Judge Says Tactic Won't Sway Ruling

Pilots at beleagured regional carrier Comair voted overwhelmingly Monday to give union leaders the authorization to call a strike, if they feel it's necessary.

As regular ANN readers know, the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) is locked in a continuing dispute with management at the airline over contract concessions. Representatives with ALPA say the vote was over 93 percent in favor of the strike authorization.

"This vote tally by Comair pilots sends a loud and clear message to our management and Delta management that we are united in our resolve and will not work under imposed conditions," said union spokesman Paul Denke to the Associated Press. "If management will not work with us and negotiate a fair and consensual agreement -- one pilots can afford to live under -- we now have the authorization to call for a strike."

A federal bankruptcy court judge ordered both sides to return to the table Monday... in the hope a settlement can still be ironed out. Judge Adlai S. Hardin Jr. has told both sides threats of a strike, or threats to close down the airline, won't influence his ruling.

As Aero-News has reported, Comair's proposed contract would cut pilot wages by an average of 11 percent... and pilots say that's simply too high.

FMI: www.alpa.org, www.comair.com