to sit down the table and give us a good share of the money they made. Well it’s time! We haven’t had a strike since 1977. It’s time we hit the streets! I demand that my longshoreman be taken care of and their families and we will never allow automation to come into our union and try to put us out of work as long as I’m alive and my son Dennis is alive. We’re going to keep this Union strong. Trust me on that. I want to thank everybody for being behind me to show these companies. We are not afraid we will fight for our rights and we will come out with a great contract!

An Open Letter to the Public: The Real Story Behind Our Fight, Told by an ILA Member and Officer

July 20, 2024

Dear Friends and Supporters,

I am writing to you today as Dennis A. Daggett, a member and Executive Vice President of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), and a representative of the International Dockworkers Council (IDC). At this critical juncture, we need your understanding and support more than ever.

Over the past few years, the shipping industry has undergone a significant transformation. Many private equity firms like BlackRock, Vanguard, and State Street, which now own 88% of the companies on the S&P 500, have started to infiltrate our industry. Firms like BlackRock, focused solely on profits and return on investment, have partnered with companies like Mediterranean Shipping Company’s subsidiary, Terminal Investment Logistics (TIL) and others, to acquire and build terminals worldwide. Their influence is growing, and it poses a direct threat to our livelihoods.

A decade ago, ocean carriers decided to exit the terminal operating business to concentrate on their steamship lines and logistics. But now, in the aftermath of the pandemic, they are reclaiming control over terminals. This shift isn’t just about business strategy—it’s about controlling where and when they can place their cargo without dealing with third parties. For them, it’s about power and profits. For us, it’s about our jobs and the future of our families.

BlackRock and other private equity firms don’t care about workers. They care about their bottom lines. They see automation as a way to increase profits, even if it means eliminating jobs historically performed by human beings. For the past two years, the ILA has been fighting to secure a new contract for our members, with our current contract expiring on October 1, 2024. We know what we’re up against, and we’re ready to fight to protect and preserve our jobs and our industry.

We’ve been paying close attention to the enormous profits ocean carriers and terminal operators have made in recent years, despite global challenges like conflicts in the Middle East, terror in the Suez Canal, and the drought in the Panama Canal. These companies have raised rates on their customers to keep their profits soaring, but they refuse to share this wealth with the workers who helped them achieve these profits. Instead, they aim to cut costs further by eliminating jobs and attempting to automate our work.

As we approach the deadline for our contract, you will see media outlets portray us as greedy and ungrateful. They will claim that longshoremen make too much money, but they won’t tell you the whole story. Our jobs don’t follow a 9-to-5 schedule. We work when the ships call, often putting in up to 100 hours or more a week to provide for our families. We don’t complain about the work—we are proud of what we do. But we need the public to understand the truth.

The Life of an ILA Worker

Being a longshoreman is not just a job; it’s a way of life. Our work doesn’t conform to a standard schedule. We are at the beck and call of the ships, meaning our hours are dictated by their arrival and departure times. For example, If a ship arrives at 1 AM, we are there to unload and load it. This unpredictability means long and irregular hours, but it is the reality we embrace to ensure goods move efficiently through our ports. This also makes it incredibly difficult for longshoremen to find the work-life balance that so many people talk about today. Our members sacrifice a lot for their families and often miss dance recitals, little league games, and other important family moments. I am not complaining here just stating the facts on our reality.

Seniority plays a crucial role in our industry. Only those with seniority can expect consistent work. Newer members often face long periods without work, having to be on call and ready at a moment’s notice without any guarantee of work opportunities. In ports like New York/New Jersey, if a longshoreman is not available for at least fifteen out of thirty days over two consecutive months, they risk being "decasualized." This means suspension from work for at least a year, pending a review by an external judge or panel outside our industry.

Years ago, the saying on the waterfront was that the men were made of steel and the ships were made of wood. In the era of bulk and break-bulk cargo, longshoremen had to be strong, with big forearms and backs to handle the physically demanding work. Since the evolution of containerization, our jobs have become highly skilled. We now operate advanced, multi-million-dollar container handling equipment, making our roles more complex and technically demanding.

Our job involves operating multi-million-dollar equipment, managing sophisticated logistics, and ensuring the safe and efficient movement of cargo. We handle everything from ship-to-shore cranes, rubber tire gantry cranes, straddle carriers, top loaders, reach stackers, and rail-mounted gantry cranes, hustlers, autos, and heavy lifts, to refrigeration containers with perishable items and pharmaceuticals. Our clerks use advanced terminal operating systems to manage vessel and yard operations, ensuring that the loading and discharge of ships are conducted smoothly and efficiently, while our maintenance workers repair and maintain all the equipment to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Our operators are highly skilled professionals who handle multi-million-dollar equipment to move cargo safely and efficiently. They are an integral part of our port operations, ensuring that every container is moved precisely where it needs to be.

Our clerks play an equally vital role. They manage advanced terminal operating systems, coordinating the intricate logistics of loading and unloading ships, and overseeing yard and gate operations to ensure cargo moves in and out of terminals efficiently and safely.

Our maintenance workers are also extremely important to our industry. They don’t just repair and maintain chassis’s and shipping containers; they handle the upkeep of all the sophisticated cargo handling equipment. This includes ship-to-shore cranes, rubber tire gantry cranes, straddle carriers, top loaders, reach stackers, rail-mounted gantry cranes, hustlers, and refrigeration containers that carry perishable items and pharmaceuticals. Our maintenance workers ensure that every piece of equipment operates safely and efficiently, minimizing downtime and maximizing productivity.

Our lashers play an equally important role. They secure the containers on the ships to ensure they stay in place during transit. This is crucial for the safety of the cargo and the efficiency of the shipping process. Without their expertise, containers could fall off ships during rough seas, leading to significant losses and disruptions.

Additionally, our warehouse workers are integral to the supply chain. They are responsible for stuffing and stripping containers, which ensures that products reach their consignees faster and more efficiently. This critical task helps maintain the flow of goods and supports the overall efficiency of our operations.

Despite the critical nature of our work, our job security is constantly under threat from corporate interests that prioritize profits over people. Employers have the power to lay us off or cut our hours when volumes are low or when they seek to cut costs. Yet, we can only address major issues outside of grievances during bargaining periods. This imbalance leaves us vulnerable and underscores the importance of our fight for a fair contract.

Our contracts over the past 20 years have been six-year deals. We understand the importance of a stable, long-term agreement for not only both sides but for our country. However, while employers can lay us off or cut our hours, we cannot renegotiate outside the terms of the collective bargaining agreement, even when they are making record profits. We live up to our commitments, but we cannot renegotiate wages and benefits until the next round of bargaining, and that time is now!

We are not asking for sympathy. We are asking for understanding and support. We are proud of our union and our industry. This work is not for everyone—it’s for those who are strong, dedicated, and willing to work under challenging conditions. We are fighting not just for ourselves, but for the rights and welfare of all workers. We will not let corporate greed destroy what we have built and more importantly what our ancestors fought and died to protect.

As we get closer to our contract deadline, you may hear more about the possibility of a strike. We want you to know that we are doing everything in our power to reach a fair agreement without disrupting the flow of goods you rely on. But in all honesty, we are prepared to stand up for what is right, even if it means taking drastic measures.

Thank you for taking the time to understand our struggle. Your support means everything to us as we continue to fight for fair treatment and the preservation of our industry, our jobs and our benefits.

I remain,

Dennis A. Daggett
International Longshoremen’s Association
(Dennis A. Daggett is Executive Vice President of the 85,000-member International Longshoremen’s Association, and President, ILA Local 1804-1. He also holds the elected position of General Coordinator of the International Dockworkers Council. Currently, more than 120,000 port workers are affiliated around the world, a figure that is increasing as new union organizations join the IDC.)

International Longshoremen's Association The International Longshoremen's Association

ILA’s Charles Spencer Receives 2024 Benjamin L. Hooks “Keeper of the Flame” Award From National Association for the Advancement of Colored People At Organization’s Las Vegas Convention
NORTH BERGEN, NJ – (July 16, 2024). Charles Spencer, Executive Vice President Emeritus of the International Longshoremen’s Association’s South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District, and a legendary leader for the ILA at the Port of Jacksonville, Florida for decades, will receive the 2024 Benjamin L. Hooks “Keeper of the Flame” Award” from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) at the organization’s 115th National Convention being held this week in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Award will be presented during a Labor Luncheon at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center beginning at 12:30 pm (Pacific Time).
“The officers and 85,000 members join with me in congratulating our Charles Spencer on receiving this prestigious award from the NAACP,” said Harold J. Daggett, International ILA President. “From 19-year-old longshoremen working on the docks of Jacksonville, Florida to a respected officer with the International and South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District, Charles Spencer has always distinguished himself as a fighter for ILA members, a champion of Civil Rights and Social Justice and a respected family man in his community.”
According to the NAACP, Charles Spencer receives the Benjamin L. Hooks “Keeper of the Flame’ Award for his “significant contributions to racial equality and commitment to fairness in the workplace.”
The organization added: “Your unwavering dedication to building a just and equitable society has not gone unnoticed! Congratulations.”
In addition to his stellar career with the ILA, Charles Spencer has been a powerful voice and held top leadership posts with the A. Philip Randolph Institute, including Florida State Chapter President and National Board of Directors.
Charles and his wife Elaine have six children and nine grandchildren. He is a member of the Westside Church of Christ, where he serves as Director of Finance, Director of Special Activities and a member of the Church’s Board of Directors. He also serves on the Board of Directors of Westside Ministries, Inc.

ILA President Harold Daggett Asks ILA Members To Pray For Former President Donald Trump and Victims at Saturday’s Pennsylvania Rally; Recalls Productive Meeting Last November With Trump At Mar-A-Largo and Their Talks About Threat of Automation

NORTH BERGEN, NJ – (July 15, 2024) International Longshoremen’s Association President Harold J. Daggett expressed relief that the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump was unsuccessful and called on all ILA members to pray for the victims at the Saturday rally in Western Pennsylvania.
“It was sickening to watch a political rally suddenly turn into a bloody battlefield with our former President Trump the target of a deranged shooter,” said ILA President Daggett. “The ILA and its 85,000 members join all Americans in offering collective prayers to Donald Trump, his family and the victims at Saturday’s rally.”
ILA President Daggett enjoys a long relationship with Donald Trump going back decades in New York City. Both Trump and Daggett are the same age and were both from Queens, New York.
In late November 2023, former President Trump invited the ILA president to meet with him in Florida at Mar-a-Lago,
“We had a wonderful, productive 90-minute meeting where I expressed to President Trump the threat of automation to American workers,” said ILA President Harold Daggett. “President Trump promised to support the ILA in its opposition to automated terminals in the U.S. Mr. Trump also listened to my concerns about Federal “Right To Work” laws which undermines unions and their ability to represent and fight for its membership.”
The ILA leader said it is time for all Americans to tone down vitriolic rhetoric.
“We condemn political violence and call for all Americans to unify,” said President Daggett. “All Americans can fight for issues that are important to them and their families and freely support those candidates they believe can deliver.”

ILA President Harold Daggett Says Threat of October 1st Strike At Atlantic and Gulf Coast Ports Growing More Likely As Current Contract With USMX Expires in 80 Days

NORTH BERGEN, NJ – (July 12, 2024) The leader of the International Longshoremen’s Association says the threat of a strike at all Atlantic and Gulf Coast Ports is becoming more likely as time is growing short before the current contract expires in 80 days, on September 30, 2024. Harold J. Daggett, ILA President and the union’s Chief Negotiator, said that the employers represented by United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) are running out of time to negotiate a new Master Contract agreement and avoid and coastwide strike on October 1, 2024.
“Only 80 days remain before the end of our current contract and we are waiting on USMX,” said ILA President Daggett. “The actions of violating our current Master Contract by some of their members caused us to cancel scheduled negotiations with USMX in early June.”
The ILA canceled Master Contract talks with USMX after discovering that APM Terminals and Maersk Line were utilizing an Auto Gate system, which autonomously processes trucks without ILA labor. This system, initially identified at the Port of Mobile, Alabama, is reportedly being used in other ports as well. The ILA said on June 10, 2024, that it would not meet with USMX until the Auto Gate issue is resolved. Additionally, the union is still waiting on results from an audit for jobs created out of new technology, a report they have been anticipating for almost two contract periods. The ILA has observed an increasing number of IT personnel on marine terminals, with concerns that APM and Maersk's IT departments in Charlotte, North Carolina, are encroaching on their jurisdiction.
President Daggett said the ILA rank-and-file members are 100 percent behind him and are willing the “hit the streets” on October 1st, 2024, if the union’s contract demands are not met.
“We will not entertain any discussions about extending the current contract, nor are we interested in any help from outside agencies to interfere in our negotiations with USMX,” said President Daggett. “This includes the Biden Administration and the Department of Labor.”
Whenever USMX resumes negotiations, the ILA said it expects shipping companies to recognize the contributions ILA longshore workers made during the pandemic, when ports remained open, allowing companies to record billion-dollar profits.
About the International Longshoremen’s Association:
The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) is the largest union of maritime workers in North America, representing 85,000 longshore workers along the East Coast, Gulf Coast, Puerto Rico, Great Lakes, and major U.S. rivers. Its membership includes longshore workers in Eastern Canada and the Bahamas. The ILA is dedicated to ensuring fair labor practices and protecting the rights and jobs of its members.

Congratulations Bill Williams!

ILA Also Means “I Love America”. Happy 249th Birthday, USA!🇺🇸. Thank you Dennis Daggett for your post: During his tenure as President of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) from 1963 to 1987, Teddy Gleason famously coined the phrase, “The ILA means I Love America!” This heartfelt expression encapsulated Gleason’s dedication to the union and his patriotic spirit, reflecting the values of hard work, unity, and pride in American labor. His leadership and love for the country left a lasting legacy within me and the ILA and the broader labor movement.

Raymond Sierra, Long Serving International ILA Vice President from the Great Lakes, Passes Away June 28th, 2024, in Portage, Indiana; Remembered As “Fierce Fighter for ILA Longshore Workers”; Services This Friday, July 5th

NORTH BERGEN, NJ – (July 1, 2024) Raymond Sierra, a champion for decades for ILA workers at ports along the Great Lakes and an International ILA Vice President, passed away on Friday, June 28, 2024, in Portage, Indiana. He was 84.
“The ILA has lost one of its fiercest fighters for ILA members,” said International President Harold J. Daggett. “He spent most of his remarkable ILA career speaking up for and defending ILA members. His accomplishments were great, and his memory will endure.”
Raymond Sierra was born of January 1, 1940, in Gary, Indiana to the late Benerando and Mary Sierra. He would begin his ILA career at a young age and was tutored by ILA Great Lakes legends Buster Slaughter, Chauncey Baker, Harrison Tyler and Patrick Sullivan, to name a few. He was Executive Vice President of Local 1317 in Cleveland, Ohio; President Emeritus of ILA Local 1969 in Portage, Indiana and the original organizer for ILA Local 2038.
Raymond Sierra is survived by his wife, Margaret Sierra of Portage, Indiana; five children, Barbara (James) Rewis-Reardean of Waycross, GA; Debra (Kevin) Harte of Gettysburg, PA; Raymond (Leigh) Sierra of Portage, IN; Tom (Megan) Olson of Valparaiso, IN; Dan (Alicia) Olson of LaPorte, IN; nineteen grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and a host of extended family members.
Raymond was a member of First Baptist Church of New Chicago. Funeral Services are Saturday, July 6, 2024, at 10 am at First Baptist Church of New Chicago, 401 Huber Boulevard, New Chicago, Indiana. Pastor Jerry Stepp will officiate the service. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Portage.
Visitation is Friday, July 5, 2024, from 2 pm to 8 pm at Rees Funeral Home, 5341 Central Avenue, Portage, Indiana

South Carolina Ports and International Longshoremen’s Association Announce Agreement For Port of Charleston

NORTH BERGEN, NJ – (June 27, 2024). South Carolina Ports and ILA proudly announced this week that after productive and collaborative conversations, the two sides have mutually developed and agreed to the framework for an operating agreement that will create long-term stability and competitiveness for the Port of Charleston while providing an enhanced product. More importantly, SC Ports and ILA worked together to protect jobs to create a seamless transition toward a future that recognizes a trained and experienced workforce across all SC Ports’ terminals. SC Ports and ILA are ready to welcome our USMX partners at the Leatherman Terminal for many years to come without hesitation as all obstacles to operations have been removed

Twenty-fourth Anniversary for International IDC International Dockworkers Council. Growing stronger every day!

¡Unidos en la lucha celebramos 24 años de solidaridad y esfuerzos en IDC!

Hoy es un día especial para el International Dockworkers’ Council (IDC). Celebramos con orgullo nuestro 24 aniversario, un hito que refleja años de dedicación, esfuerzo y solidaridad entre los trabajadores portuarios de todo el mundo.

Desde nuestros inicios, hemos trabajado incansablemente para defender los derechos y mejorar las condiciones laborales de nuestros miembros. Hemos enfrentado desafíos y hemos logrado grandes victorias gracias a la unión y el compromiso de todos los que forman parte de esta gran familia.

Queremos aprovechar esta oportunidad para agradecer a cada uno de nuestros miembros, colaboradores y simpatizantes por su apoyo constante. Sin ustedes, nada de esto sería posible.

Mientras celebramos estos 24 años de logros, estamos emocionados por lo que vendrá. ¡Prepárense para un 25 aniversario inolvidable! Estamos planificando eventos y actividades especiales para conmemorar este cuarto de siglo de historia y reforzar nuestra lucha por un futuro mejor.

¡Gracias por ser parte del IDC! SIEMPRE ADELANTE!💪🏽



#24

Congratulations Bobby Olvera, Jr.!

Vancouver, BC

BOBBY OLVERA, JR. ELECTED ILWU INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT AT THE 39TH ILWU CONVENTION IN VANCOUVER, BC

President Harold Daggett and the entire membership of the International Longshoremen’s Association congratulates Bobby Olvera, Jr. on being elected ILWU International President!

Best wishes President Olvera!
God Bless!

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union represents dockworkers on the West Coast of the United States, Hawaii, Alaska and in British Columbia, Canada.

CONGRATULATIONS