Approximately 1,350 Olin employees represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local 778 voted to ratify the company’s revised contract on Wednesday, ending a month-long strike at the manufacturer’s Winchester ammunition factory in Independence, Missouri.
Details of Olin’s offer were not disclosed, but IAM said in the press release that the new agreement included “front-loaded” wage increases throughout the four-year contract, representing “meaningful progress and a foundation for continued improvements.”
The deal also provides “some relief from forced overtime,” which the Machinists union had sought. Olin employees alleged during a virtual media roundtable on April 16 that Winchester forced them to work 60-hours a week, especially if they took a day off or used their paid time off.
Olin workers will return to work at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant on Thursday for the day shift, according to the press release. The facility, operated by Olin’s subsidiary Winchester, produces small arms cartridges including the 5.56mm, 7.62mm and .50 Caliber for the U.S. military and U.S. allies, as well as federal, state and local law enforcement.
“This ratified agreement met the needs of our membership and they are ready to get back to work under these new terms,” Scott Brown, IAM Local 778 directing business representative, said in a statement.
Winchester Ammunition said in an emailed statement that it’s “pleased” IAM Local 778 accepted the proposal.
“We have reached an agreement addressing wages, work-life balance, and operational needs at the Lake City Army Ammunition facility,” the company said. “We recognize the role of union leadership throughout negotiations and remain grateful for the community's support during this period.”
It’s Olin Winchester’s third contract offer to the Machinists union. Workers voted to reject a second contract offer on April 27, saying the proposal failed to address wages to keep up with inflation, working conditions and relief from excessive overtime.
The Lake City Army Ammunition Plant supplies the majority of rounds for the U.S. Army, Air Force and Marine Corps. In February 2025, the Army broke ground on an upcoming 6.8mm ammunition production facility at the Lake City Army Ammunition site, which the service branch said will “play a vital role in advancing” its modernization priorities.
Other defense contractors will be facing unions across the country to prevent a workers’ strike at their manufacturing facilities.
Weapons maker Lockheed Martin began contract negotiations with IAM District 776 on March 26. The Machinists union in the district represents 5,000 workers in Fort Worth, Texas; Naval Air Station Pax River, Maryland; and Edwards Air Force Base, California. The contract between the two parties expires at midnight on June 14.
Furthermore, United Auto Workers Local 5101, which represents over 800 workers at Woodward's aerospace and industrial components facility in the Chicago metropolitan area, said Monday it plans to vote on a strike authorization. UAW alleged that the company refused to bargain with the union over the past few months.
Correction: The story was updated to say UAW is planning to vote for a strike authorization.
