Federal appeals court to hear Pratt & Whitney appeal of jobs case ruling

Appeals court set to hear Pratt jobs case

HARTFORD, Conn. — Connecticut’s attorney general has argued in federal appeals court that jet engine maker Pratt & Whitney failed to make every reasonable effort to keep jobs in the state as required by the company’s contract with the Machinists union.

U.S. District Judge Janet Hall in Bridgeport halted Pratt & Whitney’s plans in February to shut two engine repair facilities in Cheshire and East Hartford. Hall said the moves would violate the union contract.

Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of Hartford-based United Technologies Corp., says in its appeal that it must consider in good faith all reasonable measures to avoid moving work, but has no obligation to invest more money or accept reduced profits.

It wants to move the jobs to Columbus, Ga., Japan and Singapore.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — A federal appeals court is expected to hear Pratt & Whitney’s appeal of a judge’s ruling that blocked the jet engine maker from moving 1,000 jobs out of the state.

Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal says he will be among the attorneys making arguments Wednesday before the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New York City.

U.S. District Judge Janet Hall in Bridgeport issued a permanent injunction in February stopping Pratt & Whitney’s plans to shut two engine repair facilities in Cheshire and East Hartford next December. Hall said the moves would violate the Machinists’ union contract.

Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of Hartford-based United Technologies Corp., is appealing Hall’s ruling. It wants to move the jobs to Columbus, Ga., Japan and Singapore.