I'm a longshoreman out of Local 23 in Tacoma. I built an app for our members, and in my spare time I've been building one for the rest of the coast. On a typical day more people open Dispatch Companion than our hall fills jobs. Longshore Companion is the same idea for everybody else.

• Ships at berth and inbound for Seattle, Tacoma and Everett, with schedules, ETAs and a live map
• Dispatch data for most PNW ports now

• Work out of two locals? Switch between them in a tap

• Log a shift in a few taps: date, hours, job, terminal

• Pay worked out from the PMA rates: straight time, OT, hoot owl and paid holidays

• Your week, month, quarter and year, against the same stretch last year

• Your qualifying year: hours toward 800 and 1,300, and the vacation weeks they earn

• Bring your old timebook over with CSV import, and export any time

• Your timebook is synced to your account, so you never lose a shift again

No ads. Your shift details are encrypted on your phone before they sync. Nothing you log goes to your employer, the PMA or your local, and you can delete your account and data whenever you want.

The tape, work data and ships are free. The timebook is free for your first 14 shifts, then $9.99 a year with a 1-week free trial. Same price our hall charges for the paper timebook.

iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/app/id6759852276

Web: https://longshorecompanion.com

Android: we're in Google Play testing, and Google won't release it until enough people test it. Every install helps:

1. Join the test group: https://groups.google.com/g/longshore-companion-testers
2. Opt in, then install it from the Play Store: https://play.google.com/apps/testing/com.longshorecompanion.app

It's independent, not the ILWU or the PMA. Some locals are more built out than others, mostly the ones that have reached out. If yours looks thin, send me a message and I'll work on it.

Heard about this while at the hall, but was wondering if anyone had info on it or how to invite new casuals (the casuals I talked too didn't know how to invite people). Thanks.

Hello Everyone,

I'm a longshoreman out of NY/NJ, and I built PortHQ, a customizable hours tracker and mobile platform. Since July it's only been available for NY/NJ Longshore workers. Starting this week, longshoremen from Boston down to Florida and across the Gulf can sign up. My focus is on building a quality, premium product that every longshore worker can benefit from.

What is available today,

- Fast shift logging. Tap your terminal, your job or equipment, ship and the times.

- See your week, month and contract year, with pay estimates that lines up with the master contract.

- Ships at your port. What's in, what's coming and what's sailing, from your port's schedules plus live ship tracking.

- Notes. The vessel database (ship notes, photos, lashing gear, twist lock types) is built by members and shared up and down the coast. Machine notes stay specific to your terminal, local and region.

- News. Port and industry news for your port and the whole coast, with comments, reactions and bookmarks. You can share stories yourself.

- Message boards (The Stringpiece). NY/NJ has its own board now. Boards for other ports, plus one for the whole coast, will open as more members join.

- Documents. Your region's important documents in one place.

- Savannah and Charleston: work board, summarized as ships, terminals and start times.

- The Dashboard can be rearrange, resize and recolored, pick your own avatar, choose from many themes, and sign in with Face ID or your fingerprint.

- I'm committed to keeping PortHQ ad-free and to never selling or sharing any information. There are no third-party trackers either.

- Tracking shifts and hours between multiple companies can get confusing here you can keep track your shifts, hours and pay for your own records with analytics, charts, set goals and searchability.

- PortHQ doesn't get payroll or hours records from any employer, union or shipping association, and nothing you log is shared with anyone.

- Face ID and fingerprint sign up with Google or Apple for password free log-ins.

- You can delete your account and data at any time. Export your shifts first if you want to keep them.

Where it stands

Right now it's set up for container, car/RoRo and cruise ports. PortHQ is a highly customizable platform, though. If your job, equipment or premium isn't listed, type it in and it will remember next time you open the app. I'm open to every suggestion that would make it more useful for your port, region or local, and anything can be built in.

It also learns as people use it, so the more members at your port are on it, the more accurate it gets for everyone. It's a work in progress, and I'll be pushing updates daily as feedback comes in and new ideas get added to the platform.

What it costs

Try it free for 30 days. After that it's $5.99 a month, $59.99 a year, or $145.99 for 3 years. If you subscribe during your trial, your first payment is 20% off. If you don't subscribe, your logged shifts are still yours to view and export.

Already on PortHQ in NY/NJ? Thank you for helping build it into what it is. NY/NJ will run on its own release schedule log in to the app for details.

Any earnings will gets reinvested into PortHQ, mainly to pay for access to more information and data sources that make it better for everyone.

Where to get it

- iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/porthq/id6786101007

- Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.porthq.app

- Web: https://port-hq.com

Don't see your local, or it says Coming Soon? Message me and I'll work on getting it added.

PortHQ is built independently by 747 Technologies LLC. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by any union, local, shipping association or shipping company.

Drop your questions, complaints and ideas below or email support in the app.

Hi,

How many “sets” of lashing does the test require?
And how many minutes do they give you?

Thanks!

Can anyone get me hired there in Vancouver ?
If you can connect me with someone that’ll be great.

How Do You Become a Longshoreman? Here’s What You Should Know

I see people asking all the time: “How do I become a longshoreman?”

The truth is, there isn’t one universal process. Every port and ILA local may handle hiring, applications, casual workers, training, seniority, and membership differently.

That’s one of the reasons I created YOUR UNION YOUR VOICE and the “Welcome to the I.L.A. Moment” series.

The goal is to give people a place to learn about the longshore industry from the people who actually live it.

We talk about how people got their first opportunity on the waterfront, the casual and shape-up process, training and certifications, seniority, different longshore jobs, union membership, challenges facing new workers, and real stories from active members, women of the ILA, veterans, and retirees.

This is not an official hiring page for the ILA or any individual local, and nobody can guarantee someone a longshore job. This platform is about education, information, and sharing real experiences from the waterfront.

If you’re already a longshore worker, I want to hear from you too:

How did you become a longshoreman? What port or local are you from? What advice would you give someone trying to get into the industry today?

Follow YOUR UNION YOUR VOICE

📘 Facebook: Your Union Your Voice
📸 Instagram: @yourunionyourvoice
▶️ YouTube: @TheOfficialYourUnionYourVoice

🎙️ YOUR UNION YOUR VOICE
⚓ Real People. Real Stories. Real Change.
Educate • Empower • Unite

Labor Stories Matter.

Long story short, I’ve been in the system for over a decade but I never really gave it much thought — I wanted to built a career of my own so I’ve been working in the tech industry.

I got off the list and starting pick up temp work whenever I can and am slowly getting asked if I’d be interested converting to FTE with some of the maritime companies. But it’s just been hard for me to decide honestly…

I work fully remote right now, doing a job that challenges me creatively which is a good and a bad thing at times. I’m at a place where things are stable but at the end of the day, I’m dispensable in the corporate eye. I do love my team and the work I do, but who knows how things will be in 10-20 years in tech.

If I leave to work for ILWU OCU, I’d have to go in office 5 times a week, do a job that I don’t necessarily feel passionate about, and might just feel ‘depressed’ eventually? But the huge upside is the benefits, pension,stability, and the pay I guess.

I get paid a good amount right now, and I’m ambitious with my career, I could get more if o wanted - with promotions, seniority, etc. but that takes time and energy to happen and it’s not guaranteed, especially in tech. If I choose to join ILWU OCU, I’ve heard that I don’t really need to worry about that, in the sense that everyone gets the same annual raise, there’s no need to fight for a promotion here, it’s kind of just a chill stable for-lifer kind of job.

Idk I’m kind of just stuck with choosing… I’m extremely privileged to have these options — I’m just wanting to make sure I make the right decision. Because if I choose to leave my job for this, I probably won’t leave ILWU OCU (or it wouldn’t be wise for me to).

Any thoughts, advice, or if anyone is going through/has gone through a similar experience — would love to hear it! Thank you!

Hello! I'm producing a documentary for CNN covering the importance of global shipping. I'm looking for Southern California based longshoremen who are open to being interviewed for the project. Please reach out directly if you're interested!

Anyone know what number they are on in Portland or if they are pulling again soon?

Hi,

I am teaching a college exploratory course on containerization- specifically ships and ports (my insta is in my profile).

I know this going to sound strange but I want to students to actually see the twist lock because that idea is a big deal. I definitely don’t need a set, just 1. I’d really prefer a used or decommissioned lock. Does anyone know where I could look? I’m in the South Jersey/ Philly area.

Made the casual Drawing but wondering what number are they through the list. Thanks.

Hi everyone, I have an upcoming interview with G3 for general labourer position in North Vancouver.

Just curious how company environment is? Review on Indeed aren’t very well
Is work environment toxic?
Please share your experience if you have worked at g3 or know someone who works 🙏🏻

I really love watching the cranes work at the Port of Oakland, so I made up a simulator. Definitely made it for my own enjoyment, but if you want to give it a shot www.bortsim.com will get you there.

Alot of west coast terminals rely on Canadian potash via rail.

Not too thrilled that this deal is being worked on to undercut the Canadian sales to the US.

My grandpa is in the union for about 10 years now in Seattle and he has a “token,” I believe that is same as sponsoring? Is it? idk but he’s offered it to me and we will speak more about the opportunity but can anyone share info on how this works and if there’s a difference between said token and sponsorship? What I should expect? TIA

I recently started looking into starting a career with a union (specifically ILA). I grew up working on boats and in boat yards. I know it’s completely different from what yall do but how can I start the process? I’ve just been emailing and calling everyone I can but it seems like there’s not much direction on how to actually get hired. Any tips would be greatly appreciated. I’m in Charleston, SC

Thank you for your time

Whats going on people. I have my cdl class a but I’ve been trying to get an opportunity at getting a port job. I live in Newark NJ and port newark or Port elizabeth would be the most ideal locations for me. Anyone have an idea or how i should inquire about a job/career?

question for longshoremen in Newark, if a local wants to sponsor you, can they hire or push you through the process with the NYSA opening up the hiring for the public