BATH (AP) – Bath Iron Works and its largest labor union began negotiations Monday on a new contract, even as the union remained in disarray.

The current four-year contract between the builder of Navy surface ships and the 3,400-member Local S6 of the Machinists’ union expires May 18.

Absent from the negotiating table was Local S6 President Mike Keenan, one of three officers still under suspension by the international union as it wraps up an investigation into allegations ranging from financial mismanagement to pornography on union computers.

International President R. Thomas Buffenbarger, who appointed a trial committee that has been looking into the allegations, was among those attending the first day’s preliminary discussions.

The opening session included statements by Bath Iron Works executives and top-ranking union leaders, according to the union.

Bath Iron Works declined comment on the talks.

As the talks proceed, negotiators will break up into committees to hammer out contract language on key issues such as benefits and wages.

Spokesman Jim DeMartini said the company will make no statements until negotiations have ended.

A membership survey conducted by the union showed that the concerns of Bath shipbuilders mirror those of workers across the country, spokesman John Carr said.

“At the top of everything is the health care issue, retirement security is a big deal, and of course wages – look at the economy, everything is going up,” he said.

Carr suggested that the first few days of talks will set the tone, but he said he believes both sides go into the negotiations confident that they will be able to reach an agreement.

Local S6 members are scheduled to convene May 18 at the Augusta Civic Center for an up or down vote on the contract.

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Information from: The Times Record, http://www.timesrecord.com

AP-ES-05-05-08 1406EDT