Teamsters approve Sikorsky deal by wide margin

Teamsters Local 1150 members on Sunday voted overwhelmingly in favor of the agreement between the state and Lockheed Martin to maintain the latter”™s Sikorsky Aircraft operations in Shelton.

Approved by a 2,104-140 vote, the agreement includes a provision that hourly rates for employees hired after July 1, 2017 will be cut by 25 percent. Current employees will receive a $1,500 bonus for approving the deal.

“The broader agreement between the state of Connecticut and Lockheed Martin now has overwhelming support,” said Gov. Dannel Malloy. “Connecticut”™s executive branch, our General Assembly, Lockheed Martin, and its many skilled workers have all joined together to protect the long-term success of Connecticut”™s advanced manufacturing base.”

The deal, approved by the state legislature on Sept. 29, keeps Sikorsky in Shelton to produce nearly 200 CH-53K King Stallion helicopters for the U.S. Navy through at least 2032. In addition, Sikorsky agreed to grow its full-time employment in the state to more than 8,000 workers by the end of the 14th year of the agreement and nearly double its spending of $350 million per year with Connecticut suppliers.

Should Sikorsky or Lockheed fail to meet the agreement”™s terms, they face significant financial penalties.

“Hundreds of Connecticut-based supply chain companies and their thousands of employees will also benefit as a direct result from the CH-53K being built right here,” Malloy said. “These businesses and employees are our neighbors ”” located in every corner of the state.”

Joint statements by Democratic Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy, as well as by state Senate President Martin Looney (D-New Haven) and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk), also hailed the agreement, saying that it would have a significantly positive impact on Connecticut”™s economy.