IAM District 776 opened contract negotiations with Lockheed Martin on March 26, representing about 5,000 members in Fort Worth, Texas, as well as those at NAS Pax River in Maryland and Edwards Air Force Base in California. The bargaining committee was joined by district leadership, International President Brian Bryant, and members of the IAM Executive Council to emphasize their commitment to achieving a fair agreement.
The negotiations are significant because the IAM workforce builds the F-35 fighter jet, which is described as the world’s most advanced multi-role fighter. According to IAM District 776 President and Directing Business Representative Doyle Huddleston, “Our membership here at Lockheed Martin manufactures the best next-generation fighters for the U.S. military and militaries across the globe. An agreement for the membership, their families, and communities must be as strong as the products they produce.”
The union has previously worked to secure federal funding for the F-35 program. This year saw a record number of bipartisan Congressional members supporting continued funding after advocacy from IAM Union leaders. The F-35 supply chain supports over 250,000 jobs and nearly 2,000 suppliers across 48 states and Puerto Rico.
International President Brian Bryant said of his team: “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. 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.” The negotiating team prepared through an extensive course covering contract language drafting, strategic planning, costing analysis, communications strategies, and negotiation simulations.
To better understand member priorities ahead of negotiations—including growing employer contributions to retirement plans like 401(k)s—union leadership held surveys and town halls addressing concerns such as health care costs and wage progression improvements.
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. Today and over the next several months 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. Day in and day out they show up to work to provide not just security for nation but also produce a highly profitable product for Lockheed.”
