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A strike may be looming at AEDC as labor and management continue bargaining even after the midnight hour as the Metal Trades Council that represents around 700 skilled craft professionals is seeking a new contract to avoid a repeat of the work stoppage three years ago.

National Aerospace Solutions, LLC (NAS) and the Air Engineering Metal Trades Council (AEMTC) have been negotiating to extend the current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) since June 10, 2024, to establish continuity during the Test Operations and Sustainment (TOS) contract extension and the Test Operations and Sustainment II (TOS II) contract transition. The current CBA expired at 11 p.m. on June 30, 2024. The parties have mutually agreed to continue CBA negotiations.

“NAS cannot comment on negotiation topics until an agreement has been reached. Our goal is to come to a fair and reasonable agreement as soon as possible,” an NAS spokesperson said. “The AEMTC is the sole bargaining agent for its Union Affiliates and represents over 700 skilled craft professionals at Arnold Air Force Base.”

A request for comment by the union had not been received by press-time.    

While sabers rattle, AEDC is taking no chances as they will remain neutral in the labor dispute but are preparing for a repeat of the 2021 labor strike that lasted for two weeks.

In preparation for a possible labor dispute, Col. Grant Mizell, commander of the Arnold Engineering Development Complex headquartered at Arnold Air Force Base, has directed the reconfiguration of gates and installation of barriers.

“The National Aerospace Solutions, LLC (NAS) workforce is negotiating its collective bargaining agreement, which is expiring,” an AEDC spokesman said. “If an agreement is not reached, NAS bargaining unit employees may strike and picket at the base entrance.”

NAS is the test, operations and sustainment contractor at Arnold AFB.

“During any labor disputes among the contractor workforce, the Air Force maintains strict neutrality, but must maintain safety of personnel and equipment, security of data and information and ensure mission continuation,” the spokesman said. “NAS has developed a plan which will allow them to meet their contractual obligations to the Air Force during a strike on an adjusted schedule.”

To prepare for a possible strike and picketing, Col. Mizell has pre-designated Gate 2, which is normally the commercial delivery gate, as the reserve gate at which the NAS members may peacefully exercise their labor rights. If a strike occurs, all NAS employees, vendors, suppliers and subcontractors of NAS must only use Gate 2 to enter and exit the base. DOD employees, retirees, dependents, visitors and all other DOD contractors, and subcontractors not affiliated with NAS must use the Main Gate. Deliveries not affiliated with NAS must use Gate 1, next to the fitness center, to enter the base and exit through the Main Gate.

Should a strike begin, normal traffic patterns and flows on Wattendorf Memorial Highway may be altered, which could result in delays. Until such time as we return to normal gate operations, everyone using Wattendorf Hwy should use caution in the areas around the Arnold AFB gates.