Sikorsky Lays Off 200 Workers

Sikorsky Aircraft in Stratford laid off about 200 workers Thursday companywide, with most of the cuts in Connecticut.

The company did not say exactly how many workers were cut in Connecticut.

In a written statement, spokesman Paul Jackson said, “Sikorsky continues to look to a promising future, but today we face difficult challenges.”

He also said the cuts were a difficult but necessary step to lower costs in line with business requirements and recourses as costs are rising and many customers are delaying purchases amid economic uncertainty, according to the Hartford Courant.

The military, which accounts for most of Sikorsky’s contracts, is also trimming its budget.

Those cut were salaried employees; no union positions were cut.

Employees, speaking to Patch on condition of anonymity, said a majority of the cuts were in management and mid-management positions and that many of those cut had decades of experience at the factory.

Sikorsky employs about 8,600 people in the state, and thousands of other jobs in the state provide services and/or parts for the Sikorsky and its parent company, United Technologies Corp.

Many Naugatuck and Naugatuck Valley residents work at Sikorsky.