NEW HAVEN - Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (Conn.-3) today issued the following statement in response to the new contract announced today between the International Association of Machinists (IAM) and Pratt and Whitney. The old labor contract expired at midnight tonight. DeLauro’s district houses Pratt and Whitney’s Middletown facility.

“Connecticut has seen a great loss in its manufacturing sector in recent years. Pratt and Whitney employees were rightly concerned about their job security and health care benefits.

“Though I am pleased that a strike was averted, I am sympathetic to these skilled machinists, who accepted a contract they don’t necessarily believe provides the benefits they deserve for building the specialized engines Connecticut is recognized for.”