by KELLY YAMANOUCHI
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 06/11/08

Union negotiators representing pilots from Northwest Airlines and Delta Air Lines met Wednesday in Atlanta to continue discussions for joint contract negotiations with Delta.

Atlanta-based Delta and Eagan, Minn.-based Northwest are working toward their proposed merger announced in April.

Delta's pilots ratified a labor agreement in May that includes annual pay raises, which would take effect if the merger is completed.

Northwest's pilots union leadership has told members it wants immediate pay parity. Lee Moak, chairman of the Delta Air Line Pilots Association unit, said: "I'm confident that will be the joint position of the team."

In a filing to the U.S. Department of Transportation last week, Northwest's pilots union said that, without a contract including Northwest pilots, "the annual costs from labor friction in both Delta's and Northwest's pilot groups will be substantial, and the supposed gains from the merger will only diminish."