Eastern Pilots Approve Strike

Eastern Airlines pilots voted overwhelmingly to support a strike, despite resumption of contract talks with management and the carrier’s threat to shut down if a strike occurs, union officials said today.

The authorization to strike after midnight next Wednesday was approved by union and non-union pilots 3,566 to 154. The count was completed today with the tally of ballots mailed in by members of the Air Line Pilots Assn., which represents 4,300 Eastern pilots.