Tentative Deal Reached at Pratt & Whitney

EAST HARTFORD/MIDDLETOWN, CT — One day after resuming negotiations with 3,000 Pratt & Whitney workers on strike over wages, benefits, and job security, the East Hartford-based aircraft engine manufacturer says a tentative deal has been reached.

Machinists in East Hartford and Middletown have been on strike since May 5, when workers walked off the job amid a contract dispute involving several key issues.

On Thursday, negotiators for Pratt and Locals 700 and 1746 of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) resumed contract discussions amid worries that workers would lose medical benefits during the strike.

Pratt & Whitney announced Friday that it had reached a tentative agreement on a new contract. The union has not yet released a statement about the situation.

"The company and the union reached a tentative agreement on a revised contract offer that addressed key points of interest among union members," wrote Pratt & Whitney in a statement Friday.

While a tentative deal has been reached between negotiating teams from both sides, the contract must be voted on by union members at Pratt.

Pratt officials said the offer will be put up for a vote by union members on Tuesday, May 27.

That vote will happen, according to Pratt, on Tuesday, May 27 at the Toyota Oakdale Theater in Wallingford at 8:30 a.m.

Details of the tentative pact have not been released.

Since the strike, Pratt has kept its facilities in Middletown and East Hartford open and operating, albeit without 3,000 machinists.

News of the tentative deal was met with optimism by U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.

“This tentative agreement is a solid step forward for Pratt’s highly skilled machinists, and I hope for a fair settlement soon," he said in a statement Friday.

"These dedicated workers deserve decent compensation, pensions, and job security as they produce the best aircraft engines on the planet, vital to assuring that America has the strongest air force in the world. I’ve been proud to stand with them in their fight for workplace fairness, and I’ll continue to strongly support them."

Pratt & Whitney operates a main manufacturing and design facility in East Hartford, with an engine center in Middletown.

From May 5: 'Thousands On Strike At Major CT Employer In East Hartford'