Before Boilermakers Local 1998 formed in 2003, employees at NASSCO Shipyard went 16 years without a labor contract. Not only did the local ratify an agreement, workers gave it a unanimous vote. The Boilermakers also settled a lawsuit with NASSCO worth millions for workers. Under the settlement, shipyard workers shared cash payments totaling $13.9 million and received an increase in pension worth $5.2 million.
In addition, the latest contract negotiated by the union earned workers an immediate $4/hour pay increase as well as other benefits. Local 1998 will have even more bargaining power when every NASSCO worker is a union member.