Members of Teamsters Local 1150 voted 2,145-1,019 to reject a new three-year contract that would have given them annual 3.5 percent wage increases and a $2,000 ratification bonus, but would have forced them to pay more for health insurance coverage.
"You tell our members to live without health care. We tell you to build aircraft without members," said Harvey Jackson, union president.
Jackson said the nearly 2-1 vote was not surprising.
"We've been preparing for this for quite some time," he said.
Sikorsky officials responded to the strike in a press release. Elizabeth Amato, vice president of human resources at the company, said she was disappointed.
"The company presented what we believe is a fair and equitable contract that is competitive with the region and the industry," she said.
She added the company remains open for work.
A subsidiary of United Technologies Corporation, Sikorsky employs about 9,500 workers in Connecticut, including about 3,600 Teamsters and about 6,000 salaried workers.
The union on its Web site told workers to report to picket duty according to a prepared schedule, starting at 6 a.m. at the company's Stratford headquarters, as well as West Haven, Bridgeport, Shelton and West
The two sides have been negotiating since December, with each agreeing to a media blackout, which ended Sunday with the contract vote.
With an older work force — seniority averages 24 years — Jackson said the hourly rate wasn't the issue; health and retirement benefits were.
The company wants employees to pick up 20 percent of premium costs. Prescription costs and doctor visit co-pays would also rise.
Jackson said the company negotiator refused to budge on health care, even after the union offered to shift the cost from other money offers the company had on the table.
"They wouldn't do it. That is not collective bargaining," Jackson said. He added the two sides were just 31 cents an hour per member apart.
Contract talks ended late Friday with the union advising members to reject the contract.
Management countered with a full-page newspaper advertisement Sunday urging members to take control of their future and accept the company's offer.
The final offer did not include a controversial four-day workweek plan suggested by management, but did include a limited early retirement severance program and increases in pension and retirement plans.
Teamsters crowded into the lobby of The Chevrolet Theater, formerly the Oakdale Theater, in Wallingford well before a union representative blew his whistle and started handing out copies of the contract, pencils and ballot slips at 10 a.m. Sunday.
Long lines stretched out into a chilly parking lot. Many who left with copies of the contract rolled up in their back pockets weren't happy.
"I voted against it," said Ricardo Santaella, of Bridgeport, a machinist with Sikorsky for four years. "They tripled the insurance. It's not really worth the bonus. Sikorsky will actually be making a profit off this."
A father of three, Ricardo said a bonus wouldn't do him any good if there were hospital bills to pay.
"Taking away our insurance is lousy," said Everald Davis, of Bridgeport, who has worked at Sikorsky 28 years come July. "Sometimes, you have to fight for what you want. You just can't let people push you around."
"It's just not good enough," said Chris Lacko, a Sikorsky worker from Seymour. "They give you a nice sign-on bonus and you end up paying double back."
Mike Lanzieri, a toolmaker for 14 years at Sikorsky before his job got outsourced and he became a Black Hawk mechanic, called the offer a case of corporate greed.
Others didn't think the offer was worth striking over.
"I don't think it's too bad. A lot of the things that were bad, they took off," said a facilities worker at the plant who did not want to give his name.
"Hey, we could be out of work. They could move," said a dispatcher of 19 years, who said she loved her job.
Jackson brushed aside that suggestion.
"Sikorsky isn't here because they want to be here. They're here because we're the best work force in the country at building this kind of product," he said.
Jack Haskell, of labor relations consultant Adams, Nash, Haskell & Sheridan, said the impact of the strike will depend on how long it lasts.
"Strikes are not good. There are no winners, regardless of what either side may say. It's unfortunate for the company because they still have customers who still have a product they need to get out the door. Maybe the union felt they had Sikorsky in a vulnerable position and that this was the time to do it," he said.
Many workers said they have been preparing for the possibility of a strike. The union formed a 100-member strike committee some time ago to organize picket lines and emergency financial assistance.
Stratford Mayor James Miron called the strike unfortunate for the company and men and women who work there. "The town's position is that we'll respect the union's right to exercise their option to strike. Public health and safety is our main role right now. We have to make sure our roads are kept clear so no one gets hurt," he said. Miron said the police department would set up a command post by midnight in the Oronoque Shopping Plaza opposite the Stratford plant.
Jackson said the union would make themselves available to return to the bargaining table as soon as possible. Aside from the 1963 strike, there was an independent walkout in 2002.
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