Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont announced today that by Executive Order all nonessential businesses in CT are required to keep their workers at home. At his press conference this afternoon, Governor Lamont reiterated a message we have heard from the White House and the Department of Defense – Electric Boat and our suppliers (including those building our new facilities) are essential businesses, critical to our nation’s security. As such, we have a special responsibility to continue our important work. I spoke with Governor Lamont this afternoon, and he fully supports the measures we are taking to protect our employees while continuing operations.
As of this writing, Gov. Gina Raimondo has not made a similar announcement in Rhode Island.
There continue to be no confirmed cases of COVID-19 at EB. As this situation develops, we are evolving our approaches to keeping you and your colleagues safe while we continue operations. We have put in place several new measures to enable better social distancing, including:
- Staggering lunchtime use of the Groton Wet Dock Cafeteria by directorate for first shift
- Ensuring all Operations employees have adequate space to keep several feet of distance during briefings and musterings
- Terminating all large, all-hands meetings
- Reviewing of all work areas by General Foreman and Area Superintendents to ensure that we limit the number of employees in each space at any given time
- Continuing increased cleaning throughout the facilities and shipboard
- Adding a second shift at the New London facility to help decrease density in that building
- Developing alternative strategies for organizing work within the Operations teams to minimize the risk that a single exposure could affect an entire work group. We will communicate more as these strategies are finalized.
- Encouraging teams to maximize use of existing policies and collective bargaining agreements that allow people to work flexibly where possible. This could include temporarily flexing shift start and stop time, temporarily changing shifts, utilizing flexible work schedules and working on weekends when work is available.
- In response to the need for many of our colleagues who may not have accrued sufficient PTO to respond to school closings and related schedule disruptions, during this crisis we will now allow all employees (hourly, salaried and represented) to accrue up to 80 hours of negative PTO that can be recouped by the end of 2020. This benefit has not been available prior to our hourly workforce and increases the current limit of 40 hours of negative PTO. This is in sync with other GD business units.
We are each personally responsible for stopping the spread and ensuring the safety of our co-workers, friends and families. Towards this goal, please take time each day to ask yourself the following questions. If you can answer yes to any, do not leave your house:
- Have you had close personal contact, as defined below, with anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 (lab or clinical diagnosis)?
- Within six feet for prolonged period (~10 minutes)
- In a confined space (cab, small room, office, etc.)
- Had direct contact with infectious secretions (been coughed, sneezed on, etc.)
- Are you experiencing any symptoms? Fever? Chills? Cough? Sore throat? Shortness of breath? Body aches?
If you answer YES to any of the above questions, please get the proper care, stay home to protect your teammates and your community, and contact your supervisor.
Thank you for your continued patience and flexibility as we move through this challenging time together.
Kevin Graney
In an effort to increase safety at Electric Boat’s Groton shipyard, two speed tables are being installed across Eastern Point Road this week. The tables, a few inches tall and marked with yellow stripes, are designed to slow vehicle traffic in an area frequented by pedestrians. The first speed table crosses Eastern Point Road just...Continue reading→
Five members of the Electric Boat Fire Department in Groton were recognized for perilous, life-saving rescues during a pair of multi-alarm fires that engulfed apartments in Groton and New London in 2025. Firefighters Thomas Gugliotti, Arthur Keaten, Theodore Bartkoski, James Brady and Capt. Ryan Boulanger were each presented with Lifesaving Awards and the prestigious 2026...Continue reading→
Meet the Barnacle, Electric Boat’s newest parking-enforcement tool that will begin deployment in the Groton shipyard starting Monday, June 15. As our enterprise continues to grow, we are dedicated to ensuring parking is safe, fair and accessible to all. The Barnacle is an immobilizing parking-enforcement device that attaches directly to a vehicle’s windshield using heavy-duty,...Continue reading→
June 14th marks the 251st Birthday of the United States Army, a moment to honor the enduring legacy, bravery, and sacrifice of those who have worn the Army uniform since 1775. As the oldest branch of the U.S. military, the Army has played a vital role in shaping our nation’s history and safeguarding its freedoms....Continue reading→
Electric Boat held recent Signing Day ceremonies at Cranston West High School on May 21 and the Garde Arts Center in New London on May 28. EB President Mark Rayha spoke with students about their decision to join EB and educators who prepare their students for careers in shipbuilding. Click here to see the latest installment of the Rayha...Continue reading→
A Message From Dan Vieira and Kathleen Heller At EB, Safety and Wellness go far beyond meeting basic compliance standards. Our focus is on building a culture where employees can thrive in every aspect of their lives. Prioritizing wellbeing is vital to being our best on the job and at home with our families. ...Continue reading→
Early Sunday morning, a devastating fire occurred at The Ledges Apartments in Groton. Eighteen fire departments, including Electric Boat’s, responded. Thanks to the heroism of these first responders no residents were injured. The fire did, however, displace more than approximately 50 residents and destroyed or damaged 44 units in the building. Several EB employees were...Continue reading→
June 1st marks the start of Pride Month, a time for millions of LGBTQ+ individuals and allies around the world to come together in celebration and reflection. From film festivals and art shows, to marches and concerts, Pride is a vibrant tribute to LGBTQ+ culture, history and the relentless spirit of activism. It’s a chance...Continue reading→
The Next Generation of Shipbuilders Takes the Stage Over the past two weeks, Electric Boat welcomed the next generation of shipbuilders at our Rhode Island and Connecticut Signing Day celebrations, marking the beginning of a journey that will help shape the future of our company and our nation’s defense. Held at Cranston High School West...Continue reading→
CT DOT is preparing to enter the next major phase of the Gold Star Memorial Bridge Rehabilitation Project, and employees should expect new traffic patterns that may affect travel to and from EB’s Groton and New London facilities. A crossover will direct two northbound lanes onto the southbound bridge, as shown in this CT DOT...Continue reading→