Sikorsky, a business division of United Technologies Corporation, has been working with its union members to prepare to be furloughed. The employees work for a private company, but because the Federal Inspectors who would normally ensure that their work is up to standards are furloughed, the business has no option but to halt production until the government is back running normally. The union representatives, though frustrated, understand that there is little the company can do without the federal inspectors, to move ahead without the proper inspections is unsafe, and may also be a breach of contract. The furloughs will effect approximately 2,000 of the workers, who will be able to return to work as soon as a federal government is approved.
See "Sikorsky union rep prepares workers for furloughs", Richard Lee, Connecticut Post, October 3, 2013