WASHINGTON, DC – This week, Rep. Joe Courtney spoke on the House Floor applauding the recent ratification of the five-year labor contract between General Dynamics Electric Boat and the Metal Trades Council. Union Members of the Metal Trades Council approved the contract by more than a 2-1 to vote.
“Ratification of this robust contract is a five-year ironclad guarantee of economic security for the Electric Boat metal trades workforce, which they richly deserve. It also sends a powerful message to the Navy and Congress, who fund their work, that the Groton waterfront is in for the long haul as our nation grows its undersea fleet, a decades-long enterprise. Kudos to Peter Baker and the Metal Trades Council team, and Shawn Coyne from Electric Boat Human Resources who spent months hammering out the many details of this historic contract,” said U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney (CT-02).
The MTC represents more than 3,400 employees in the skilled trades at the company’s Groton shipyard which includes welders, electricians, machinists, pipefitters, laborers, painters, transportation services and administrative support.
The agreement provides for significant increases in compensation and benefits, including:
General wage increases for all MTC members totaling 21.4% over the term of the contract.
Retention and sign on bonuses with the opportunity to earn up to $6,000.
A one-time, $2,500 contribution to the employee’s 401k retirement savings account.
Continuation of a comprehensive, competitive medical plan with modest premium and deductible increases.
Increases to vacation days and paid sick time for most members.
Philly Shipyard, Inc., the sole operating subsidiary of Philly Shipyard ASA (OSE: PHLY) today announced the authorization by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) and subsequent order from TOTE Services, LLC (TOTE Services) for the construction of two additional National Security Multi-Mission Vessels (NSMVs). These vessels will replace aging training vessels at Maine Maritime Academy and Texas A&M Maritime Academy. Construction of the two new vessels (NSMVs 3 and 4) is expected to commence in 2022 with planned deliveries in 2024.
Reprinted from Pantex: Pantex recently reached a major milestone when they passed 5 million hours without a Lost Time injury. From December 20, 2016 to December 2, 2017, Pantexans worked 5,979,716 hours without a Lost Time injury.
Jimmy Rogers, Pantex Safety and Industrial Hygiene manager, said in November2017 Pantex received two recognitions from the National Safety Council. The first was the Million Work Hours Award – noting the more than 5 million hours worked without a Lost Time injury and the second, the Occupational Excellence Achievement Award – awarded to companies that have Lost Time injury cases equal to or less than 50 percent of their industry classification code.
From King5.com: The Washington state Senate Labor and Commerce Committee on Wednesday revived a bill to help sick Hanford workers.
House Bill 1723, initially sponsored by Rep. Larry Haler, R-Richland, died in the legislative process last year. It would give workers who come down with certain illnesses the presumption that their exposures to chemicals, heavy metals and/or radiation at the nuclear cleanup site caused their diseases such as cancer, toxic encephalopathy (dementia) and lung disease. That presumption is meant to help them get their worker compensation claims accepted.
The 30th annual Labor-Management Conference was held in Nashville at the Music City Sheraton. CNS Vice President and Y-12 Site Manager Bill Tindal, along with Y-12 labor officials, were on hand to accept recognition for Y-12’s support of the Tennessee Labor Management Foundation. Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner Burns Phillips, was the keynote speaker at the conference’s welcoming banquet.
Metal Trades Council of Amarillo donated $1,500.00 in December 2017 to the High Plains Food Bank. Their tremendous buying power will provide 7,500 meals to the local community, that’s 5 meals for every dollar spent. Thank you to all the Unions represented by the MTC at Pantex!