Workers at V2X Vertex Aerospace in Fort Worth, Texas, who maintain military aircraft at Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport (KAFW), have voted to join the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Union. The election was conducted by mail-in ballot and concluded on December 30. The employees will now be represented by IAM District 776.
The organizing effort gained momentum in June 2025 when workers reached out to the IAM for assistance. Keith “Chub” McCrory, an IAM Associate Organizer, said, “This campaign really belongs to the workers. They stuck together through delays, through uncertainty, and they never lost sight of why they wanted a union.”
McCrory noted that while discussions about organizing had occurred over several years at Alliance Field, the campaign intensified after an employee contacted the union directly. “We met with a handful of them, dropped cards right away, and let them take ownership of the campaign,” McCrory said. “It’s their contract. It’s their future.”
The process faced challenges when a federal government shutdown in 2025 delayed the election timeline. Despite concerns that this would affect worker engagement, support remained strong. “I honestly thought the shutdown might cool things off,” McCrory said. “But they hung in there. That’s what made this win so meaningful.”
Some employees had previous experience under IAM representation and helped build confidence among their colleagues while countering anti-union messages from a small internal opposition group. According to McCrory, V2X did not launch a significant anti-union campaign.
“In the end, people will see what a contract can do for them,” said McCrory.
This development is part of IAM’s broader strategy for growth in North Texas—a region known for its concentration of aerospace and defense service contracts. The union already represents V2X employees elsewhere and is recognized as the largest aerospace and defense union nationally.
“Planting the flag out there was the goal,” McCrory stated. “This is just the beginning, a new beginning in that area.”
The campaign was led by McCrory and fellow Associate Organizer Joey Barnes with support from IAM District 776 leadership and members over several years.
“We wouldn’t be here without District 776’s help,” McCrory added, acknowledging support from Doyle Huddleston, President and Directing Business Representative of District 776.
