Contract Approval Ends Strike at Bath Iron Works

Shipyard building guided missile destroyers for Navy reaches deal with union

Mar. 29, 2026 at 12:31am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Hundreds of striking employees at Bath Iron Works, one of the Navy's biggest shipbuilding contractors, voted to approve a new four-year collective bargaining agreement, ending a weeklong strike. The Bath Marine Draftsmen's Association, which is affiliated with the UAW, represents workers at the Maine shipyard who serve as designers, nondestructive test technicians, technical clerks, laboratory technicians, and associate engineers.

Why it matters

Bath Iron Works is a critical supplier of Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers for the U.S. Navy, so the resolution of this labor dispute helps ensure continued production of these important naval vessels. The strike had the potential to disrupt the shipyard's operations and impact the Navy's fleet modernization efforts.

The details

The new contract goes into effect immediately after being ratified by union members following an hourslong meeting. The strike began several weeks after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited the shipyard to tout the need to boost defense manufacturing. Bath Iron Works was awarded a multiyear contract to build several Arleigh Burke-class destroyers in 2023, and the Navy exercised an option last year to add an additional destroyer to the contract.

  • The strike began several weeks after a morale-boosting appearance by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
  • Bath Iron Works was awarded a multiyear contract to build Arleigh Burke-class destroyers in 2023.
  • The Navy exercised an option last year to add an additional destroyer to the Bath Iron Works contract.

The players

Bath Marine Draftsmen's Association

A union affiliated with the UAW that represents workers at Bath Iron Works, including designers, nondestructive test technicians, technical clerks, laboratory technicians, and associate engineers.

Bath Iron Works

A major shipbuilding contractor for the U.S. Navy, known for constructing Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers.

Pete Hegseth

The U.S. Secretary of Defense who visited Bath Iron Works to tout the need to boost defense manufacturing.

United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW)

One of the country's largest unions, of which the Bath Marine Draftsmen's Association is affiliated.

U.S. Navy

The customer for whom Bath Iron Works builds Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers, which are described as the 'backbone of the Navy's surface fleet.'

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

The resolution of this labor dispute at Bath Iron Works, a critical supplier of guided missile destroyers for the U.S. Navy, helps ensure continued production of these important naval vessels and supports the Navy's fleet modernization efforts.