Dec. 4th 2007

Pilots at Pinnacle Airlines, a partner of Northwest Airlines Corp., authorized a strike Monday, according to the Air Line Pilots Association International.

The pilots, who operate regional flights as Northwest Airlink for Eagan-based Northwest (NYSE: NWA) and as Delta Connection for Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL), will "conduct a lawful withdrawal of service if contract talks with management do not result in an agreement and both sides are released to economic self-help by the National Mediation Board," according to an ALPA release.

99 percent of the 1,200 pilots voted in favor of a strike, according to the association.

"After nearly three years of negotiations, during which Pinnacle Airlines has continued to post a profit and increase its flying with the new Delta Connection Air Services Agreement, our pilots have had enough," said Scott Erickson, chairman of the Pinnacle pilots unit of ALPA, in a statement. "Pinnacle pilots haven't had a raise in several years, and we've seen very little progress from management in negotiating a contract that recognizes our role in the success of this airline."

Pinnacle pilots and management have been negotiating for a new contract since February 2005. The parties entered mediated negotiations in late September 2006.

"It's a high priority for us to get a deal done," said Pinnacle spokesman Joe Williams. "Our pilots deserve it, and on more than one occasion, we thought we had a deal. We have confidence in the union leadership and look forward to getting back to the table."

Based in Memphis, Pinnacle Airlines Corp. (Nasdaq: PNCL) is the holding company of Pinnacle Airlines Inc. and Colgan Air Inc. The company overall employs about 5,000