The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM Union) is urging members of the Texas congressional delegation to intervene in plans to cut nearly 900 jobs at the Corpus Christi Army Depot (CCAD). The union, which represents both civilian defense contractors and federal employees at the facility, has sent letters to U.S. Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, as well as Representatives Michael Cloud and Vincente Gonzalez, calling for immediate action.
According to the IAM, about 200 civilian defense contractors represented by the union have received notices that their employment will end on September 30, 2025. Additionally, around 200 of the depot’s 2,300 federal employees—also represented by IAM—are among the 600 federal positions scheduled for elimination. The union notes that further job cuts may be 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.”
The union emphasizes that CCAD contributes over $1.6 billion each year to the local economy and supports thousands of jobs in southern Texas. The IAM warns that reducing staff at CCAD could weaken essential defense capabilities while also affecting businesses and neighborhoods throughout the region.
The IAM calls on Texas lawmakers to urge the Department of Defense and U.S. Army to reverse plans for downsizing at CCAD in order to maintain its mission, workforce, and role in supporting the area’s economy.
The IAM Union represents approximately 600,000 active and retired members across various industries in North America.
