(Stratford, CT) – The Teamsters Union declined the latest proposal by Sikorsky that would short-change the 3,600 hardworking men and women who have chosen to take a stand on health care and fight for what is right for every American worker.

“We’ve said from the start that this is about securing affordable health care benefits for these workers,” said Rocco J. Calo, Local 1150 Secretary-Treasurer. “The changes the company made in the recent proposal still do not address our members’ greatest concern – health care. The $1,000 increase in the signing bonus was not the only addition in the company’s proposal; there were several items that would severely hurt the members of this union. We have made a counter proposal and are awaiting a response from the company.”

The workers remain committed to remaining out as long as necessary, drawing strength from the overwhelming support they have received from the public, their union and lawmakers from both parties. The union remains open to negotiations and looks forward to returning to the bargaining table with the company at any time and any place this week.

“It serves no one when one side is going through the motions of negotiations, but not seriously addressing the core issue that remains in contention,” Calo said. “We are not asking for anything that will radically change the overall economics of the past proposals. Our members would like nothing better then to see this resolved so they can get back to doing what they do better than anyone in the world – building America’s helicopters.”