Release #06.021
May 22, 2006

Delta Connection ALPA Pilots to Conduct Informational Picketing

ATLANTA -- The pilots of Atlantic Southeast Airlines (ASA), represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), will conduct informational picketing in the Atlanta area. ASA operates under the “Delta Connection” livery and is a wholly owned subsidiary of SkyWest, Inc.

Why:   The pilots are picketing to demonstrate their frustration with the amount of time it is taking to negotiate their next collective bargaining agreement. Negotiations have been conducted for three years and eight months, and a significant portion of the labor contract still needs to be addressed.
When:   Wednesday, May 24, 2006 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., EDT
Where:   ASA General Offices, 100 Hartsfield Centre Parkway (north of Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Int’l Airport)
Background:   The ASA pilots began negotiations with management in September 2002, when their most 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 and a half years of talks, the pilots and management have tentatively agreed to half of the existing sections of the current collective bargaining agreement. However, the pilots have presented proposals for all of the sections and they 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 62,000 pilots at 39 airlines in the United States and Canada. Visit the ALPA website at www.alpa.org.

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