STRATFORD, Conn. (AP) – Gov. M. Jodi Rell offered Friday to step in to help restart negotiations between Sikorsky Aircraft and its striking workers.

Nearly 3,600 Teamsters have been on strike at the Stratford-based helicopter maker since Feb. 20, when the union rejected a contract over proposed increases to employees’ health insurance contributions.

It is the first strike at the company’s Connecticut plant since 1963.

The governor said she offered to sit down with Sikorsky and the Teamsters in her office to jump start the talks.

“I encourage Sikorsky and the Teamsters to come to the table,” Rell said. “In fact, I am offering my own table to help restart talks.”

Her offer came a day after Sikorsky, a division of United Technologies Corp., said temporary workers have been hired and some work was being shifted out of state during the strike. The company also said it is prepared to hire permanent replacement workers if necessary.

“I do not want temporary workers,” Rell said. “I do not want replacement workers. I do not want work going out of state. What I do want is for both sides to fully understand the wide-ranging effects this situation is having on individuals, families, communities and the state as a whole.”

Harvey Jackson, president of Teamsters Local 1150, welcomed Rell’s offer.

“I applaud the governor for her efforts,” Jackson said. “We’ve been ready for quite some time. Whatever it takes to get UTC Sikorsky and us back to the table works for us.”

Sikorsky officials had no immediate comment on Rell’s offer. The company said last week it sees no basis to resume negotiations, citing the union’s unwillingness to accept its health care plan.

A federal mediator also has been trying to get the two sides back to bargaining.

“We want them back as quickly as possible,” said Bud Grebey, a Sikorsky spokesman. “We’ve implemented a contingency plan and the implementation of our contingency is on track. We’re performing necessary work at facilities throughout Connecticut and other locations so we can meet our commitments to the U.S. military and other customers.”

Under the plan, the company has contracted with third-party suppliers to bring in qualified contract workers to help meet customer commitments, Grebey said.

“Our strong preference is to have our striking workers return to work,” Grebey said.

Sikorsky proposed doubling workers’ contributions to their health insurance in the first year of a three-year deal and increasing them another 15 percent over the next two years, union officials said. Under the expired contract, the workers paid about $26 per week for family coverage, both sides said.

UTC Chief Executive Officer George David said last week that the company will “stand firm” because workers throughout UTC’s other divisions have agreed to the same kind of health care cost-sharing.

Teamsters have offered to accept smaller raises and signing bonus to maintain current health care benefits.

Striking workers said the company would not easily replace their skilled labor in assembling sophisticated aircraft. Tom Altieri, a 45-year-old Seymour resident who builds rotor blades, said new workers have a hard time learning the skill even after months of training.

“If the blade fails that helicopter is coming down,” Altieri said. “You can’t just put anybody on it.”

Altieri said he understands the company’s position, but worries that pensions will be the next threat if he doesn’t stand firm on health care.

“I worked 25 years to get what I have here and they want to pull it all from under me in one contract,” Altieri said.

The strike has cost Stratford about $250,000 in police overtime and other expenses, officials said. The town of 50,000 has asked for state aid, but has been rejected.

“Ultimately it may impact our ability to provide services or alternatively have to have a tax increase,” said Stratford Mayor Jim Miron.