More than 300 Longshoremen and unemployed Bayonne residents showed their support for a container port at the BLRA meeting, Thursday September 13. ILA International Executive Vice President and Mechanics Local 1804 President Harold Daggett brought two hundred members who Longshoremen at BLRA Meeting 9-13-07 2007work at various terminals around the harbor to help convince the BLRA commissioners that a Port is good for Bayonne and the region. Mr. Daggett noted two common themes in the media: real estate development is tanking and container terminals are booming.

Dennis Daggett, Recording-Secretary of Local 1804 and Secretary Treasurer, of the ILA Atlantic Coast District, said it would be imprudent to let "narrow real estate interests jeopardize the future and health of our regional and national economy." He said the ACD is prepared to pursue "all legal means necessary to ensure that the best interests of our community, our members, and our national economy are protected by the construction of a container terminal

Local 1588 President Anthony Falcicchio spoke of the excellent pay and benefits provided by ILA jobs and of the difficulties Bayonne residents are experiencing with high taxes. Several unemployed Bayonne citizens described the difficulty of remaining in their native towns without a decent job.

The BLRA Commissioners listened respectfully and said they would take seriously the proposals and comments made.