Experts Think it Unlikely Northwest Pilots Will Strike

It is unlikely that the pilots of Northwest Airlines Corp will launch a strike, according to experts. Although the Air Line Pilots Association has approved a vote to authorise a strike if the pilots lose their collective bargaining agreement, experts think the risk of a strike is small.

Northwest has asked a bankruptcy court for permission to cancel contracts with unions that do not agree to the concessions the airline is seeking and a ruling by US Bankruptcy Judge Allan Gropper is expected on 17 February. The strike vote is just one of the things that the union has to do before being able to give the strike order. Stuart Klaskin of KKC Aviation Consulting has said that there is no question that there is a possibility of strike, even though it is distant, Reuters reported. Klaskin thinks it more likely that Northwest and the pilots will reach an agreement at the last minute, as strike threats like this one are common in such situations. According to labour attorney Lowell Peterson of Meyer, Suozzi, English & Klein, the strike threat most likely puts pressure on the airline's contract negotiators. Peterson thinks that the pilots would probably strike if the airline fails to provide an acceptable proposal. Northwest has however questioned the legality of a strike, claiming that the Railway Labor Act prohibits a work stoppage. Additionally, experts have questioned whether it would be legal for employees to strike as a response to a ruling from a judge.

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