Delta pilots talk tough

ATLANTA — Delta Air Lines Inc. pilots aren't mincing words anymore: The chairman of the union's executive committee said Thursday the pilots will strike if their contract is thrown out as part of the carrier's attempt to impose $325 million in concessions.

The chairman, Lee Moak, also told The Associated Press that the airline has informed the union that it believes the pilots' defined benefit pension plan will be terminated.

"If our contract is rejected, we will strike," Moak said in an interview, in his most definitive statement on the subject to date.

Union leaders had previously said the pilots would not "willingly work without a contract," interpreted by many people as a strike threat. However, until Thursday union leaders had been cautious not to say they would definitely strike if the contract was rejected.

The nation's third-largest carrier, which operates a hub at Salt Lake City International Airport, has said a strike would put the Atlanta-based company out of business.

In response to Moak's comments, Delta spokesman John Kennedy repeated past company statements that the airline hopes to reach a consensual agreement with its pilots.

"Our language hasn't changed," Kennedy said. "We're in negotiations, so that's all we're focused on."

Kennedy said he's certain Delta has not made any decisions on the future of the pilots' pension.

"We're fighting hard to save our plans and are certainly awaiting the outcome of the pension bill in Congress," he said.

Delta and the negotiating committee of the union that represents its 6,000 pilots have less than three weeks to reach a comprehensive agreement on a second round of permanent pay and benefit cuts.

If the sides can't do that by March 1, a three-person arbitration panel will decide Delta's request that its contract with its pilots be thrown out so the company can impose $325 million in cuts unilaterally.

The pilots union has offered about $115 million in annual concessions.

Moak's comments came as Delta, which is operating under protection of a bankruptcy court, announced new international destinations Thursday. A top executive said the friction with the pilots won't stand in the way of the carrier's expansion plans.

Delta's chief operating officer, Jim Whitehurst, said the company still believes it can reach a consensual agreement with its pilots.