 |
| Workers at the Huntington Ingalls shipyard in Newport News, VA join IAM leadership before beginning negotiations with the company. From left, IAM South Territory General Vice President Mark Blondin, Latasha Greene, Aaron Lawrence, Shannon Briscoe, John “Tony” Polisk, District 74 Directing Business Representative Larry Young and Grand Lodge Representative Joe Greaser. |
After nearly six-and-a-half years, over 200 Technicians in the radiation monitoring area of Huntington Ingalls shipyard in Newport News, VA are getting a voice at the bargaining table. The group of radiological technicians and lab personnel voted to join the IAM in 2009, but the company filed appeal after appeal until a circuit court issued a blistering decision in November, ordering them to bargain.
“Companies do this, dragging things out in court, hoping the workers lose faith in the union, and give up,” said District 74 Directing Business Representative Larry Young. “That didn’t happen here. The workers kept the faith, and now it’s time to bargain.”
The Bargaining Committee recently participated in the weeklong Negotiations Prep Program at the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology where they received training in all facets of bargaining and left with a complete negotiations plan.
Negotiations began on Monday, February 8 in Newport News. Young and Grand Lodge Representative Joe Greaser led the negotiations, which began with the IAM passing more than a dozen non-economic proposals to the company.
“We’re here to get a contract,” said IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Mark Blondin. “The IAM works in a businesslike and professional manner, and I pledge to our Huntington Ingalls members the full support and resources of the territory as we move forward.
Follow the negotiations at IAMD74.com or Facebook.com/e85labor2016.
