BATH, Maine — 34 days into Local S6 Union's strike from Bath Iron Works and the union workers got a visit from their international president, Bob Martinez.
"It was great, it was great to have 'em down. I'm glad to have their support," Devin Ford said.
Ford has worked at BIW for four years and says he supports the strike, that he voted for it. Even though his wife is pregnant and they have two kids at home.
"It's a pretty big deal for me to be out on strike right now, I voted for the strike, I support the strike, I support the union," he said.
Martinez was in Bath from Washington, D.C. in order to remind the Local S6 he stands with them.
At times, Martinez spoke directly to Dirk Lesko, the president of Bath Iron Works.
"The company likes to say Bath built is best built. Well Dirk, you should really be saying S6 built is best built," Martinez said.
Local lawmakers also addressing the union. Maine Speaker of the House Sara Gideon and Maine State Senator Eloise Vitelli were in Bath on Saturday and Congressman Jared Golden and Congresswoman Chellie Pingree both sent letters in support.
"This fight is as just as it is necessary," Vitelli said to the crowd.
"It'd be good to know the management would have my back and be willing to support me the way I support them every day when I go through the gates," Ford added.
Bath Iron Works spokesperson, David Hench released a statement to NEWS CENTER Maine on Saturday.
"BIW remains fully engaged in the FMCS mediation process. When that process calls for the parties to return to the bargaining table and resume negotiations, we are prepared to do so."
As of now, there's no word when that will be. The last strike at BIW lasted 55 days in 2000.