Pilots at American Airlines plan strike vote

American Airlines and American Eagle employees prepare to march to U.S. Bankruptcy Court in New York on April 23, 2012, to protest against planned cuts. / Spencer Platt/Getty Images

(AP) DALLAS - The pilot's union says it will hold a strike vote if American Airlines (AMR) throws out its labor contract in bankruptcy court.

The Allied Pilots Association said Wednesday that voting could start as soon as American tries to impose its own terms for pay and work rules.

A hearing on American's request to cancel the pilots' contract is scheduled for Sept. 4.

Northwest Airlines went to court when flight attendants threatened to strike under similar circumstances. In 2007, a federal appeals court upheld a ruling barring the employees from striking after Northwest canceled the employees' labor contract while in bankruptcy protection.

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