Healthcare premiums emerged as a key sticking point raised by a union member during bargaining.

The strike follows three weeks of negotiations without a new agreement, with workers citing wages, insurance, and retirement income security as central issues.

Union representatives say the talks did not adequately address pay, affordable health insurance, or retirement security compared with national standards.

Union leadership accused the company of prioritizing earnings per share, stock buybacks, and dividends over workers’ pay and benefits amid reported profits at General Dynamics.

It remained unclear whether the strike would slow production, as shipyard officials and representatives did not provide comment on potential delays.

There was no immediate statement from shipyard officials about impacts on production or delivery schedules.

The shipyard has not commented on production impacts related to the strike.

Hundreds of Bath Iron Works designers, clerks, and technicians represented by the Bath Marine Draftsmen’s Association walked out in Bath, Maine, after rejecting the shipyard’s wage offer amid ongoing contract talks.

The BMDA covers about 627 workers at Bath Iron Works, a historic Navy shipyard affiliated with the UAW, as negotiations stretch during this round of bargaining.

The strike highlights persistent tensions between BIW and the union as talks continue, with broader implications for labor at the shipyard.

The proposed contract called for 10.1% wage growth in year one and 4% annually in the next three years, a package the union said fails to address concerns and reflects profits from labor.

BIW characterized the wage package as historic and noted health-insurance costs were below market, while negotiations remain in good faith to better align objectives.