The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM Union) has called on members of Texas’ congressional delegation to intervene in planned layoffs at the Corpus Christi Army Depot (CCAD). The union is urging U.S. Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, along with Representatives Michael Cloud and Vincente Gonzalez, to prevent job cuts that would affect nearly 900 workers.
The IAM represents 200 civilian defense contractors at CCAD who have been notified their employment will end by September 30, 2025. In addition, about 200 out of 2,300 federal employees at the facility—also represented by the union—are among the 600 federal positions scheduled for elimination. Further reductions are possible.
“CCAD is the world’s largest rotary-wing repair facility and is considered a Department of Defense (DoD) Center of Industrial and Technical Excellence for rotary-wing aircraft,” wrote IAM Union International President Brian Bryant. “The depot employs more than 2,500 highly skilled workers. The workforce and repair capacity at CCAD is vitally important to our military readiness and national security. To begin to disassemble this workforce and squander this capacity would be both imprudent and inefficient. CCAD is also a major economic driver for southern Texas. With CCAD pouring over $1.6 billion into the regional economy annually, job reductions on the scale proposed will have major implications for the surrounding communities.”
According to the IAM, CCAD contributes more than $1.6 billion each year to the local economy, supporting thousands of jobs throughout southern Texas. The union cautions that these layoffs could reduce essential defense capabilities while affecting local businesses and neighborhoods.
The IAM has asked Texas lawmakers to push the Department of Defense and U.S. Army to reverse plans for downsizing at CCAD in order to safeguard its mission, workforce, and economic role.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers represents approximately 600,000 active and retired members across North America in industries such as aerospace, defense, airlines, shipbuilding, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive, among others.
