Contract Talks Underway for BIW Shipbuilders

May 6, 2008 - The current IAM-BIW contract covers approximately 3,400 shipbuilders at the nation’s oldest continually operating shipyard, including fitters, welders, painters, electricians, mechanics and other classifications.

According to pre-negotiation surveys, rising health care costs are a serious concern for many members in addition to retirement security and wages.

“This contract negotiation is an opportunity to provide members and their families with a measure of economic stability that is simply not available to non-union households,” said Tucker. “All the resources of this union, from the economic research capability of the Strategic Resources Department to the Legislative Department’s efforts to secure additional contracts for BIW, are at work on behalf of our members at BIW. I am confident this negotiating committee has all the tools to reach an agreement that is worthy of this highly-skilled workforce.”

Members of Local S-6 are scheduled to cast ballots on May 18 at the Augusta Civic Center on the company’s “last, best and final” offer. The current agreement expires on May 18.