Lockheed Martin union members ratified a new collective bargaining agreement at the Fort Worth, Texas, facility. This vote prevents a potential strike by approximately 5,000 workers. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 776 represents the employees responsible for building the F-35 fighter jet.
Negotiations for the contract began in March. The approved deal includes significant wage increases and a $6,000 ratification bonus. It also provides improvements to retirement benefits and vacation time.
The agreement covers additional union members at Edwards Air Force Base in California and Patuxent River in Maryland. This ratification ensures production continuity for the F-35 program. The program maintains a vast supply chain that supports jobs nationwide.