The union vote paves the way for new heavy-lift cargo helicopters to be built in Stratford for the U.S. Marine Corps.
Members of the Teamsters Local 1150 voted 2,104 to 140 to approve a Sikorsky Aircraft proposal that paves the way for CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift cargo helicopters to be built in Stratford for the U.S. Marine Corps.
Governor Dannel P. Malloy called Sunday’s vote “important and necessary” and said it ensures that Sikorsky will “remain for years to come in the state they have long called home.”
The $220-million incentive-laden deal to keep Stratford-based Sikorsky Aircraft in Connecticut until at least 2032 recently received overwhelming support in both chambers of the General Assembly.
“Hundreds of Connecticut based supply chain companies and their thousands of employees will also benefit as a direct result from the CH53K being built right here,” Malloy said in a statement following the union’s vote. “These businesses and employees are our neighbors – located in every corner of the state. I want to thank everyone involved in this process for their efforts in ensuring we protect Connecticut’s manufacturing future. Today is truly a day to celebrate.”
Read details of the agreement between the union and the company at the Teamsters 1150 website here.
Senate President Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) released the following statements regarding the agreement:
“Lockheed Martin’s decision to build the King Stallion helicopter at Sikorsky’s facility in Connecticut is a significant victory for the 8,000 workers at Sikorsky and our state’s economy,” Looney said. “I want to thank the members of Teamsters Local 1150 for overwhelmingly approving the proposal that will benefit hundreds of suppliers throughout the Connecticut and keeping good-paying jobs here for today’s workforce and tomorrow’s graduates. Connecticut is at its best when private industry, labor and government all work together to grow our economy for sustainable future.”
Duff said: “The members of Teamsters Local 1150 voted to keep good-paying, high-skilled jobs in Connecticut for today, tomorrow and over the next generation. Connecticut is making smart investments to create jobs and grow our economy. The economic impact of this project will create and sustain thousands of jobs in the manufacturing supply chain across all corners of the state for years to come.”
