DoD to Impose New Labor Regulations for Shipyards

According to reports, the U.S. Department of Defense is planning to implement new labor regulations later this month. But Paul O'Connor, president of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard's Metal Trades Council, believes the regulations would give the DOD the power to make policy changes that are non-negotiable and override existing contracts. O'Connor fears the new rules in the National Security Personnel System (NSPS) would adversely affect the labor-management relationship that had helped establish Portsmouth as the most efficient shipyard in the country. In a press release issued Wednesday, US Senator John Sununu of New Hampshire, said he stressed the importance of maintaining the shipyard's labor-management relationship during an introductory meeting with Naval Sea System's new commander.