WEST HARTFORD, CT — About 175 union workers at Triumph Engine Control Systems in West Hartford went on strike Monday morning, Nov. 2, following a breakdown in contract negotiations over wages, healthcare costs and job security.
Members of United Auto Workers Local 405 launched what the union described as an unfair labor practice strike at 5 a.m. Monday after their contract expired at midnight Oct. 31.
The strike is taking place at Triumph's 250,000-square-foot manufacturing and engineering facility at 1 Charter Oak Blvd. in West Hartford.
The aerospace manufacturer designs, develops, manufactures, and services electronic engine controls, fuel metering units, main fuel pumps, and hydraulic actuation systems for commercial, military, helicopter, and business jet aircraft.
The West Hartford facility employs approximately 550 workers, according to company information provided about the operation.
The 175 employees represented by UAW Local 405 manufacture and overhaul fuel systems for U.S. military aircraft, including Chinook, Apache, and Black Hawk helicopters.
The union accused Triumph of committing multiple unfair labor practices and refusing to negotiate over key economic issues.
Those allegations have not been independently verified.
Patch Monday morning has reached out to officials with Triumph regarding management's stance on the situation.
According to the union, contract negotiations began Sept. 22, with union representatives presenting their economic proposals Oct. 15.
The company did not respond with an economic proposal until Oct. 23, eight days before the contract expired, according to the UAW.
Union officials said negotiations broke down Thursday, Oct. 29, when Triumph presented its last, best and final offer and declined further discussions about several outstanding issues.
Those issues include job security, protections in the event of a company sale, cost-of-living adjustments, wages comparable to aerospace industry standards, and healthcare expenses.
"A deal means two sides coming to an agreement, not the company dictating conditions to make lives harder for our membership and our families," UAW Local 405 President Ben Wilcox said.
"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," Wilcox said.
Union Raises Concerns About Future Ownership
The strike comes amid concerns among union members about the company's ownership and the possibility of another sale.
Triumph was acquired in 2025 by private equity firms Warburg Pincus and Berkshire Partners in a transaction valued at approximately $3 billion, according to the union.
Union officials said the company has indicated that it intends to sell the business again.
The UAW is seeking what is known as successorship language, which would require a future buyer to recognize the union and honor its labor agreement.
The union said Triumph has refused to agree to that provision.
"Wall Street didn't build this plant, and they won't be here to run it in five years. Our members will," UAW Region 9A Director Brandon Mancilla said.
Healthcare Costs Another Major Issue
Union officials also cited changes to employee healthcare coverage during the previous labor agreement, which ran from 2021 through 2026.
According to the union, the company redesigned its health insurance plan, resulting in higher deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses for workers.
The UAW said some members have faced tens of thousands of dollars in additional medical costs, particularly families dealing with chronic illnesses, cancer, serious accidents and genetic disorders.
The union is seeking improvements to healthcare coverage as part of a new contract.
Workers Overwhelmingly Authorized Strike
Before the walkout, union members voted 148-1 to authorize a strike, with 86 percent of eligible members participating, according to the UAW.
Union officials said they remain willing to resume negotiations at any time and believe an agreement is possible on wages, healthcare, and job security.
The union's announcement did not include a response from Triumph management to the allegations or details of the company's final contract proposal.
It was not immediately clear how long the strike would last or what impact the walkout would have on production at the West Hartford facility.
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