Workers, Shipbuilder Resume Contract Talks

BATH, Me. — Contract negotiations resumed Wednesday at Bath Iron Works under the direction of a federal mediator, the first talks since a 4,500-member union halted work at the major Navy shipbuilder on July 1.

Members of the Industrial Union of Marine and Shipbuilding Workers of America walked out after the rank-and-file overwhelmingly rejected what was termed the company’s “final offer.” That offer included a three-year pay freeze, major reductions in benefits, and a controversial two-tier pay scale that would start new employees at a reduced wage.