The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM Union) has called on members of the Texas congressional delegation to intervene in planned job cuts at the Corpus Christi Army Depot (CCAD). The union, which represents both civilian defense contractors and federal employees at the facility, is seeking action from U.S. Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, as well as Representatives Michael Cloud and Vincente Gonzalez.
According to the IAM, nearly 900 workers are facing layoffs by September 30, 2025. This includes 200 civilian defense contractors who have received notice that their jobs will end on that date. Additionally, about 200 out of 2,300 federal employees represented by the IAM are among those whose positions are set for elimination as part of a larger reduction involving approximately 600 federal roles.
Brian Bryant, International President of the IAM Union, stated: “CCAD is the world’s largest rotary-wing repair facility and is considered a Department of Defense (DoD) Center of Industrial and Technical Excellence for rotary-wing aircraft. The depot employs more than 2,500 highly skilled workers. The workforce and repair capacity at CCAD is vitally important to our military readiness and national security. To begin to disassemble this workforce and squander this capacity would be both imprudent and inefficient. CCAD is also a major economic driver for southern Texas. With CCAD pouring over $1.6 billion into the regional economy annually, job reductions on the scale proposed will have major implications for the surrounding communities.”
The union emphasized that CCAD contributes more than $1.6 billion each year to the local economy and supports thousands of jobs in southern Texas. It warned that such significant layoffs could not only impact military readiness but also affect businesses throughout the region.
The IAM has urged lawmakers to press the Department of Defense and U.S. Army to reverse their downsizing plans in order to protect both jobs at CCAD and its broader mission.
The IAM Union represents about 600,000 active and retired members across North America in industries including aerospace, defense, airlines, shipbuilding, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive, among others.
