UNION MEMBERS RATIFY CONTRACT EXTENSION AT HUNTINGTON INGALLS INDUSTRIES’ INGALLS SHIPBUILDING DIVISION

PASCAGOULA, Miss., Nov. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE:HII) announced today that the five unions at its Ingalls Shipbuilding division have approved an extension of their collective bargaining agreements with the company. The contract affects employees represented by the Pascagoula Metal Trades Council (PMTC) and the local chapters of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), International Association of Machinists (IAM), United Federation of Special Police and Security Officers (UFSPSO), and Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU).

“In today’s competitive business environment, it is extremely important to foster a collaborative and cooperative partnership between management and labor to provide the best working environment for our shipbuilders,” said Ingalls Shipbuilding President Brian Cuccias. “This contract extension does that. It also rewards our employees for their role in Ingalls’ success and positions us competitively for future shipbuilding competitions.”

Union leadership, represented by PMTC President Mike Crawley, IBEW Business Manager J. P. Mergenschroer, IAM Directing Business Representative William “Benji” Sullivan, UFSPSO Business Agent Raynard Roberson and OPEIU Business Manager Lisa Bennett, issued a collective statement, saying, “Ingalls Shipbuilding and the PMTC, IBEW, IAM, OPEIU and UFSPSO unions are pleased that our proposal for a four-year contract extension has been ratified by our shipbuilders.”

Aerial view of HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division in Pascagoula, Mississippi, taken in June 2017. Ingalls is the only U.S. shipyard currently building four classes of military ships: amphibious assault ships (LHAs), amphibious transport docks (LPDs), guided missile destroyers (DDGs) and National Security Cutters (NSCs). Photo by Lance Davis/HII

As part of a four-year extension, a $2,500 lump sum payment will be awarded in March 2018 to all eligible employees; a 65-cent raise on the journeyman rate will come on March 11, 2019, a 67-cent raise on March 9, 2020, and an 82-cent raise on March 8, 2021. All eligible represented employees will also receive a $2,500 ratification bonus, payable on Dec. 14, 2017.