This was the first walkout at all four plants since 1960. The company manufactures jet engines for commercial airliners and warplanes. "I think it's a win for the union," said Mark Dion, a worker at the Cheshire plant. "I think it's going to make the company think twice [during the next round of negotiations] in 2004."

The main issues in dispute were retirement benefits and job security. The new contract increases wages by 10 percent over three years, from $23.27 to $25.88. The monthly pension allotment for workers 62 and older was raised from $40 to $44. The figure is multiplied by the worker's years of service to determine the monthly pension payment. Younger workers will receive less.

For those with 25 years' service, the age eligibility for a special retirement option package was reduced from 58 to 55. Under this plan workers would receive an additional $13 a month for each year of service on top of their regular monthly pension. An additional $325 would be added on each month.

"This is an important gain," stated James Parent, the chief negotiator for the four International Association of Machinists locals that went on strike. There are some 1,300 workers in these plants eligible for this plan, he noted.

The amount employees could contribute to 401 (k) plans was also increased, as was the amount matched by Pratt.

The contract states that there will be no layoffs due to subcontracting during the life of the agreement, one of the major issues in the walkout. If workers lose their jobs in this way, they must be retrained for other work. The new deal will also ensure that 115 workers in the North Haven plant, which is scheduled to close, will be placed in jobs elsewhere in the state.

"I think this contract is probably acceptable," commented Machinist Terry Madore, who works at the North Haven plant. "I've seen a whole lot worse."  
 
 
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