Aerospace machinists strike at Stennis Space Center

Bay St. Louis, Mississippi – Local television station WLOX reports that more than 20 of the more than 100 union employees of Lockheed Martin at the Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Miss., are on strike after rejecting a contract offer that would have ended their pensions.

 

Picket lines were set up early Friday morning, May 16, 2014, after the vote Thursday by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Lodge 2249.

 

Ken Powe, the chief union steward, told the Sun Herald, "It's not a matter of money; it's where we want to put the money."

 

Union spokesman Frank Larkin said the union is ready to return to bargaining, but no meetings are scheduled.

 

Lockheed Martin spokesman Steve Field said in a statement, "The offer provides competitive pay and comprehensive benefits while maintaining Lockheed Martin's ability to deliver to our customers. This is our last, best, and final offer."

 

Lockheed Martin supports NASA rocket testing at Stennis with 430 employees.

 

More than 5,000 people work for all employers at Stennis.