KITTERY — Union officials at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard say they’re still concerned about lost work time following the Defense Department’s announcement that furlough days will be reduced from 22 to 14.

Furlough notices will be sent out in early May. The furloughs will start in June and last through September. Employees will be furloughed for one day in each of the last 14 weeks of the 2013 budget year.

Paul O’Connor, president of the Metal Trades Council at the Kittery, Maine, shipyard, said it’s still 14 days too many. He tells the Portsmouth Herald submarine maintenance work could fall behind schedule.

Maine and New Hampshire’s senators say they are glad to see the reduction in days, but said more work is needed to solve the problem altogether.


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.