President Trump on Monday tweeted that he was “Glad to have helped” striking workers at Bath Iron Works and shipyard management reach a tentative agreement.

The tweet did not indicate in what way Trump helped the two sides come to an agreement during negotiations.

However, the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service had this to say in their release about the new contract proposal: “Notable contributors to the process leading to the settlement were Assistant to the President and Director of the Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy Peter Navarro, AFL-CIO Metal Trades Department President Jimmy Hart and IAM International President Robert Martinez.”

The shipyard and union negotiators agreed late Friday on a new contract proposal after a week of contentious negotiations aided by a federal mediator. If union members vote to accept the contract offer later this month, it would end a strike set to enter its eighth week Monday.

Local S6 of the Machinists Union announced Saturday that the revised contract offer maintains current subcontracting language. The current contract, which expired in late June, allowed subcontracting after a joint review period by both parties.

The new contract also includes an economic package with 3% wage increases in each year of the contract and continuation of existing benefits to include health care plans and a pension, according to a BIW news release.

Advertisement

The union has been striking for over a month after rejecting a contract offer from shipyard management, specifically over provisions regarding seniority and subcontracting.

Trump had promised to expand the Navy to 355 ships when he first ran for president in 2016, indicating at a campaign rally in Lisbon that it would be a boon to the Bath shipyard.

The Maine State Council of Machinists, which represents Bath Iron Works’ largest unions, which had endorsed Republican Sen. Susan Collins in 2014, has endorsed Collins’ opponent, Democrat Sara Gideon, this year.

This story will be updated.

Related Headlines


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.

filed under: