The union representing drafters at Electric Boat has set a strike date of May 19, if it cannot come to terms on a new contract with the shipyard’s management.
The Marine Draftsmen’s Association, Local 571 of the UAW, represents 2,500 workers at the Groton submarine builder.
They’ve been working under an expired contract since early April, while contract negotiations were ongoing. In April, the union said that nearly 2,000 of its members took part in a strike authorization vote, with 75% voting in favor.
The main sticking points are over wage levels, cost-of-living adjustments, healthcare costs, and pension rights. Those who have joined the workforce since 2010 have not been able to participate in the pension plan.
Union leaders say the work stoppage will go ahead unless their bargaining committee has a tentative agreement on a new contract by the May 19 deadline.
The yard was awarded a Navy contract this week confirming $12.4 billion in work on two new Virginia Class submarines. The contract also included money for improvements at the Groton shipyard to help boost productivity and support the workforce including funding wage hikes.
“Electric Boat is committed to continuing our dialogue and is confident that a fair and mutually beneficial agreement can be reached,” company spokeswoman Myra Lee said in an email statement.
