Flossi Tries to Mediate the ILA Strike

Longshoremen who are members of the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) on the East Coast and Gulf Coast of the United States typically earn $39 per hour after six years of service under the most recent contract. This translates to around $81,000 per year for those working regular hours. However, many dockworkers can earn significantly more, especially those who take on overtime shifts. It's typical for longshoremen to work extra hours to make over $100,000 annually, and in some cases, certain workers have reported earning up to $200,000 a year, especially in high-demand ports. 

The union is currently negotiating a new contract, seeking a 77% wage increase over six years, bringing hourly wages to $44 in the first year and eventually up to $69 in the final year.

The International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) has had a long and complicated history with organised crime, particularly in the mid-20th century. This relationship developed due to the unique nature of port work, which involved control over valuable cargo shipments and high-volume cash transactions, making the docks a prime target for criminal elements. Here’s a detailed look at this relationship:

 Origins of Corruption and Crime Influence

- As early as the 1920s and 1930s, mob influence began infiltrating the ILA, particularly in New York City. The docks were seen as highly lucrative due to the amount of goods passing through, and organised crime groups, like the Italian Mafia and Irish gangs, began asserting control over waterfront activities.

- These criminal organisations extorted longshoremen and shipping companies through threats of violence and work stoppages, often demanding kickbacks or imposing "ghost jobs" where non-existent workers were paid.

 The Role of Joseph P. Ryan and Leadership Corruption

- Joseph P. Ryan served as ILA President from 1931 to 1953 and was a central figure in the corruption scandals. Ryan allowed organized crime figures to operate with impunity on the docks in exchange for their support in maintaining his control over the union.

- During his tenure, it was common for mob figures to secure lucrative positions within the ILA, where they could control hiring, payoffs, and labour conditions. Longshoremen were often forced to pay bribes to secure jobs or avoid harassment.

 Waterfront Crime and the Formation of the Waterfront Commission

Rampant corruption and mob control over the waterfront led to public outrage, especially after the corruption was exposed through articles like Malcolm Johnson’s “Crime on the Waterfront” series in the late 1940s.

- These revelations prompted the formation of the New York Harbour Waterfront Commission in 1953, a bi-state agency established to combat crime on the docks. The Commission was tasked with licensing dockworkers, overseeing hiring practices, and investigating corrupt activities on the waterfront.

- The creation of the Commission marked the first serious governmental attempt to break organised crime’s grip on the ILA, though mob influence continued for many years.

 Teddy Gleason and Reform Efforts

- In the 1960s, under new ILA President Teddy Gleason, the union distanced itself from organised crime and improved its public image. Gleason was instrumental in democratising the union and cleaning up corrupt practices.

- While Gleason did make some progress, the influence of organised crime was deeply ingrained, and it took continued efforts from law enforcement and the Waterfront Commission to tackle the problem effectively.

 The Mafia’s Role in Dock Operations

- During the 1960s and 1970s, powerful Mafia families, including the Genovese and Gambino families, held sway over New York’s docks, controlling contracts, union leadership, and extortion rackets. 

- Anthony "Tony Ducks" Corallo and Vincent "The Chin" Gigante, both notorious Mafia bosses, were known for their involvement in the ILA’s operations. They manipulated dockworker union jobs, collected "tribute" payments, and ran elaborate schemes that drained funds from legitimate operations.

 Law Enforcement Crackdowns

- Beginning in the 1980s, law enforcement significantly ramped up efforts to curtail organised crime’s influence in the ILA. Notable investigations and legal actions include:

   - The 1988 Mafia Commission Trial, which saw several Mafia bosses convicted of racketeering, significantly weakened their control over the docks.

   - The 1990s Operation Mobbed Up, which further dismantled Mafia control over port operations by indicting several high-ranking union officials and mobsters involved in corruption.

   - A continued partnership between the Waterfront Commission, FBI, and federal prosecutors has led to the arrest and conviction of numerous organised crime figures tied to the ILA.

 Modern Day and Reforms

- In recent decades, organised crime’s grip on the ILA has been reduced, though not completely eradicated. Efforts by the Waterfront Commission, stricter union rules, and aggressive law enforcement have diminished mob influence.

- Modern ILA leadership has focused more on labour rights, protecting jobs from automation, and wage increases, moving further away from its past associations with organised crime.

Sources:

- Maas, Peter. *The Valachi Papers*.

- Johnson, Malcolm. *Crime on the Waterfront* (series).