Union steelworkers poured through the streets of Newport News on Friday as shipyard officials and steelworkers prepare to hammer out a contract for the first time in four years.
United Steelworkers Local 8888 represents roughly 7,000 workers in Northrop Grumman's Newport News shipyard, and about 500 members marched past the shipyard gates along Washington Avenue chanting for higher wages, better pensions and an upgraded health care plan.
Steelworker negotiators and company executives are expected to discuss the new contract for the first time on Sept. 3. The current contract, signed in 2004, expires at midnight Oct. 26. That deal was signed without incident, but in 1999, the steelworkers went on strike for 17 weeks while negotiating teams tried to reach an agreement.
Source: The Daily Press