Stratford and Shelton’s state legislative delegations released the following statements regarding the 109 Sikorsky layoffs announced at the company’s Stratford headquarters.
On Tuesday reports indicated a total of 150 layoffs announced at Sikorsky’s Rotary and Mission Systems, including the 109 in Stratford. Prior to this announcement, the local state legislative delegation, including State Senators Kevin Kelly (R‑21) and Ed Gomes (D‑23) and State Representatives Laura Hoydick (R‑120), Jason Perillo (R‑113), Ben McGorty, (R‑122), and Joe Gresko (D‑121), reached out to the Department of Labor to request the agency place the state’s Rapid Response Team on standby in case any of Lockheed Martin’s planned 350 layoffs hit Connecticut
“I am devastated to hear about yet another round of layoffs hitting the greater Stratford area. This news comes on the heels of nearly 600 layoffs in the Stratford and Shelton Optimum/Cablevision offices and the loss of 85 Sikorsky jobs that handled the repairs of Marine One helicopters. We need to help these families with immediate support and we also need to talk about long term solutions to put a stop to the endless cycle of jobs leaving our state. Now more than ever Connecticut needs to focus on creating an environment that welcomes new jobs, economic growth and opportunity,” said Sen. Kelly. “When the public first learned about Lockheed Martin’s 350 layoffs, although we did not know exactly where they would be, I think we all feared they could hit Connecticut and the Stratford community. On July 18, the entire Stratford legislative delegation together wrote to the Department of Labor asking that they place Connecticut’s Rapid Response Team on standby should Lockheed Martin order layoffs in Connecticut. I hope that all resources are now ready to help our community at this time and I plan to follow up with the Department of Labor to make sure the state is doing everything possible to help these workers access the support, training and opportunities they need to secure new jobs.”
“The news of these latest layoffs at Sikorsky is yet another devastating blow to our region and the employees,” said Rep. Hoydick. “The implications of what this means for manufacturing and job growth in our region are very sobering. We are losing the kinds of essential jobs that have defined the character of our region for generations. We won’t restore Connecticut to the economic strength it once enjoyed unless we make some serious changes on the policy front, and quickly.”
“When one of our strongest employers like Sikorsky suffers, the entire region suffers,” said Rep. McGorty. “This sort of bad news is coming in quick succession and with no changes in state economic policy, there is no reason to think it will get better anytime soon. The state’s policies have done a disservice to Sikorsky and its hard-working employees. It is obvious that our first priority should be to do all we can for the displaced workers. But our immediate goal needs to be meaningful changes that will help restore the economic strength of this region and the sate.”
“This is more disappointing news on the economic front for this region, demonstrating conclusively that we are going in the wrong direction when it comes to the state’s economic policy,” said Rep. Perillo. “Our primary concern is the workers and their families, and making sure we do what we can to get them through this tough time. Ultimately, if we don’t do what is needed to make this state more habitable for great regional employers like Sikorsky, we haven’t heard the last of these dreadful stories.”
“We need to make sure that those people affected by this business decision are able to receive all of the available resources we have to offer,” Rep. Gresko said. “I’m sure the Department of Labor will rise to the occasion and give all the help there is.”
