Charles Spencer continues to make a mark on JAXPORT, union members and students

5 MIN READ

Written by: Marcia Pledger

In an auditorium filled with students and supporters at Jacksonville’s historic Edward Waters University, Charles Spencer headed to the podium and immediately let the audience know that his message is specific to International Longshoremen’s Association ILA Local 1408 Scholarship recipients.

The legendary leader for the ILA’s South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District told the 22 scholarship recipients what he believes they need to do while planning their future careers.

“Focus on the best…I say that through the road of life – you always get more of what you’re focusing on. So, students, what are you focusing on,” said Spencer, 82. “My question is, are you focused on the problems, the distractions, the frustrations, the excuses, the shortcomings and the annoyances? Or are you focused on your dreams?”

Spencer, who has an honorary degree from Florida Community College at Jacksonville, dropped out of college three times. This is one of the reasons the longshoremen’s union leader founded a college scholarship fund in 1995 that’s still going strong today. He struggled to pay for his own three children’s college education, which motivated him to help others get their degrees.

He was honored to hand out checks to students, ranging from $600 to $3,000, depending on their scores on a maritime-based essay they wrote as part of the scholarship application process.

What started 29 years ago as a scholarship fund that began with $20,000 from fellow union workers, has grown to a fund that now includes corporate sponsors and money earned from an annual fundraising golf tournament. Since its inception nearly three decades ago, the ILA Local 1408 Scholarship Fund has distributed more than $1 million to help more than 1,000 students pay for college.

He believes that you’re not successful if you’re not helping others along the way.

Career Journey

Spencer, who started working at the port at age 19, is the ninth of 10 children who grew up four blocks from the Talleyrand docks in a wooden shotgun house resting atop brick piers. He was the youngest person in the union when he started, so he was nicknamed “Jitterbug.” He reminisces about decades ago, when he was among workers at the bottom of a ship helping move cargo to the berth. Hatches and cranes were used to lift goods piece by piece because much of it was not containerized.

“I wanted to work on cranes, and I resigned myself to be really good at it,” he said.

A year after he started working at the port, he was recording secretary – taking notes at union meetings. A couple of decades on the waterfront later, at 39, he became president of the ILA Local 1408, a position he retained for 15 years. He was then nominated for the position of Executive Vice President of the ILA South Atlantic and Gulf Coast district which covers nine states.

Spencer is a trailblazer who worked tirelessly throughout the years and helped negotiate union workers’ contracts. He played a role in increasing ILA members’ salaries and benefits at JAXPORT for union members including tractor/trailer operators, crane operators, mechanics, and automobile drivers.

The average salary for ILA workers is about $70,000. Some workers earn more than $125,000.

However, salaries aren’t the only reason Spencer is admired by so many people. He’s known for taking an interest in longshoremen’s personal goals.

“I would not be the person I am today had Charles Spencer not touched my life,” said former Florida State Senator Anthony “Tony” Hill, who was also a longshoreman and union leader.

In July, Spencer received the 2024 Benjamin L. Hooks “Keeper of the Flame” Award from the NAACP. But he asked a longtime friend to accept the award for him, because he was participating in a national board meeting for the A. Phillip Randolph Institute, an organization of Black trade unionists who fight for racial equality and economic justice.

The NAACP recognized him for his significant contributions to racial equality and commitment to fairness in the workplace. The national recognition is the latest of many awards he has received from various organizations throughout the years.

A jack of all trades

Charles also owns a small florist shop on the city’s Northside, not far from the Talleyrand area where he grew up. His daughter Charzetta manages the business, which was voted as the No. 1 florist shop in Jacksonville in a 2020 JaxBest contest where residents vote for their favorite area businesses.

“We’re proud of that plaque. It’s at the front counter and on our website,” Spencer said.

Spencer has owned several businesses throughout the years, including two daycare centers and a bank.

He has also served on the Edward Waters University Board of Trustees for the past 24 years and is active with the Westside Church of Christ.

Giving back to the community

In honor of his legacy and service to the City of Jacksonville, Mayor Donna Deegan proclaimed September 2, 2024, Labor Day, as Charles Spencer Day in the city. The proclamation recognizes his outstanding career at JAXPORT, life-long dedication to civil rights and invaluable contributions to Jacksonville’s growth and prosperity.

“That’s the kind of man Charles is – a tireless advocate of equal opportunity for all, whether it’s on the docks or in the classroom,” said Mayor Donna Deegan said at the JAXPORT Board of Directors Meeting on Sept. 20, 2024. “It’s easy to see why he received that NAACP Benjamin L. Hooks “Keeper of the Flame” Award. JAXPORT and our city are stronger, fairer, and more equitable because of his work.”

“Everybody who is giving back – that’s what we’re supposed to do. That’s why we’re here,” Spencer said. “I’m very happy to have been born and raised on the East Side of Jacksonville and to have the opportunity to give back to my community.”