Delta Only contract?
 

So, I am new, but what exactly are they trying to do or accomplish?

http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/pro...409&id=8458629

Delta talks with pilots may aid merger with Northwest: report
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Delta Air Lines Inc and Northwest Airlines could proceed with their merger announcement as early as next week if Delta's management wins in talks with its pilots, the Wall Street Journal said citing people familiar with the situation.
Merger talks between the two airlines cooled in March when pilots from both failed to agree on how seniority would work for the roughly 12,000 pilots in the combined carrier.
But it was reported recently that the airlines agreed to revive merger talks.
Delta and its pilots have been discussing a new contract that would be valid if the merger went through, but only for Delta aviators, the Journal said, citing people familiar with the talks.
Delta pilots are being asked to get rid of some restrictions in their current labor agreement to give the merged airline more flexibility, the Journal said.
The Northwest pilots' contract doesn't have as much restrictive language, the Journal reported, quoting sources familiar with the situation.
Delta is in talks with its pilots and hopes to reach an agreement by the end of the week, the report said citing people familiar with the situation. The faster both sets of pilots have the same contract and get on the same seniority list, the sooner the combined company can realize savings, the Journal said.
Delta representatives were not immediately available for comment.
A Northwest representative declined to comment.
(Reporting by Aarthi Sivaraman; Editing by David Cowell)
Copyright 2008 Reuters

Hardball 101
 

It's a pressure tactic, meant to force a negotiated seniority list. If they are bluffing, it is very dangerous -- if not, it's even more dangerous.

But is it a temp. contract for Delta pilots until after the merger and the a joint contract and list how to be reached, or does it mean 2 seperate pilot groups with 2 seperate contracts? If so, how long can that last, and why would just the Delta pilots get a sweet deal?

Can you say whipsaw...........

Its the DAL pilots try to undermine the NWA pilots. They are playing part in a Lorenzo business mentality, ALA CAL and EAL. DALALPA should be ashamed of themselves for contributing to mgmts attempt at union busting. Last i heard DAL and NWA are both ALPA, I guess DALALPA has forgotten. I think i am going to hurl in disgrace.

Not only has DALALPA screwed the pooch on scope they are now trying to bring the whipsawing to the majors level while also allowing more scope relief. PUKE


Nothing will tear down the DAL pilots image more than trying this.

wow, dale carnegie would be proud

A union busting side contract...I am sure that the Delta boys are smarter than that, they would not play into MGMTs hands.

Uh..... what DAL pooch screwing are you referring to? It's NWA lack of scope that has put you in this unenviable leverage-less position. Look we need to get together on this. I don't approve of screwing NWA pilots. What I approve of even less is allowing my career and livelihood to be jeopardized all because the NWA MEC doesn't have the wisdom to lead and would rather put my future in the hands of a bureaucrat.

I'm with totally with you if you mean that an agreement would mean allowing the "regionals to do ANY more of our flying! I hope we have all learned our lesson on that....... probably not.

I am all about trying to work together and bring unity back to our unions. That is something that has been lost over the years and is exactly whats wrong with ALPA right now. When it all breaks down we are supposed to be ALPA pilots first then individual MEC's. Its time for a change!

Totally agree with this.

I think both MEC/Pilot Groups need to get together on this. I am new to DAL, so my opinion is close to a grain of salt, however I don't think either group is in favor of seniority stapling. Arbitration has proven to be unsuccessful, if you need proof of this just look at the US/AWA integration.
Both groups needs to agree on an integration that works.