Orlando Lockheed Martin workers strike over pay, labor practices
Union members on strike at the Lockheed Martin facility in Orlando
Members of the United Auto Workers union (UAW) have gone on strike at the Lockheed Martin facility in Orlando, Florida, citing what they describe as unfair labor practices and a failure to reach a fair economic agreement with the defense contractor.
ORLANDO, Fla. - Members of the United Auto Workers union (UAW) have gone on strike at Lockheed Martin facilities in Orlando, Florida, and Denver, Colorado, after negotiations over a new labor agreement were rejected, union officials and Lockheed Martin confirmed.
The union alleges unfair labor practices by Lockheed Martin, as well as disagreements over starting salary, pay scale and raises, and recognizing Veterans Day as a company holiday. Lockheed Martin claims its best-and-final offer to the union was rejected by its members.
SKYFOX flew over Lockheed Martin's Orlando facility, where several people were on strike outside the facility.
UAW vs. Lockheed Martin: What's the strike about?
The walkout, involving members of UAW Local 788 in Orlando and Local 766 in Denver, follows months of negotiations between the union and Lockheed Martin.
The union claims the company’s latest contract offer includes a slow wage progression schedule, low starting wages, and the exclusion of Veterans Day as a paid holiday.
According to union representatives, more than 80% of Lockheed’s hourly workforce under the proposed contract would remain in a wage progression that could take 16 to 23 years to reach top pay in most job classifications. The offer also includes a starting wage of $15 per hour, which union leaders argue is insufficient given the company’s financial performance and federal funding.
A spokesperson for Lockheed Martin told FOX 35 its starting hourly rate is $20, not $15 as the union claims.
What they're saying:
Lockheed Martin employees and UAW members striking outside the Orlando facility | 5/1/2025
According to its latest financial report, Lockheed Martin reported $1.7 billion in profits during the first quarter of 2025 – and nearly $24 billion over the last three years.
The union is using those figures to argue for higher wages amid other benefits.
"The momentum we created last year continued into the first quarter of 2025, with sales growing 4% year-over-year and free cash flow generation of $955 million. We continued investing in the business with over $850 million of research and development and capital expenditures in the quarter, and returned $1.5 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases," said Lockheed Martin Chairman, President and CEO Jim Taiclet in a statement.
"These solid first quarter results reinforce confidence in our ability to achieve the full year 2025 financial guidance we laid out in January, demonstrating the resilience and adaptability of Lockheed Martin's franchises amidst a highly dynamic geopolitical and technical environment."
"Lockheed’s workers have to wait years and even decades before seeing a comfortable standard of living, while its executives are swimming in taxpayer dollars," said UAW Region 4 Director Brandon Campbell in a prepared statement.
"Lockheed is a textbook example of corporate greed and I’m proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our members as they fight for their fair share."
"We value our employees and their expertise and look forward to reaching a fair labor agreement for both sides. Our employees perform important work for our customers and the nation through their work supporting programs critical to our national security" - Lockheed Martin spokesperson in response to the union strike.
Timeline:
This timeline of the strike negotiations uses information from both Lockheed Martin and the UAW union:
- May 1: UAW announces strike against MFC Orlando
- April 26: UAW members reject Lockheed Martin's last, best, and final offer; vote 99.3% in favor of a strike
- April 22: Lockheed Martin presents its last, best, and final offer. UAW vote planned for April 26.
- April 12: UAW Union terminates collective bargaining agreement
- April 11: Collective bargaining agreement set to expire.
- April 3: Lockheed Martin passes final offer to conclude negotiations
- March 28: Lockheed Martin, UAW continue to be in negotiations over new contract
- March 24: Lockheed Martin, UAW meet to negotiate collective bargaining agreement
- March 14: Lockheed Martin ends local negotiations with UAW.
What is Lockheed Martin?
Lockheed Martin is a massive defense and technology company that builds tactical aircraft, air and defense missile systems, rotary and mission systems, including radar, command and control, and combat simulation, as well as space systems, according to its website.
In Orlando, Lockheed Martin has two facilities: Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, which builds missile and defense systems of the U.S. military, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps, according to its website; and Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems, which tackles training and logistics for military forces.
"TLS is the corporation’s hub for simulation, X reality, live-virtual-constructive capabilities, advanced training devices and full-service training programs. TLS also provides sustainment services such as supply chain and logistics IT solutions, spares and repairs, as well as automated test and support equipment," reads Lockheed's website.
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The Source: The information in this article comes from the United Auto Workers union (UAW), UAW Local 788 in Orlando and a spokesperson for the Lockheed Martin Aerospace and Defense Corporation.