IAM District 776 opened 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 begin talks aimed at reaching a fair agreement.
The union said the goal is to secure a contract that reflects the value of its highly skilled workforce. “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.”
IAM members at these facilities are responsible for building the F-35 fighter jet. Over recent years, IAM has worked to secure federal funding for this program; this year a record number of bipartisan lawmakers signed on to support continued funding for it.
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. 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 underwent preparation training earlier in January covering topics such as drafting contract language and negotiation simulation.
District leadership has 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. Today and over the next several months, we are going to demand a contract that provides security and growth in the future.” Growing employer retirement contributions, controlling health care costs, and improving wage progression are among top issues cited by negotiators.
“Our members in Fort Worth have earned a strong contract,” said Resident General Vice President Jody Bennett. “Day in and day out, they show up to work to provide not just security for the nation but also to produce a highly profitable product for Lockheed.”
