Machinists Strike at Pratt & Whitney Over Contract Dispute

Approximately 3,000 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers began striking Monday at jet engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney in Connecticut, following a breakdown in contract negotiations centered on wages, retirement benefits, and job security, ABC News reports.

The strike marks the union’s first since 2001 and comes after about 77% of nearly 2,100 voting members approved the action. Picket lines were established at Pratt & Whitney’s manufacturing facilities in East Hartford and Middletown shortly after the previous contract expired late Sunday.

“Pratt and Whitney is a powerhouse in military and commercial aerospace products because our membership makes it so,” said David Sullivan, eastern territory vice president for the union. “This offer does not address the membership concerns, and the membership made their decision — we will continue to fight for a fair contract.”

The company, a subsidiary of RTX Corp., maintains that its latest contract proposal offers competitive compensation. In a statement, the company highlighted proposed benefits including a 4% immediate wage increase, followed by increases of 3.5% in 2026 and 3% in 2027. The offer also included a $5,000 ratification bonus and enhancements to both pension and 401(k) plans.

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

Pratt & Whitney is a key supplier of engines for both commercial and military aircraft, including the GTF engine line for Airbus jets and the F135 engine used in the F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft. The company has not disclosed the potential operational impact of the strike.

The union has not announced when it expects negotiations to resume. In the meantime, workers continue to picket, urging for a revised offer that addresses their long-term financial and job security concerns.