Northrop Grumman in talks with strikers

PASCAGOULA, Miss. – Officials with Northrop Grumman Ship Systems are asking striking workers at the Ingalls shipyard in Pascagoula what they want in a new contract.

While still arguing the deal turned down by workers was a good one, the shipbuilder sent a letter Thursday to union representatives asking that striking workers spell out what they want before talks would resume.

Union representatives said Thursday that they are awaiting the results of a union survey before responding to the company.

Officials with the Pascagoula Metal Trades Council said they plan to collect the surveys through Saturday, then have a meeting Monday to review the information. The goal is to come up with a proposal based on that data.

Workers at three other shipyards – Gulfport in Mississippi and Avondale and Tallulah in Louisiana – approved the contract rejected by workers in Pascagoula.

The company, longtime rival of Maine’s Bath Iron Works, has sent a letter to employees calling the rejected deal “one of the best industry contracts on the Gulf Coast.”

The strike entered its ninth day Friday.

“I wish it hadn’t come to this,” said Ronnie White, a maintenance operator with 35 years of experience. “It won’t be hard to find another job. They’re advertising now for shipbuilders in Mobile for $23 an hour.”

Northrop Grumman said the contract offered an immediate salary increase of nearly 8 percent, which would increase to an estimated 14 percent over the term of the three-year contract. The increase totals an additional $2.50 an hour spread out over a three-year period.

The health care package provides that Northrop pays 80 percent of the costs or an estimated $8,124 annually per employee.