BATH (AP) – Bath Iron Works is laying off 73 workers as the shipyard prepares for an approaching workload gap while the Arleigh Burke program wraps up and production of the next-generation Zumwalt destroyer ramps up.

Local S6 President Mike Keenan said Friday that the shipbuilders have done their part to reduce costs. Now it’s up to the congressional delegation and the shipyard to do their part to keep the contracts coming, he said.

“We’ve become very competitive,” he said. “We’re the only Navy contractor that’s on cost and on schedule. So the members did their part. Now it’s time our delegation does their part. We’re crossing our fingers.”

Friday’s were the first significant layoffs since June, and all 70 of those workers had been recalled, a shipyard spokesman said.

Keenan praised the company for getting creative to reduce the number of layoffs and for letting senior mechanics volunteer for the layoffs to spare those with fewer years of experience who might not be able to afford going without work.

But the shipyard needs more work, he said.

Even under the best scenario, more layoffs are expected down the road even though the Navy has bumped up the construction timetable of the DDG-1000 Zumwalt. The Navy and BIW are negotiating terms for the final DDG-1000 contract.

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