IAM President: Outsourcing Navy Shipbuilding Threatens U.S. Security and Economy
1min read WASHINGTON, Jan. 6, 2025 – Brian Bryant, International President of the 600,000-member International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Union, issued a stark warning on incoming President Trump’s recent remarks about outsourcing domestic Navy shipbuilding to foreign nations:
"As International President of the 600,000-member International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) and a former pipefitter at Bath Iron Works (BIW), I express deep concern about any discussion to outsource Navy shipbuilding to foreign nations. We know that American workers and domestic shipyards have the talent and capacity to meet our national defense needs if given proper investment and support.
The incoming administration must prioritize rebuilding the U.S. industrial base by addressing the skilled labor shortages and backlog in shipyards, not by turning to foreign builders and suppliers. A strong domestic shipbuilding industry is essential to economic and national security in an era of increasing geopolitical tensions. Maine shipbuilders have been at the forefront of innovation and excellence for over 400 years, consistently delivering vessels that meet the rigorous standards of the U.S. Navy.
Our nation’s security and economy depend on a strong domestic shipbuilding industry, and IAM members stand ready to build the ships America needs. We look forward to engaging with the new administration to help strengthen American shipbuilding and secure our defense industrial base here at home.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers is one of North America’s largest and most diverse industrial trade unions, representing approximately 600,000 active and retired members in the aerospace, defense, airlines, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries.
Outsourcing Navy shipbuilding to foreign nations would not only threaten U.S. national security but also put thousands of American jobs at risk. The IAM Union is committed to defending the interests of its members and the broader U.S. workforce by advocating for a strong domestic shipbuilding industry.
We urge the incoming administration to prioritize rebuilding the U.S. industrial base and addressing the skilled labor shortages and backlog in shipyards. By investing in American workers and domestic shipyards, we can ensure that the U.S. Navy has the ships it needs to maintain its global presence and protect our nation’s interests.
For more information on the IAM Union and its efforts to strengthen the U.S. shipbuilding industry, visit GOiam.org.