AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) -- The largest union at Maine's Bath Iron works has approved a four-year contract that contains provisions aimed at making the shipyard more efficient.
The Navy shipbuilder said its future competitiveness was at stake when Machinists Union Local S6 voted Sunday in Augusta. The company wanted concessions it says are necessary to be competitive on a bid for up to 25 Coast Guard cutters early in the new year. Without them, the company had warned of job cuts.
Some of the provisions go into effect immediately while others will be phased in.
The proposal contains $2,500 annual bonuses and modest increases in company pension contributions. Company health insurance contributions are unchanged but workers face higher deductibles and co-pays. Also included are scaled-back company proposals on work rule changes and subcontractors.
