Testimony begins in union's lawsuit against Pratt & Whitney

(Bridgeport, Connecticut-AP) -- A jet-engine-maker wants to cut 507 jobs in Connecticut and move them to Oklahoma, Texas and<br>Arkansas, but a lawsuit filed by the machinists union says that would violate

Monday, January 10th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Bridgeport, Connecticut-AP) -- A jet-engine-maker wants to cut 507 jobs in Connecticut and move them to Oklahoma, Texas and
Arkansas, but a lawsuit filed by the machinists union says that would violate a contract.

A federal judge began hearing evidence yesterday in the case involving Pratt & Whitney. Back in August the company announced its plans for the job move as a cost-cutting measure. But the union has sued to stop the move, citing a contract clause that says the company "will make every effort to preserve" the jobs in Connecticut.

Unless the trial comes out otherwise, Pratt & Whitney can begin its restructuring on February 16th, when a six-month worker
notification period expires.