Agreement Covers More Than 3,400 Workers In CT

IAM members of Locals 700, 1746 and 1746A of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), representing hourly employees at Pratt & Whitney in Middletown, East Hartford and Cheshire, have ratified a new three-year labor agreement. The agreement covers more than 3,400 employees in Middletown, East Hartford and Cheshire and is effective, December 6, 2010.

As a part of the agreement, the Cheshire facility and the Connecticut Airfoil Repair Operations (CARO) will close in the coming year. A plant-closure agreement has been negotiated in an effort to ease the disruption to employees' lives.

David Hess, president, Pratt & Whitney said, "While the world-wide economic and competitive realities dictate no choice but to close Cheshire and CARO, our plan and this agreement accomplishes this in a very compassionate and responsible way." Hess said, "We had very difficult issues on the table. In the end we worked together to deliver a new contract that treats our employees fairly and helps secure the company's future competitiveness. This is a good outcome for Pratt & Whitney and our employees."

FMI: www.pw.utc.com