Retired DAL pilots want agreement reached

[satpak77]

http://www.ajc.com/business/content/business/delta/stories/0301bizdelta.html

Retirees decry 'brinksmanship' by Delta, pilots

By RUSSELL GRANTHAM
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 03/01/06
A Delta Air Lines retiree group is telling management and pilots they should ink a new long-term pay agreement before their dispute seriously hurts the carrier's recovery effort.
The two sides face a deadline at 5 p.m. today to reach a deal or turn the matter over to a three-person panel, which will decide in coming weeks whether Delta can void its pilot contract and impose terms. Union leaders have vowed to call a strike if that happens.

"It is very easy for your negotiations to turn into a form of brinksmanship where one miscalculation or rigidity can lead to a disaster for us all," wrote Cathy Cone, head of a bankruptcy-court-appointed committee that represents Delta's non-pilot retirees, in a recent open letter to Delta managers and pilot union leaders.
She said Delta now appears to be losing revenue as customers book on other carriers because of the potential threat of a strike that could shut down the ailing carrier.
"This is a particularly fragile time for Delta financially, as the next three months are the projected tightest cash flow squeeze on the airline," she wrote.
Delta and the union continued talks Tuesday on a new deal, which would replace a temporary pay cut agreement reached in December. It was unclear whether negotiators will meet again today.
Delta wants more than $300 million in pay cuts and other annual concessions; pilots had offered a package worth about $115 million.
Cohn urged both sides to "use every bit of creativity, persuasiveness, energy and sensitivity" to avert a potential strike.
"We are trying to reach a consensual agreement that meets the needs of the pilots," said ALPA spokesman Mike Pinho, without elaborating.

 

[satpak77]

make that "Delta retirees" non-pilots, my mistake, I apologize

 

[FDJ2]

Of course the "non pilot" retirees want the pilot to give into managements demands. None of these "non pilot" retirees has to give up a red cent if the active line pilots have to give in to managements over reach. Yawn.

 

[fareview]

Of course the "non pilot" retirees want the pilot to give into managements demands. None of these "non pilot" retirees has to give up a red cent if the active line pilots have to give in to managements over reach. Yawn.

What was the effective date of the original big paycut (32%ish) that you guys took?

FV

 

[lowecur]

Posturing?

This is a funny business with huge ego's. DL is particularly vulnerable at this point, and it's my sense the pilot's will back down. If I'm wrong, then you could see another Eastern Airlines debacle unfold in short order. The pilot's at NWA are even more militant and if a deal isn't struck by the deadline, they may actually strike. The pilot's for both airlines are well aware of the pressure placed on mgt by future investors to get a deal done, so this makes the situation even more dangerous.

It's sad to think these two great carriers are walking a very fine line between success and failure. Good luck to everyone.

imp: