The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) announced on Mar. 26 that a record number of members of Congress have signed a bipartisan letter urging the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee to fund the C-130J Super Hercules program.
The development comes after IAM International President Brian Bryant wrote to lawmakers, asking them to support continued production and funding for the aircraft. The letter from Congress calls for adding eight C-130Js for the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Command, six Navy Reserve KC-130Js, four LC-130J ski-equipped aircraft for the Air National Guard, and $100 million for fleetwide Diminishing Manufacturing Sources remediation.
The IAM said that supporting the C-130J program is important not only for national defense but also because it supports thousands of high-quality jobs within their union as well as more than 33,000 direct and indirect jobs at 497 suppliers across 38 states. The organization emphasized that continuing to recapitalize aging U.S. airlift fleets will help sustain these jobs on both the production line and throughout the supply chain.
Bryant said in his letter, “The C-130J is the only U.S.-made airlifter currently in production. A stable and efficient C-130J production line is vital in supporting current and future Department of Defense and allied nation airlift requirements. In addition, the C-130J production line provides for thousands of high-quality IAM Union jobs at Lockheed Martin and across the nationwide supply chain.”
Observers note that continued congressional backing could help ensure long-term stability both for national security needs and employment tied to this major aerospace program.
