ILWU Coast Longshore Division

Moving West Coast Cargo Since 1934

Ports in Three U.S. States

ILWU Longshore Workers

Million Containers moved in 2020

Historic photo

Moving cargo and supporting our communities since 1934

Shipping has changed since 1934, but one thing has not: our commitment to making sure West Coast ports have good-paying jobs with benefits that support families and communities. We believe in a country where everyone who works hard can see the doctor, give their kids a good start, and have a secure retirement. The middle class is losing ground, but it does not need to be this way. We work to keep good jobs for the future of our port communities, and we hope you will take a moment to learn more about us.

A note on COVID-19 on the docks

In early February of 2020, ILWU workers were first exposed to COVID-19 through work at cruise terminals on the West Coast. Shortly thereafter, states of emergencies were declared in Washington, California, and Oregon, followed by shelter in place orders up and down the West Coast. ILWU workers were promptly deemed essential and have continued to work through the health crisis.

Like so many others domestically and around the world, we have lost union brothers and sisters, friends, and family to the pandemic. This loss connects us all and fuels our continued effort to bring our union strength to bear as we fight to implement and maintain safeguards for dockworkers up and down the West Coast. The ILWU Coast Longshore Division and its 30 locals in 29 ports from San Diego, California to Bellingham, Washington are working determinedly to navigate this complex and challenging moment on behalf of the more than 20,000 ILWU workers risking their lives to support the economy and ensure the movement of essential goods needed to fight the pandemic.

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“From the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have taken extraordinary measures to ensure the West Coast supply chain continues to operate safely and smoothly in support of the nation’s pandemic response and recovery. In this effort to ensure store shelves remain stocked and exports continue to flow to overseas markets, no one has done more than the men and women of the ILWU who have continued to work through the pandemic, risking their lives to keep West Coast ports open.”

William E. Adams, International President
International Longshore and Warehouse Union

James McKenna, President & CEO
Pacific Maritime Association

Mario Cordero, Executive Director
Port of Long Beach

Eugene D. Seroka, Executive Director
Port of Los Angeles

John Wolfe , Chief Executive Officer
The Northwest Seaport Alliance

Danny Wan, Executive Director
Port of Oakland

Curtis Robinhold, Executive Director
Port of Portland