Union, Pratt & Whitney in Final Days of Pact Talks

Job security remains a top issue for the Pratt & Whitney machinists union as it heads into the final days of contract negotiations with management.

The union said on its website it's not close to recommending a contract to members. A vote is scheduled for Sunday.

The machinists said the subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. intends to cut 190 jobs. About 3,000 workers are covered by the contract.

A spokesman said Pratt & Whitney will not comment on bargaining.

Pratt & Whitney's military program is vulnerable to Pentagon cuts, but engine orders are expected to pick up with an increase in joint strike fighter production.

Manufacturing jobs have been an issue for years as companies squeeze out productivity from fewer workers and use cost-cutting to boost profit.