Release #05.038
September 14, 2005

Delta Connection ALPA Pilots to Mark Three Years of Negotiations with Informational Picketing

ATLANTA -- The Atlantic Southeast Airlines (ASA) pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), will conduct informational picketing near the carrier’s corporate headquarters and at the Salt Lake City Airport to mark the three-year anniversary of the commencement of their contract negotiations. ASA operates under the “Delta Connection” livery and recently became a wholly-owned subsidiary of SkyWest, Inc.

Why: The pilots are picketing to demonstrate their frustration with the lethargic pace and lack of progress of the current contract negotiations. After three years of collective bargaining, the pilots and management have tentatively agreed to slightly more than a third of the existing sections of the pilot labor contract.

When: Thursday, September 15, 2005, 8:30 a.m. - 11:00 p.m., EDT and 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., EDT at 100 Hartsfield Centre Parkway in Atlanta.

and

When: Thursday, September 15, 2005, 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., MDT at Salt Lake City International Airport - Terminal 2, Lower Level, outside the baggage claim area.

Background: The ASA pilots began negotiations with management in September 2002, when their current contract became amendable under the terms of the Railway Labor Act. Negotiations have been conducted with the assistance of the National Mediation Board since May 2004. Following three years of talks, the pilots have presented proposals for all of the existing sections of their contract and continue to meet with management and the assigned mediator to negotiate an agreement.

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world’s largest pilot union, representing 64,000 pilots at 41 airlines in the United States and Canada. Visit the ALPA website at www.alpa.org.

# # #

ALPA CONTACT: 
Capt. Rick Bernskoetter, (678) 640-4510
John Perkinson, (703) 481-4440