Negotiating committees for General Dynamics Bath Iron Works (BIW) and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local Lodge S6 (LS6) reached tentative agreement (TA) for a new collective bargaining agreement Aug. 8. The TA serves as a successor to the contract between BIW and LS6 covering over 4,000 employees. It expired June 22. The new one would extend until Aug. 20, 2023.

The tentative agreement addresses the use of subcontractors and several work rules that will let the parties work together to accelerate BIW’s schedule performance and increase employment stability. The TA also includes 3% wage increases each year and continuation of existing benefits to include healthcare plans and a pension. LS6 members will vote in the coming weeks.

“We worked hand-in-hand with the union negotiating committee to ensure that we addressed the concerns of our valued employees,” said BIW president Dirk Lesko. “We are hopeful they will return to work soon so we can get on with our important mission of building ships for the U.S. Navy.”

In an IAMAW press release, Assistant Communications Director Jonathan Battaglia said union members received significant support from elected officials and the community throughout the nearly eight-week strike. Local, national and international union leaders commended the hard work of union members and credited IAM Grand Lodge Representative Dave Sullivan, Local S6 leadership and negotiating committee, IAM District 4 officers and others for the success of negotiations.

Said International President Robert Martinez Jr., “I am so proud of our IAM Local S6 membership for standing strong in defense of themselves, their families and good Maine jobs. I look forward to our membership doing what they do best—building the best ships in the world for the U.S. Navy.”

“We appreciate the hard work of all who contributed to this effort, including both the BIW and LS6 negotiating committees as well as the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Services, who will continue to work with both parties to implement the agreement when it is ratified,” said Lesko. “This agreement, coupled with our hiring initiatives and major investments in facilities and production processes, positions BIW and LS6 to partner together to improve schedule performance, restore the yard’s competitiveness and ensure Bath-built remains best-built for generations to come.”