SAN DIEGO — Local ship workers united in solidarity to call for General Dynamics NASSCO to provide them a fair contract.
Saturday’s rally came as NASSCO christened and launched the newest navy ship, the USNS Robert F. Kennedy. This ship is one of nine that NASSCO will build as part of a contract with the U.S. Navy.
Boilermakers Local 92 Business Manager Luis Miramontes said NASSCO's offers have been insufficient.
“It's not enough what they're offering right now and we’re kind of going in circles,” he said.
With the high cost of living in San Diego, many workers represented by Boilermakers Local 92 said they can't afford rent and are forced to live in Mexico. Right across the street from NASSCO, the parking lot is filled with workers traveling from Baja, California.
Gustavo Rojo is one of those workers. He's worked as a welder for more than three decades but started commuting from Tijuana every day 12 years ago.
“Es algo muy dificil, primero porque pierdes mucho tiempo en viajar para poder cruzar de Tijuana para acá… te tienes que venir a la una de la manana y dormir en la calle…en el carro,” Rojo said.
Rojo said commuting from Tijuana is difficult. He crosses the border at 1 a.m. each day in order to make it to work on time.
“Merecemos más de lo que nos están dando ellos,” Rojo said.
Rojo goes on to say workers deserve more than what they are giving them.
Meanwhile, Boilermakers Local 92 said the union has been in contract negotiations for more than two months. So far there's been no deal. The latest extension ends in three days.
“They are not listening to what we’re saying so obviously we have to let our voices be heard and go other avenues,” Miramontes said.
NASSCO is aware of the demonstration held on Saturday. The company released the following statement:
“NASSCO is aware of the demonstration by the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers (IBB). NASSCO continues to negotiate in good faith as the current Collective Bargaining Agreement between NASSCO and the IBB is still in effect. NASSCO and representatives from the IBB will continue contract discussions on Monday, October 30, 2023. NASSCO is offering significant wage increases, where employees would receive between a 15% and 21.5% increase in base pay over three years, among many other improvements, including increases to 401k contributions and paid time off. A similar contract was negotiated between NASSCO and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW), and was recently ratified by IAMAW membership.”
Contract negotiations continue through Monday, October 30.
“We want to get them a fair, livable wage so they can live here and continue contributing to the community,” Miramontes said.
The union will consider a strike if a deal is not reached by Monday.
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