Delta pilots begin informational picketing

ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- Hundreds of Delta pilots took part in informational picketing at nine airports across the nation Thursday, a tactic aimed at winning over public support for new contracts with the airline.

The picketing is not designed to disrupt air traffic or affect airline operations. Instead, pilots will distribute information at airports to argue their case.

Late Wednesday, Delta and the Air Line Pilots Association asked federal mediators to release them from contract negotiations after months of talks without a breakthrough.

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Negotiators from the National Mediation Board have not acted on the request.

"As a show of solidarity for the pilot negotiators and frustration with management's failure to negotiate in good faith, the pilots will be conducting informational pickets," the union said in a statement.

Strong turnout predicted

The pilots will begin picketing at Hartsfield International Airport in Atlanta from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., with others in Boston, Cincinnati, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, Orlando, Florida, Portland, Oregon, and Salt Lake City, Utah.

Union spokeswoman Karen Miller said hundreds of pilots were expected to participate. "We have good indications there will be a strong turnout," she said.

Delta said it would continue to work toward an agreement.

"In the interest of obtaining a negotiated settlement, we are hopeful that the Air Line Association would be willing to continue negotiations toward a new contract," the nation's third biggest carrier said.

The union, which represents Delta's 9,800 pilots, says there are two key sticking points: The airline has yet to guarantee full retroactive pay dating back to last May when contracts ran out, and the airline still has a two-tier pay rate for pilots of its commuter airline, Delta Express.

Delta has offered its pilots a four-year contract that includes raises ranging from 7 percent to 17.5 percent. Delta Express pilots would see an increase of nearly 21 percent, but still would be making less than their counterparts at Delta.

Delta and the union three months ago set February 28 as a deadline to try to reach an agreement, but that date passed without a breakthrough.

If the mediation board does release them it will make an offer of arbitration. If either side rejects the offer, a 30-day cooling off period would begin. There cannot be a strike during the cooling off period.

"We are extremely disappointed we have not reached a tentative agreement," said Capt. Charles Giambusso, a union chairman. "Last night, (the union) provided management with a clear framework for settlement, but management chose not to address or compromise on key issues necessary to reach an agreement."

Delta, pilots union request arbitrator for contract
March 1, 2001

Delta Air Lines
Air Line Pilots Association

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