FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) - Some striking Lockheed Martin F-35 aircraft workers in North Texas have started the week on the picket line.

The strike by Machinists Local 776 in Fort Worth began Monday.

Lockheed Martin spokesman Joe Stout says the plant remains open and no problems have been reported. He says some employees have been assigned alternate job duties to take over for the striking workers.

Workers who make the F-35 aircraft on Sunday rejected a contract offer, with about 94 percent of those casting ballots saying no to the deal.

Leaders of the union, representing 3,600 of Lockheed Martin's 14,000 workers, say the contract would have affected a pension plan, health costs and new hires.

The company has said the agreement was fair.

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