ASTAR pilots to call a strike

After more than two years of contract talks, pilots for carrier ASTAR Air Cargo Inc. say they have authorized their union to call a strike.

The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), which represents the pilots, said 97 percent of its members voted to authorize the strike, which could take effect when the National Mediation Board releases both parties from talks.

The Wilmington-based carrier and the union have been working with mediators for 10 months, but still remain far apart on wage and compensation issues, ALPA said in a news release. Contract negotiations originally began in January 2005.

ASTAR, headquartered in Miami with a hub in Wilmington, is a cargo airline that counts DHL and the U.S. Postal Service among its customers.