Slow BIW work period prompts layoff of 185

BATH – Bath Iron Works will lay off 185 workers later this month because of lack of work, a company spokeswoman said Friday.

Susan Pierter said the company will lay off 75 electricians, 75 painters, 32 designers and three technical clerks. Their last day of work will be June 29.

The company is working with union officials to determine if there are other jobs available that could be filled by the laid-off electricians and painters.

“As a ship is being built, it moves through cycles,” Pierter said. “And sometimes there is more work in one part of the yard than in other parts.”

BIW formally notified the Local S6 union on Friday of the layoffs. Local S6, which has more than 4,300 members, is BIW’s largest union.

It notified the 800-member Bath Marine Draftsmen’s Association last week that it would be laying off designers and technical clerks.

Rock Grenier, the union’s president, said the company will specify next Wednesday which electricians and painters will lose their jobs. He said the union is hopeful the laid-off workers will be offered other jobs as welders and shipfitters.

He said the layoff announcements were not a complete surprise.

“There have been rumors floating around,” he said.