spacetoday.net: ALMA operations interrupted by strike

ALMA operations interrupted by strike

Posted: Wed, Aug 28, 2013, 7:26 AM ET (1126 GMT)
ALMA radio observatory (ESA)

Workers at a radio telescope in Chile have gone on strike, disrupting operations of the multinational observatory. The strike, which started late last week, affects facilities of the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), an array of radio telescopes in Chile. ALMA observations have been suspended, although analysis of data continues. Striking Chilean workers are seeking pay increases and shorter work weeks similar to those at other observatories in the country. Associated Universities Inc., the employer of the striking workers, said it has activated a "contingency plan" to keep basic ALMA operations going.