Pratt & Whitney To Layoff 129 Hourly Employees; Union Vows To Fight

After aircraft engine manufacturers Pratt & Whitney revealed plans to slash 129 hourly workers at an engine repair center in Cheshire, CT, union leaders immediately went on the defensive.

The union representing P&W employees, Officials at the International Association of Machinists District 26, previously won a court case with the company in order to prevent the manufacturer from closing the plant altogether.

According to P&W, “The reductions are the direct result of a decline in the volume of work performed at the Cheshire engine Center.”

The union is contending those claims, saying that hourly staff members have worked 10 hours days, and some of them have been asked to work weekends.

The union argues, “None of this would indicate that there is not enough work to keep employed.”

P&W will offer incentive packages for employees who leave the company voluntarily. Employees will have until August 26 to choose that option.

The union claims that they are willing to return to litigation with P&W if the company goes through with the layoffs.