Longshoremen

Longshoremen are maritime workers who load and unload ships at docks, piers, and container terminals. They handle cargo on container yards, bulk facilities, breakbulk operations, and sometimes inland transfer points, coordinating closely with ship crews, stevedoring supervisors, and terminal operators.

Typical duties include rigging and securing loads, operating cranes and other lifting equipment, guiding ships in and out of berths, tallying cargo, and coordinating the movement of containers, pallets, and bulk goods to trucks or trains. They may specialize in containerized cargo, bulk commodities, or specialized handling, and often work in teams to ensure efficient and safe cargo transfer in tight or weather-challenged conditions.

In many countries, longshoremen are organized through unions and hired through hiring halls or wage agreements. Notable unions include the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) on the West Coast of the United States and the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) on the East and Gulf coasts. Work arrangements, shift patterns, and apprenticeship programs are typically governed by collective bargaining agreements between unions and terminal operators or port authorities.

Safety and training are central to the occupation due to the use of heavy machinery, high loads, and the potential hazards associated with weather and cargo handling. Workers receive safety instruction and must comply with occupational health regulations, personal protective equipment requirements, and equipment-specific certifications.

Longshoremen have played a significant role in maritime commerce and labor history. Their organized labor actions have influenced wage standards, working conditions, and recognition of the right to organize, with famous strikes shaping broader labor movements in the 20th century.