Solidarity Strong for UAW Strikers at Triumph in West Hartford

UAW Local 405 members launched an unfair labor practice strike at Triumph Engine Control Systems beginning at 5:00 a.m. Monday, November 2, after the company committed multiple unfair labor practices and refused to present a fair economic proposal that meets the membership’s needs. They were joined on the picket line by the CT AF CIO, Rep. Julie Kushner who chairs the labor committee of the state legislature and supporters from the community.

The 175 members of Local 405 perform highly skilled manufacturing, machining, assembly, and technical work supporting the aerospace industry. Their contract expired at midnight on October 31.

Negotiations opened September 22. The union presented its economic proposals on October 15. The company did not respond with any economic proposal until October 23, eight days before expiration. Talks broke down when the company acknowledged major movement by the union, then immediately presented a last, best and final offer and refused further discussion of the union’s core issues: job security, successorship, cost-of-living protection, aerospace sector standard wages, and healthcare costs

“A deal means two sides coming to an agreement, not the company dictating conditions to make lives harder for our membership and our families. We were always ready to negotiate but they gave us nothing, and handed us a take-it-or-leave-it offer instead with none of our priorities even acknowledged” said UAW Local 405 President Ben Wilcox.

At an information picket prior to the strike vote, the workers were joined by Senator Richard Blumenthal, State representative Kate Farrar from West Hartford, Attorney General William Tong and Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz.

The highly profitable Triumph was purchased by private equity firms Warburg Pincus and Berkshire Partners last year for approximately $3 billion. The company has told the union it intends to sell the business again and has refused to agree to standard successorship language requiring a future buyer to recognize the union and the contract, an existential threat to the local.

“Wall Street didn’t build this plant, and they won’t be here to run it in five years. Our members will,” said UAW Region 9A Director Brandon Mancilla.

During the 2021-2026 agreement, the company overhauled the health plan and shifted tens of thousands of dollars in deductibles and out-of-pocket costs onto members. Workers with chronic conditions such as MS, those facing catastrophic events including car accidents and cancer, and families with children who have genetic disorders have been hit hardest.

Members voted 148 to 1 to authorize a strike, with 86 percent participation. The union says it remains willing to meet at any time and has room to move toward an agreement on job security, healthcare and wages.

All are invited to join Local 405 members in solidarity on the picket line at 1 Charter Oak Boulevard in West Hartford, Connecticut.

Local 405 is also collecting essential items to help members and their families while on strike. Please consider donating:

• Non-perishable food items, including canned food and dry goods.

• Diapers and baby supplies, including wipes and formula.

• Hygiene products like soap, shampoo, and toothpaste.

Donations may be dropped off between 8 AM and 5 PM at the Local 405 Union Hall, located at 666 Oakwood Avenue in West Hartford.

After a two-day vote, UAW Local 405 members had voted 99% (148-1 with 86% turnout) in favor of authorizing a strike for any time after the current union contract expired. Core demands include sectoral standard wages, job security, cost-of-living protection, affordable healthcare and no concessions, among other priority issues the company has not even attempted to meet the bargaining committee on.

“This vote should send a clear message to Triumph Group that UAW Local 405 members are not settling for their abysmal proposals,” said UAW Region 9A Director Brandon Mancilla. “During the life of our last contract, Triumph Group made $680 million off the work of these members. Our members in West Hartford are no different than UAW aerospace workers across the country. Triumph can afford to do better and this vote is a sign that they must put a better offer forward.”

In addition to $687 million in profits over the same five-year duration as the term of the current union contract, Triumph’s CEO was paid $31.7 million—for a total of $61.6 million total paid to the CEO in the last decade.

Right now, new hires at Triumph are paid $25.25 per hour. The average wage for a Triumph worker is $39.34, with no cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to protect against historic inflation. Meanwhile, the production and assembly rates for UAW members at Rolls Royce and GE Aerospace are $43.70 and $43.79, respectively, and they have cost-of-living protections.

“It was just hours before our strike vote that the company finally gave us an economic proposal – 8 days before our contract expiration,” said UAW Local 405 President Benjamin Wilcox. “Frankly, the company is still not taking our membership seriously. Here’s hoping the results of this strike vote helps convince them just how different we are doing things this year.”