About 3,100 union workers are now on strike at jet engine maker Pratt & Whitney after negotiations over a new contract broke down. Members hit the picket lines at the company's manufacturing locations in Middletown and East Hartford starting at midnight Monday after they rejected a new contract, and their current deal expired.

A few dozen workers circled the entrance to the plant in Middletown, armed with signs along with umbrellas, refusing to let the rain dampen their fight for what they say is a fair contract—one with livable wages, job security promises and retirement benefits, according to the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.

“Unfortunately, at the negotiating table, the company failed to address those concerns, and there were some issues they weren't even willing to talk about which was a very frustrating process,” said Wayne McCarthy, President of IAM Local 700, which represents the roughly 1,400 workers at the Middletown location. “We're trying to take care of the middle class, the working class so they can continue to make a living and provide for their families.”

The strike was approved Sunday by about 77% of IAM members, which includes IAM Local 1746, the bargaining unit for 1,700 workers in East Hartford, after 80% voted to turn down Pratt & Whitney’s offer.

A spokesperson for Pratt & Whitney said in a statement, “Pratt & Whitney’s offer competitively compensates our workforce while ensuring P&W can grow in an increasingly competitive marketplace, creating ongoing economic opportunity in the state of Connecticut. Our message to union leaders throughout this thoughtful process has been simple: higher pay, better retirement savings, more days off and more flexibility. Our local workforce is among the highest compensated in the region and the industry – our offer built on that foundation. We have no immediate plans to resume negotiations at this time and we have contingency plans in place to maintain operations and to meet our customer commitments.”

The company said the three-year offer included general wage increases of 4% in year one, 3.5% in year two and 3% in year three. It also included a $5,000 contract ratification bonus.

But McCarthy said the wage increases aren't what they seem and would be eroded by massive health care increases and unpaid furloughs.

“What they didn't tell you is this year in January we were locked out for a week with no pay, and in July they're going to repeat that, so that 4% raise will be disappearing,” McCarthy said.

The last strike there was in 2001. Sarah Borowy, who’s an inspector in Middletown, was on the picket line then, too, as were her family members. Borowy’s mom, older brother and older sister all retired from Pratt & Whitney. She’s been there for 46 years and now her son has followed in her footsteps.

"This is my ninth year on board, but I've been raised by this my whole life,” Borowy’s son, Nathan Drake, told News 12. “I'd always thought, ‘Boy, it would be amazing to someday work in this awesome place making world class engines.’”

Drake and his mom said they’re proud to be part of the team.

“None of us want to be on strike. We like our jobs. We like the people we work with. We're willing if the company's willing to sit down and figure out where they mis-stepped and make a contract that’s going to be beneficial to everybody. That's what it's about,” Drake stated.

“This was probably the most unhappy offering that I've ever had from this company,” said Borowy, adding that workers in Florida saw larger wage increases and better retirement benefits than were offered in Connecticut.

Tony Salvati retired from Pratt & Whitney five years ago after 41 ½ years as a construction worker with the company. But on Monday, Salvati still walked the line with his former coworkers.

“When I heard they were going on strike, I said, 'I have to come back and support them.' The union supported me my whole career,” Salvati explained, noting he was part of the 1985 strike as well as 2001.

The last time around, Salvati’s picture on the picket line made the front page of the paper—an image he had printed onto a T-shirt, which he wore Monday.

“Supporting our brothers and sisters,” Salvati said, pointing to his shirt.

Salvati wasn't the only non-worker on the picket line. Machinist Bryan Steeves took his 4-year-old daughter, Freya, along with him.

“Showing her that the working class deserves to be able to have their voices heard, and they deserve respect and retirement security,” Steeves told News 12. “Hard work was something I was brought up on, not necessarily in the union, just being a hard worker, going out and earning your own way and taking care of yourself and your family. That's what I’m trying to instill in my children.”

The last strike went on for two weeks, according to McCarthy, who said it ended when the company agreed to come back to the table to address the union's concerns.

“We're expecting to be out here until the company comes around to our proposals, and what we need is job security, retirement security and wage security,” McCarthy said.