Panel settles pilots' issue: NWA union angered by seniority decision

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/2075469/

Wed. December 10, 2008; Posted: 03:30 AM

Dec 10, 2008 (Pioneer Press - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- NWA | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Northwest Airlines' pilots union is "very disappointed" with an arbitration panel's decision late Monday determining seniority for pilots at Northwest and Delta Air Lines, as the two carriers integrate operations following their merger.

The new seniority list came after months of negotiations and a lengthy review by the arbitrators. But Northwest's pilots union issued a statement Tuesday saying the decision fails to fully recognize their members' premium jobs on certain wide-body aircraft, their length of service and the greater promotion opportunities Northwest pilots expected as older pilots retire.

Delta acquired Eagan-based Northwest in an all-stock deal in late October, and the complete integration of the two airlines is expected to take close to two years. Integrating the airlines' pilots unions was a sticking point in the merger negotiations -- until the unions agreed to put the seniority issue to arbitration.

Pilots are Delta's only major unionized work group, while nearly all work groups at Northwest are represented by unions.

The panel's decision says that the two pilots groups will be integrated based on pilot status and the type of aircraft they fly. Sources said Northwest pilots had wanted the lists based on pilots' hiring dates.

Some 7,000 pilots at Delta and 4,500 at Northwest will feel the impact of the new list.

Delta's pilots union didn't see the arbitrator's decision the same way.


FULL story at link.