Delta pilots union chief says talks stalled

The union representing pilots at Atlanta-based Delta Airlines, says it has been unable to reach an agreement on seniority issues as merger rumors swirl around the nation's third largest carrier. Those rumors picked up steam after Delta emerged from bankruptcy in late 2007. Likely candidates included Minnesota-based Northwest Airlines and Chicago’s United Airlines. However, without an agreement on pilot seniority integration, such talks are likely stalled for now. In a letter posted on-line to Delta pilots, the head of the union wrote that the two sides were unable to reach a quote middle ground during negotiations held in New York City. Although pilot seniority integration is not required to advance a merger, Delta execs have said they would not move forward unless employees seniority was protected.

Read letter here to Delta pilots here:
http://crewroom.alpa.org/dal/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=2421