Sikorsky strike worries Congressional delegation
March 24, 2006, 3:28 PM EST
STRATFORD, Conn. -- Connecticut's Congressional delegation warned Friday that a prolonged strike at Sikorsky Aircraft could hurt the helicopter maker's ability to win more military contracts.
Nearly 3,600 Teamsters have been on strike since Feb. 20 over proposed increases to employees' health insurance contributions in the company's contract offer. It is the first strike at the company in Connecticut since 1963.
Connecticut's two senators and five representatives sent a letter to union and company officials saying they are "deeply troubled" by the prolonged strike and urged them to return to the bargaining table.
Sikorsky has more than $7.5 billion in pending business for military and commercial helicopter and parts production, according to the letter. That amount is likely to increase this year because President Bush's budget request includes additional orders for 81 Black Hawk helicopters that Sikorsky makes, the delegation wrote.
"We are concerned, however, that it may be more difficult to persuade our colleagues of the need to increase Black Hawk procurement above the President's budget request if the strike continues without prospect of a resolution," they wrote. "We also are worried that Sikorsky's competitors may raise the issue of a prolonged strike with the Air Force in an effort to gain an advantage in the competition for the Air Force's Search and Rescue helicopter contract _ a competition that we all believe Sikorsky should win."
Telephone messages were left Friday for company and union officials.
Union officials said on their Web page that they met with a federal mediator until nearly midnight Thursday and that talks would continue Friday and throughout the weekend.
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