Release #08.020
April 22, 2008

ALPA Pilot Leaders Issue Joint Statement on Negotiations

WASHINGTON—The chairmen of the Delta and Northwest pilot groups, both represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), have jointly discussed with ALPA’s President, Capt. John Prater, the importance of commencing negotiations with Delta management in the very near future.

The negotiations would seek a single collective bargaining agreement that will include immediate parity in rates of pay effective on the closing date of the proposed corporate transaction. This does not constitute endorsement of the transaction by the Master Executive Council (MEC) of the Northwest pilot group.

The two MEC chairmen and ALPA are attempting to schedule preparation meetings between the two negotiating committees and actual negotiations with management. A separate announcement of those dates will be released when available.

The MEC chairmen also agree that seniority integration should be accomplished through expedited negotiation after the negotiation of the single collective bargaining agreement and, if necessary, using expedited arbitration to be completed before closing of a corporate transaction.

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world’s largest pilot union representing more than 56,000 pilots at 41 airlines in the U.S. and Canada.

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Contacts: Pete Janhunen, Linda Shotwell, Molly Martin, 703/481-4440 or media@alpa.org