UNION MEMBERS RATIFY INGALLS SHIPBUILDING CONTRACT EXTENSION

PASCAGOULA, Miss., Dec. 1, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE:HII) announced today that the Pascagoula Metal Trades Council (PMTC) and local chapters of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), United Federation of Special Police and Security Officers (UFSPSO) and Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) approved an extension of the collective bargaining agreement with the company's Ingalls Shipbuilding division.

"This collaboration between management and labor is another example of how we continue to work together to ensure we provide the best opportunities for our shipbuilders and at the same time position our shipyard to compete for future contracts," said Edmond Hughes, Ingalls' vice president, human resources and administration.

Union leadership, represented by PMTC President Mike Crawley, IBEW Business Manager J. P. Mergenschroer, UFSPSO Business Agent Glen Veil and OPEIU Business Manager Lula Stewart, issued a collective statement, saying, "Ingalls Shipbuilding and the PMTC, IBEW, OPEIU and UFSPSO unions are pleased that our proposal for a three-year contract extension has been ratified by our shipbuilders."

As part of a three-year extension, a 60-cent raise on the journeyman rate will come on Jan. 5, 2015, and another one on March 14, 2016. A 75-cent raise will be awarded in the third and final year of the contract on March 13, 2017. All qualified represented employees who are on the active payroll will receive a $1,250 ratification bonus, payable on Dec. 11, 2014.

An agreement with the International Association of Machinists (IAM) independent 29 and 33 machinists was not reached, but the union has asked for continued discussion.