DL/NW Merger All But Dead: Pilots Unable to Reach Deal

[Matt Molnar]

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

Delta pilots union unable to reach seniority deal

By RUSSELL GRANTHAM
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 03/17/08

Delta Air Lines' pilots union confirmed Monday that it has failed to reach an agreement with Northwest Airlines' pilots union on how the groups would join ranks if the companies merged.

Pilot seniority was the sticking point, as it has been for several weeks of on-again, off-again talks. Seniority determines a pilot's pay, schedule and plane assignments.

"Today, I can report that while much was accomplished during a relatively short period of time, we have been unable to reach an agreement on a seniority list integration," Lee Moak, chairman of the Delta unit of the Air Line Pilots Association, wrote in a letter to members, which was posted on the union's Web site. [Full Article]

[nwafan20]

Apparently from what I hear the Delta pilots wanted seniority over all the Northwest guys and were unwilling to negotiate.

Now, this doesn't necessarily mean that they won't go ahead with the merger, but it would be very stupid for each airline to do so.