Release #06.DAL15
April 4, 2006

Delta Pilots' Union Receives Authorization to Strike

ATLANTA, Ga. -- The Delta pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), voted overwhelmingly to authorize the union to strike if their contract is rejected. Over 96% of the pilots participated with 95% of those voting in favor. This ballot authorizes the Delta pilots’ union to cause a withdrawal from the service of Delta Air Lines, at such time as they deem it prudent and advisable. Delta MEC Chairman, Captain Lee Moak, affirmed, “The Delta pilots will strike if their contract is rejected.” The union’s governing body now has the ability to give Captain Moak that authority.

Last week, the Delta pilots conducted a practice strike where hundreds of Delta pilots simulated walking off the job. Management has stated a pilot strike at Delta would be devastating, yet they refuse to negotiate. Delta management has the option to withdraw their 1113 motion to reject the pilots’ contract, negotiate with the pilots and restore stability. Instead they continue to attack the pilots with overreaching demands, despite very substantial recent concessions by the union.

Just 15 months ago, the Delta pilots voluntarily gave back approximately 50 percent of the value of their contract, including a 32.5 percent pay cut. Delta has yet to acknowledge the full value of those concessions, however they are demanding another 50 percent of the value of the remaining contract, including an additional 18 percent pay cut. Delta executives also openly acknowledge that due in large part to their failure to fund the pilots’ pension plan while in bankruptcy, there is no hope of maintaining the current plan, which will severely reduce the pensions of thousands of pilots.

The decision to reject the contract currently rests with a third-party neutral panel in accordance with the terms of Letter of Agreement 50, and their decision will be to either deny or grant the Company’s motion.

Founded in 1931, the Air Line Pilots Association ( ALPA) represents 62,000 pilots at 39 airlines in the U.S. and Canada. ALPA represents approximately 6,000 active Delta Air Lines pilots and 500 furloughed Delta pilots. Visit the ALPA website at http://www.alpa.org and the Delta pilots’ website at http://www.deltapilots.org/.

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CONTACT: Kelly Collins, 770-330-4145 cell phone, 404-763-4925 office