Bath union meets w/ mediator

BATH, Maine - As the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Local S6 union launches Week #3 of a strike against Bath Iron Works (BIW), union officials met with a federal mediator July 6. Local S6, which represents 4,300 union members, is about 64% of the shipyard’s total workforce. The strike began June 22 after rejecting the 3-year contract proposal over disagreements about the company’s plans to continue hiring subcontractors and proposed changes to worker seniority privileges. Local S6 spokesman Tim Suitter said the union’s negotiating committee discussed the union’s demands with the mediator, but negotiations will remain the same until BIW representative meet with the mediator. Suitter said the shipyard will meet with the mediator this week, but BIW spokesman David Hench declined to comment on when the company plans that meeting. The two entities’ officials have said they are ready to speak, but neither party has made the first move. (Source: Press Herald 07/07/20) https://www.pressherald.com/2020/07/06/striking-biwunion-meets-with-federal-mediator/