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Author
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Topic: Shuttle workers vote to strike
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Cliff Lentz
Member Posts: 655
From: Philadelphia, PA USA
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 06-03-2007 08:09 AM
   
I was busy packing for Florida late on Saturday night when I heard that a union of Shuttle workers at KSC voted to strike. I can't seem to find anything on the web or CNN about it. Does anyone know if this could affect the Friday Launch of STS-117? |
jam1970
Member Posts: 310
From: Chillicothe, Ohio, usa
Registered: Mar 2004
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posted 06-03-2007 08:27 AM
Most of what I seen (Google "strike NASA" - then look at news) - saying that it won't affect the next 2 launches. They plan to strike June 10 after the launch. |
Cliff Lentz
Member Posts: 655
From: Philadelphia, PA USA
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 06-03-2007 08:58 AM
That is if there are no scrubs. Unfortunately, if the launch doesn't happen until Sunday night I will be long gone. Well, I'll keep my fingers crossed! Thanks for the info!Cliff |
Harry Bennett
Member Posts: 47
From: St. Pete, FL USA
Registered: May 2007
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posted 06-03-2007 09:10 AM
I was reading about it this morning. Here's a link to the article in Florida Today a Brevard County newspaper..
Edited by collectSPACE Admin |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42986
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 06-03-2007 08:22 PM
United Space Alliance has issued a statement: quote:
According to information received from the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, On Saturday, June 2, union members rejected United Space Alliance's final offer for the renewal of the collective bargaining agreement. We are surprised and disappointed that IAM members did not ratify the offered contract proposal. The final offer was fair, competitive and responsive in every area. We hope that IAM members will reconsider their position. However, if a strike does occur, USA is prepared to continue activities to safely prepare the Space Shuttle vehicles for upcoming launches by using other experienced and certified employees to perform all necessary tasks. Throughout this time, the safety of the astronaut crew members, our employees and the irreplaceable national assets at the Kennedy Space Center will remain our top priority. All safety practices and procedures will be maintained at their usual high standard and will not be compromised.
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Philip
Member Posts: 5952
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 06-04-2007 11:13 AM
That would be a first... Shuttle launch scrubbed due to strike ... LOL  |
Lunatiki
Member Posts: 237
From: Amarillo, TX, USA
Registered: Dec 2006
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posted 06-04-2007 05:00 PM
On a related note, this thread made me wonder what will happen to the shuttle workers when the program is retired. Will they find other positions within the agency, or is there a chance they will lose their jobs? |
Cliff Lentz
Member Posts: 655
From: Philadelphia, PA USA
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 06-04-2007 05:14 PM
While your laughing out loud, may I remind you that it's already been delayed by hail and we had a pretty serious bird-strick on the RTF mission. How more ridiculous can it get? |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42986
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 06-04-2007 05:26 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Lunatiki:
Will they find other positions within the agency, or is there a chance they will lose their jobs?
To quote USA CEO Mike McCulley from congressional testimony he gave in 2005: quote:
There are over 20,000 NASA and contractor employees working on the shuttle program. As the shuttle is retired, it is expected that a number of contractor and civil servant employees will initiate personal retirement, while a number will remain, to continue to support human space flight by moving to the new exploration programs. However, as currently envisioned, the number of employees available for this opportunity could be limited both by the gap between shuttle retirement and CEV operational capability, and by the exploration emphasis on increased operational efficiency.
USA accounts for approximately half the shuttle workforce, and while they have made statements that they will do what they can to find positions for those who want to stay, either within USA or as possible within their parent companies (Boeing and Lockheed Martin), layoffs are almost a certainty given the budget constraints and workforce needs ("operational efficiency") envisioned for Constellation. It's not too far a leap then to see moves like this proposed strike as a last chance effort to squeeze what they can from USA before the current contract expires.
Edited by Robert Pearlman |
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