By Jesse Russell

On the wings of rampant absenteeism at Northwest Airlines, pilots have approved a new contract that calls for overtime and a $1000 bonus for perfect attendance through September 3. If pilots fly more than 80 hours a month they will receive overtime pay of 50 percent. A concessionary contract approved when Northwest was under bankruptcy protection called for a monthly limit of 90 flight hours a month instead of the previous 80 hours per month. Throughout June and July the airline suffered an unusual number of missed shifts by pilots. The Airline Pilots Association attributed the increase in missed shifts to fatigue resulting from the change in flight hours. The airline plans to hire as many as 350 pilots in coming months to help relieve the burden.

By Doug Cunningham

The Air Line Pilots Association at Comair could strike or take some other job action if the bankrupt Delta airlines subsidiary imposes wage and benefit cuts Saturday. Union spokesman Paul Denke.

[Denke 1]: "Right now we want to keep that pretty much in house because we don't know exactly what we're going to do, but we're exploring every option we may have."

Denke says the union is just trying to do what's fair here while protecting the pilots and their families from starting at an annual wage at Comair of $19,000. That's what the bankrupt Comair wants them to do.

The vote is in and the union representing Comair pilots is now authorized to strike. Jesse Russell reports:

The vote was overwhelming with more than 93 percent of the 1500 pilots at Comair in favor of granting he Air Line Pilots Association authority to call a strike. The airline is currently in bankruptcy court and both sides filed closing statements on Monday. The airline wishes to throw out contracts and force the union to accept $15.8 million in concessions. While the pilots and airline continue to negotiate, they have been unable to reach an agreement. Comair says the contracts need to be thrown out or else it can not successfully restructure, while the pilots argued that the slash in pay would leave them below the average in their field. On average pilots currently earn $58,800 per year and the airline is seeking an 11-percent cut. The airline filed for bankruptcy in September of 2005.

Although a bankruptcy court judge has ruled Mesaba Airline workers can’t strike, they are still planning to protest.

By Jesse Russell

The airline plans to impose pay and benefit cuts today after a bankruptcy court judge ruled earlier this week that workers could not strike or take any action resembling a strike - such as a work slowdown. The pilots, flight attendants, and mechanics plan to hold pickets at the federal courthouse in Minneapolis this afternoon. They have appealed the ruling by Judge Gregory Kishel and are considering picketing the airport. Flight Attendants from Northwest Airlines have said that they plan to join in the rally.

By Jesse Russell

The union representing Northwest Airlines pilots claims the airline is facing staffing issues. The Air Line Pilots Association said that poor managerial decisions have contributed to the shortage resulting in a number of flight cancellations. In a message to members the union said the company has less flexibility in scheduling pilots. The union called on the airline to quickly remedy the situation.

By Jesse Russell

After months of strong words on both sides, pilots at bankrupt Northwest Airlines have agreed to concessions of nearly $385 million a year. The contract, approved by 63 percent of the voting members, retains a 23.9 percent pay cut, but protects the pilots from the outsourcing of jobs. Northwest had requested in bankruptcy court throw at the contracts of any unions not meeting concession demands. The pilots had threatened to strike if that happened. The flight attendants are scheduled to vote on June 6 and baggage handlers, represented by the International Association of Machinists, are still working on a new labor deal.

By Doug Cunningham

The Airline Pilots Association and Delta Airlines have reached a tentative labor agreement. Delta was pushing for at least $300 million more in cuts from the pilot’s union, even though the pilots gave a 32.5 percent pay cut 15 months ago.

Delta is in bankruptcy and an independent arbitrator was to make a decision by April 15 on whether or not to allow Delta to throw out the union contracts.

No details on this tentative agreement have bee released, but it appears to have averted a strike against Delta. Pilots must still vote on whether to ratify the tentative agreement. The bankruptcy court would also have to approve the deal.

By Doug Cunningham

The Airline Pilots Association is in high stakes talks with Delta Airlines as an April 15th independent arbitration deadline looms. Delta is in the process of wringing out more than $300 million in concessions from the pilots. The union agreed to a 32.5 percent pay cut just 15 months ago. The pilots’ union says if the arbitrator lets Delta throw out the union contracts it will strike. A strike could destroy Delta. Delta pilots have authorized the union to strike at any time after April 17th.

By Jesse Russell

Delta pilots have $10 million set aside in the event that they are forced to declare a strike against the airline. The Air Line Pilots Association said on Monday that if an arbitration panel allows Delta to throw out the pilot’s contract and impose more than $300 million in pay and benefit cuts - they are prepared to walk off the job. The panel is expected to rule anytime before Saturday and the union has permission from its members to authorize a strike. The union represents nearly 6000 Delta pilots. The bankrupt airline has said it hopes to reach a consensual agreement.

By Doug Cunningham

Delta pilots have authorized a strike if their contract is thrown out in bankruptcy court. In 2004, Delta pilots agreed to a 32.5 percent pay cut. The pilots pensions are also but the airline wants more and is trying to destroy the pilots contracts.

By Doug Cunningham

Northwest Airlines and the Air Line Pilots Assoication have reached a tentative agreement that heads off a move by Northwest in bankruptcy cout to void its unions contracts. Few details have been released, but Northwest says it got the $358 million in concessions it was after.

This tentative agreement, if approved by the members of the Airline Pilots Association, could end the standoff over concessions between Northwest and its unions. Northwesyt filed for bankruptcy in September of 2005 and sought $1.1 billion in concessions from its unions.

By Doug Cunningham

As of Thursday evening talks were continuing between the Air Line Pilots Association and Northwest Airlines over a new contract. The bankrupt airline is seeking hundreds of millions of dollars of concessions from the union with the threat of a bankruptcy judge throwing out the union contracts hanging over the talks.

By Doug Cunningham

The Air Line Pilot's Association has not yet reached an agreement with Northwest Airlines, and a New York bankruptcy judge could weigh in soon with a decision on whether or not to approve Northwest's motion to throw out the union's contracts.

But Northwest has reached a tentative agreement with the Professional Flight Attendants Association, subject to a vote of the membership.
No details of the agreement were released, but the union says Northwest dropped a demand to outsource 30 percent of flight attendant jobs to Asia.

Northwest has been pressuring its unions for $1.1 billion in givebacks while in bankruptcy court. Talks are continuing with the pilots, who have voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike that could kill Northwest if the bankruptcy judge throws out their contracts. Northwest wants $358 million in cuts from the pilots.

By Doug Cunningham

As the clock ticks on a bankruptcy judge's deadline today the Air Line Pilots Association, Association of Professional Flight Attendants and Northwest Airlines have just hours to go to reach an agreement that could avert a strike.
The pilots union Tuesday voted overwhelmingly - more than 90 percent - to authorize a strike against Northwest should the pilots contracts be thrown out by bankruptcy Judge Allan Gropper in New York. Key Flight Attendants union and International Association of Machinists votes will happen in a few days.

Northwest has filed a motion in bankruptcy court to void the contracts if no agreement can be reached. After twice extending the deadline, the judge has set a deadline of close of business today - Wednesday, March 1, 2006 - for agreements to be reached. If there are no agreements the judge could rule on Northwest's motion.

By Doug Cunningham

If the Airline Pilots Association, the International Association of Machinists and the Professional Flight Attendants Association don't reach agreements with Northwest Airlines today, a bankruptcy judge could void the union contracts. Union strike authorization and contract proposal votes are underway.

The pilots union says progress has been made on some issues but there are serious conflicts remaining, including retirement issues, wages and sick leave. The flight attendants say have already given up $195 million in concessions to help Northwest survive bankruptcy but the airline is still pressing to outsource flight attendant jobs to Asia. The machinists union is still voting on whether to approve a proposed new contract agreement.

By Jesse Russell

Delta Pilots picketed in Atlanta Friday, angered that they are being asked to take massive pay cuts while executives seek court approval of severance plans. The pilots and airline failed to reach an agreement on Thursday, setting off the informational pickets. The pilots union said that if the court approves the severance payouts for management of nearly $14 million, it could have a negative impact on future requests for concessions from the pilots. The two sides have until March 1 to reach an agreement; at that point the contract goes to arbitration where a panel will weigh the companies request to throw out the pilot’s contract.

By Jesse Russell

American Airlines is the latest airline to come under fire for excessive payouts to executives while the company suffers multi-million dollar losses. Allied Pilots Association President Ralph Hunter reprimanded management for announcing payouts to nearly 1,000 managers that could exceed $20 million. In a statement Hunter said the plan was "absolute insanity." Executive Vice President Dan Garton will receive a pay out of $1.7 million. Both the Association of Professional Flight Attendants and Transport Workers Union have also expressed their opposition to the plan. Over the

By Jesse Russell

Delta is calling a strike threat by the pilot's union "murder-suicide." The Airline Pilots Association represents more than 6,000 Delta pilots and has suggested that if their contract is rejected in court they could walk off the job. The airline is looking for $325 million in concessions, the pilots have offered $90.7 million in annual concessions over four years. This would be on top of $1 billion in concessions the pilots agreed to last year - that deal included a 32.5 percent cut in pay. Delta has also suggested it may eliminate its defined benefit pension plan.

By Doug Cunningham

Northwest Airlines wants to throw out its union contracts. The airline has asked a bankruptcy judge for permission to do that if the unions don't agree to concessions of $1.4 billion a year. Northwest filed for bankruptcy protection in September. The pilot's union at Northwest expected this step and says it's hopeful an agreement with Northwest can be reached. Mechanics have been on strike at Northwest since August. The mechanics union will meet with Northwest today to discuss the status of their dispuite and to see if a resolution can be reached. Northwest has hired permanent replacements for the 4400 striking mechanics. Northwest plans flight schedule reductions starting in January as part of overall cost reduction. The company is planning additional schedule as well. The airline said it expects its first-quarter 2006 system mainline capacity to be down 11 percent to 13 percent.

By JoAnne Powers

Following last week's announcement that it was entering Chapter 11 bankruptcy, Nortwest Airlines has told the pilots union that it is cutting 400 pilot jobs, beginning in November.

Will Holman of the Air Line Pilots Association:

[Holman] "The loss of jobs is one reason why we've been workin' very hard trying to avoid bankruptcy for the past two and a half years."

The airline is still seeking contract concessions from striking machinists and other employees. Unions are also concerned that the bankruptcy may jeopardize existing pensions and health plans for retired workers. Northwest has not yet asked the bankruptcy judge in New York for permission to cut wages and benefits, saying it first wants to try to negotiate those cuts with unions. Holman feels that the bankruptcy has changed the landscape, if not the tone, of the negotiations: