Erie, Pa., Jan. 10, 2026 – More than 250 IAM Union Local 1211 members who manufacture vibration and motion control components for the aerospace industry have voted to go on strike against Parker Lord over unresolved economic issues, marking a historic moment for the local union.
The members of IAM Local 1211 have not experienced a labor dispute in more than five decades. Their last strike occurred in 1974 against their former employer, LORD Corporation. Since Parker Hannifin acquired LORD Corporation in 2019, the working relationship between Parker Lord management and union employees has steadily deteriorated.
At the center of the dispute is the company’s refusal to adequately address wages that have failed to keep pace with the rising cost of living over the past five-year contract. Despite good-faith efforts by the union to reach a fair agreement, Parker Lord has not offered economic proposals that meet members’ needs.
As a result, IAM Local 1211 members have voted to withhold their labor, with the strike set to begin at 12 a.m. ET on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026.
“Our members have shown patience and professionalism for years,” said IAM District 98 Assistant Directing Business Representative Kermit Forbes. “But after decades without a strike, this vote reflects how serious these economic concerns have become and how determined our members are to fight for fair wages and respect on the job.”
IAM Local 1211 remains ready to return to the bargaining table and urges Parker Lord to present a proposal that recognizes the value, skill, and dedication of its workforce.
The IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) represents approximately 600,000 active and retired members in aerospace, defense, airlines, shipbuilding, rail, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries across North America.