Where did the term “longshoremen” come from?
The term “longshoremen” dates back hundreds of years to the days of our coastal colonies.
As supply ships were passing the shoreline, the call would come from the ships’ deck…
“Men along the shore, come down and unload your goods from my ship!”
A Brief History…
The South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District (SAGCD) is directly linked to the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), which was established in the late 1800s by delegates from eleven (11) ports.
Originally organized in Detroit, where they adopted the by-laws of the longshoremen’s Chicago local, the ILA use to be called the “National Longshoremen’s Association of The United States.”
By 1895, the name was changed to International Longshoremen’s Association to reflect the growing numbers of Canadian members. Shortly thereafter, the ILA affiliated with the American Federation of Labor (AFL).
In 1910, ILA chartered the South Atlantic Gulf Coast District (SAGCD) to expand and communicate its mission in every port of the South and Gulf Coast.
Today’s SAGCD is a modern union with 30,000 members working in 38 ports along the South Atlantic and Gulf Coast, including all Department of Defense (DoD) strategic seaports in the region.
During every war in the 20th and 21st Century in which DoD deployed service members and equipment overseas in support of national security interests, Longshoremen were at the forefront of ensuring they departed America safely. It was Longshoremen who loaded tanks, helicopters, artillery howitzers, ammunition, trucks, and equipment on troop carrier and logistics ships headed for Europe and Asia. During our nation’s nearly two-decade fight in the aftermath of the attacks on our homeland on September 11, 2001, Longshoremen continued to support deployments by sea of equipment headed to the Persian Gulf, the Coast of Africa, and Afghanistan. Shaped by this rich history, Longshoremen stand determined, agile, and ready to face the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Timeline
Select a year below to read more.
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The South Atlantic Gulf Coast District (SAGCD) is born.
The South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District is established as a regional division of the ILA, tasked with representing dockworkers across ports in the southeastern U.S. and Gulf Coast regions.
Headquarters are set-up in Galveston, Texas, a central location for Gulf Coast maritime operations.
Expansion & Growth
1930’s: The SAGCD expands it’s influence in key Southern ports like New Orleans, Mobile, Savannah and Jacksonville, advocating for better wages and working conditions.
World War II (1941-1945): The district plays a critical role in mobilizing dockworkers for the war effort, loading and unloading military supplies. Union membership grows due to increased shipping activity.
Mechanization & Challenges
The SAGCD faces challenges related to mechanization and modernization, which begin to reduce the need for manual labor in port operations.
The ILA, including the SAGCD, negotiated agreements with employers to ensure longshoremen are compensated for job losses due to automation.
Civil Rights Era & Integration
The SAGCD sees significant changes during the Civil Rights Movement, as the union addresses racial segregation in Southern ports.
Progress is made in integrating African American dockworkers into union leadership and membership.
Containerization
The rise of containerization revolutionizes port operations, leading to a shift in SAGCD’s focus to securing job protections, retraining programs, and technology adaptation for its members.
Southern ports like Houston, Charleston, and Savannah begin modernizing infrastructure to handle containerized cargo, increasing the district’s importance.
Regional Economic Growth
The SAGCD benefits from the expansion of trade through Southern and Gulf Coast ports, particularly with the growth of trade routes to Latin America and Asia.
The union negotiates contracts ensuring strong benefits and job protections for members in a competitive shipping environment.
Responding to Globalization
2001 (Post 9/11): Increased security protocols in ports become a focus, and the SAGCD works to ensure worker safety and training to comply with new regulations.
2005 (Hurricane Katrina): The district provides support for longshoremen in Gulf Coast ports severely affected by the disaster, particularly in New Orleans.
Automation & Environmental Challenges
The SAGCD becomes increasingly involved in negotiations over automation, working to balance modernization with job preservation.
Souther ports, including those in the SAGCD, see rapid growth due to the expansion of the Panama Canal (2016), with the district advocating for increased hiring and training to meet demand.
Recent Developments
Covid-19 Pandemic (2020-2021): The SAGCD works to protect dockworkers’ health while ensuring ports remain operational during supply chain disruptions.
2022: Negotiations focus on maintaining job protections in an era of increased automation and securing higher wages in response to inflation.
2024: The SAGCD remains a vital part of the ILA, representing workers in some of the fastest-growing and most modernized ports in the U.S.
