Delta seeks court order against pilots after canceling flights

December 5, 2000
Web posted at: 6:32 p.m. EST (2332 GMT)

ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- Delta Air Lines asked a federal judge for a temporary restraining order on Wednesday to help prevent what it calls a "concerted action" by pilots to engage in a work slowdown.

U.S. District Judge Willis Hunt Jr. said he will issue a ruling possibly Friday.

The airline sought a temporary restraining order against the Air Line Pilots Association, which represents 9,500 Delta pilots. Delta accuses them of reducing their availability for voluntary overtime assignments, which it says has forced the airline to cut flights.

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Delta said Tuesday it will cancel an average of 100 to 125 of its 2,700 daily scheduled flights in a move to reassure customers that the Atlanta-based airline is reliable, despite the slowdown.

The cancellations should begin within a few days, Delta Chairman and CEO Leo F. Mullin said.

Delta, which canceled 386 flights between Friday and Sunday, has been negotiating with ALPA since October 13, when the airline received its first compensation proposal from the union. Four days later, Delta and ALPA asked for a federal mediator to join the talks, starting December 1.

Mullin said Tuesday that Delta would also name 49 of its pilots who it believes have encouraged other pilots to engage in a concerted effort of a work slowdown.

Mullin said any action taken against the pilots would depend on the court proceedings.

A spokeswoman for the Air Line Pilots Association said the union has told its members "we don't want them engaging in any type of concerted activity.

"Our focus is on achieving a superior new contract for the Delta pilots," said ALPA spokeswoman Karen Miller.

Contract negotiations have centered on wages, work rules, benefits and job security, she said.

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Delta Air Lines
Air Line Pilots Association

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