Pratt & Whitney Workers Strike in Connecticut Threatens F-35 and Airbus A320 Engine Supply

Over 3,000 unionized machinists at Pratt & Whitney in East Hartford and Middletown, Connecticut, are on strike for the fifth day, demanding job security and better pay. The strike, the first in over 20 years, affects production of engines for Lockheed Martin's F-35 jets and Airbus A320neo aircraft, raising concerns in the aerospace industry. Union members rejected the company's contract offer, citing outsourcing fears. Political figures, including Senator Richard Blumenthal, support the strike, urging federal labor reforms. Pratt & Whitney has implemented contingency plans to continue operations during the strike.

Workers Demand Job Security Amid Outsourcing Concerns

The strike began on May 6 after members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Locals 700 and 1746 overwhelmingly rejected Pratt & Whitney’s final contract offer. According to union officials, 77% of nearly 2,100 voting members supported the strike action. The primary issue driving the stoppage is job security, with workers seeking firm commitments that key engine production work will remain in Connecticut.

“Job security is number one right now,” said Jeff Santini, the union’s lead negotiator, in an interview with Reuters. He emphasized that the union is particularly concerned about retaining work on the F135 engine for the F-35 fighter jet and the geared turbofan (GTF) engine used in Airbus A320neo aircraft.

Union leaders have expressed fears that Pratt & Whitney, a division of RTX Corp., may shift production out of state or overseas, threatening the livelihoods of thousands of skilled workers in Connecticut. IAM International President Brian Bryant stated, “They [Pratt & Whitney] are the ones who can very easily get back to the table.”

Company Defends Offer, Cites Investment in Connecticut

Pratt & Whitney has defended its contract proposal, which includes a 10.5% wage increase over three years, a $5,000 signing bonus, and enhancements to pension and 401(k) plans. The company also stated that its offer would have preserved existing job security protections under longstanding agreements known as Letters 20 and 22, which safeguard union-represented work in the state.

In a public statement, the company said, “Final assembly and testing of programs like the F135, Tanker and GTF engines would have remained protected in Middletown.” It also noted that it has invested more than $550 million in its Connecticut operations since 2019, including upgrades to manufacturing lines and the addition of repair work for both military and commercial engines.

Despite these assurances, union officials argue that the company’s offer does not go far enough to prevent outsourcing or to address inflationary pressures on wages. “The wage increase fails to keep up with inflation,” Santini said, though the union has not publicly disclosed its full list of demands.

Political Support and Legislative Push

The strike has drawn support from several federal and state lawmakers, who have joined workers on the picket lines. U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, U.S. Representatives Rosa DeLauro and John Larson, and other Connecticut officials have voiced solidarity with the machinists and called on Pratt & Whitney to return to negotiations.

“This strike is about more than just the Pratt workers,” said Sen. Blumenthal. “It is literally a fight for fair pay, pensions, and job security for all American working men and women and their families.”

Blumenthal and others have also used the strike to advocate for federal labor reforms, including the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, which aims to strengthen union rights and collective bargaining protections.

Impact on F-35 and Airbus A320 Engine Production

The strike’s timing is particularly sensitive for the aerospace sector. Pratt & Whitney is a key supplier of the F135 engine used in Lockheed Martin’s F-35 fighter jet, which is produced at a rate of 156 units per year. The company also manufactures the GTF engine for Airbus’ A320neo, one of the world’s most popular commercial aircraft.

Lockheed Martin declined to comment on the potential impact of the strike on F-35 production. Airbus, meanwhile, stated it is in close contact with Pratt & Whitney and RTX but said it is “too early to tell if the strike will impact us.”

Industry analysts have warned that a prolonged strike could exacerbate existing supply chain issues. Pratt & Whitney has already faced challenges in recent years, including quality control problems with GTF engines that have grounded hundreds of aircraft. “A lengthy strike would further strain production,” said Richard Aboulafia, Managing Director at AeroDynamic Advisory.

Company Operations Continue with Contingency Plans

Despite the walkout, RTX has stated that its East Hartford and Middletown facilities remain open and that it has implemented contingency plans to maintain operations. The company has instructed suppliers to continue shipping parts as usual, though it has not provided details on how it is managing production during the strike.

Pratt & Whitney has also launched a public relations campaign to reassure stakeholders of its commitment to Connecticut. A dedicated webpage highlights the company’s investments in the state and its role as a hub for engineering and manufacturing of commercial, military, and classified programs.

Broader Context: Aerospace Supply Chain Under Pressure

The strike at Pratt & Whitney comes at a time when the global aerospace industry is grappling with high demand for new aircraft and persistent supply chain disruptions. Manufacturers like Airbus and Boeing are under pressure to ramp up production, but component shortages and labor disputes have complicated recovery efforts.

RTX, which forecasts $83–84 billion in revenue for 2025, reported $590 million in quarterly profit from Pratt & Whitney alone. However, the company also faces a potential $850 million hit from tariffs later this year, adding urgency to its cost containment strategies.

As the strike continues, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont has urged both sides to return to the bargaining table. As of May 10, no new negotiations have been announced. Union members have pledged to remain on the picket line “24/7, rain or shine,” according to IAM officials.