Blomberg article on Delta pilot’s attempt for big pay day!
Delta's pilots seek big payday as airline's earnings surge
By Michael Sasso
Atlanta, Georgia: The
union representing Delta Air Lines Inc.'s pilots wants raises of almost 40 per
cent compounded over three years, attempting to reverse some of the pay and
benefit cuts adopted in the early 2000s.
The union cites the
carrier's surging profits in saying it had requested a 22 per cent raise for
2016, followed by 7 per cent raises in the following two years, according to a
memo from the Air Line Pilots Association. The union and Delta declined to
comment on the memo. A Delta spokesman, Morgan Durrant, said the company looks
forward to negotiating with the union to reach an agreement that's beneficial
to both parties.
The memo suggests
that the union is taking a more aggressive stance in negotiations with the
Atlanta-based airline, which typically has had some of the strongest labour
relations in the industry. Almost two-thirds of the pilots over the summer
voted against a deal that would have given them almost a 22 per cent increase
over three years.
"We applaud
the fact that Delta Air Lines is a clear leader in our industry, in terms of
revenue, marketing, and profitability," according to the union's December
22 memo to its 13,000 members. "However, Delta did not rise from the ashes
of bankruptcy to post successive record-breaking years of profit without the
sacrifices of its employees, especially its pilots."
Pilot pay has been
rising as unions seek a bigger piece of airlines' growing profits. Aviators at
United Continental Holdings Inc. are expected to vote soon on a contract
extension that would give them a 13 per cent pay raise in 2016, followed by
annual boosts of 3 per cent and 2 per cent, people familiar with the matter
said in November.
Pilots' pay Delta's
pilots would probably top the US industry's wage scale if they get the raise
they want. American Airlines Group Inc. pilots currently have the highest base
pay for 2016 among the country's biggest airlines, according to data provided
in November by Kit Darby, a pilot consultant who tracks airline pay.
The captain of a
Boeing Co. 777 jet with 12 years experience makes $293 (Dh1,076) an hour at
American, Darby's data show. That compares with $272 at Delta and $270 at
United. A 22 per cent raise would push that Delta captain's pay above $300 an
hour. Pilot pay typically is calculated using factors such as flying time, time
away from home and various incentives.
Delta is enjoying
a long period of inexpensive fuel and robust demand from US businesses. Profit
adjusted for some items is expected to reach $916 million in the fourth
quarter, according the average analyst estimate compiled by Bloomberg. That
compares with $649 million a year earlier. Delta reported a $1.1 billion loss
for 2009, two years after exiting from bankruptcy protection.
Its pilots took a
series of pay cuts that started after the September 11, 2001, terrorist
attacks, including a 32.5 per cent cut in 2004, although they have received
several raises in recent years.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
From: Bob Jameson
Date: 1/1/2016 12:07:45 PM
To: Mark Sztanyo
Thanks for all that you do for us retired guys. Without you we would be
clueless as to what is going on at Delta.
Bob Jameson L1011 ATL
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Maybe some of you saw this Jeopardy episode airing on Jan 13th!
Date: 1/12/2016 3:26:21 PM
Subject: I'll take "Stars in the
Sky" for 400, Alex.
Second Jeopardy! episode
featuring the Delta Museum airs Jan. 13.
Check local TV listings for the time and channel to enjoy the show live or
to record the episode.Judy
Judy Bean | Manager Surplus Sales and Volunteers
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