Ct Jobs–Up and Away?
Source: Boeing photo by Michael Gail
Posted 10/5/09
Back in September, when East Hartford-based jet engine maker Pratt & Whitney announced it would shut down facilities in Cheshire and East Hartford at a cost of 1000 Connecticut jobs, the state’s entire Congressional delegation and Republican Gov. Jodi Rell issued a joint news release in reaction to the decision. If the news wasn’t so sad for defense workers, the release would be humorous. Each political bigwig took his or her turn denouncing the move in what was almost a sing-song of sympathy for labor.
“I am bitterly disappointed by the decision,” said Rell. Congressman John Larson (D-CT-1) was “deeply disappointed,” Sen. Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) was “very disappointed” by the action. Others were perturbed. Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) called Pratt’s move “a shameful act”, Congressman Chris Murphy (D-CT-5) dubbed the shutdowns “a bad, indefensible decision” and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-3) said she was “extremely angered” by the move. Fairfield County Congressman Jim Himes (D-CT-4) simply offered his “condolences” to the affected employees.
The list of official reaction statements showed politicians doing what they have to do—being empathetic to workers caught in the squeeze of cost-cutting spawned by the international economic downturn and global economic competition that often turns unionized Connecticut defense workers into victims.
In her statement, DeLauro touched on a growing problem for state elected officials. “I and other members of the delegation have always fought in Congress to secure funding for programs that keep critical high-skilled manufacturing jobs in Connecticut, while it seems Pratt has no problem moving these jobs elsewhere, including overseas,” she growled.
That statement, translated into household jargon, is similar to an underappreciated parent saying: “I do and I do for you kids, and this is the thanks I get!”
Indeed, Connecticut elected officials in Washington and Hartford have gone to the mat for Pratt & Whitney, Sikorsky, Electric Boat, Hamilton Standard, and other defense contractors any number of times to fight for military contracts that would benefit the companies and their workers (aka constituents). They will do so again whether or not those same companies from time to time trim jobs in a down market, or send jobs elsewhere where labor is cheaper. Why? They simply have no choice.
“It’s a Catch-22, there’s no question about it—what’s the alternative?,” Dodd told me. “While I can be angry about a company decision regarding facilities and what it means to people (losing their jobs), at the same time other projects (at defense plants) are important to our state and to our country,” he said. Dodd put it this way: “As much as the temptation is there (to get angry with a defense contractor), I can’t just fold up my tent because I got a bad decision. I have to fight each new day.”
Just days after making those comments, Dodd put his words into action by working with other senators to fight off a proposal by Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) to slash $2.5 billion from the latest defense appropriations bill in Congress to pay for 10 C-17 cargo planes for the military.
The C-17 is powered by Pratt & Whitney engines made in Connecticut, and linked to about 3,000 jobs. McCain opposes more C-17s, claiming the military could better use the earmarked funding for other projects. Dodd favors the appropriation to preserve jobs threatened by other downsizing in military spending for aircraft. Another vote on the C-17 issue is expected this week in the Senate.
The “Catch-22”, no real choice strategy, Connecticut politicians face with in-state defense contractors, could be echoed in other key industries located here including insurance and drug research.
Connecticut offers the world of business a highly-skilled workforce and a longtime network of subcontractors to build high-quality military and commercial products. However, because labor and energy cost more in our state, many companies, based here but global in their overall makeup, can and will look outside the Nutmeg State for cheaper places to do business for all or part of their work.
Elected officials whose gut instinct would be to “stick it” to corporate execs who’ve begged for their influence to get contracts, only to cut jobs when they see fit, will continue to swallow hard and work with those executives. They have no choice.