Leadership Alert: 12/7/20

Brothers and Sisters,

On Tuesday, December 1st, 2020, Local Lodge S6 was formally notified in writing of Bath Iron Works’ intent to enter into the Joint Agreement Process. The notice focused on Bath Iron Works’ need to continue using targeted subcontracting beyond December 31st, 2020. While the Union is disappointed and frustrated with receiving this notification, we are obligated to follow the negotiated language of the CBA as per article 39; Joint Agreement Process, which we fought for and successfully maintained. When Local Lodge S6 received this notification we immediately reached out to the President of BIW; Dirk Lesko. After a lengthy dialogue, it became apparent that Bath Iron Works wants to continue targeted subcontracting.

Mr. Lesko went on to cite several contributing factors that led to the unfortunate decision to extend subcontracting. He spoke at length on the many challenges the Joint Schedule Recovery Committee has been addressing. To date, we have been getting through many issues to regain schedule and are heading in the right direction, but the US Navy has reiterated their need for Navy ships to be delivered on time and on schedule. Mr. Lesko praised the work the parties have been able to achieve collectively. He emphasized his commitment to continue hiring as fast as possible while reducing subcontractors as fast as possible so that no subcontractors remain. Mr. Lesko continued to stress that he would prefer to hire in lieu of subcontracting. He provided a significant amount of data to justify his need for subcontracting while expressing his disappointment with having to make that decision. One example Mr. Lesko provided was that over the past year Bath Iron Works hired 850 employees but lost 858 employees due to attrition. That’s a net loss of (8) eight mechanics. Local Lodge S6 is committed to fully representing its members and ensuring subcontractors are not in our shipyard.

Bath Iron Works’ statement to the Union is they are trying to grow the business to have over 5,000 mechanics to support a (2) two-ship a year shipyard. This would give Bath Iron Works the ability to seek new additional work. If Bath Iron Works simply moves mechanics to different departments internally, they do not grow the business. If this is not done, Bath Iron Works will inevitably lay off mechanics where it doesn’t need the manning for a (1) one-ship a year shipyard, which doesn’t help anyone. Additionally, hiring is the most important thing we need to collectively focus on. Many senior mechanics will be retiring next year, along with a worldwide pandemic placing restrictions on just about everything, the focus is clear.

We will continue to scrutinize Bath Iron Works’ need for subcontracting while helping to recover schedule. The Union is currently in a position in which communication and collaboration with Bath Iron Works are hard to imagine considering our history. However, we are moving forward as we need to continue regaining the schedule to achieve a build rate of (2) two ships a year. We have a window of opportunity to positions ourselves for the future. We share a desired outcome but have different ideologies on how to get there. The Joint Schedule Recovery Committee process is currently working in the right direction. We are committed to this but will always keep our guard up as it pertains to the use of subcontracting. Article 39 of the CBA provides us that avenue.

The Unions focus will be to get subcontractors out of our shipyard as quickly as possible. We will be taking all the provided information and seeking advice from two separate attorneys the Local Lodge retains to assist in arbitrations. We will update our membership as we get feedback from our legal counsel, and will pursue all remedies through our collective bargaining agreement. If any member would like additional information the Local Lodge will provide it as requested.

In Solidarity,

Local S6 Leadership

Benefits Reminder

Make sure you elect your health benefits by this Friday, December 4th. If you have the HSA plan you still need to select your seeded HSA (600 for single or 1200 for family)  even if you aren’t changing anything from last year. Otherwise you will automatically be enrolled into the HSA account with no seed money. Go to gdbenefits.com to enroll in your benefits. The deadline for declaration of benefits is December 4th, 2020. If you have any further questions please call the GDBIW service center at 1-888-432-3633.

COVID-19 Update: 11/20/20

Brothers and Sisters,

There has been no new agreement signed for facemasks. Compliance with facemasks should be everyone’s concern and priority, aligning with the terms and conditions of the existing Memorandum of Agreement. What we don’t want is direction being given that incites an argument or misguided direction, leading to disciplining of our members. The agreement signed by both parties back on 8/13/20 is below for reference so everyone understands what the rules are.

In Solidarity,

Local S6 Leadership

DISTRICT DELEGATE UPDATE- 10/30/20

DISTRICT DELEGATE UPDATE

Friday, October 30, 2020

We have two (2) openings for Local S6 Delegate to District Lodge 4 for the remainder of the term. If interested, all names need to be turned in by end of business on Monday, November, 30th, 2020.

Delegates and alternates shall be elected for a four (4) year term by the Local Lodge. No member shall be eligible to be nominated as a delegate or alternate to represent the members of the Local Lodge unless he has been a fully paid-up member of his Local Lodge in continuous good standing for twenty-four (24) months immediately preceding the month in which the nominations for delegates are made.

No person shall be eligible to be seated as a delegate of any Local Lodge unless he has continued to be a full paid-up member in good standing in his Local Lodge throughout the period between his nomination and election as a delegate and the District meeting.

Delegates meet twice (2) a year with the District Lodge and report on the Local Lodge’s recent activity, as well as weigh in on district-related business matters.

Leadership Alert: Committee Update 10/30/20

LEADERSHIP ALERT:  COMMITTEE UPDATE

 Friday, October 30, 2020

Benefits Committee Education Committee
Glenn Burroughs Raymond Orff
Randy Levesque Shawn Randall
Rick Poulin Krystal Albert
Dave Sparks 2nd Shift Dan Skelton

Safety Committee Organizing Committee
Matt Dustin Levi Benner
Rick Sites Chris Williams
Donald Driver Jeremy Fortin
Raymond Orff Rick Sites
Shawn Randall Kevin Gayton
Dan Beck  
Bob MacArthur  
David Oleyar  

Community Services Legislative Committee
Krystal Albert Tim Suitter
Richard Doyle Doug Hall
Melissa McMullen Ryan Ryder
Tarra Sheerer Stephen Stewart
Trinity Driscoll Brad Farrell

Veterans Committee Womens Committee
Brandt McCollett Krystal Albert
Andrew Lambert April Austin
Valentin Alvarado Allisa Reno
Shane Sours Melissa McMullen
Terry Frost Tarra Sheerer
  Sorale Black

 

 

Leadership Alert: Steward Update 10/30/20

LEADERSHIP ALERT: STEWARD UPDATE 

Friday, October 30, 2020

 

BATH/EBMF SHOP STEWARDS

Name

Represented Classification Shift
Dan Chadbourne C02, S18 1st
Kevin Gayton C70, Y02 1st
Clint Downer E02 1st
David Clukey E02 1st
Shawn Tardif E02 1st
Curtis McCulloch H18 1st
Sean Coughtrie I02 1st
Eric Severy I02 1st
Patrick Wenners O04 1st
Randy Johnson O04 1st
Philip Moulton M04 1st
Dylan Forrest Maintenance, T12 1st
Mark Jones Maintenance, T12 1st
Marc Bubar P10, P06 1st
Andy James P10, P06 1st
Jami Bellefleur P10, P06 1st
Ryan Ryder P18 1st
Donald Driver P18 1st
Mark Cyr S02, S06 1st
Levi Benner S40, L40 1st
Chris Williams S40, L40 1st
Bill Barrows S40, L40 1st
Jon Mitchell T04 1st
Brad Farrell T04 1st
Nick Plaisted W12 1st
Richard Dumond W12 1st
Jeremy Fortin W12 1st
Levi Benner General Steward EBMF 1st
Kelley Ammons E02 2nd
Nate Murray E02 2nd
Richard Doyle H18, C70, Y02 2nd
Trinity Driscoll Maintenance, M04, O04 2nd
Terry Frost P10, S06, S02, General Steward 2nd
Bob MacArthur P10, S06, S02 2nd
Corey Soucy P18, T04 2nd
Dan Skelton W12, S40, L40 2nd
Timothy Halle W12, S40, L40 2nd
Cliff Hooper All Trades, General Steward 3rd
Travis Hooper All Trades 3rd

HARDINGS/BISSONS/CW SHOP STEWARDS

Name Represented Classification Shift
Tim Malia C70, Y02 1st
Donyule Rector L40, W12 1st
Rob Hale Maint, P10, S02, S06 1st
Todd Biswell S40 1st
Lucas Cole T04, H18 1st
David Oleyar III M04 1st
Kyle Moore C02, H18, M03, M20, M21, P10

(CW/Ace/Bissons/Arrow Hart)

1st
Shane Sours C70, S06, S40, P10, Y02, S02, Maint 2nd
Donald Curtis H18, L40, T04, M04 & W12 2nd