Solidarity Spreads: Weapons Workers Unite

Workers at Pratt & Whitney, a major jet engine manufacturer, initiated a strike protesting the company's proposed contract, which they deem inadequate considering recent substantial profits and multi-billion dollar government contracts. Nearly 3,000 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Local Lodge 700 walked off the job at the North Berwick, Maine facility. Key issues fueling the strike include stagnant wages failing to keep pace with inflation, rising healthcare costs, and the company's proposed changes to retirement benefits. Workers feel the contract does not fairly compensate them for their contributions to the company's success, especially in light of significant increases in executive compensation and shareholder value. The strike highlights broader concerns within the aerospace industry regarding the disparity between worker compensation and corporate gains. The Pratt & Whitney strike coincides with ongoing labor actions at Lockheed Martin, indicating a potential surge in labor unrest within the defense and aerospace sectors. The workers are seeking a contract that reflects their value and provides economic security amidst a backdrop of corporate prosperity. find the original article here: https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2025/05/06/nxen-m06.html