Shipyard Workers Offered Overtime for Hegseth Speech
In a surprising move, Bath Iron Works in Maine is offering overtime pay to workers who attend a speech by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. Scheduled for Monday afternoon, the event aims to discuss the newly announced “Trump” class battleship. However, initial interest among employees appears low, raising questions about the effectiveness of the incentive.
Low Turnout Anticipated for Hegseth’s Visit
As Bath Iron Works prepares for Secretary Hegseth’s visit, workers have expressed a lack of enthusiasm for attending the speech. According to an anonymous employee, when management sought volunteers to participate, there was little response. The speech is set to take place shortly before a shift change, meaning those who attend would need to stay beyond their regular hours. Initially, there was no mention of overtime pay, leading to further disinterest among the workforce.
However, after the initial survey yielded few volunteers, management sent out a follow-up communication clarifying that overtime would be provided for those who stayed past their shift. Devin Ragnar, a spokesperson for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local 6, confirmed that overtime pay would be granted but did not elaborate on how this decision was made. The change in policy has led some workers to speculate whether it was a strategic move to boost attendance.
One worker remarked, “This company doesn’t pay out for anything they don’t explicitly have to,” suggesting that the offer of overtime was an unusual tactic to encourage participation. Another employee expressed frustration over the situation, noting that while they are often denied paid time off for various reasons, the company is willing to offer overtime for a political event.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to Speak at Bath Iron Works, Workers Offered Overtime
Mixed Reactions to Hegseth’s Presence
The upcoming visit from Hegseth has sparked a range of emotions among Bath Iron Works employees. Many have reacted with apathy or even disdain, with some expressing strong negative feelings toward the Secretary. One worker stated, “I hate Pete Hegseth to my core,” criticizing his authority and relevance to the shipyard’s operations. Despite this, the worker acknowledged that opinions on Hegseth vary among colleagues, with some being staunch supporters of former President Trump.
The shipyard, a significant employer in Maine, has a long history of building and maintaining U.S. Navy vessels. As a subsidiary of General Dynamics, Bath Iron Works has secured billions in government contracts. Charles Krugh, the president of the shipyard, has previously indicated the facility’s readiness to participate in the construction of the new class of battleships.
As the event approaches, the management at Bath Iron Works has not publicly commented on the anticipated turnout or the mixed feelings among employees. A Pentagon spokesperson also declined to provide additional information regarding Hegseth’s visit, stating, “We haven’t announced any trip for the Secretary and have nothing to add at this time.”
