Pratt workers keep fight alive

East Hartford (WTNH) - Pratt and Whitney workers are claiming victory in the fight to keep their jobs. This comes after a judge halted the jet maker's plants to move 1,000 jobs out of Connecticut. 

The company wanted to close facilities in East Hartford and Cheshire and they are now considering an appeal of the judge's decision. The union vows to continue the fight.

"This could be compared to David and Goliath. We [the workers] are David," said a Pratt and Whitney worker.

And "Goliath," being Pratt and Whitney, is deciding whether to appeal a U.S. Federal judge's order to halt its plans to move 1,000 jobs out of Connecticut and to Japan, Singapore and the state of Georgia.

In a late decision Friday night, U.S. District Judge Janet Hall issued a permanent injunction, stopping Pratt and Whitney's plans to shift the jobs.

"The decision means jobs aren't moving right now. It doesn't mean we're not going to have an argument later," said Everett Corey of International Assoc. of Machinists. "It doesn't mean there's still isn't a battle going on. It means we won the first round. Today, the jobs are there. They're not gone."

It has been a tough fight for Cheshire and East Hartford plant workers like George Cowles Jr.; he's a third generation Pratt employee.

News Channel 8 met with his father and two brothers back in November and their hopes were high.

"When my kids were small they said, 'Dad, someday I'd like to work here.' And, the dream came true. And I'm just hoping the dream will continue," said Cowles Jr.

News Channel 8 caught his son, Russ, right after his first shift since the decision came down. Today, his family's hope is measured.

"[There's] relief. For now, anyway. We have more time. We could make more plans for whatever happens at the end of the contract."

The next step is for the Machinists Union to earn another contract. This victory has bought Cheshire and East Hartford plant workers 10 more months of employment. But, the current contract expires December 5th.

The members of Local 1746-A are scheduled to meet Tuesday afternoon at union headquarters in Plantsville to discuss what the next step is in all of this.