PORTLAND, Maine — Hundreds of designers, clerks, and technicians at General Dynamics Bath Iron Works (BIW) are on strike after members of the Bath Marine Draftsmen’s Association (BMDA) rejected the shipyard’s proposed wage offer on Sunday, March 23, 2026. The strike began Monday morning, with workers picketing outside the shipyard in Bath, Maine.

Background and Union Concerns

The BMDA represents 627 workers at the historic shipyard, which has been building naval ships for over a century. The union’s decision to strike comes after three weeks of negotiations with BIW failed to produce a satisfactory collective bargaining agreement. Union members are primarily concerned with wages that are lower than the national average, as well as affordable insurance and retirement income security.

Union President Trent Vellella stated that members had hoped the company would consider the remarks made by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during a visit to BIW on February 9, 2026, where he encouraged increased defense manufacturing output. Vellella also criticized General Dynamics for prioritizing stock buybacks and dividends over the financial well-being of its workers.

Shipyard’s Response and Contract Offer

David Hench, a spokesperson for Bath Iron Works, stated that the company’s proposal included “historic annual wage increases” of 10.1% in the first year, followed by 4% increases in each of the subsequent three years. The shipyard plans to continue operations during the strike by utilizing salaried personnel, subcontractors, and employees who choose to continue working.

BIW’s total workforce is approximately 6,800 people. The company maintains it is continuing to negotiate in solid faith with the BMDA to reach a mutually acceptable agreement.

Union Affiliation and Worker Roles

The Bath Marine Draftsmen’s Association is affiliated with the United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW). BMDA members at Bath Iron Works function in various technical roles, including designers, nondestructive test technicians, technical clerks, laboratory technicians, and associate engineers.

Impact on Navy Contracts

Bath Iron Works is a major shipbuilder for the U.S. Navy and was awarded a multiyear contract in 2023 to build several Arleigh Burke-class destroyers. These destroyers are considered the “backbone of the Navy’s surface fleet.” The Navy exercised an option last year to add an additional destroyer to the contract.

It remains unclear whether the strike will leisurely production of these critical naval vessels.

Recent Developments

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited BIW six weeks prior to the strike, urging workers to accelerate warship production. The strike coincides with increased U.S. Military involvement in Iran.