No-Poach Agreements in the Aerospace Industry

When criminal prosecution fell short, DiCello Levitt delivered accountability—and $60.5 million in relief.

DiCello Levitt served as Co-Lead Counsel in an antitrust case against several major aerospace companies accused of conspiring to restrict hiring and recruitment of skilled workers. The unlawful agreement, designed to avoid competition for aerospace labor, artificially suppressed wages and reduced job opportunities for thousands of engineers and other workers nationwide.

What Happened?

The lawsuit alleged that aerospace companies, including Raytheon Technologies Corporation and its Pratt & Whitney division, entered into a long-running conspiracy to limit competition for aerospace employees. By agreeing not to hire or solicit one another’s workers, the defendants drove down labor costs at the expense of the very employees who powered their advanced technology and defense projects.

This wage-fixing scheme, which spanned nearly a decade, had wide-ranging effects across the U.S. aerospace labor market, depressing pay and stifling mobility for workers in critical technical roles.

Strategic Litigation and Recovery

DiCello Levitt began investigating these claims nine months before the U.S. Department of Justice publicly announced criminal indictments involving the same conduct. This early work positioned the firm to be the first to file a civil class action, and ultimately, to be selected as Co-Lead Counsel from among seven competing proposals.

Following the denial of defendants’ motions to dismiss, extensive discovery, and a motion for class certification, DiCello Levitt negotiated $60.5 million in settlements with six defendants. These settlements fully resolved the case, delivering real recovery to the victims of the wage suppression scheme.

Why It Matters

Though individual defendants prevailed in the government’s criminal case, DiCello Levitt succeeded in achieving accountability against the companies through the civil justice system. The case emphasizes the importance of private enforcement in complex labor antitrust matters—especially when related government cases fall short of delivering restitution.

DiCello Levitt’s Role in the Litigation

As Co-Lead Counsel, DiCello Levitt developed and prosecuted this case on behalf of a proposed class of aerospace employees across the United States. The firm’s work highlights our commitment to labor fairness and capacity to litigate high-stakes antitrust cases involving highly technical industries.

This case is Borozny, et al. v. Raytheon Technologies Corporation, Pratt & Whitney Division, et al. The DiCello Levitt team was led by Greg Asciolla and included Geralyn Trujillo.

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