DAL pilot picket ATL
Pilots picket at Delta's hub
Bid for executive severance angers union members
By Harry R. Weber
The Associated Press
Posted February 18 2006.
ATLANTA - More than two dozen Delta Air Lines Inc. pilots brought the fight over their contract to their employer's doorstep Friday as they held signs berating management for asking pilots to take more pay and benefit cuts while the company tries to get court approval for a controversial severance plan for officers.
The picketing at the passenger drop-off area outside Delta's terminal at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the company's main hub, came after the pilots union and airline Thursday failed to agree on another round of concessions.
If negotiators for the pilots union and company can't reach a comprehensive deal on new concessions by March 1, a three-person panel would decide the company's request to reject the pilot contract so Delta can impose more than $300 million in cuts unilaterally.
The pilots union has said it will strike if its contract is thrown out. The company has warned a strike would put the nation's third-largest carrier out of business.
"The pilots are telling us they are extremely disappointed in Delta management and are tired of listening to management's demands," union spokesman John Culp said as rank-and-file members walked in a circle holding signs.
Some pilots held signs that said "career employees, turnstile management," and "it's not the cost of fuel, it's the lack of leadership." Another sign read: "Employee sacrifices should not enrich management."
Passengers at the world's busiest airport went about their business.
"This is informational picketing only and is not causing any disturbance to our service," Delta spokesman Bruce Hicks said.
On Thursday, the union warned that if the bankruptcy court approves the severance payouts, it could hurt efforts to agree on more pilot concessions. Delta is asking for what could amount to $14 million in severance for officers and directors who are fired as part of the company's reorganization.