Strike Looms as Delta Goes to Arbitration with Union

Today, Delta will ask a three-person panel to void its contract with its pilots so that airline - which has been in Chapter 11 since September - can unilaterally impose pay cuts on pilots. In negotiations with the union the airline has said that it needs to cut $305 million from pilots’ annual salaries, while the pilots are willing to give up $140 million on the condition that current wage levels will return after a period of time.

But in the hearings which began today, the airline said that it would cut up to $325 million from the pilots’ contracts if the panel agrees to void the airline’s collective bargaining agreement with its pilots.

Pilots say that they will strike if the airline cuts their pay unilaterally, and the airline says that a pilot strike will put it out of business. Despite that, pilots’ unions from other airlines have said that they will offer their help if Delta pilots strike.

Passengers with tickets on Delta airlines in the next few weeks are advised to follow strike news closely. In the event of a strike, Federal law requires other airlines honor tickets from the affected airline for fees of $50 or less. The frequent flier survival manual has a good list of helpful hints in the event of an airline strike. One I’m sure you’ll all be interested to know is that other airlines can’t honor an e-ticket, so be sure to get a paper ticket when a strike looms. Another good tip if you don’t want to go through the rigamarole is to buy another fully refundable ticket on an unaffected airline and then get a refund if the strike doesn’t happen.