President’s Recap – 93rd South Atlantic & Gulf Coast District Convention
Brothers and Sisters,
Again, it’s good to be back!
The 93rd South Atlantic & Gulf Coast District Convention was nothing short of outstanding. It was an honor to represent ILA Local 1475 alongside Vice President Joseph Powers, Business Agent Marion “Pat” Howard, Recording Secretary Beth Tilton, Financial Secretary Teri Williams, Rank & File Member Felicia Smith, Rank & File Member Phyllis Greene and Rank & File Member Sheba McPherson. We stood shoulder to shoulder with labor leaders from across the International, Atlantic Coast District and South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District.
I want to take a few moments to share some of the messages that resonated with me throughout the convention. I encourage every member to take the time to read this because the future of our union depends on every one of us understanding where we stand today and where we’re headed tomorrow.
One thing became very clear throughout the week. This convention was not centered around sweeping constitutional changes or major policy shifts. Instead, the focus was on preparing our District for the next decade by protecting our jurisdiction, embracing technology without surrendering jobs, educating local leadership, improving safety, and maintaining the unity that has always made the International Longshoremen’s Association the strongest waterfront union in the world.
The most powerful message delivered throughout the convention was simple:
Never forget the power of unity.
As we reflected on the historic coastwide strike nearly two years ago, I couldn’t help but think back to October 1st at midnight when International President Harold Daggett gave the order to hit the streets.
And we did exactly that.
For three days, every local union stood together in complete solidarity. In my nearly twenty years on the waterfront, I have never witnessed unity on that level. Every port, Every local, Every member. ONE PURPOSE!!!!
Sometimes I find myself wishing we could operate with that same spirit every single day.
The convention reminded us that our strength has never come from individuals. Our strength comes from solidarity.
When we move together as one, there isn’t an employer on the waterfront that can stand against us.
Another major topic throughout the week was our historic Master Contract.
The numbers still speak for themselves.
A 62% wage increase over six years.
Historic.
Unprecedented.
The greatest contract ever negotiated on the East and Gulf Coasts.
But while everyone celebrated that accomplishment, International President Harold Daggett and International Executive Vice President Dennis Daggett delivered a direct message to every delegate in attendance:
Now is not the time to become comfortable.
If anything, now is the time to work harder than ever before.
For the first time since Harold Daggett became our International President, I heard him raise the productivity expectation beyond the long-standing 30 moves per hour benchmark.
His challenge to every International Vice President, District Vice President, and Local President was clear:
Consistently produce between 30 and 35 moves per hour.
Why?
Because productivity is one of the strongest arguments we have in protecting our jobs from automation and proving that skilled ILA labor remains the most efficient workforce on the waterfront.
The message was unmistakable.
Go to work.
Give 110%.
Protect the work.
Protect the future.
Protect the next generation of longshoremen.
That discussion naturally led into what may be the District’s number one priority moving forward:
Protecting ILA jurisdiction.
This topic surfaced repeatedly throughout the convention.
Leadership stressed that technology is inevitable, but losing ILA work is not.
Every technological advancement introduced into our terminals must preserve bargaining unit work rather than eliminate it.
Discussions included artificial intelligence, automated gate systems, optical character recognition (OCR), remote operations, digital documentation, camera based inventory systems, workforce management software, equipment tracking, electronic dispatch systems, and mobile applications.
The District’s position was straightforward:
Technology may change how work is performed.
It cannot change who performs the work.
Automation was another major topic.
There was no indication that modernization will slow down. Instead, District leadership emphasized continuing to negotiate technological advancements while ensuring every new system creates, preserves, or protects ILA jobs rather than replacing them.
One presentation that particularly caught my attention focused on expansion occurring on the East Coast of Canada.
New terminals are already being developed with future automation in mind.
Cargo moving into central North America by rail with significantly less labor involvement presents a challenge that every East Coast port must take seriously.
International Organizer John Baker made it clear that remaining competitive is no longer optional.
That message shouldn’t scare us.
It should motivate us.
The work we perform every day matters now more than ever before.
Another area receiving significant attention was officer education and leadership development.
The District is investing heavily in building stronger local leadership because protecting our contract starts with knowledgeable officers who understand how to enforce it.
Political action also remained an important priority.
Leadership stressed the importance of protecting waterfront jobs through infrastructure investment, port expansion, and maintaining productive relationships with elected officials.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott addressed the convention and recognized both the economic importance of the ILA and the tremendous impact maritime labor has on the economy. He also declared that July 27th be recognized as International Longshoreman’s Day. That was pretty cool.
Several ports throughout the District reported continued growth.
Discussions centered around larger vessels, terminal expansion, deeper harbors, workforce development, and training the next generation of longshore workers.
Healthcare also remained an important topic.
We discussed MILA healthcare utilization, prescription costs, member services, and continuing to provide one of the finest healthcare plans available anywhere in organized labor.
Although no major benefit changes were announced, President Daggett did address the delegates of success with securing a generous 2 million dollar death benefit for ILA members who are killed on the job. What a truly defining moment for our labor union and President Daggett. This reaffirms that our leaders are committed to protecting every ILA family.
One of my favorite sessions honored the men and women who built this organization long before many of us ever stepped onto a dock.
As Brother Benny Bryant often says,
“Working in the hold back then was hand to hand combat.”
Those generations fought through dangerous working conditions, low wages, poor benefits, and uncertain futures so that we could enjoy industry leading wages, outstanding healthcare, secure retirement benefits, strong job protections, and the greatest labor contract our industry has ever seen.
President Daggett paid special tribute to two pioneers of our District, Clyde Fitzgerald and Benny Holland.
These men organized workers throughout right-to-work states across the South, fought countless battles on behalf of longshore workers, and laid the foundation we continue building today.
Brother Benny Holland was also instrumental in helping establish our national MILA Health Plan, a benefit every ILA family depends upon today.
When you see these pioneers or any retired longshoreman who helped build this organization, please take a moment to thank them.
We owe them far more than words can ever express.
Another important message deserves repeating.
If you have not joined your Local Union…
JOIN.
You become part of the organization that protects your wages, healthcare, retirement, jurisdiction, and future.
Supporting your Local is about far more than paying dues.
It is an investment in preserving our profession for generations to come.
Congratulations are also in order for all of our International and District officers, who were unanimously re-elected without opposition.
That level of confidence speaks volumes about the leadership guiding this organization.
I also want to highlight our own Vice President, Joseph Powers, who had the privilege of serving on the Credentials Committee during the convention which educated delegates on just how strong your Local can be on the District Level though membership.
Brother Powers has prepared an excellent committee report and will present it during our next monthly membership meeting. I encourage everyone to attend because staying informed is one of the greatest responsibilities we have as union members.
If I had to summarize the entire convention in one sentence, it would be this:
We have the strongest contract in history.
We have exceptional leadership.
But none of it matters unless we continue working together.
Everybody, EVERYDAY!
Let’s continue protecting our work, supporting one another, respecting those who built this great union, embracing the future without surrendering our jurisdiction, and ensuring the next generation inherits an even stronger ILA than the one we were blessed to receive.
As I have said before, and as this convention reinforced throughout the week:
ONE TEAM. ONE PURPOSE.
ILA ALL THE WAY!
In Solidarity,
Josh & TEAM