Local 6 members keep shipbuilder “afloat”

Local 6 members are building a barge for Sasso Sabbia LLC in Petaluma, Calif.

Sasso Sabbia LLC signs agreement with Local 6

SASSO SABBIA LLC, a barge-building operation in Petaluma, Calif., has signed an agreement with Local 6 (Oakland, Calif.). According to Local 6 Bus. Rep Dave King, Sasso signed the union agreement after their nonunion venture ended with the sinking of their first barge on its maiden voyage — with only half a load on board.

With a completion date of March 2009 nearing, the company already has two more barges on order and it looks like smooth sailing for this new union contractor.

“To the best of my knowledge, this company is doing the only new vessel construction in the San Francisco Bay Area,” King says. “They now have a veteran Boilermaker steel man at the helm of the operation and a crew of 23 Boilermakers doing all phases of fabrication. They are well on their way to meeting the launch date.

“After seeing the job our members are doing, I can guarantee this one won’t sink!”