METAL TRADES
IN THE NEWS
Metal Trades Patriots to Overhaul US Naval Hospital Ship Mercy
Metal Trades workers at Vigor Marine in Portland will perform a complete overhaul on the USNS Ship Mercy
In June, Vigor Marine was awarded a $56,450,644 firm-fixed price contract to overhaul and dry dock the hospital ship U.S. Naval USNS Ship Mercy.
The work will be performed at the Portland shipyard and is expected to be completed in August 2021.
Philly Shipyard Awaits Defense Budget Approval Awarding Two New Hospital Ship Contracts to the Yard
On the brink of collapse just one year ago, the Philly Shipyard was awarded a contract for the construction of up to five (5) National Security Multi-Mission Vessels (NSMV) from TOTE Services, LLC.
In addition to its NSMV contract, Philly Shipyard anticipates an award to build two Towing, Salvage, and Rescue Ships (T-ATS) should the DoD FY21 Budget be approved in Congress.
See page 95 of the United States Department of Defense FY 21 Budget Request
Single Point of Contact Model Making a Difference at Vigor
Benjamin Heurung, MTD West Coast General Rep.
The Single Point of Contact model of representation is a negotiated and vital component to the administration of the Metal Trades Department Master Agreement that serves multi craft Metal Trades Councils within Vigor Industrial LLC. It serves as the conduit that unites multiple Vigor Industrial collective bargaining agreements that exist between the company and the Puget Sound and Portland Metal Trades Councils.
As the West Coast General Representative, I presently serve as the current Single Point of Contact between the employer, local councils and affiliated local unions. It is my goal to fully define the role through the prioritization of establishing a clear line of communication that ensures a free and concise flow of information between bargaining unit partners. This collectively bargained representative position ensures that the employer provide the council and its local affiliates with timely, accurate records of their members and all pertinent information necessary to conduct and coordinate every aspect of representation and effective labor relations. Included but not limited to this task of the Single Point of Contact is the facilitation of negotiations, grievances, arbitrations and the weekly data necessary for the council and its affiliates to monitor and plan its representational activities. Those activities include the recording of new hires, sub-contractors, terminations, layoffs, personal information changes, leave of absences, wage changes, promotions and on call lists. The Single Point of Contact is responsible for certifying with the company that all locals working within the jurisdiction of the two councils, receive their dues and trust payments in a timely fashion along with audited reports and accurate membership / bargaining unit employee counts.
In its role as a quasi-ombudsman between labor and management, the Single Point of Contact is a viable vehicle that provides stewards, local council representatives and management with an unfettered and bureaucracy free bridge to one another, enabling and promoting effective labor and management relations through communications.
As the the Single Point of Contact representation model and its sphere of influence evolves throughout the Metal Trades universe, the department looks forward to its local councils fostering strong and productive relationships with our industry partners, working together to efficiently advance joint efforts that positively and productively affect the performance of all company employees from metal trades members on the deck plate to the company administrative personnel in the office. #MTDProud
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MORE MTD IN THE NEWS
Trump Must Go
The seditious attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021 was incited by President Trump’s flagrant lies and assault upon our Constitution. Yesterday’s lukewarm concession speech doesn’t change or heal our nation and its people in any way.
Metal Trades Workers at Philly Shipyard Cut First Steel on NSMV
On December 15, 2020 Metal Trades Workers at the Philly Shipyard began construction of the new National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV). The NSMV will be used as a training facility for America’s future mariners and, as needed, to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions.
HAMMER Training Restarts After COVID-19 Shutdown
METAL TRADESIN THE NEWS "HAMMER is the most important labor-management partnerships in this country. It successfully brings together diverse groups to solve and debate the important education, health and safety issues of the day. HAMMER should not be unique to Hanford...
VOTE 2020—Where the Candidates Stand on Labor
“It’s up to you to compare the records and decide which candidate in the race is truly committed to America’s Working Families … Your Vote Counts. Use It!”
— Jimmy Hart, Metal Trades Department President
MTD Salutes Retiring HFIAW President McCourt; Lauds IBEW’s Appointment of Cooper as IVP
John Quincy Adams once said, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” At the Metal Trades Department, we have been extremely lucky to have so many great leaders at all levels from our local affiliated unions and councils to our international affiliates. I am proud to have worked with, and learned from, so many great labor advocates. I salute their service to America’s working families. — James Hart, Metal Trades Department President
A Labor Day Message from Metal Trades Department President Jimmy Hart
Unions are the great experiment which unites men and women of all races, faiths, occupations and political beliefs. It is because of the beautiful mosaic which is the labor movement that workers have been able to defy and frustrate anti worker forces who believe time and time again, that they could divide and conquer us from within.
Metal Trades Support of FMCS Director Nominee Leads to Unanimous Senate Approval
“The Metal Trades Department will work with Republicans or Democrats so long as they support the mission of America’s working families. I was proud to support Director Giacolone, and believe that he will continue to be an asset to the FMCS.” — James Hart, Metal Trades Department President
Metal Trades Department Affiliate, IAM Settles Largest Strike of 2020
METAL TRADESIN THE NEWS Metal Trades Department Affiliate, IAM Settles Largest Strike of 2020International 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...
Navarro Tweets Praise for Hart, Martinez for IAMAW Local S6 Strike Agreement
When Supply Lagged, NAVSEA Metal Trades Shipyard Workers Stepped Up to Make Half-a-Million Masks for First Responders, Peers
The Covid-19 pandemic has exposed a number of areas in which our nation is simply not prepared. Nowhere has this been more visible than in the workplace, where far too many men and women have been asked to do their jobs without the personal protective equipment (PPE) needed to keep themselves and those around them safe.