Workers at V2X Vertex Aerospace in Fort Worth, Texas, who provide maintenance services for 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 decision was made through a mail-in ballot election that concluded on December 30, with employees choosing IAM representation by a wide margin. The group will now be represented by IAM District 776.
The organizing effort gained momentum in June 2025 when employees reached out to the union 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 discussions about unionizing had taken place over several years but accelerated after an employee contacted the IAM to begin the process. “We met with a handful of them, dropped cards right away, and let them take ownership of the campaign,” he said. “It’s their contract. It’s their future.”
The election process faced delays due to the 2025 federal government shutdown. Despite concerns that this might reduce interest in unionization, McCrory observed that workers remained committed: “I honestly thought the shutdown might cool things off. But they hung in there. That’s what made this win so meaningful.”
Some employees had previous experience under IAM representation and played a role in encouraging others and addressing misinformation about unions within the workplace. According to McCrory, V2X did not conduct a major anti-union campaign; however, some internal opposition tried to create doubt among workers.
“In the end, people will see what a contract can do for them,” McCrory said.
The outcome is seen as significant for IAM’s strategy in North Texas—a region with substantial aerospace and defense service contract work—where the union already represents V2X members at other sites and holds status as the largest aerospace and defense union nationally.
“Planting the flag out there was the goal,” McCrory added. “This is just the beginning, a new beginning in that area.”
McCrory credited fellow organizer Joey Barnes and support from IAM District 776 leadership for their roles in achieving this result: “We wouldn’t be here without District 776’s help,” he said while acknowledging support from Doyle Huddleston, President and Directing Business Representative of District 776.
