Delta Pilots File Grievance Over Cuts

Delta Air Lines Inc.’s pilots union filed a grievance against the third-largest U.S. carrier’s plan to lay off as many as 1,700 pilots, saying the move violates their contract.

The Air Line Pilots Assn., which represents Delta’s 10,000 pilots, seeks “expedited arbitration” that would require a ruling within 90 days of the filing, the union said.

Some 400 of the planned pilot layoffs are to take effect starting today, with junior pilots the first to be furloughed, the union said. “Our contract has a no-furlough clause that covers all pilots on the seniority list on July 1, 2001,” said Capt. William Buergey, chairman of the Delta union’s Master Executive Council. “Nearly all of the pilots targeted for layoff are protected by that provision.”

“Delta believes the grievance is without merit,” airline spokeswoman Cindi Kurczewski said. “The events of Sept. 11 and the resulting reductions in passenger demand are outside the control of the company.”

Delta is eliminating 13,000 jobs and said more than 11,000 workers had agreed to leaves, early retirement or other voluntary departures.

The Atlanta-based company’s shares rose 80 cents to close at $23.66 on the NYSE.