September 1, 2009 - Hundreds of Pratt & Whitney workers in Connecticut marched from Local 1746 in East Hartford, CT, to nearby Pratt & Whitney headquarters, for a ‘Keep Jobs in Connecticut’ rally and to urge management to reconsider their plan to close the Cheshire overhaul facility and an airfoil repair work center.
More than 1,000 hourly and salary workers would lose their jobs if Pratt moves forward with a plan to ship work to Georgia, Singapore, Japan and other locations. Many question the necessity of the outsourcing moves, citing Pratt’s record $110 million in June deliveries. Because of the economic “ripple effect,” as many as 4,000 Connecticut workers could lose their jobs.
IAM leaders have proposed alternative plans that will address company concerns while preserving the work. In exchange, management would defer any final decision about relocating until after full contract negotiations conclude in December 2010.
Elected officials have also reached out to Pratt & Whitney President David Hess, with the same message. An August 26 letter, signed by the entire Connecticut Congressional delegation, including both senators, Connecticut Governor Rell and Attorney General Blumenthal asks Hess to consider putting any plant closing on hold pending the outcome of full contract negotiations.
