Pratt & Whitney workers fight closure, layoffs

East Hartford, Conn. (WTNH) - Under the threat of plant closure, a group of jet engine machinists held a rally to save their jobs Tuesday in East Hartford outside of company headquarters.

Workers at Pratt & Whitney are facing uncertain times . Management and the Machinists Union are trying to hammer out a new deal.

But earlier on its website, Pratt & Whitney says it has tentatively decided to close the Cheshire plant and part of the East Hartford plant.

Earlier this year, a federal court blocked United Technologies, parent company, from closing the jet engine repair plants in Cheshire and East Hartford and eliminating 1,000 Connecticut jobs.

The problem is the workers' contract expires on Sunday, Dec. 5th.

Pratt & Whitney released a statement that says in part: “Negotiations are ongoing this week.”

No further comment.