IAM District 776 began contract negotiations with Lockheed Martin on March 26, representing about 5,000 members in Fort Worth, Texas, as well as workers at NAS Pax River in Maryland and Edwards Air Force Base in California. The union’s bargaining committee was joined by district leadership, International President Brian Bryant, and members of the IAM Executive Council to advocate for a new agreement.
The negotiations are significant because IAM members build the F-35 fighter jet, described as the world’s most advanced multi-role fighter. Union leaders said they seek a fair and equitable agreement that reflects the value their skilled workforce brings to Lockheed Martin and to national security.
“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 noted that securing federal funding has been a priority over recent years. This year saw a record number of bipartisan Congressional supporters backing continued funding for the F-35 program. The supply chain supporting this program extends across 48 states and Puerto Rico and is responsible for more than 250,000 jobs nationwide.
“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,” said IAM Union International President Brian Bryant. “These dedicated, experienced leaders understand the responsibility they have and are here to secure a fair agreement with the full confidence of the membership behind them.”
In preparation for negotiations, District 776’s team completed coursework covering contract language drafting, strategic planning, costing analysis, communications strategies, and negotiation simulations earlier this year. The union also held town halls to gather input from its members about priorities such as employer retirement contributions, health care costs control measures, wage progression improvements.
IAM Union 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.” Resident General Vice President Jody Bennett added: “Our members in Fort Worth have earned a strong contract…they show up to work to provide not just security for nation but also produce highly profitable product for Lockheed.”
