SAS pilots support wage deal, won't resume strike

Swedish, Danish and Norwegian pilot union members have voted to adopt a collective bargaining agreement reached with airline SAS (SAS.ST) last month, and will thus not resume their strike, the labour unions said on Saturday. SAS grounded some 3,700 flights during a crippling 15-day strike in July. In Denmark, 93% of pilot union members voted in favour of the deal. "I am incredibly happy about the great support for the agreement, not least when we have been through such a long and tough conflict," said Henrik Thyregod, chairman of the Danish pilots union. "The members have clearly understood the gravity (of the situation) and this shows how strong the unity is among the pilots," he said. Unions in Norway and Sweden said a majority of their members also backed the deal, but did not immediately disclose how many had voted in favour. Long-struggling SAS, which filed for US bankruptcy protection on the second day of the strike, has estimated the industrial action cost it more than $145m during what is normally the profitable peak summer travel season.<br/>