Pratt & Whitney and its approximately 3,000 striking workers will resume negotiations on May 22, 2025, as the strike is pushed into its third week, both Pratt & Whitney and the union representing the striking workers confirmed. The strikes have halted operations at the company's key facilities based in Connecticut and has reached its third week after commencing May 5, 2025.
“The company and the union are scheduled to resume negotiations talks on a new contract on May 22, 2025, at 10am,” said the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace (IAM) union. “As we don't know what to expect, we need you all to continue to attend all picket assignments to show solidarity and be loud and active."
Pratt & Whitney said: “The company remains committed to reaching a new agreement that reflects the value of our employees' contributions and supports the long-term future of high-skill manufacturing jobs in Connecticut.”
The union is calling for increased wages and greater job security. Around 80% of the workers 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% increase in the second year, and 3% increase in the third year of the contract. In addition, the contract offered an immediate $5,000 ratification bonus. The three-year contract offered improvement to paid time off and pension plans amongst other things.
“Our goal throughout this process has always been to provide a new contract that rewards you for your efforts, while allowing our business to compete and preserving it for future generations,” said Pratt & Whitney vice president & chief human resources officer Jill Vichi in a letter to its striking workers. “Our final offer would have done just that.”
The union had used choice words responding to the offer prior to its members voting for strike action.
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.
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.