Unions vote today on contract

PASCAGOULA, Miss. - Members of unions at the Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding Ingalls yard will begin voting today on extending the contract. Union leadership endorsed the move, saying it benefits both the workers and the company. If ratified, the contract will not end until March 2012 and will include two raises of 55 cents each for journeymen, less for other workers, and a $1,000 bonus in mid-December that would take the place of a cost-of-living raise set for early next year. (Source: Sun Herald, 12/01/09)