BUSINESS BRIEFS
Shuttle workers won't strike
Advertiser Staff and News Services
MELBOURNE, Fla. — A union representing 570 space shuttle program workers at the Kennedy Space Center called off plans to strike yesterday and members agreed to continue contract negotiations.
The International Association of Machinist and Aerospace Workers, which represents the United Space Alliance employees, will continue contract discussions with the company, Florida Today reported yesterday.
The union voted to strike June 2, but both sides had agreed to a cooling-off period.
HEINEKEN LOOKS TO MEXICO
NEW YORK — "Cerveza," anyone? Dutch brewer Heineken, best known for its namesake import beer and Amstel Light, will pour more dollars this summer into marketing for two Mexican imports.
Heineken, which has increased its U.S. marketing budget 53 percent this year, has beefed up its effort for its growing niche brands, Dos Equis and Tecate, against Corona, the top Mexican import.
Mexican beers are thriving as part of a growing thirst for imports by beer drinkers in the $90 billion United States market. Import sales rose 38 percent from 2001 through 2006, to $18.6 billion, and volume grew 24 percent, according to market researcher Mintel. Domestic brand sales fell 19 percent.
MAIDEN TRIP FOR HIGH-SPEED TRAIN
STRASBOURG, France — The TGV high-speed train began service between Paris and Strasbourg yesterday, nearly halving travel time between the two cities to 2 hours, 20 minutes, and linking the TGV network with Germany.
The train made its maiden trip with 360 passengers on board early yesterday, arriving on time and continuing on to the German city of Stuttgart, said Anne Premel, spokeswoman for the Strasbourg municipality.
The previous fastest connection took four hours.
