To My Fellow Brothers and Sisters of the International Longshoremen’s Association,
There are moments in history that define who we are—not just as workers, but as a movement, as a family, as a force that refuses to be broken. This is one of those moments. And as we stand together today, victorious and united, I want to take a moment to reflect on the journey that brought us here—a journey that began over two years ago, long before the media took notice, long before the world understood the storm we were about to face.
It was this union—our union—that had the foresight to begin negotiations early, believing that by doing so, we could bring stability to the East and Gulf Coasts. We did so with responsibility, with professionalism, and with the best interests of our members at heart. But nobody could have predicted what was coming. What started as a proactive measure soon became something much bigger, a battle reminiscent of David and Goliath.
When negotiations stalled and the reality set in that we were heading toward something unseen in 47 years, we looked to you—the women and men of the ILA—who have always answered the call. You did it when the world shut down, working tirelessly to keep America’s commerce flowing while others sat in comfort and security. You sacrificed time with your families, risked your health, and stood firm, ensuring that our ports didn’t just survive but thrived during a global crisis. Record profits soared because of your labor, yet how quickly those in power forgot.
But we didn’t forget. And we knew the time had come to seize the moment. Carpe Diem! We stood at an impasse, faced with a choice that would test our strength, our unity, and our resolve. And when the time came to fight, the ILA stood together as one. We warned them at our Quadrennial Convention: if it’s a fight they want, it’s a war they’re gonna get! And on October 1, 2024, that war began with a three-day strike that sent a message loud and clear—this union will never back down.
Strikes are never easy. They take a toll on workers and families. But in today’s climate, with labor laws stacked against us, striking remains one of the last weapons we have to defend our livelihoods. And when the ILA is pushed into a corner, we won’t hesitate to strike back. We stood firm, we took the hits, we faced the attacks from the mainstream media, the corporate interests, the foreign-owned companies that sought to erase us. But in the end, we prevailed. A historic 62% wage increase. A future secured for the generations to come. A stand taken against those who tried to push us aside.
Even after returning to work, they tried to play their games. They called it modernization—but we knew the truth. It was automation by another name. But let it be known, this leadership, this union, will never allow our jobs, our history, our legacy to be erased. We faced pressures from every side, but we never broke. We fought not just for today, but for the future of every longshore worker who will come after us.
And in the face of it all, one thing remained unwavering—you. The women and men of the ILA. You stood strong. You stood together. You sent a message that echoed across this nation and beyond: people over profits. Solidarity over submission. Strength over fear.
Today’s ratification vote is more than just numbers on a page—it is a testament to what we have built together. A struggle. A fight. A victory that will be embedded in our hearts and minds for the rest of our lives. This was rank and file standing shoulder to shoulder in a life-changing battle. You are the true power in our movement. The effect of this collective effort is a victory for every single person in our movement. We did it for each other, and we did it for those who paved the way for us all.
To every ILA member, to your families, and to those who stood by us in our communities and port cities—we will never forget you. You played a crucial role in this victory. Let this be an inspiration to every worker who has ever been told to stay in their place, to accept less, or to bow to corporate greed. We have proven that when workers stand together, nothing—nothing—can stop us.
We did this together. We did this in solidarity. And we did this for a better tomorrow.
Today’s ratification vote passing at 98.9% speaks volumes on how united this union really is. I am beyond proud to represent such a group of working-class warriors!
In unity and strength,
Dennis A. Daggett
International Longshoremen’s Association
Leave a Reply