Frontier Airlines pilots have voted to strike if their negotiations with managers break down, the union announced on Tuesday.
In strike authorization voting, 97% of pilots participated and 99% voted in favor of a strike if necessary, according to Capt. Michael Maynard, chairman of the Air Line Pilots Association’s executive council. The pilots have been negotiating with company managers in mediated talks but have not agreed on a contract.
“Our ultimate goal remains to reach a fair agreement with the company, not to strike,” Maynard said in a statement. “However, this vote equips our master executive council with a significant lever should we need to exercise it.”
Under federal law, the pilots and their union cannot legally strike until a National Mediation Board determines mediation is no longer productive. If the board deems mediation unproductive, both sides may be given an option of arbitration. If either side declines arbitration, a 30-day “cooling-off” period would follow. After that, a strike or “management lockout” is possible.
Frontier officials said a strike is not imminent. “Frontier remains committed to negotiating in good faith to achieve an agreement that supports our pilots and ensures the continued success of our company,” spokesman Rob Harris said.
Denver-based Frontier, a major low-cost carrier, runs flights to more than 120 destinations in the United States, Mexico, and Central America and employs more than 3,000 people. Last month, Frontier’s flight attendants voted to authorize a strike if necessary as they negotiate for a better contract.
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