Overview
- Members of IAM Locals 700 and 1746 launched a strike early Monday at Pratt & Whitney's East Hartford and Middletown plants following the expiration of their contract at midnight Sunday.
- Union members overwhelmingly voted to strike, with 77% of nearly 2,100 participants supporting the action in a Sunday vote.
- Key union demands include higher wages to address inflation, stronger retirement and pension benefits, and improved job security commitments.
- Pratt & Whitney has implemented contingency plans to maintain operations and argues its latest contract offer, which includes a 4% immediate wage increase and a $5,000 ratification bonus, is competitive.
- This strike, the first in 24 years, highlights broader concerns over economic pressures and the future of middle-class jobs in Connecticut's aerospace industry.