Workers at V2X Vertex Aerospace in Fort Worth, Texas, have voted to join the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Union. The employees provide defense maintenance services on military aircraft at Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport (KAFW) under a service contract.
The mail-in ballot election concluded on December 30, with KAFW V2X employees voting in favor of IAM representation. The group will now be represented by IAM District 776.
IAM Associate Organizer Keith “Chub” McCrory commented on the process: “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 organizing conversations had been ongoing for years but gained momentum in June 2025 when an employee reached out to the IAM for guidance. “We met with a handful of them, dropped cards right away, and let them take ownership of the campaign,” McCrory said. “It’s their contract. It’s their future.”
The effort encountered challenges due to the 2025 federal government shutdown, which delayed the election process. Despite this setback, workers remained committed to their goal. “I honestly thought the shutdown might cool things off,” McCrory said. “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, there was no significant anti-union campaign from management; only limited internal opposition tried to create doubt among workers.
“In the end, people will see what a contract can do for them,” McCrory added.
The outcome is considered important for IAM’s strategy in North Texas—a region with substantial aerospace and defense contract work—where it already represents V2X members at other sites as part of its status as the largest aerospace and defense union nationally.
“Planting the flag out there was the goal,” McCrory said. “This is just the beginning, a new beginning in that area.”
McCrory led the campaign alongside Organizing Department Associate Organizer Joey Barnes and received support from IAM District 776 leadership and members over several years.
“We wouldn’t be here without District 776’s help,” McCrory stated, acknowledging support from Doyle Huddleston, President and Directing Business Representative of District 776.
