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
ICYMI: Rep. Courtney Applauds Ratification of New Labor Contract Between Electric Boat and the Metal Trades Council on House Floor
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...
MTD Mourns USW International President Conway
“Although his tenure as International President of the United Steelworkers was short, Tom Conway’s impact on the lives of his members was immeasurable,” said MTD President James Hart. “The Department sends its deepest condolences to his family and friends.” Conway was...
Shutdown Averted, for Now…
With just hours to spare, the House and Senate passed a bipartisan bill to avert a government shutdown on Saturday night. The Continuing Resolution keeps the federal government open through mid-November, allowing just 45 days for Republican-led House of...
Hot Union Summer: Metal Trades Councils Negotiate More Record Setting Contracts
New London MTC Has Tentative Agreement at EB; Negotiators Say, 'Best Compensation Package in More than Three Decades' "Metal Trades skilled negotiators are delivering the contracts that America's working families deserve," exclaims MTD President Jimmy Hart. The Metal...
Ironworkers Local 854 Internal Organizing Successes at Tidewater Federal Employees MTC
The Ironworkers Local 854, an affiliate of the Tidewater Federal Employees Metal Trades Council (TFEMTC) NAVFAC Groton Facility has been running an internal organizing campaign to sign up employees that had been nonpayers. The Local has successfully signed up 50 new...
Labor Day 2023: ‘It’s Better in a Union’
Labor Day marks a time to celebrate America’s workers for all they do to keep America moving. President Kennedy once said “labor unions are not narrow, self-seeking groups. They have raised wages, shortened hours, and provided benefits. Through collective bargaining...
IAMAW International President Martinez Announces Retirement, Names General Vice President Brian Bryant as Successor
Metal Trades Department Executive Vice President and IAMAW International President Robert Martinez, Jr., announced his retirement effective January 1, 2024. IAMAW Resident General Vice President Brian Bryant will succeed Martinez as the union’s next international...
Boilermakers International Elects Stapp as International Secretary-Treasurer
The International Brotherhood of Boilermakers announced on August 23 that Kathy Stapp was unanimously elected by the organization’s International Executive Council to serve as the union’s International Secretary-Treasurer. Stapp is the first woman ever to hold this...
Wiregrass MTC Ratifies Historic Five Year Contract
The Wiregrass Metal Trades Council (MTC) has ratified what Metal Trades Department President Jimmy Hart calls the “best contract in the history of the department, full stop.” The new five-year agreement between the Wiregrass MTC and Fort Novosel (Ruckers) includes a...
Metal Trades Department Announces Partnership with Employee Benefit Systems Union College Benefit Program
The Metal Trades Department, AFL-CIO (MTD), is proud to announce its partnership with Employee Benefit Systems Union College Benefit (EBS) program to offer our Metal Trades Council members college tuition discounts on more than 50 programs. “We are delighted to offer...