The union representing around 5,000 workers building the F-35 at Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth, Texas, plant has opened contract negotiations with the company, with talks beginning on March 26, 2026.
The workers are represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 776, which covers production employees at the Fort Worth facility, the main final assembly site for all three F-35 variants, as well as smaller groups at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland and Edwards Air Force Base in California.
District 776 said its bargaining committee entered talks backed by IAM International President Brian Bryant and members of the union’s executive council. The union is seeking higher employer 401(k) contributions, limits on rising healthcare costs, and a faster wage progression for newer employees.
The current contract expires at midnight on June 14, 2026, creating a firm deadline for the two sides to reach a new agreement.
A key site in the F-35 program
Any disruption in Fort Worth would have consequences well beyond one factory. The site is the central assembly point for the F-35A, F-35B, and F-35C, making it a critical node in the global program at a time when Lockheed Martin is under pressure to sustain output and clear the effects of earlier Technology Refresh 3 delays.
A strike or prolonged stoppage could therefore affect delivery schedules for both US and international customers, as the company continues to work through modernization and production bottlenecks.
Political support remains strong
The negotiations also come as political backing for the F-35 remains strong in Washington. IAM said 126 bipartisan members of Congress had signed a letter supporting robust funding for the aircraft in fiscal year 2027.
The union also highlighted the F-35’s industrial footprint, saying the program supports more than 250,000 jobs through nearly 2,000 suppliers across 48 US states and Puerto Rico. That broad supply chain helps insulate the program from budget pressure and reinforces the stakes surrounding any disruption at Fort Worth.
District 776 said its negotiating team completed a preparation course in January covering contract language, strategic planning, cost analysis, communications, and negotiation exercises. The union also held town halls ahead of formal talks to gather input from members.