The Union Times

AFL Pilots Vote
1st Air Strike
In U.S. History
1,300 Affected In Proposed
T.W.A. Walkout For
Wage Increase

WASHINGTON (LPA)-By
an overwhelming vote of 812 to 9, the Air Line Pilots Ass'n.-AFL. served formal notice last week of intention to strike against Transcontinental & Western Air Inc. The pilots, whose top salaries are now around $13,200 a year, are demanding increases to about $16,000 and a reduction in flying time of about 10 per cent.

David L. Behncke, president of the AFL flyers, said that the strike would be the first in the history of the nation's airlines. The strike notice was filed with the National Mediation Board under the Railway Labor Act and requires the appointment of an emergency board by the President and a 30-day waiting period before either side can take action.

1,300 Pilots Affected
Although the strike chiefly involves pilots of the four-motored Constellations and Skymasters, about 100 planes and 1300 pilots and co-pilots would be grounded.

"These four-engined planes," said Behncke, "are much larger, faster, and require a greater degree of skill and the exercise of greater responsibility on the part of the pilots in their operation. As in any other vocation when a man's responsibilities and earning power increase and greater and more exacting demands are made on his ability and skill, his rates of compensation also should increase, but TWA pilots and co-pilots have had no upward revision in their rates of compensation."