Hundreds of Navy Shipbuilders Strike in Maine Over Wages and Benefits

Workers at General Dynamics Bath Iron Works reject proposed contract offer from company.

Mar. 23, 2026 at 10:18pm

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Hundreds of designers, clerks, and technicians at one of the U.S. Navy's largest shipbuilding contractors, General Dynamics Bath Iron Works in Maine, have gone on strike after rejecting the company's proposed wage offer. The Bath Marine Draftsmen's Association, which represents 627 workers at the historic shipyard, says the company's offer does not address their concerns about wages, insurance coverage, and retirement income security.

Why it matters

The strike comes as the U.S. intensifies its military efforts, highlighting tensions between defense contractors and their workers over fair compensation. Bath Iron Works is a major supplier of Navy ships, so the strike could potentially impact production and delivery timelines for critical naval assets.

The details

The strike began on Monday after union members voted to reject the shipyard's proposed wage offer over the weekend. The company's proposal included 'historic annual wage increases' of 10.1% in the first year followed by 4% in each of the following three years, but the union says this does not go far enough. Bath Iron Works plans to continue operations during the strike using salaried personnel, subcontractors, and other employees.

  • The strike began on Monday, March 23, 2026.
  • On February 9, 2026, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited the shipyard and touted the need to boost defense manufacturing.

The players

Bath Marine Draftsmen's Association

A union representing 627 workers at General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, including designers, nondestructive test technicians, technical clerks, laboratory technicians, and associate engineers.

General Dynamics Bath Iron Works

A major U.S. Navy shipbuilding contractor that has built naval ships in Bath, Maine for over a century.

Pete Hegseth

U.S. Defense Secretary who visited the shipyard in February 2026 and touted the need to boost defense manufacturing.

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What they’re saying

“We had hoped the company took to heart the statements made by Secretary Hegseth here at GD BIW on February 9th because, our membership certainly did.”

— Trent Vellella, Union President

“The company is continuing to negotiate in good faith with the BMDA to explore opportunities to better align company and union objectives.”

— David Hench, Spokesperson for Bath Iron Works

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow the union to continue the strike.

The takeaway

This strike highlights the ongoing tensions between defense contractors and their workers over fair wages and benefits, which could have implications for the U.S. military's ability to maintain its shipbuilding capabilities during a time of heightened global tensions.