BATH, Maine (AP) The international president of the Machinists union is calling on Congress to pressure Navy shipbuilder Bath Iron Works to return to the bargaining table and negotiate a fair agreement with striking workers.
President Robert Martinez Jr. said in a letter Tuesday that the union is “ready and willing” to work with all partners. the company said it’s “fully engaged” with a federal mediator.
About 4,300 Local S6 production workers went on strike June 22 after overwhelmingly rejecting a three-year contract proposal from the company. The company offered annual 3% raises but the union is concerned about the hiring of subcontractors, changes in work rules and issues involving seniority.
