The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM Union) has called on Texas Senators and Representatives Michael Cloud and Vincente Gonzalez to intervene in planned layoffs at the Corpus Christi Army Depot (CCAD). Nearly 900 jobs are expected to be cut by September 30, 2025, affecting both civilian defense contractors and federal employees represented by the IAM.
According to the union, about 200 civilian contractors have received layoff notices. Additionally, around 200 of the depot’s 2,300 federal workers—also represented by the IAM—have been told they are among the 600 federal positions slated for elimination. Further reductions may follow.
“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,” wrote IAM Union International President Brian Bryant. “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 these cuts could harm not only national defense but also local businesses that depend on CCAD’s economic activity. The facility contributes over $1.6 billion each year to the region’s economy.
IAM leaders are urging Texas lawmakers to pressure the Department of Defense and U.S. Army to reverse their downsizing plan, citing concerns over military readiness, community impact, and job losses.
The IAM represents about 600,000 active and retired members across North America in industries including aerospace, defense, airlines, shipbuilding, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive, among others.
