I never had much contact with the Longshoreman's Union so you know more than I do. All I know is back in the 80's my union dues went to the AFGE, and our hall was fine.
A group is only as good as it's leadership. The union you belonged to may have had a good leader. The concept of a union is understood protection from some corporate guns that can get full of themselves. But when the leadership is hijecked, the tables turn.