Delta cuts reinforce union push

By Charles Edwards

Atlanta, GA – Today, Delta Air Lines' pilots union brushed off the idea for an arbitrator to resolve differences blocking a merger with Northwest.

The stance comes one day after Delta offered early retirement packages to non-pilot employees as one way to deal with skyrocketing fuel prices.

For some at Delta, the offer highlights the need to unionize.

One package Delta's pushing gives non-pilot workers up to 39 weeks of severance pay if their age and their number of years on the job add up to 60.

STELL: From what I've seen, it's about as lucrative a plan as Delta has ever offered.

Mark Stell has seen a lot severance packages in his 23 years as a Delta flight attendant. Despite the relatively good deal, Stell says it reinforces his decision to organize a union vote for flight attendants.

STELL: It's just another example of a major life changing decision for our group where we had no voice or vote in it.

However, a Delta spokesperson argues unions have not protected flight attendants at other airlines from voluntary retirements or furloughs.