Forum: Program and politics

http://www.janes.com/products/janes/def ... hannel=air

Lockheed Martin says F-35 plant strike 'allowing improvements to production line'

By Julian Kerr @ Janes

6/25/2012

A strike by Lockheed Martin machinists at the company's facility in Fort Worth, Texas, which is now into its ninth week, is allowing the company to map improvements to its F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter production line, Jonathan Rambeau, Lockheed Martin's vice-president of F-35 international programmes, said on 22 June.

Speaking in Sydney, ... Rambeau described the strike as having a silver lining.

"A lot of the people who are responsible for the manufacturing processes and the production aspects of the aircraft are getting some hands-on experience building the airplane and they're able to identify things that perhaps could be done more efficiently and we're making a long list of opportunities," he told IHS Jane's .

"Some of these little things can become major cost drivers down the road; there will certainly be improvements but it's hard to quantify the significance at this point."

....

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Considering the scaled back LRIP orders, does the strike really hurt that much?

If the strike at the plant ultimately allows LM to can the union, that will end up benefiting everyone.

Lockheed, Union Working on F-35 Reach Tentative Deal Jun. 25, 2012 By MARCUS WEISGERBER

http://www.defensenews.com/article/2012 ... /306250006

"Lockheed Martin has reached a tentative agreement for a new contract with the union that represents employees working on the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program, the company said in a statement.

Union members must now decide whether to approve the agreement. Lockheed is not disclosing the terms of the deal...."

To me the best way to break the strike is to roll out a shiny new F-35 right in front of the picket lines.

"Lockheed Martin Corp. workers who have been on strike at its main F-35 Joint Strike Fighter facility for almost 10 weeks are due to return to work on Monday after voting in favor of a new four-year contract."

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142 ... lenews_wsj (subscription only)

maus92 wrote:

"Lockheed Martin Corp. workers who have been on strike at its main F-35 Joint Strike Fighter facility for almost 10 weeks are due to return to work on Monday after voting in favor of a new four-year contract."

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142 ... lenews_wsj (subscription only)

Great! Now they can get back to building and delivering high quality, competitive aircraft! Smile

.......

Forum: Program and politics

LM Fort Worth Strike Silver Lining