Workers at Northrop Grumman Corp.’s Pascagoula, Miss. shipyard held their first talks aimed at ending a strike that is now in its second week, the company said Wednesday.
The workers, represented by the Pascagoula Metal Trades Council, are seeking more than the 14-percent pay hike being offered by Northrop. The workers cite an increased cost of living caused by the after-effects of Hurricane Katrina.
The strike started March 8 and is already the longest in more than seven years at the yard. Shipbuilding accounted for 18 percent of Northrop’s revenue in 2006.
Shares in Northrop closed up $1.95, or 1.4 percent, to $75.01 Wednesday on the New York Stock Exchange.
