Main sections of first Arctic patrol ship assembled at Halifax Shipyard

Unifor Local 1 says about 700 of 800 unionized employees — including metal fabricators and electricians —voted on Sunday, with 99 per cent favouring a strike. Their contract expires at the end of this month.

Contract talks started early last month, with Irving requesting a conciliator after about four days at the table.

The previous Conservative government launched the national shipbuilding strategy in 2010, budgeting $35 billion to rebuild the navy and coast guard fleets while also creating a sustainable shipbuilding industry on both the east and west coasts.

Earlier this month, Irving said it won’t know until at least next year whether it will be able to build six Arctic patrol vessels within the government’s $3.5-billion budget, or only five.

The company says it has already committed $1.9 billion in spending on the patrol ship project.

“As the first ship of the class, having the future HMCS Harry DeWolf assembled at land level is a significant milestone,” Kevin McCoy, president Irving Shipbuilding, said in a statement.

“Canada’s shipbuilding industry is being reinvigorated, and Canadians are benefiting from coast to coast to coast.”

The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

Main sections of first Arctic patrol ship assembled at Halifax Shipyard

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