Pilots at California-based Polar Air Cargo have authorized their union
representatives to strike the carrier if contract negotiations do not
result in an agreement.
A "cooling off" period instituted by federal mediators expires Oct.
2,
freeing the Polar pilots to pursue self-help measures. More than 98 percent of the pilots
voted to authorize a strike.
Polar began negotiating a contract with its air crews in 1997. Key
disagreements exist over the airline’s lack of a pension plan and what the
pilots say is the need for better scheduling practices.
ALPA allotted $2 million to Polar crew members in July "in order to
provide a war chest."
A strike would be devastating for Polar, which desperately needs to
upgrade an aging fleet of early version B747 freighters. The airline
suffered heavy financial losses during the Asian financial crisis.
POLAR AIR CARGO PILOTS AUTHORIZE STRIKE
POLAR AIR CARGO PILOTS AUTHORIZE STRIKE
