Voices of the Longshoremen
Local 1416 History
Torin Ragin | Beginning With Judge Henderson
Local 1416 started with Judge Henderson, a pioneer who organized and put together collective bargaining agreement in 1936 when the wages were very low. Local 1416 has owned its union hall building in Overtown since 1955. Because of foundation laid by Judge Henderson, Local 1416 is able to reap benefits of 86 years of providing labor for good paying jobs and creating part of black middle class. To view the full video, visitMiami MoCAAD's YouTube channel.
Alan Davis | Clarence Pittman, Sr. at the Beginning Too
His grandfather, Clarence Pittman Sr., was one of the original longshoremen involved in organizing group of workers under an organized contract. To view the full video, visitMiami MoCAAD's YouTube channel.
Clarence Pittman III | Deep Family Tradition
His great grandfather was involved in starting the union. His father, Clarence Pittman, Jr., was president of Local 1416 for over 40 years. To view the full video, visitMiami MoCAAD's YouTube channel.
Lovette "Queen of the South" McGill | Wages Then
Back in the 1930s longshoremen paid about 50 cents an hour. Longshoremen's work became an economic driver for blacks; and no college or high school needed. To view the full video, visitMiami MoCAAD's YouTube channel.
Jacqui Colyer | Courage to Demand Respect
In 1936 Judge Henderson formed Local 1416 when the Ku Klux Klan was marching down the streets of Overtown and intimidating Blacks. It took courage for Judge Henderson to lead a group of ten Black men to come together; start a union; insist that men be paid a living wage, and insist that they be treated with respect. To view the full video, visitMiami MoCAAD's YouTube channel.
Dr. Dorothy Jenkins Fields | Respect and First Name Judge
Judge was first name of Judge Henderson, founder of ILA Local 1416. It was customary for some blacks to give their children titles as first names as a way to demand respect from whites. Judge Henderson brought men together to form the Longshoremen's Union because of the desire to be respected. To view the full video, visitMiami MoCAAD's YouTube channel.
Jacqui Colyer | "Union Leaders and Growth of PortMiami"
Judge Henderson founded Local 1416 in 1936 through his courage and grit. Cleveland Turner led in the 50s and 60s and influenced the move from Dodge Island to the PortMiami. Clarence Pittman Jr. was quiet power whose leadership made people proud to be a longshoreman. Ellis Canty, Sr. was a big idea person who worked to bring the tunnel to PortMiami for trucks to move cargo. To view the full video, visitMiami MoCAAD's YouTube channel.
Dr. Marvin Dunn | Protection Against the Ku Klux Klan
Miami had second largest Ku Klux Klan chapter in state. Up until 1950s when whites from North started coming to Miami Beach, Blacks were subject to being lynched and terrorized by the Ku Klux Klan. Longshoremen had a role in protecting the Black community from Klan. To view the full video, visitMiami MoCAAD's YouTube channel.
Dr. Marvin Dunn | Standing Up for Civil Rights
People need to know that there were Black men in the 1940s and 50s who made a big difference. Folks who really made civil rights happen in Miami were not the school teachers; not black business people; not the Black privileged. Longshoremen and working-class people who couldn't be fired and had the power to stand up. To view the full video, visitMiami MoCAAD's YouTube channel.
Jacqui Colyer | Unknown Story of Union Leadership in Growth of PortMiami
Local 1416 President Cleveland Turner saw potential of PortMiami and the tourism industry; and what it could mean for the future of longshoremen and influenced move from Dodge Island to PortMiami. President Ellis Canty, Sr. was a force in making sure that the tunnel for trucks carrying cargo to Port Miami got built. This is an unknown story of Black leadership in Miami. To view the full video, visitMiami MoCAAD's YouTube channel.
Alan Davis | Expansion of the PortMiami
The expansion of The port of Miami was essential to the longshoremen association, allowing them to bring in larger ships. To view the full video, visitMiami MoCAAD's YouTube channel.
Dr. Dorothy Jenkins Fields | Not Enough Research on Contributions to Miami's Development
Much more research needs to be done on how Local 1416 and the Black community contributed to the cruise and cargo industry and the development of Miami and its $43 billion economy. To view the full video, visitMiami MoCAAD's YouTube channel.
Dr. Enid Curtis Pinkney | "Importance of Union History"
We need to know that the union was started in Overtown and that the union and Overtown are important to Miami's history. We need to know that back in that day (in 1955), they were able to build a building and that building is still standing today. The union gave hope. To view the full video, visitMiami MoCAAD's YouTube channel.
Dr. Marvin Dunn | "Need to Tell Role of Black Union in Uplifting From Poverty"
The history of a Black union that could lift thousands out of the mire of poverty needs to be told to the young people and the wider community. To view the full video, visitMiami MoCAAD's YouTube channel.
Support for Education
Alan Davis | Education Important
From inception, education stressed to children. Local 1416 considered it a duty to members and community to support education; provide employment and assist those returning from incarceration in qualifying for jobs. To view the full video, visitMiami MoCAAD's YouTube channel.
Dr. Dorothy Jenkins Fields | "Working the Docks to Educate Family"
The Dr. Samuel H. Johnson, uncle of Dr. Dorothy Fields, was a longshoreman who worked the docks in the 1920s during summers while attending Morehouse College and Meharry Medical School so he and his six siblings could get an education and return to Miami as professionals. To view the full video, visitMiami MoCAAD's YouTube channel.
William H. Thomas | Jobs for All Educational Levels
Local 1416 has allowed Black men of all educational levels to create wealth for their families and grow professionally. Through the apprenticeship program, prospective longshoremen can learn all they need to be exceptional. To view the full video, visitMiami MoCAAD's YouTube channel.
Created Middle Class
Dr. Dorothy Jenkins Fields | Ladder to Middle Class
Longshoremen created the middle class. With the Union, they had better jobs, and they were able to create opportunities for descendants to be educated—to go to college, graduate school or start businesses. To view the full video, visitMiami MoCAAD's YouTube channel.
William Thomas | Great Pay and Benefits.
The pay in one day amounted to the pay for an entire week that I worked at the bank. To view the full video, visitMiami MoCAAD's YouTube channel.
Dr. Marvin Dunn | "Raised to the Middle Class"
The union raised us from a migrant family to the middle class. Dad was a fruit picker who moved to Miami from Central Florida and became a union member by 1955 or 56. Life changed. Dad had a check every two weeks. To view the full video, visitMiami MoCAAD's YouTube channel.
Committed to Community
William Thomas | My Brother's Keeper
The core of Local 1416 came from Overtown, and Local 1416 taught its members to take care of each other and their community. To view the full video, visitMiami MoCAAD's YouTube channel.
Darnell Brown | "The Brotherhood"
The benefits of being a member of the longshoremen union cover many areas, from financial security to community involvement. Most notable is the brotherhood and history you become a part of when joining. To view the full video, visitMiami MoCAAD's YouTube channel.
Cecilia Stewart | "Committed to Community"
Local 1416 overcame hurdles to become the pillar of the community it is today. From raising money to get the union building, standing up for voting rights, and providing food for those who were in need, the Longshoremen were committed to the community. To view the full video, visitMiami MoCAAD's YouTube channel.
Women Longshoremen
Lovette "Queen of the South" McGill | First Woman Elected to an Office
Lovette McGill was the first woman elected to an office in Local 1416. To view the full video, visitMiami MoCAAD's YouTube channel.
Lovette 'Queen of the South' McGill | First Women's Conference and Support of Student Scholarships
Lovette McGill helped organize the first women's conference for the International Longshoremen's Association held in Jacksonville in March 2022. Over 400 women attended from across the industry. She also helps with the scholarship program named after former Local 1416 President, Clarence Pittman, Jr., which awards $4,000 to $5,000 scholarships. To view the full video, visitMiami MoCAAD's YouTube channel.
Longshoremen Economic Engine
Torin Ragin | Essential to Economy
Longshoremen industry is critically important and essential to the economy. Nearly everything you buy from the shelves has to be shipped. PortMiami is second biggest economic generator in Miami-Dade County outside of the airport. To view the full video, visitMiami MoCAAD's YouTube channel.
Andrew Alison | Proud of What We Stand For
Local 1416 is a predominantly Black union that provides good paying jobs without requirements that other jobs demand, fulfills essential services and serves the community. I am proud of what we stand for. To view the full video, visitMiami MoCAAD's YouTube channel.
Local 1416 Today
Torin Ragin | 800 Members Strong
Local 1416 has close to 800 members with longstanding tradition of serving Miami-Dade County, but especially Overtown, Miami Gardens, Liberty City and Cutler Ridge. It's active in charitable contributions, advocacy, politics and cultural activities. To view the full video, visitMiami MoCAAD's YouTube channel.
Torin Ragin | Celebrating 80th and 85th Anniversaries
Celebrations of Local 1416's 80th and 85th Anniversaries were in partnership with community and whole community invited. Local 1416 gave thanks to community that given longshoremen support for over eight decades. To view the full video, visitMiami MoCAAD's YouTube channel.
