By Jesse Russell

Delta pilots have $10 million set aside in the event that they are forced to declare a strike against the airline. The Air Line Pilots Association said on Monday that if an arbitration panel allows Delta to throw out the pilot’s contract and impose more than $300 million in pay and benefit cuts - they are prepared to walk off the job. The panel is expected to rule anytime before Saturday and the union has permission from its members to authorize a strike. The union represents nearly 6000 Delta pilots. The bankrupt airline has said it hopes to reach a consensual agreement.