Melissa Donovan
Hundreds of skilled workers at Lockheed Martin facilities in Orlando, Florida, walked off the job Thursday morning over working conditions at the company.
The walkout involves machinists, mechanics, electricians, and other essential personnel represented by UAW Local 788 in Orlando and Local 766 in Denver. The union alleges Lockheed Martin engaged in unfair labor practices and failed to reach a fair agreement on a new contract.
“UAW members at Lockheed Martin voted 99.3 percent in favor of authorizing a strike,” Tim Smith, UAW Region 8 Director said in a statement.
Union members are calling for changes to the proposed contract, including improvements in starting pay, wage progression, annual raises, and the inclusion of Veterans Day as a paid company holiday. They argue that the current offer includes a slow wage progression that could take 16 to 23 years to reach top pay for most job classifications, along with a starting wage of $15 per hour. Union leaders have criticized these terms as insufficient, particularly in light of Lockheed Martin’s strong financial performance and substantial federal funding.
“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,” Brandon Campbell, UAW Region 4 Director said in a 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.”
Lockheed Martin, a leading defense and aerospace contractor, described its latest proposal as a “best-and-final offer.” In a recent earnings report, the company highlighted strong financial results, reporting $1.7 billion in profits during the first quarter of 2025 and nearly $24 billion in earnings over the last three years.
“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,” Jim Taiclet, Lockheed Martin Chairman, President and CEO said. “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.”
UAW members are using those figures to bolster their case for increased compensation and improved benefits. Another key sticking point remains the company’s refusal to recognize Veterans Day as a paid holiday, which union leaders view as a symbolic issue tied to Lockheed’s defense industry identity.
According to the Orlando Economic Partnership, Lockheed Martin employs more than 7,000 people in the Orlando area. However, not all are represented by the UAW — some are nonunion, while others belong to different unions such as the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
Lockheed Martin operates two major facilities in Orlando: Missiles and Fire Control, which builds systems for the U.S. military, and Rotary and Mission Systems, which supports training and logistics for armed forces. The company also maintains significant operations in Denver.
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