BATH – Shouting “Save Maine Jobs,” about 2,000 workers rallied outside Bath Iron Works on Thursday, voicing their anger over a plan to replace 24 union members with subcontracted help from out of state.
“If you go after one worker, you’re going after them all,” said Mike Keenan, president of the 4,000-member union, Local S/6. The crowd, which closed down the street outside the yard, replied with cheers and shouts of “corporate greed.”
The rally came just one day after Bath Iron Works’ President Dugan Shipway put the outsourcing plan with Massachusetts-based UNICCO Service Co. on a 90-day hold.
It’s progress, but not enough, Keenan said. He hopes to convince Shipway to call off the plan. Until then, the union will not rest, he said.
Workers carried signs calling for solidarity and for Shipway to be outsourced.
Kevin James, a pipefitter from Wiscasset, hung a sign on a crutch, the result of a morning operation.
“I’m supposed to be at home icing this knee down,” James said. “I’ll do that later.”
The rally was also attended by several politicians including Gov. John Baldacci.
“When push comes to shove, we’ll be standing together,” he said.
The activism comforted Michael Parrott of Lewiston, whose job would be one of the 24 to go. He stood in the crowd carrying a “Say no to UNICCO” sign.
“The company hasn’t even spoken to us,” said Parrott, who has worked at BIW for 28 years. He started as a spray painter but was reassigned several years ago to custodial work. He now cleans the offices where the company’s leaders, including Shipway, work.
Shipway’s plan would replace the custodial detail with UNICCO’s workers. However, union members fear more outsourcing will follow if the plan goes through.
“It’s inevitable,” said Dick Doyle of Brunswick, who wore a sign around his neck which read, “Stop Scabs.”
If UNICCO comes, no one’s job is safe, said David Bowen of Lewiston. A shipfitter with 16 years experience at the yard, Bowen said he has been surprised at the level of unity among the union workers.
“Everybody’s job is at stake,” he said.
Workers also believe that the plan was delayed to prevent the union from disrupting the July 23 christening for its newest destroyer, Farragut.
When Keenan mentioned the ceremony, he drew catcalls of “Picket it” from the crowd.
“All right,” Keenan said, and the cheers grew. “There will be no UNICCO in this state, in this city and sure as hell not our yard.”
UNICCO has had success, though. It’s clients include Fairchild Semiconductor, General Electric and Lockheed-Martin.
Meanwhile, Bath Iron Works is trying to cut costs.
Keenan said he wants management to stop such moves as this and let shipbuilders concentrate on building ships.
“We’ll beat the competition,” he said. Until then, workers will prevent UNICCO from coming, he said.
“The outcome will not be, and cannot be, any scab crossing our gates,” Keenan said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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