In East Hartford, Connecticut, early Monday saw approximately 3,000 labor union members from jet engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney initiate a strike. This action followed the collapse of negotiations concerning wages, retirement benefits, and job security. The members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers began their picketing at key manufacturing sites in East Hartford and Middletown, after a decisive vote showing 77% of nearly 2,100 union members in favor of their first strike since 2001, according to union officials. Their existing contract expired late on Sunday.
David Sullivan, the union’s Vice President for the eastern territory, emphasized the contributions of union members to the company’s success in military and commercial aerospace products. He stated, “This offer does not address the membership concerns, and the membership made their decision — we will continue to fight for a fair contract.” In damp weather conditions, picketing workers were visible at the entrances to the East Hartford and Middletown plants, brandishing signs such as “I am on strike! against Pratt & Whitney” and “Solidarity for Security” alongside “Together We Rise.”
Concerns were voiced by some workers about potential job relocations to Georgia from Connecticut, compromising job security. Union member Scott Westberg expressed to WFSB-TV, “They’re not giving us job security. We need time to be here… They’re trying to deteriorate the middle class, which is what we are. We are the blue collar.”
Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of the Arlington, Virginia-based RTX Corp., described its recent wage and retirement proposal as competitive. They affirmed their workers are among the best-compensated in the region and industry. The company highlighted its offer elements of increased pay, better retirement savings, additional days off, and increased flexibility, explaining that there are no immediate intentions to resume negotiations as contingency plans are established to ensure continued operations.
Meanwhile, the strike poses a challenge to RTX amidst the possibility of an $850 million loss in profits this year arising due to tariffs instituted by President Donald Trump, should the rates persist. RTX had disclosed during its first-quarter earnings call that its subsidiaries, Pratt & Whitney and Collins Aerospace, would each face over $400 million of the tariff impact.
RTX is projecting adjusted sales of $83 billion to $84 billion by 2025, with first-quarter earnings reported at $1.5 billion and a Pratt & Whitney adjusted operating profit of $590 million for the same period. The company’s contract offer encompassed an immediate wage increase of 4%, followed by incremental raises of 3.5% in 2026 and 3% in 2027. Additionally, a $5,000 contract ratification bonus and strengthened pension and 401k benefits were proposed.
Pratt & Whitney produces engines for both commercial and military aircraft, including Airbus commercial jets’ GTF line and the F135 engines for the F-35 Lightning II fighter jets for the military. Connecticut’s Democratic Governor Ned Lamont, along with Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz, urged both parties to resume negotiations. Support for the union workers was also expressed by Connecticut’s entire Democratic congressional delegation and Democratic state lawmakers.