Harold J. Daggett may not be a household name, but as leaders in the American labor movement go, he’s up there. He is the International President of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), and represents tens of thousands of dock workers up and down the East Coast and Gulf. His leadership is bold, and he’s been lauded as much as criticized, which has left him newsworthy. Plenty of people want to know where he’s been, how he travels and his success with money.
This profile offers a comprehensive look at the life and Harold Daggett net worth that carries him from his earlier years on the dock, through his days becoming a powerful union official. We will discuss his career journey, personal life and shed more light on how much he is worth, to have a full view of the title holder.
Early Life and Career
Harold Daggett was born on May 12, 1946, in New York City and grew up in a working-class family with strong ties to the maritime trade. His father, Harold Daggett Sr., was a member of the ILA as well and in fact, Daggett is a third-generation longshoreman. He was raised in Queens and learned the virtues of hard work, loyalty and perseverance early on.
After he graduated from school Daggett joined the US Navy where he served during Vietnam. When he returned to the United States, he followed a family tradition and started working on the docks. He began as a mechanic with ILA Local 1804-1 in North Bergen, N.J., in 1967. This was the starting point of his career and gave him an insight into the issues and demands that port workers faced, a knowledge that would drive his work for years to come.
His commitment and natural leadership ability were noticed. He worked his way up the ladder, holding a number of positions in the union as he earned the trust of his brothers.
The Rise to ILA Leadership
Daggett’s ascent to the pinnacle of the ILA was decades in the making, through steady work and hands-on leadership. He turned out to be a formidable and tenacious advocate for his brother longshoremen. In 1991, he was voted the Secretary-Treasurer for the ILA’s Atlantic Coast District, a powerful post that extend-ed his power and reach.
He kept climbing the ranks, reaching into top executive suites of the company. In 2011, he was elected to the position of International President for the ILA, the union’s highest office. As branch president Daggett went on to be the chief spokesman for a union of more than 85,000 members and oversaw contract negotiations, job protection and fair labor practices.
As president, he has personally inserted himself in some of the largest labor negotiations, often reinforcing his members against pressures like port automation that could threaten their incomes. He is a leader you can pull close to inspire loyalty, not too far from the attitude he worker has had in fighting for union rights.
Estimated Harold Daggett Net Worth
One of the frequently asked questions among people about Harold Daggett is what is his net worth. As a large figure of a major union, his financial fortune has been widely discussed. He has an net worth of $6 – $8 Million as of now. The wealth has been amassed during a long and highly successful career in union leadership.
Sources of Income
Daggett makes money from multiple sources, but the main source is his net worth.
- Wages: His salary is also a significant portion of his earnings as the ILA International President. Public union filings show his annual pay is quite generous. His compensation broke $850,000 in 2023 and was almost $784,752 in 2024 when including benefits it amounted to nearly $955,000. These are numbers that put him in the category of top paid union leader in the country.
- Real estate: Daggett has substantial real estate holdings, which are a good share of his wealth. He also owns a Sparta, New Jersey rental estate worth millions along with a home in Florida.
- Investments and Other Ventures: Studenous Daggett like so many people of note likely has a diverse investment portfolio that throws her more money. Though details are not public, it is typical for people in his position to invest in businesses or have retirement accounts that pad their finances.
- Speaking and Consulting: As an expert in maritime and labor, he may receive speaking or consulting fees which would add to his net worth.
A Glimpse into His Lifestyle
From Oxy Clean to washing homes, Harold Daggett has always lived a comfortable life. His home in Sparta, New Jersey, the main caption of his assets, is a large estate estimated to be worth millions with luxurious creature comforts such as a multi-car garage.
Other high-value assets have also been cited in public records and reports. He was said to have at one time owned a 76-foot yacht called “Obsession” and has driven luxury cars, including a Bentley. These are frequently brought up in the tent as they note his very different lifestyle than those he represents who do blue-collar work.
But some die-hard fans say the financial incentive is a well-earned measure of his yeoman service and effective stewardship over the years. Additionally, Daggett has a history of charitable work in union towns that help dock workers and their families.
As to his personal habits, Daggett is reported as being moderate and regular in all things. He subscribes to simple eating, by consuming natural edibles to fuel his busy schedule. He is about 5’8″. A solid, big presence. Those who know him describe him as a calm, fair-minded person who cherishes time with his family.
Family Life
Family is everything to Harold Daggett. His wife is Marilyn Daggett, who has constantly been helping him throughout his career but she prefers to keep low about her personal life. The outstanding tradition the Daggett family established in the ILA is evident by the footsteps Harold’s children are following.
He has three children — Lisa, Dennis and John. His son Dennis Daggett is the i.E.President of the ILA, another son John has an executive post in the union. This inheritance of the Daggett legacy in the ILA leadership is one-of-a-kind in his family’s history.
Achievements and Legacy
Harold Daggett has been a firebrand in defending workers and negotiating strong contracts during his term as ILA President. He negotiated on behalf of thousands of longshoremen and has completed extended contracts that secure good wages, benefits, and job security. His opposition to full automation of ports has been a signal part of his legacy, and represents an attempt to protect jobs in a time characterized by fast-paced technological innovation.
Under his leadership, the ILA has maintained its status as one of the most powerful and influential labor unions in America. While he has been a polarizing figure at times, particularly around his brash manner, he is also deeply respected within labor as being able to win results for his members at the table.
Like many prominent leaders, Daggett has also had his challenges and controversies. He was cleared of racketeering charges in 2005, and has always denied wrongdoing. And the high pay of top ILA officials, including his own relatives, has come under fire more recently. But the disputes have done little to undercut his stature as a forceful champion for American port labor.
The future: Growth and fiscal stability
Through 2025 Harold Daggett’s wealth will remain relatively constant and significant. His current post as head of the ILA guarantees him a large, steady income. In addition, the worth of his real estate and other backup investments would likely also chip away at the steady appreciation of his total wealth. His financial planning and multiple income streams would serve as a solid foundation for his future wealth and prosperity.
A Legacy of Labor Leadership
Harold Daggett’s own story is a classic tale of rags to the top union leadership. His estimated $6 to $8 million net worth is a result of negotiations and strategic leadership in the International Longshoremen’s Association. His wealth and lifestyle are controversial issues, however one cannot dispute his effect on the American labor movement.
For decades he has advocated on behalf of the job security and welfare of thousands of workers, walking away with a destabilizing legacy in American port labor history. His career serves as a lesson about the enormous impact — and potential rewards — of helming one of the most powerful unions in the country.
FAQs
Who is Harold Daggett?
Herold Daggett, who has been head of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) since 2011. He is known for his leadership, commitment to labor rights and modernization of ports with protections for workers at the forefront.
Who are the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA)?
The ILA is a labor union that represents workers in the maritime industry such as dockworkers, port workers and others who are employed in the handling of cargoes by shipside along US ports, Canadian ports and Puerto Rican ports.
What is the ILA’s place in the labor movement?
The ILA is essential in fighting for a living wage, safe working conditions and benefits for its members. The union bargains contracts, and helps protect workers rights within the maritime industry.
What has leadership at the ILA meant to its success?
Strong leadership in the ILA has been a critical factor to the advancement of labor rights and labor conditions. Leaders have leveraged their pulpits to bargain contracts, fight back bad policies and make the progressive movement in the business.
How does the ILA affect the United States economy?
Why is the ILA important not only to members, but also consumers? Efficient processes and fair labor are the lifeblood of trade, which drives growth in our economies.
What are some of Harold Daggett’s major successes as president of the ILA?
Under Daggett, the ILA successfully bargains long-term labor pacts, improved working conditions and has implemented port technology upgrades without sacrificing jobs. It’s been this passion for looking out for workers’ best interests that has garnered him immense respect in the labor community.
Harold Daggett’s Labor Negotiating Style A: In the Appropriations process.
Harold Daggett is a man of cooperation with an iron hand. He talks about fair and respectful agreements that work well for all parties, workers and employers alike, and the continuation of reliable port operations.
Where does Harold Daggett stand on port automation?
Snapshot: Harold Daggett has tried to balance technological change and saving jobs in ports. He is working to make sure that any automation required does not damage the livelihood of ILA workers.
What kind of impact on its international relationships has Harold Daggett had?
Harold Daggett has endeavored to enhance the ILA’s relationships with other international labor unions, built on cooperation and solidarity within world trade. His efforts have strengthened the influence and unity of the ILA at a global level.
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