Keeping Jobs In Connecticut

The Machinists won a decisive victory in federal court over Pratt & Whitney, stopping the illegal closure of the Cheshire jet engine repair facility and the East Hartford CARO airfoil plan.

This victory saved over 1,000 well-paying Connecticut manufacturing jobs.

This is a win not just for Connecticut's economy, but for our national security and for the men and women of the U.S. military.

They can now rest assured that the jets they fly are powered by engines built by patriotic Americans right here in Connecticut, not by facilities in Singapore and Japan.

Our state signed an agreement with Pratt & Whitney in 1993 that provided incentives for the company to continue business in Connecticut in exchange for a commitment to keep Pratt's high-quality manufacturing jobs in our state - a commitment the company has twice tried and failed to renege on. We will not let short-sighted, "take-the-money-and-run" corporate policies hold Connecticut families hostage.

When corporate leaders violate legal agreements that protect Connecticut's manufacturing economy, we will hold them accountable.

My family has a proud 70-year tradition of hard work in the plants of Pratt & Whitney. My father, aunts, uncles and cousins have all worked in Pratt factories, building airplane engines and components.

It is the commitment by thousands of Connecticut families like mine to making the finest aerospace engines in the world that has allowed Pratt & Whitney to become one of the most profitable defense contractors in history.

Keeping jobs in our state is not about protecting corporate profits--it is about protecting the future of Connecticut families.

Let us continue to be vigilant. I have fought for our economy and for the hard working men and women of organized labor as Secretary of the State. I will continue to do so as Connecticut's Attorney General.

When we are united, we win.