Negotiations Stall Over Wages, Retirement Benefits, Job Security

Three thousand members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Locals 700 and 1746 went on strike Monday May 5 at Pratt & Whitney’s East Hartford and Middletown manufacturing plants in Connecticut after negotiations broke down over wages, job security, and retirement benefits.

Pratt & Whitney manufactures jet engines for commercial and military aircraft, including F135 engines for the F-35 Lightning II and GTF engines for Airbus airliners. After workers voted to reject the company’s latest offer, the union said that Pratt & Whitney failed to adequately address the workers’ concerns.

Jeff Santini, Directing Business Representative of IAM District 26 said, “Our committee worked tirelessly to advance our member’s voices to the company, and the company simply failed to bring to the table an agreement that we felt comfortable recommending to our membership. At the end of the day, the membership always has the final say.”

The IAM looks forward to returning to the negotiating table with Pratt & Whitney leadership to continue pushing for its members’ issues and ensure their lives and livelihoods are not disrupted.

The company’s latest contract proposal included an immediate 4% increase in pay, followed by an additional 3.5% in 2026 and 3% in 2027. It also contained a $5,000 contract ratification bonus and improved benefits in pensions and 401k plans.

Pratt & Whitney said in a statement, “Our message to union leaders throughout this thoughtful process has been simple: higher pay, better retirement savings, more days off and more flexibility. We have no immediate plans to resume negotiations at this time and we have contingency plans in place to maintain operations and to meet our customer commitments.”

David Sullivan, IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President, said, “Pratt and Whitney is a powerhouse in military and commercial aerospace products because our membership makes it so. This offer does not address the membership concerns, and the membership made their decision—we will continue to fight for a fair contract.”

FMI:  www.goiam.org/ , www.prattwhitney.com/