It’s time for another contest! In honor of Valentine’s Day, we’re spreading the love and it all starts with you. Enter the chance to win a $50 Visa gift card. Simply tell us why you love being a longshoreman/woman in a blog comment below.
Not a longshoreman? No worries. If you are related or married to one, tell us why you love having a longshoreman/woman in your family. Again, each participant will be entered to win a $50 Visa gift card.
So go ahead, spread the love. The contest will end Thursday, February 16 at 9 PM. One lucky winner will be selected and announced on Friday, February 17.
The Rules:
Participants must be ILWU Credit Union members in good standing
Only one comment per member
Members must enter a valid email address in the comment box below since we will contact you via email
All comment submitted after the deadline will not be entered into the contest
We look forward to receiving all your comments. Hint: Improve your chances of winning by submitting a very unique comment. Use the share buttons below to share this contest with friends and family.
[Image credit: Gabriela Pinto and Jackie]
Alex is the new Social Media Specialist for the ILWU Credit Union. She's a 'nerd' at heart who enjoys community building. Her obsessions: baked goods and old mariachi ballads. 
Being a longshoreman, wow, I thank the Lord everyday for giving me the opportunity to work here. Besides the great pay, and benefits, I’ve also met some awesome people, I’ve been able to drasticley improve my credit, and my overall lifestyle. Now I am looking at buying a house, and I am only 31 years old, there are no more financial worries for my mother since my father passed in 1996 my mother has struggled to push my sister, brother and myself to be something and have a career to be proud of, and thanks the the Ilwu and pma, I am the final one of the 3 to get to that point, and this is why I love being a longshoreman, my mother that pushed us so hard doesn’t have to worry anymore about her kids, and I know that when the day comes that I have kids, I will be able to provide them a better lifestyle and overall better quality of life. Thank God for this wonderful workplace.
I became a Casual Longshoreman 7 years ago. Having this job gave me the opportunity to raise my children, grandchildren, and to gracefully care for each of my parents during the last years of their lives. I can work at night when my family is asleep and don’t need to miss me; I am usually home before they arrive from school and when my husband comes home from work! I pickup a job or I can leave it. It is entirely up to me! That is why I love being a Longshoreman.
I love being a longshoreman because I’m an a Navy vet, an being around the different ports an ships, along with the smell of that salty ocean air is great… I couldn’t ask for a better work environment. I also live in Wilmington so my commute to any of the ports is always under 15 minutes, an I never have to be stuck in traffic on the freeway. Combine all of that with what I get paid in todays hard economic times an its easy to see an appreciate how blessed I really am.
I love being a part of an organization that takes pride in it’s own existence. There is a sense of absolute unity because of that pride, which in turn gives you a sense of purpose and importance. Also I love the labor, the hard-work, and the mechanical beauty of the docks.
I’m proud to be a female longshoreman! I love watching peoples reactions when they ask ” so what do you do? ” people are so intrigued when I explain how much hard and dangerous work goes into every single container that we are responsible for getting our goods here from other countries. I wear my ILWU jacket everywhere!! Love to represent our union. It feels great to see others in they’re apparel and say hi to a brother or sister. We are many but all connected to a family of unionism and that’s what I love.
Veronica,
I was looking online for an open position in the Longshoremen business. But, when reading your email I see that it is a very physical position? Is there any position within this business for women who are less likely to pass any heavy physical testing ? How much weight are you expected to lift? My Uncle retired as a Longshoremen. He was a single man, he had no children but was well off.
Any suggestions for a person like myself who is not mechanically inclined or strong as an ox?
I appreciate your email….
Natalie
I have two perspectives being a casual longshoreman for the last 7 years, and being married to a longshoreman.
Just to name a few this job has done for me, it has given me a a feeling of peace of mind, security, strength, diversity, unity, support, and a break from the norm.
Peace of mind mostly comes from our insurance (through my husband), I think we have one of the best health insurance plans available, that gift alone is worth more than words can say. I pray nothing catastrophic health wise ever happens to any of my family members, but at least I know we have it, and it’s available just in case.
Security comes from my husbands end too, we have a regular paycheck every week, and I know it’s not guaranteed but knowing that we’ll have money in our bank account every thursday is a blessing.
Strength, unity, and support come from being a member of one of the strongest unions in the country. Anyone would give their left arm to be a part of this organization. And we’ve seen in the past what this union can do and continues to do for us and for others.
Diversity and a break from the norm come from me, being a casual longshoreman is a huge break from being a stay home mom. Getting out of my daily life and interacting with a diverse group of people. Getting to see the same friends at the hall, and then going to do a different job every time I work is a major treat for me.
Every night when our family gives thanks before dinner, one of the things we always give thanks for is Daddy’s job, and hopefully one day Mommy’s job will be included too.
Dear Jennifer,
Thank you for your email. I am very curious as to what type of work you women do? I am sure there are a number of positions,but what is the easiest position for a woman to get into?
I am happily married to a Longshoreman!!! I am very thankful that he has such a great job! My husband works the hoot and he is able to be with the kids and I as much as possible. He is able to go to every practice and game. He’s able to make every school event. He’s able to help our kids with their homework, eat dinner with them, get them ready for bed, and put them to bed. He has the flexibility to work the days he wants and take off the ones he doesn’t. He gets to do different things every day. He has met a lot of great people. People that we now call family. He also belongs to a large family! I’ve never seen my husband as happy with his job as he is right now. He’s had to work some awful jobs to help support this family and I’m grateful that he’s found a job that he enjoys!