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Metal Trades Department Affiliate, IAM Settles Largest Strike of 2020

International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local S6 members recently settled their eight-week strike at Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine.

IAM Local S6 were driven to strike in June when the company offered unacceptable proposals on subcontractors, work rules and seniority. Federal mediators helped both sides reach a tentative agreement on Aug. 7. IAM Local S6 members received the contract in the mail and voted online and by telephone from 12:01 a.m., Friday, Aug. 21 to noon, Sunday, Aug. 23.

In a statement issued by the IAM, President Martinez praised the members, “IAM Local S6 has shown the world that together working people can stand up and win for themselves, their families and their communities. This fight for dignity, justice and good Maine jobs will go down in the history books of the Machinists Union and all of organized labor. I could not be more proud of our IAM Local S6 membership and negotiating committee, District 4 representatives, Eastern Territory staff and everyone who stood with the IAM and the best shipbuilders in the world. We are also grateful for the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service and Director Richard Giacolone for helping us get this agreement resolved.”

MTD President Hart echoed President Martinez’s statements, “As an interested party in the unionized shipbuilding industry, I monitored this strike closely. Everyone involved in these negotiations should be extremely proud of this agreement“

For his part, President Hart has been singled out for building bridges between the IAM and members of the Trump Administration. Dr. Peter Navarro, Director of the Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy for the Trump Administration lauded MTD President Hart for his assistance in bringing the parties together to help settle the strike at Bath Iron Works.

Bath Iron Works is a subsidiary of General Dynamics and builds guided-missile destroyers for the U.S. Navy.

Associated Links:

Statement from IAMAW on Bath Agreement

General Dynamics Bath Iron Works and Union Reach Agreement

Navarro Lauds MTD President Hart for His Part in Helping to Settle Bath Iron Works Strike