BIW’s final three-year contract offer includes an annual 3% pay increase, maintains current premiums on benefits including 401(k) and life insurance but would increase health plan co-pays. A union committee has rejected the proposal, putting negotiations in flux.
Bath Iron Works
Union negotiators at Bath Iron Works reject final contract offer
The company says it presented its ‘last, best and final’ offer to Machinists Union Local S6 on Saturday.
Lawmakers urge BIW to rethink expanding subcontracting amid tense union negotiations
Democratic Reps. Jared Golden and Chellie Pingree sent a joint letter to Dirk Lesko, president of BIW, suggesting the company refocus its efforts “on hiring, training and investing in Maine workers for these critical jobs” rather than expanding subcontracting.
Bath shipyard workers rally amid rocky contract negotiations
Workers held a demonstration Wednesday morning to show solidarity as union officials negotiate for higher wages, among other demands.
Hammering their point home: Bath shipyard workers make noise in protest during contract negotiations
While a strike hasn’t been declared yet, the union plans to hold a rally outside the union hall on Washington Street in Bath on Wednesday at 6 a.m.
Bath shipyard’s largest union threatens strike as contract negotiations falter
“If BIW doesn’t cease its union-busting tactics and come back to the table with a suitable offer, our membership will likely have no other option but to strike,” Chris Weirs, president of Local S6, BIW’s largest union, wrote Monday. “The last thing we want is a strike, but we are prepared to do so if needed.”
In BIW contract negotiations, union wants wage hikes, shipyard wants to get caught up
Tim Suitter, communications representative for Local S6, said Thursday that a strike is “always on the table” but the union sees it as “a last measure to get a fair contract.”
Vendor at BIW tests positive for COVID-19
Bath Iron Works reports its third case, saying the vendor was wearing personal protective equipment at the shipyard Friday and is now in quarantine, as are two other vendors who were in close proximity to the person who tested positive.
BIW worker attendance returns to pre-virus levels
Employee attendance at Bath Iron Works, which had been down 25% to 30%, returned to “pre-COVID levels” on Monday, according to David Hench, BIW spokesman.
High cost, busy schedule prevented BIW from winning Navy’s frigate contract, analysts say
With the frigate contract lost to Italian shipbuilding company Fincantieri, Arleigh Burkes-class destroyers are the only type of ship Bath Iron Works will build for the next decade, save one final Zumwalt class destroyer under construction in Bath.