Release #08.DAL
January 10, 2008

Delta Air Lines Pilots Union Opens Strike Operations Center

Atlanta – The governing body of the Delta Air Lines pilots union, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), met January 9 and 10 in Atlanta to discuss consolidation and union strategy. In a letter to the pilot membership Capt. Lee Moak announced the opening of the Strike Operations Center and the mobilization of the Strike Preparedness Committee. The Strike Preparedness Committee has been charged to provide tactical support to a union decision either to oppose or support a consolidation effort.

Traditionally the Strike Preparedness Committee prepares for and, if necessary, can execute a strike against Delta Air Lines, in the event of failed negotiations under the Railway Labor Act. However, the committee has demonstrated that it is capable of reacting quickly and precisely to carry out short-notice operations in support of the Delta Master Executive Council (MEC), the governing body of the Delta pilots. The Strike Preparedness Committee has also organized picketing operations and supported massive lobbying efforts including those that helped successfully kill the US Airways hostile takeover attempt of Delta Air Lines.

Captain Moak added in his letter, “Conversely, the flexible nature of the committee will also allow your MEC to task them in support of a consolidation effort—but if and only if it is the right consolidation, a merger opportunity that provides the Delta pilots with the protections and equity we have communicated so clearly and unambiguously from the outset.”

The complete text of the letter is available on the Delta pilots’ website, www.deltapilots.org, click “press access.”

A photo of the Strike Center opening is available for reuse at www.deltapilots.org, click “press access.”

Founded in 1931, ALPA represents 60,000 pilots at 42 airlines in the U.S. and Canada. ALPA represents approximately 7,000 active DAL pilots. Visit the ALPA website at http://www.alpa.org and the Delta pilots’ website at www.deltapilots.org.

SOURCE: Air Line Pilots Association
CONTACT: ALPA, Kelly Regus, 404-763-4925 office