A strike that saw entrances to the Guiana Space Centre barricaded has ended, with Arianespace CEO David Cavaillolès saying the labour dispute has not affected tomorrow’s planned Ariane 6 launch from the site.
Radio-Télé Péyi Guyane reported that the UTG, or Union of Guyanese Workers, had filed an indefinite general strike notice on 14 June, with the strike beginning on 15 June. An initial meeting with management at 11:00 local time (14:00 CET) failed to resolve the dispute, and a second meeting was postponed until the following morning. Workers blocked the entrances to the Guiana Space Centre, which is used to launch Europe’s Ariane 6 and Vega C rockets, with banners reading, “No to the lack of respect and condescension shown by the prime contractors towards workers and their representatives.”
Following the subsequent meeting, the strike action ended at approximately 09:00 local time (12:00 CET) on 16 June. According to local media reporting, the union secured a 1.6% increase in social minimums, as well as fuel allowances ranging from €100 to €300.
“Things have been sorted out thanks to the balance of power,” explained Jean-José Mathias, UTG union delegate at the Guiana Space Centre.
The strike’s swift conclusion means the Ariane 6 flight scheduled for 17 June remains on track, with the launch window opening at 12:53 CET. Speaking to European Spaceflight during a late 16 June press briefing, Arianespace CEO David Cavaillolès said the base was fully operational again and that all indicators were green for launch.
“This morning we had a session with the unions to ensure we could find an agreement and move forward, and it was successful,” said Cavaillolès. “So now the base is fully operational. People are working, and they are working hard to make the launch happen tomorrow. And all the indicators, at the moment, are green to launch tomorrow.”
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