President’s Weekly Recap

August 3, 2026

Brothers & Sisters,

It’s good to be back!

I had the privilege of attending the 93rd South Atlantic & Gulf Coast District Convention this past week in Galveston, Texas, and I must say it did not disappoint. It was an outstanding week of education, collaboration, and fellowship with brothers and sisters from across the District. I will be dedicating a separate President’s Message to everything that took place during the convention, so stay tuned for a more detailed recap.

Port Operations & Volume Outlook

The work continues to remain steady, and I want to give a huge THANK YOU to all of our seniority categories and extra labor for stepping up and covering the work as you always do. Your dedication does not go unnoticed, and it is because of each of you that we continue to keep cargo moving efficiently.

Looking ahead, our vessel forecast remains extremely strong. Here is our current four-week outlook:

  • Week of August 3 (Current Week): 43 vessel calls – 84,698 lifts
  • Week of August 10: 40 vessel calls – 63,335 lifts
  • Week of August 17: 40 vessel calls – 63,568 lifts
  • Week of August 24: 53 vessel calls – 84,809 lifts

These are outstanding numbers!

While some of our sister ports are experiencing slower cargo volumes, Savannah continues to lead the way. There has never been a more important time for us to preserve this work, protect our jurisdiction, and continue proving why the Port of Savannah remains the premier gateway on the East Coast.

As you’ve heard me say many times before:

“Take care of the work that takes care of you.”

Let’s continue to build on our momentum and absolutely crush this forecast.

MIS Testing

We are now approximately two months away from full implementation of the new MIS system.

It is more important now than ever that everyone continues testing the system. Every test helps identify issues before implementation and ensures every member is properly entered into the system and ready to go when the transition occurs.

Thank you to everyone who has continued participating in testing.

VCC Training

Please continue utilizing our VCC Trainers whenever needed.

The more comfortable everyone becomes with the system today, the smoother our transition will be tomorrow.

Interchange & Rail Gate Negotiations

Today we officially began our first engagement with Gateway regarding a new gate agreement covering all interchange gates and rail operations.

As these discussions continue, it is extremely important that everyone performing these assignments continues to:

  • Work safely.
  • Follow all procedures.
  • Perform the work efficiently.
  • Complete every task correctly.

During negotiations, we will be requesting additional manning throughout all interchange gates and rail operations to better support our growing workload and improve overall operations.

Night Gate Operations

Night gate operations remain on hold.

At this time, I have been informed that:

  • ILA is ready.
  • Gateway is ready.
  • Port City is ready.
  • GPA is still completing preparations on their end.

I will continue providing updates as additional information becomes available.

Deck & Dock Operations

A couple of reminders for everyone working deck and dock operations:

  • Please make sure all paperwork is clearly marked whenever changes are made. Clear documentation allows the office to process changes accurately without unnecessary delays or guesswork.
  • To all Dockmen: Please remain out of your vehicle whenever lids are being removed from the deck of a vessel.

Baker Tilly Hiring Process

Baker Tilly has begun sending out acceptance emails.

If you receive an email, please follow all instructions carefully after clicking the provided link and complete every required processing document before your scheduled processing day.

Safety Update

Safety continues to be our highest priority.

This week’s Safety Committee discussions focused on strengthening our safety culture through communication, accountability, and consistency.

Heat Safety

With temperatures continuing to remain extremely high, please remember:

  • Hydration starts the day before your shift.
  • Drink water throughout your shift.
  • Look out for one another.
  • Make sure everyone goes home safely at the end of the day.

I also want to recognize Brother Doug Baggett and ALL of our Ship Foremen for their continued commitment to ensuring hydration supplies are available throughout the workforce. Their leadership and attention to the well-being of our members have helped keep everyone focused on working safely during these extreme conditions. Thank you for everything you continue to do.

Remember, no job is more important than making sure every brother and sister returns home safely.

Safety Statistics

The committee reviewed current safety statistics:

  • 25 Lost Time Injuries (LTIs)
  • 81 Total Injuries

While lost time injuries remain important, our goal is reducing every injury.

Recent Incident Review

A recent twist lock incident involving the use of an improper tool resulted in a hand injury.

This serves as an important reminder that:

  • Always use the proper tool.
  • Ensure tools are available before beginning work.
  • Return all tools to their designated locations after each shift.

Additional Safety Topics

The committee also discussed:

  • Gangway safety.
  • Maintaining consistent expectations across all shifts.
  • Eliminating shortcuts.
  • Bees and wasps aboard vessels.
  • AOM authority to stop work whenever unsafe conditions exist.
  • Improved communication with vessel crews regarding safety concerns.

Operations Update

June production numbers remained positive, while July productivity was heavily impacted by weather delays.

Additional operational discussions included:

  • Perry Weather system upgrades with additional speakers being installed.
  • Two-lane cycle operations continuing to outperform single-lane operations.
  • Improving dispatch accuracy.
  • Better paperwork distribution to Walking Bosses.
  • Improving truck flow and comeback efficiency.
  • Addressing inaccurate inbound EDIs affecting cycle productivity.

Flex Lashing Trial

The committee reviewed lessons learned from the initial Flex Lashing trial.

Highlights included:

  • Approximately 15 minutes per tier required to unlash.
  • One gang can realistically complete two 8/9-high bays per hour.
  • Continued evaluation of lighter lashing rods to reduce physical strain.
  • Improved gondola equipment.
  • Standardized pre-job meetings involving Local 1414, Local 1475, and GPA before future operations.
  • Continued evaluation of automatic twist lock technology.

Areas for Continued Improvement

The committee identified several opportunities to improve operations:

  • Recover lashing rods more efficiently during meal breaks.
  • No chairs permitted on vessel decks.
  • Minimize unnecessary container moves to the TICO yard.
  • Improve recovery following weather delays.
  • Keep drivers staged on the dock whenever practical.
  • Improve communication regarding operational changes and weather all-clear notifications.
  • Improve parking locations for gondolas, STINIS equipment, and MAFIs.
  • Improve notification when containers are not properly seated or when shoes/twist locks are missing.
  • Continue reinforcing two-person teamwork when handling shoes and twist locks.

Action Items Moving Forward

The committee will continue working toward:

  • Evaluating improved gondola equipment.
  • Testing lighter lashing rods.
  • Completing Perry Weather speaker upgrades.
  • Improving communication between management, labor, GPA, and vessel representatives.
  • Standardizing pre-job meetings.
  • Improving paperwork distribution.
  • Reinforcing proper tool accountability.
  • Improving truck dispatch and weather recovery procedures.
  • Working with the crane department to improve verification that containers are properly seated before lashing begins.

Facial Recognition REMINDER

If you have not yet enrolled, you can register at the GPA Credentialing Office Monday through Friday. Enrollment takes approximately 90 seconds and only requires your active TWIC card.

To make things easier, the GPA is planning to have a mobile enrollment unit on the terminal around mid-August so members who work on the terminal or need access to Gate 4 Kitchen and Rae’s Hall can enroll while they are already on-site. Currently, approximately half of our workforce is already registered, and there are more than 12,000 people enrolled throughout the Port.

Beginning September 10, if you are not enrolled in facial recognition, you will no longer have automatic access to these buildings and will need to be buzzed in.

A few important reminders:

  • Access is now completely touch-free. There are no more hand scans or TWIC scans at access control points.
  • Entry is typically granted in less than one second once you are enrolled.
  • Your photo is used only for identity verification against your TWIC at the access point. It is not shared with anyone, not used for background checks, and not connected to any other system.
  • You must continue to carry your TWIC card at all times. Federal regulations still require everyone to have their TWIC on their person.
  • Do not use your face to allow another person access. Doing so is considered the same as allowing someone else to use your TWIC and could result in a reportable security breach.

Facial recognition is already active at all interchange truck lanes at Gates 3, 4, 8, and Ocean Terminal Gate 3.

Upcoming Installations (Tentative)

Container Port Building

  • Installation Begins: September 2
  • Expected Completion: September 9

Rae’s Hall

  • Installation Begins: September 10
  • Expected Completion: September 21

Please don’t wait until the last minute. If you haven’t enrolled yet, I encourage you to take a few minutes and get it done before the September deadlines.

Closing

Brothers and Sisters,

Thank you once again for everything you continue to do for this Local and for each other.

As I returned from the District Convention, one message stood above all others:

Unity. Strength. Communication.

Those principles are what continue to make our Local one of the strongest in the District.

Let’s continue supporting one another, protecting our jurisdiction, performing our work safely, and showing everyone why the members of ILA Local 1475 remain the very best in the industry.

ONE TEAM. ONE PURPOSE.

ILA ALL THE WAY!!

“The only way workers have ever advanced is by standing together.” – Harry Bridges

“There is power in a union.” – Joe Hill

“This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.”  – PSALM 118:24

In Solidarity,

Josh & Team