Sky Team Pilots Association Signs Unprecedented Agreement in Support of Delta and Northwest Pilots

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands -- Today the SkyTeam Pilots Association (SPA) signed an unprecedented International Mutual Assistance Agreement in support of the Delta and Northwest pilots. The Delta and Northwest pilots are embroiled in a struggle against unjust concessionary demands by Delta and Northwest management on their collective bargaining agreement. 

The SkyTeam Pilots Association consists of pilots from nine member airlines around the world who maintain international codeshare agreements with Delta Air Lines, Northwest Airlines and each other. Members include pilots from AeroMexico, Air France, Alitalia, CSA Czech Airlines, KLM, Korean Air, Continental, Northwest and Delta. Together, SPA member pilots safely fly almost 350 million passengers per year (nearly one of every four airline passengers in the world) to 684 destinations in 133 countries. 

The Delta and Northwest pilots have been negotiating in good faith with their respective managements for a comprehensive collective bargaining agreement that will address the legitimate needs of their companies while meeting the long-term needs of the Delta and Northwest pilots. 

Today’s Mutual Assistance Agreement calls upon member pilots to “pledge [their] wholehearted and unwavering support to the pilots of Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines in their effort to achieve a comprehensive agreement with the airline and avoid a rejection of their contract by management.” The Agreement also provides for specific and extensive measures of mutual support should the Delta or Northwest pilots exercise a legal strike in response to Delta and Northwest management’s actions.

Delta MEC Chairman Captain Lee Moak said, “This Mutual Assistance Agreement will represent an unprecedented level of pilot cooperation spanning time zones, cultures, languages and customs, but bound by the common bonds and goals we share as highly-skilled professional international airline pilots.”

The Delta and Northwest pilots remain committed to achieving a consensual comprehensive labor agreement. Delta MEC Chairman, Captain Lee Moak, said “The signing of today’s Mutual Assistance Agreement sends a strong message to senior executives that pilots around the globe stand united with their Delta and Northwest colleagues in their struggle to avoid rejection of their collective labor agreements.”

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