WALLINGFORD, Conn. (AP) – Union workers at Sikorsky Aircraft overwhelmingly rejected a proposed new contract Sunday and planned to go on strike this morning, Local 1150 of the Teamsters and the company announced on their Web sites.

The strike would be the first at the helicopter-maker since 1963.

On its Web site, the Teamsters’ local told workers to report to picket duty according to a prepared schedule, which has union members hitting the picket lines beginning at 6 a.m. at the company’s Stratford headquarters and locations in West Haven, Bridgeport, Shelton and West Palm Beach, Fla.

Negotiators for Local 1150, which represents about 3,500 Sikorsky workers in Connecticut and 90 in Florida, did not recommend that members ratify the agreement.

Sunday’s voting in Connecticut was held at the former Oakdale Theatre in Wallingford. Florida workers voted in West Palm Beach.

Negotiators and the union’s secretary treasurer, Rocco Calo, cited a doubling of health care co-payments in the first year and a 15 percent increase over the next two years, according to the Web site.

The proposed contract also would have raised prescription costs and doctor visit copays, “among other costly increases.”

The agreement also included wage increases for workers at the helicopter manufacturer of 3.5 percent in each year of the three-year contract, a $2,000 ratification bonus and increases in pension and retirement savings plans.

The union did not return a call seeking comment on Sunday.

The company issued a statement Sunday by Elizabeth Amato, vice president of human resources and chief spokeswoman for Sikorsky’s negotiating committee.

“We are disappointed that union members failed to ratify the contract,” Amato said. “The company presented what we believe is a fair and equitable contract that is competitive with the region and the industry.”

Amato said the company would remain open for work, but company officials declined to say whether managers or replacement workers would be doing the jobs of union employees.

Sikorsky, a unit of United Technologies Corp., employs about 9,500 workers in Connecticut, including about 3,500 Teamsters and 6,000 salaried workers.

Union members have been preparing for the possibility of a strike by forming a 100-member strike committee to make plans for picket lines, emergency financial assistance and other potential necessities.

The most recent contract was to expire at midnight Sunday.

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On the Net:

http://www.sikorsky.com

http://www.teamsters1150.org/contract-2006-update.htm