P.E.I. shipyard awaits contract news

The union representing workers at the shipyard in Georgetown met with Irving Shipbuilding yesterday, but it’s still waiting to hear about spillover work from Halifax.

Rick Arsenault, with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, said there’s "still no word" on developments that could see the shipyard reopen.

Workers hope the shipyard will benefit from Irving’s $25-billion contract with the federal government to build navy and coast-guard ships.

Irving’s shipyard in Halifax is the big winner, but others in the region are expected to get some of that work.

Irving’s East Isle Shipyard in Georgetown employed 115 people in its heyday. It shut down more than a year ago when the work ran out.

Arsenault said it could be a while before there’s an answer from Irving because the details of the federal contract have yet to be worked out.