Release #06.068
November 24, 2006
MEDIA ADVISORY
Delta Connection Comair Pilots to Informational Picket New York Bankruptcy Court
NEW YORK—The pilots of Comair, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), will conduct informational picketing at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of New York. Comair operates under the “Delta Connection” livery and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Delta Air Lines, Inc. (Other OTC: DALRQ).
Why:
The pilots are picketing to demonstrate their frustration with management’s
efforts to sidestep the negotiating process by filing an 1113(c) motion with the
bankruptcy court. If approved, this motion could repudiate and breach the
pilots’ labor contract and allow Comair management to unilaterally impose terms
of employment.
When:
Monday, November 27, 2006, 8:30 a.m. - 9:15 a.m., EST
Where:
U.S. Bankruptcy Court, One Bowling Green (and Broadway), Alexander Hamilton
Custom House, New York, NY (Lower Manhattan)
Background:
In 2005, the Comair pilots agreed to concessions to help their airline better
manage its finances. Later that year, Comair and parent company Delta filed for
Chapter 11 bankruptcy. In more recent contract talks, Comair management has
taken an unreasonable position concerning the level of additional concessions
the pilots must provide. The pilots want Comair to demonstrate that the
concessions sought are necessary for the company’s recovery, and not simply a
means of applying pressure to other Delta Connection pilot groups to lower their
compensation and work rules. In contrast, the pilots have been flexible,
submitting numerous proposals that offer substantial contract relief. Finally,
the Comair pilots would like something in exchange for this sacrifice, such as
job security and wage snap-back provisions in later years, especially since the
airline has already returned to profitability. Unfortunately, Comair management
appears to prefer to litigate in bankruptcy court rather than seriously
negotiate with its pilots.
Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world’s largest pilot union, representing 61,000 pilots at 40 airlines in the United States and Canada. Visit the ALPA website at www.alpa.org.
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Comair Pilot Group Contact: Capt. Paul Denke,
(513) 253-1852
ALPA Contact: John Perkinson, (703) 481-4440