Rep. Courtney Statement on MDA-UAW Tentative Agreement with Electric Boat
VATICAN CITY – Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02), Ranking Member of the House Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, issued the following statement after MDA-UAW Local 571 announced it reached a tentative agreement with Electric Boat.
“I congratulate MDA-UAW Local 571 and Electric Boat for reaching a tentative agreement that will now be presented for a ratification vote to rank and file members. As Local 571’s bargaining committee led by President Bill Louis pointed out, the agreement contains both an historic increase of wages and reform of the wage structure – which will achieve greater fairness for this highly talented, unique group of employees. The strong wage package also reflects the goal of special funding Congress approved last December to help submarine shipyards recruit and retain the talented workforce required to execute our nation’s aggressive submarine construction plans. This has been a challenging, arduous process and all the principals deserve the respect and admiration of the community for their perseverance.”
Background
Rep. Courtney secured the authority in the FY25 National Defense Authorization Act for the Secretary of the Navy to increase wages for non-executive shipyard workers. Congress passed this bipartisan measure in December 2024, and later that month, approved funding through the Continuing Resolution to allow the Navy to underwrite the cost of these wage increases for shipbuilders. In April, Rep. Courtney called on the Secretary of the Navy to quickly act upon his authority and deliver the wage increases Congress and the Navy agree are required. On April 30, the Navy acted on its new authority and awarded General Dynamics Electric Boat a $12.4 billion contract for the construction of two Virginia class boats, productivity improvements at shipyards, and workforce support (wage improvement) at nuclear-powered vessel programs.