Fifty-two days after the Machinists union began its strike against Lockheed Martin in Fort Worth, there is still no sign of an end to the walkout.
Company and union officials said Wednesday that their positions have not changed and that no new negotiations are planned.Union members continue to solidly support the strike, said Robert Wood, spokesman for the International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers District Lodge 776. He said less than 10 percent of workers at the Fort Worth plant have crossed the picket line.Senior Lockheed executives sent a memo to the Fort Worth employees who are still working, many of them putting in long hours on the assembly and flight lines.The memo, signed by Lockheed CEO Robert Stevens, President Chris Kubasik and Larry Lawson, executive vice president of the Fort Worth-based Aeronautics Division, thanks the workers. It argues that the company's position on a key issue -- replacing traditional pensions for new employees with a retirement savings plan -- is something that occurred six years ago for salaried workers and that has been implemented at most Lockheed locations.The company respects the union's right to reject the contract offer, the memo says, and regrets "that together we have not yet found common ground, but we are compelled to pursue alternative measures to ensure we meet our commitments," including adding temporary workers.Wood said the union members remain overwhelmingly opposed to the company's pension position, as well as proposed changes to healthcare benefit plans.Lockheed spokesman Joe Stout said the company counts 246 workers as having crossed the picket line, out of about 3,300 in Fort Worth represented by the union.About 195 temporary employees are working in manufacturing, with more to be brought in today, Stout said, plus 70 more in sanitation and maintenance. More than 20 employees from other Lockheed facilities are also working at the plant.Bob Cox, 817-390-7723Twitter: @bobcoxictHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
