It wasn't the method, it was the ratio that screwed the junior guys...

Delta Accord Paves Way for Northwest Deal, People Say (Update1)

By [bn:PRSN=1] Mary Jane Credeur [] and [bn:PRSN=1] Mary Schlangenstein []

April 10 (Bloomberg) -- Delta Air Lines Inc. and its pilots agreed on a tentative contract to clear the way for a merger with Northwest Airlines Corp. that would create the world's largest carrier, people familiar with the talks said.

The pilot accord includes higher pay and an equity stake in the combined airline, which would keep Delta's name and Atlanta headquarters, said the people, who didn't want to be identified because the plan is still private. The tie-up may be announced next week, the people said.

To work around an impasse between Delta and Northwest pilots, who couldn't agree on how to mesh their ranks, Delta is drawing up the new contract with just its 7,000 pilots, said the people. Northwest's 5,000 pilots will be asked to join under a single contract later, the people said.

Negotiations to create a combined seniority list may take months to complete, the people said. Pilots for both companies are represented by the Air Line Pilots Association.

The merger includes a small premium for Northwest investors, three of the people said.

Delta spokeswoman Betsy Talton declined to comment, other than to reiterate that the company's board committee to assess mergers remains active. Tammy Lee, a spokeswoman for Eagan, Minnesota-based Northwest, declined to comment.

To contact the reporters on this story: Mary Jane Credeur in Atlanta at [email protected]; Mary Schlangenstein in Dallas at [email protected]

Last Updated: April 10, 2008 16:

Um..OK.

I didn't know I said "method" but...

method, ratio, whatever.......screwed is screwed

Jay,

I was just saying that from what I understand, the SLI method was ok. The ratios that were being implemented screwed our junior guys. I'm fairly sure it dosen't matter now.

Yeah.

Moot point I guess.

This is not correct. As the Delta MEC chairman put in print the joint contract agreed upon by NWA, Delta and management was only valid if there was a agreement in hand on the seniority list. The company did not want arbitration. The reality is there is no such thing as expedited arbitration. The arbitrators are all certified and work for the federal government. Just getting a arbitrator assigned can take months and they often take as long as a year to reach their decision. We may ask and wish for something expedited but there is nothing in the process to force the issue. The only thing expedited meant was we skipped the mediation step. The feds may have decided to force us to mediation first regardless of what we wanted.

Really? Lorenzo tanked the industry. Joyfully employed scabs. Know your history before throwing that junk out.

DAL is higher paid, has better work rules, better 401k, better hotels, etc. So how are we compared to Lorenzo? I would like to know what NWA offered us that would have been an enhancement over what we have. You would have come up to what we had but our percentage gains were much less than yours. Then you want preferential seniority?

Talk about Red Book Part Deux. But wait, how shameful that you think we want an advantage over you.

It's like telling your math teacher that you know how to do the problems, it's just that you got the math wrong.
All of us are following this DAL/NWA thing, but I have to admit, it's sad to see the NWA guys stamp their feet that the DAL guys are trying to screw them. If you read all the threads, it SEEMS like the DAL guys are being calm and reasonable. This as the NWA MEC seems to be unprepared and flat out wrong about stuff. Just an observation, the whole industry hopes you guys work out a great deal.

I'm pulling for you guys, all of you. But if the last few months of seniority integration talk is any indicator of how it will go now that CAL will be forced to merge with someone (probably UAL) I better start taking some anxiety meds. Good luck to all....

Raging,

It was a little more complicated than math. But, as I said, it doesn't matter now.

I haven't really seen too many NWA guys stomping their feet. But, try not to get to emotional about it. Remember, you don't work for either company, so don't be sad.

We shall see what happens & thanks for your well wishes.