Obtaining a dockworker’s card and then working your way up through the local union are the two main steps in becoming a longshoreman. Longshoremen are members of organizations such as the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union in the United States and Canada (ILWU). You can begin working as a longshoreman once you have obtained the necessary credentials to work on a dock. You’ll most likely start out as a “unidentified casual,” which means you’ll be the last person to get work on any given day.
The first step toward becoming a longshoreman is to obtain the necessary credentials to work on a dock. In the United States, this is known as a dockworker’s card, but the technical term is Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWICTM). The TWICTM is a universal credential that anyone who needs access to secure Marine Security Transportation Act (MTSA) areas, such as those found in ports, can use. To obtain this credential, you must provide identification documents and have your fingerprints and photograph taken.
You can look for work as a longshoreman once you have your TWICTM. Contacting your local chapter of the ILWU, ILA, or other applicable union is usually the first step in this process. They will be able to tell you about the specific procedure for “unidentified casualties,” as well as any other pertinent information. You may be required to complete an application process and pass a series of written or practical tests. Because getting shifts at that point can be difficult, you might want to look for temporary work in construction or another related field while pursuing your dream of becoming a longshoreman.
The economy, your location, and a variety of other factors can all influence whether or not you get work as a “unidentified casual.” If your area has a lot of shipping, there is a better chance that there will be enough work to go around. You may be invited to become a “identified casual” after logging enough shifts at that point. This is the next step in becoming a longshoreman, as you will have a better chance of finding work each day.
After you’ve worked a certain number of hours as a “identified casual,” the next step is to become a longshoreman. You may be invited to join the ILWU at that point, even though you will not be a dues-paying member of the local chapter. As a “class B” member, you are much more likely to be offered a shift on any given day, though you are not guaranteed to get work when it is available until you become a “class A” member of the local union.