Constellation-class Frigate
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Boilermakers union considers impact of Constellation-class Program cancellation
Kansas City, Mo. (Dec. 16, 2025) — After a Nov. 25, announcement in which U.S. Navy Secretary John Phelan shared via social media about the cancellation of the Constellation-class program, the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers is weighing how the Navy’s shift in focus impacts more than 1,200 union Boilermakers who work at Fincantieri’s Marinette Marine and Bay Ship Building. According to Secretary Phelan’s social media video, two frigates currently under construction by the Fincantieri Marine Group will be completed, but four anticipated additional vessels that have not begun construction will not be built.
A press release issued by Fincantieri Marine Group says the move is part of a general fleet review launched by the U.S. Navy. The Navy will be transitioning to a future model “focused on technological excellence, manned and unmanned vessels and a long-term sustainability,” and Fincantieri will work “closely with the U.S. Navy to help deliver new classes of vessels.” Read Fincantieri Marine Group’s full press release.
More recently since the Nov. 25 announcement, Sec. Phelan has announced plans to use a Vessel Construction Manager to build up to 35 Medium Landing Ships at multiple shipyards, as well as plans for unmanned vessels to be produced by Saronic in Austin, Texas.
To date, the union is not aware of any layoffs impacting Boilermakers at Fincantieri’s Marinette Marine or Bay Ship Building operations.
“The announcement of the Constellation-class program’s cancellation took us by surprise, but our focus remains on building the highest quality vessels possible for the U.S. Navy and, ultimately, the men, women and missions they will carry,” said Archie Corrigan, president of Boilermakers Local 696, which represents about 900 workers at Fincantieri Marinette Marine in Marinette, Wisconsin.
Boilermakers from L-696 and L-449 have worked at Fincantieri Marinette Marine and Fincantieri Bay Ship Building for over 70 years. The International Brotherhood of Boilermakers was instrumental in delivering the Constellation-class program to Fincantieri. The union implored President Donald Trump in early 2020 to bring the work to the company’s Wisconsin operations to employ Midwestern shipyard workers.
“As hardworking Americans and union Boilermakers, we are proud that the U.S. Navy trusted us to build their Constellation-class vessels,” said Shawn Claflin, president of L-449, which represents 340 workers at Fincantieri Bay Ship Building in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. “We hope that as plans develop for new vessels, the union workers who are the backbone of success for these critical projects will be included.”
The union has been aggressively working to build up America’s workforce to meet increased demands at shipyards across the nation, including the demands at Fincantieri Marine Group.
“Building U.S. Naval vessels at Fincantieri’s Marinette Marine and Bay Ship Building is not just vital to the hardworking union Boilermakers who depend on this work in Wisconsin, it’s vital to the integrity of the ships our Navy depends on for the defense of our nation,” said Boilermakers International President Timothy Simmons.
Boilermakers in the shipbuilding and marine construction sector have built America’s military, merchant and specialty ships for well over a century. Members built hundreds of combat and Liberty transport ships during WWI and WWII. Today, Boilermakers work at U.S. and Canadian shipyards constructing aircraft carriers, submarines, littoral combat ships, destroyers, frigates, tankers, dry cargo ships, icebreakers, tugboats and commercial fishing boats.
Read more about the Boilermakers union’s shipbuilding and marine construction sector.
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Established in 1880, the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers & Helpers is a diverse union representing workers throughout the United States and Canada who are employed in industrial construction, maintenance and repair; ship building; manufacturing; railroads; cement; mining and related industries. More information can be found at www.boilermakers.org.
