BATH, Maine (AP) - The union representing 4,300 striking shipbuilders has requested through a federal mediator that both sides meet next week.
Both sides have been meeting separately with the mediator, but there have been no formal talks since Machinists Local S6 went on strike June 22 after overwhelmingly rejecting the company’s final offer.
A shipyard spokesman said Thursday that “BIW remains fully engaged” in the mediation process. “When that process calls for the parties to return to the bargaining table and resume negotiations, we are prepared to do so,” said spokesman David Hench.
The strike, which passed the one-month mark on Wednesday, is centered on subcontractors, work rules and seniority over wages and benefits. The company’s final offer contained 3% pay raises in each of the three years covered by the proposal.
Bath Iron Works is one of the Navy’s largest shipbuilders and a major employer in Maine, with 6,800 workers. The General Dynamics subsidiary builds Navy destroyers.
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