UAW Local 571 secures 30% wage hike in new General Dynamics contract

UAW Local 571 Members Secure New Contract with General Dynamics – Electric Boat

Groton, CT—In a significant development, UAW Local 571 members have overwhelmingly approved a fresh contract with General Dynamics – Electric Boat, with 85% of members voting in favor.

The campaign marked a departure from traditional approaches, as local leadership opted for transparency over secrecy, keeping the membership informed throughout the negotiation process. The union successfully mobilized over 100 strike captains and enlisted more than 2,200 members, which accounts for over 90% of the bargaining unit, in preparation for potential strike action.

This member-led initiative resulted in substantial benefits for the Marine Draftsmen Association (MDA) members. The newly ratified five-year contract benefits more than 2,400 workers in Groton involved in the design of nuclear submarines. It promises a 30% wage hike over its term, along with enhanced wage progression. Over the duration of the agreement, MDA-UAW members will experience a $115,000 increase in total compensation per member.

Bill Louis, President of Local 571, remarked, “We did negotiations differently this time. Our members worked hard and got involved in our campaign. After more than a decade of ‘living to fight another day,’ we finally stood up and won the respect that all workers deserve.”

UAW Region 9A Director Brandon Mancilla also praised the effort, stating, “I want to congratulate the members of MDA-UAW. They showed that you don’t need to play by management’s rules. When union members get involved in the bargaining process, we win contracts that raise the standard for the entire working class.”