A Delta Air Lines senior executive has warned pilots against causing flight delays intended to pressure the carrier to agree to contract terms sought by the pilots. Bushy, who is in charge of Delta's flight operations, said there has been talk of pilots failing to request overtime or making themselves available for reassignment, calling in sick, engaging in slowdowns and increasing maintenance write-ups. Such activity would clearly violate federal law. Delta relies on pilots accepting additional flying time or taking flights to which they were not originally assigned to fill 4 percent to 5 percent of its flights.
All airlines rely on overtime to complete their schedules.
She would not comment on Bushy's memo. Delta and ALPA have been in talks for more than a year but only recently exchanged wage proposals. The airline proposal links future raises to Delta's financial performance and pilot productivity. There have been no delays due to a possible slowdown by Delta pilots as the busy holiday season nears, company spokesman John Kennedy said.