IAM District 776, which represents about 5,000 workers in Fort Worth, Texas and at locations in Maryland and California, began contract negotiations with Lockheed Martin on March 26. The union’s bargaining committee was joined by International President Brian Bryant and other leaders as they met with the company to push for a new agreement.
The talks are significant because IAM members build the F-35 fighter jet, described as the world’s most advanced multi-role fighter. The outcome of these negotiations could affect not only union members and their families but also the wider community in Fort Worth, across Texas, and within the aerospace industry.
“Our membership here at Lockheed Martin manufactures the best next-generation fighters for the U.S. military and militaries across the globe,” said IAM District 776 President and Directing Business Representative Doyle Huddleston. “An agreement for the membership, their families, and communities must be as strong as the products they produce.”
Union officials say that over recent years they have worked to secure federal funding for the F-35 program. They noted that this year a record number of bipartisan lawmakers signed on to support continued funding.
International President Brian Bryant said, “This committee was elected by our membership to represent them at this table, and I could not be prouder of the group we have assembled.” He added that those negotiating understand their responsibility to secure a fair deal.
The negotiating team prepared through training sessions covering contract language drafting, strategic planning, costing analysis, communications strategies, and negotiation simulations. Union leaders also gathered input from members through surveys and town halls ahead of negotiations.
Southern Territory General Vice-President Craig Martin said: “This committee, our leadership, and our members are all ready to get to the table to hammer out the best agreement we can…we are going to demand a contract that provides security and growth in the future.” Key issues identified include employer contributions to retirement plans such as 401(k)s, health care costs control measures, and improvements in wage progression schedules.
Resident General Vice President Jody Bennett concluded: “Our members in Fort Worth have earned a strong contract…they show up to work to provide not just security for the nation but also to produce a highly profitable product for Lockheed.”
