ILWU Coast Longshore Division

U.S.-West-Coast-Ports--ILWU-Coast-Longshore-Division

The ILWU Coast Longshore Division represents more than 20,000 working men and women who load and unload cargo ships in all U.S. West Coast ports.

Our Union formed after the historic 1934 waterfront strike, during which several workers were killed. The strike won public support and forced the shipping industry employers to recognize the Union, giving workers who had been  unprotected and mistreated for decades the right to negotiate collectively for fairer and safer working conditions.

Today, we’re proud that our hard work on the docks fuels the nation’s economy by moving goods like food, merchandise and natural resources. And, our hard-won collective bargaining agreement ensures that the multi-billion dollar shipping industry pays fair wages and benefits that sustain our port communities.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, ILWU workers have risked their lives to keep the economy going and to ensure the movement of essential goods needed to fight the pandemic. Every day, we unload personal protective equipment and medical supplies at West Coast ports that travel on rail and trucks as far inland as the U.S. Midwest and East Coast.

Maintaining family-wage jobs is more important than ever, and we are committed to making sure that future generations of workers have the opportunity to work hard at a good, union job and continue the ILWU tradition on the waterfront.

Coast Longshore Division Officers

William E. Adams

William E. Adams

ILWU International President

Home Port:
Tacoma, Washington

Elected 2018

Robert Olvera Jr.

Robert Olvera, Jr.

ILWU International Vice President

Home Port:
LA/Long Beach, California

Elected 2018

Frank Ponce De Leon

Frank Ponce De Leon

Coast Committeeman

Home Port:
LA/Long Beach, California

Elected 2015

Cam Williams

Cam Williams

Coast Committeeman

Home Port:
Seattle, Washington

Elected 2015