Bath Iron Works Machinists ratify new four year labor contract

MAY 20, 2012: Machinists Union members at Bath Iron Works  voted 1,610-342 to accept a four-year contract agreement to replace the one that expires today.

BIW spokesman Jim DeMartini told The Times Record that the Local S6 negotiating committee unanimously endorsed BIW’s offer after more than two weeks of negotiations.

The union, a local unit of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, represents more than 3,000 mechanics; the shipyard has a total labor force of about 5,000.

Machinists spokesman John Carr on Friday said that shipbuilders would get a $3,000 signing bonus and the bulk would see pay increases of 2.25 percent in the first year, 2.5 percent in the second year, and 2.75 percent in each of the final two years.

Mr. Carr said workers’ defined benefit pension plan would be enhanced and there would be immediate vesting for workers participating in an optional 401(k) program.