When is the soonest either Comair or Delta pilots could strike?
April 1. Both airlines and their pilots (represented by separate branches of the Air Line Pilots Association) are in federally mediated negotiations scheduled to end on Feb. 28. If federal mediators feel there is an impasse on that date, they can offer arbitration. If either the airline or the pilots refuse, a 30-day cooling off period ensues. After that, both sides are allowed self help, meaning the pilots can strike and the companies can impose their own work rules. President Bush could intervene and appoint a presidential emergency board, which could keep the previous contract in place for an additional 60 days, and negotiations could continue. Then if no agreement is reached, Congress is allowed to impose its own contract through a floor vote to keep the airline running. Q: How would a Delta strike affect the airline’s operations? A: Delta pilots have said that if a strike is called, they would completely stop working, walking off planes after 12 midnight or thereafter if they are
