Boeing employee union supports commitment to build more F-35 jets

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers announced its support for a proposed 10-year F-35 Lightning II procurement and sustainment contract. The union is calling on Congress to grant multiyear contracting authority in the final Fiscal Year 2027 defense authorization and appropriations bills.

IAM represents over 600,000 employees at a variety of companies, including Boeing and Lockheed Martin.

Program estimates indicate that a 10-year arrangement could save taxpayers $9 billion to $10 billion over the decade compared to annual purchasing, though final prices remain subject to negotiation. The union noted that buying aircraft on a single-year basis creates planning challenges for suppliers, whereas a longer contract permits sustained investment in specialized skills.

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Machinists union members build the F-35 aircraft at Lockheed Martin’s facility in Fort Worth, Texas, and produce F135 engines at Pratt & Whitney facilities in Connecticut and across the nation. Nationwide, the F-35 supply chain encompasses more than 1,900 suppliers across 48 states and Puerto Rico, supporting more than 317,000 U.S. jobs.

IAM International President Brian Bryant emphasized the importance of federal support for the defense workforce.

“IAM Union members build this aircraft with their hands, and they build it to last,” Bryant said. “A 10-year commitment tells suppliers and workers that Washington is serious about this program. It protects good union jobs, saves taxpayers money, and gets increased capability into the hands of our warfighters, faster. Congress should authorize it.”

Beyond aircraft manufacturing, the longer planning timeline would allow Lockheed Martin to invest more than $7 billion in sustainment efforts. The program aims to achieve an 80% mission-capable fleet by 2030, a goal the union noted requires dedicated funding for spare parts and repair capacity to keep aircraft ready to fly.

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The union’s call follows a bipartisan letter from members of Congress urging multiyear procurement authority and funding for a minimum of 85 aircraft in fiscal 2027. Bryant noted that long-term funding offers stability across the industry.

“Our members take great pride in building this aircraft, and they are ready to keep building it,” Bryant said. “A long-term commitment from Congress would give them and their suppliers the certainty to do just that.”