Shuttle Workers At Kennedy Space Center Vote To Strike

Saturday, June 2nd 2007, 8:21 pm

By: News On 6

MELBOURNE, Fla. (AP) _ A union representing 570 space shuttle program workers at the Kennedy Space Center voted to strike Saturday, less than a week before the planned launch of the shuttle Atlantis.

The International Association of Machinist and Aerospace Workers, which represents the United Space Alliance employees, rejected the company's contract offer Saturday morning, Florida Today reported.

The union could strike as early as June 9, a day after NASA officials plan to launch Atlantis. It was unclear Saturday whether the vote to strike could affect the launch schedule.

The union's negotiating team felt the company's offer was ``substandard,'' said Lynn Beattie, a member of the group and former Local 2061 president. Both sides have agreed to a five-day cooling off period.

United Space Alliance is ``surprised and disappointed,'' said spokeswoman Tracy Yates.

``The final offer was fair, competitive and responsive in every area,'' she said.

Calls to both parties by The Associated Press were not returned Saturday.