|
Pilots concerned
over lack of contract
Delta Air Line's 9,600 pilots put management on notice last week at a
rally in Atlanta that growing pilot frustration with management's failure
to reach a new contract after one year of talks could spur legal job actions
in the future.
Thousands of Delta pilots and their families from around the country attended
the "It's About Time" rally across the street from Delta's headquarters.
Many pilots arrived at today's event with "Dear Leo" letters,
addressed to Delta CEO Leo Mullin, which challenged management to restore
pilot wages and working conditions.
Delta's pilots began talks with the company on a new contract September
8, 1999, eight months before the current contract became amendable on
May 2 of this year. Pilots continue to work under the terms of their 1996
contract despite sacrificing more than $1 billion in wage concessions
to help the company prosper. Since the pilots' last contract was signed,
Delta has earned record profits---including $1.3 billion dollars in FY
2000 net income.
"We're optimistic an agreement will be reached, but Delta's management
must clearly understand pilots are frustrated. 'It's time' we had a new
contract that recognizes our investment in the company and restores our
profession," said Captain Charles J. Giambusso, Chairman of the Delta
Pilots' Master Executive Council (MEC), a unit of the Air Lines Pilots
Association, Int. (ALPA).
"The solidarity of our pilots sends a clear signal to management:
we want a superior contract that recognizes our skills, contributions,
dedication and professionalism," added Giambusso.
Speakers at the rally include Captain Giambusso; Captain Duane Woerth,
ALPA President; Capt. John Malone, Chairman of the MEC Negotiating Committee;
First Officer Mike Donatelli, Chairman of the MEC Strike Preparedness
Committee; Phil Comstock, Executive Director of the Wilson Center for
Public Research.
Back
to Business Home Page | Back
to the top of the page
|
