Nearly 4,500 machinist and aerospace workers at BIW voted to ratify a five-year agreement that delivers a 17% general wage increase the first year and stronger workplace protections.
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Nearly 4,500 International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local S6 members at Bath Iron Works voted to ratify a five-year collective bargaining agreement that delivers significant wage increases and stronger workplace protections.
The union called the agreement “historic” and said it involved no concessions on its part.
The agreement delivers a 17% general wage increase in the first year, followed by 4% increases in each of the remaining four years.
Bath Iron Works employs 6,700 people, primarily in Bath. The company is a subsidiary of Reston, Va.-based General Dynamics Corp. (NYSE: GD).
BIW is Maine’s fourth-largest private employer, as ranked by average monthly employment in the 2026 Mainebiz Book of Lists.
‘Long-term stability’
“This historic agreement recognizes the tremendous value our members bring to Bath Iron Works, the state of Maine and our nation’s defense,” said Brian Bryant, who began his career as a shipbuilder at BIW and a member of Local S6 and is now the union’s international president.
“This historic contract is the result of constructive, good-faith negotiations,” Charles Krugh, BIW’s president, said in a separate statement. “It not only provides significant wage increases, it also provides additional flexibility and long-term stability for both our employees and the company.”
“It will help us continue the production momentum we have gained in our vital work of building ships for the U.S. Navy," he added.
Months-long process
The agreement follows months of preparation and negotiations driven by priorities identified directly by Local S6 members through bargaining surveys. The final agreement addresses the majority of the priorities.
“Our members told us what mattered to them, they stood together throughout this process and we fought to deliver those priorities at the bargaining table,” said Tim Suitter, Local S6’s president.
Other highlights
The contract calls for:
- Increased shift premiums to $2.50 per hour for second- and third-shift employees
- Locked-in health care costs for the duration of the agreement.
- Improved 401(k) contributions
- Stronger seniority and job protections, including safeguards addressing outsourcing
- Greater flexibility for time off and improvements to attendance provisions
- Stronger protections involving new technology, artificial intelligence and robotics
- Additional protections for bargaining-unit work and increased union involvement in workplace decisions.
The agreement takes effect today, Aug. 24, and runs through Aug. 24, 2031.
About the union
The International Association of Machinists represents approximately 600,000 active and retired members in aerospace, defense, airlines, railroad, shipbuilding, transit, health care, automotive and other industries across the U.S. and Canada.
Earlier this year, Bath Marine Draftsmen’s Association, UAW Local 3999, went on a five-day strike that ended when the shipyard agreed to demands over wages and benefits.
