Government Shutdown Causing Uncertainty Among Manufacturers

U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Esty, D-5th District, said Friday manufacturing firms working with Sikorsky can expect to be affected by the shutdown.

“The consequences go way beyond the 800,000 federal workers,” Esty said, “due to the furloughing of 45 inspectors of military equipment. These inspectors need to be on location to supervise the manufacturing process. However, they have been deemed ‘nonessential.’ As a result, [if the shutdown continues] Sikorsky will have to lay off 2,000 workers in Connecticut next week. If the shutdown continues for a month that will result in laying off 5,000 employees nationwide until they get their inspectors back.”

Esty said smaller firms in central Connecticut that have aerospace contracts with Sikorsky and Pratt & Whitney could be affected. Jonal Manufacturing in Meriden has defense and aerospace contracts. “They are starting to put stuff on hold,” she said.

Several private companies, who have good-faith contracts to supply the military, have performed their work and now can’t get paid. That’s the kind of ripple effect this shutdown is having, Esty says.

“We’ve got 89 employees, manufacture precision tubing for microwave energy, and we’re very dependent on military,” James McGregor vice president and general manager of Cheshire-based Microtech told Channel 8.

Esty said the shutdown would end if Congress were allowed to vote for CR (Continuing Resolution) support for spending authority. “If Speaker John Boehner would put this before the House today, it would pass and be signed by the president and the federal government could reopen its doors tomorrow.”