spacetoday.net: Planned strike could slow shuttle preparations

Posted: Tue, Jun 5, 2001, 6:18 PM ET (2218 GMT)
STS-104 patch

An upcoming strike could hamper preparations for next month's shuttle flight. 600 United Space Alliance (USA) workers represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers voted last Saturday to begin a strike against the company this coming Sunday, June 10, Florida Today reported Tuesday. Union officials said they were "very disappointed" with the latest contract offer from the company, but did not provide specific details. The workers, about 10% of the USA shuttle workforce at the Kennedy Space Center, operate cranes that move work platforms and the shuttle orbiters themselves. A USA spokesperson told Florida Today that a strike should not have a major impact on launch preparations, such as the STS-104 launch currently scheduled for early June. Non-striking workers and managers will take over in the event of a strike.