Workers at V2X Vertex Aerospace in Fort Worth, Texas, who maintain 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 election was held by mail and concluded on December 30, with a majority of KAFW V2X employees supporting IAM representation. The workers will now be represented by IAM District 776.
The organizing effort began several years ago but gained momentum in June 2025 when employees approached the union for assistance. “This campaign really belongs to the workers,” said IAM Associate Organizer Keith “Chub” McCrory. “They stuck together through delays, through uncertainty, and they never lost sight of why they wanted a union.”
McCrory noted that while conversations about organizing had occurred over many years at Alliance Field, the campaign accelerated after an employee reached out to start 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.”
A federal government shutdown in 2025 delayed the election process but did not dampen worker enthusiasm. “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 countering anti-union messages from within the company. According to McCrory, V2X did not run a significant anti-union campaign.
“In the end, people will see what a contract can do for them,” said McCrory.
The outcome is considered important for IAM’s strategy in North Texas due to the region’s concentration of aerospace and defense service contracts. The union already represents V2X members elsewhere and is recognized as one of the largest unions in aerospace and defense nationwide.
“Planting the flag out there was the goal,” McCrory stated. “This is just the beginning, a new beginning in that area.”
The organizing drive was led by McCrory along with fellow 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 added, acknowledging support from District President Doyle Huddleston.
