BIW shipyard lays off 48

BATH, Maine - Bath Iron Works (BIW) notified the shipyard’s largest union on Jan. 6 that 48 workers will be laid off beginning Jan. 21 because of a work shortage in their trades. The 39 pipefitters and nine machinists will be laid off at a time when BIW is hiring workers in other trades reflecting a fluctuating work flow despite it having five DDG-51 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers at various stages of construction. Most affected workers are expected to be given other work for at least 30 days, but BIW managers and union officials were unable to reach an agreement on a longer-term solution. The Navy is BIW’s only customer. (Source: Portland (Me.) Press Herald 01/06/15) Gulf Coast Shipbuilding Note: Managers insist BIW “must-win” an 11 Patrol Craft Coast Guard cutter upcoming contract to avoid losing as many as 1,200 job when DDG-51 work ends. Two other Gulf Coast competitors for that CG contract are Eastern Shipbuilding of Panama City, Fla., and Bollinger Shipyards of Lockport, La. Both are smaller, more diversified, non-union shipyards.