Nearly 3,000 unionised workers based at Pratt & Whitney's Connecticut facilities have voted in favour of a new labour contract on May 27, 2025, ending a three-week long strike that began earlier in May.
The strike has impacted production of Pratt & Whitney's high-in-demand geared turbofan (GTF) engine. The Connecticut sites operate the majority of the GTF engine assembly.
The new four year contract took effect the following day. The striking workers at East Hartford and Middletown will return to work on May 29. The employees will be required to take part in an orientation session for their return.
“Our committee worked tirelessly to ensure our members' priorities were heard, and this agreement is a direct result of that determination,” said IAM Union District 26 directing business representative Jeff Santini.
“As Pratt & Whitney marks its 100th anniversary, this outcome reaffirms our commitment to the people, programmes and communities that have powered our legacy — and will shape our next century of aviation innovation,” said Pratt & Whitney in a statement. “We appreciate the collaboration with the union to reach a mutually agreeable contract.”
Under the new agreement, wages will increase 6% in the first year, followed by 3.5% next year, and 3% in 2027 as well as 2028. Pension payments will increase from $94 to $113 from June 1, 2025. The contract also secured promotion pay increases, job security, and flexible working options. Members voted 74% in favour to ratify the new contract.
Around 80% of workers had voted to reject Pratt & Whitney parent RTX's contract offer, with 77.2% voting to strike. The contract had offered a 4% immediate wage increase, with a 3.5% wage increase in the second year and 3% in the third year of the contract. The contract had offered an immediate $5,000 ratification bonus. The ratification bonus was not detailed in either the union or Pratt & Whitney's statements regarding the approved contract.
Pratt & Whitney reported an operating profit of $580 million in the first quarter of the year, up 41%, with sales climbing 14% to $7.4bn. The company's GTF engine continues to contend with the powdered metal contamination issue, resulting in several aircraft on ground (AOG) for airlines.
During the earnings call, RTX president and CEO Chris Calio said it expects the GTF MRO output was up 35% in the first quarter compared to a year prior and up 14% compared to the previous quarter, remaining on track for a 30% improvement in the full year 2025. “This output is a key enabler for reducing AOGs, which we continue to expect to trend down in the back half of the year,” said Calio.
The GTF MRO network is based in locations outside of Connecticut. In addition, the company had recently received FAA certification for its GTF Advantage — an upgraded package of the engine. The upgrade is expected to double time on wing compared to the current GTF engine. Calio said during the call in April that it remained on track for initial deliveries of the upgraded engine to Airbus later this year. It remains to be seen whether the strike will have impacted the rollout of the GTF Advantage engine.
Furthermore, the company is certifying an upgrade package that will incorporate around 90-95% of the upgraded engine's durability improvements to existing GTF engines. These upgrades will be implemented during shop visits and is expected to be available next year.