F-35 Program Workers Start Negotiations With Lockheed Martin

IAM District 776 represents about 5,000 employees in Fort Worth, Texas.

Zach Vasile

Thursday, March 26, 2026 at 04:50 PM ET

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Edited By:

Travis Tingle

A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II takes off for exercise Cold Response at RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom [Credit: U.S. Air Force/Airman 1st Class Sierra Casteel]

Key Takeaways:

Lockheed Martin has begun new contract negotiations with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 776, representing about 5,000 workers who build the F-35 fighter jet.
The union's primary demands in the talks are focused on increasing employer 401(k) contributions, controlling healthcare costs, and improving the wage progression structure.
The current labor agreement for these workers, predominantly based in Fort Worth, Texas, is scheduled to expire at midnight on June 14.

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The labor union representing Lockheed Martin workers who build the F-35 stealth strike fighter started new contract talks with the company on Thursday.

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 776 represents about 5,000 Lockheed employees in Fort Worth, Texas, where the F-35 final assembly line is located. The chapter also has members at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland and Edwards Air Force Base in California.