"the International Longshoremen's Association has been less a trade union than a collection of Chinese warlords, each ruling a great or small province."
Daniel Bell.

The dockers in Bayonne, New Jersey belong to Local 1588. Founded in 1938 it has long been under the influence of the mob. In the 1970's, John DiGilio, a soldier for the Genovese family, ran the 1588. He rented a room directly above the union's office in Bayonne. An ex boxer, he would often run...
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"the International Longshoremen's Association has been less a trade union than a collection of Chinese warlords, each ruling a great or small province."
Daniel Bell.

The dockers in Bayonne, New Jersey belong to Local 1588. Founded in 1938 it has long been under the influence of the mob. In the 1970's, John DiGilio, a soldier for the Genovese family, ran the 1588. He rented a room directly above the union's office in Bayonne. An ex boxer, he would often run downstairs to beat up anyone not following orders. DiGiglio was murdered in 1988.
In 2005, the courts forced out John Timpanaro as president of Local 1588. He was accused of associating with the Genovese family and of being involved in a kickback-for-hire scandal.
Sick of the corruption and Mafia influence that has plagued their union for decades, the men photographed for this story stood for election this year on an anti -corruption ticket. They were elected and are now running Local 1588 of the ILA in Bayonne.
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