The National Mediation Board has called a time-out on Delta Air Lines’ contract negotiations with its pilots, said the chairman of the pilot union.
John Malone, chairman of Delta MEC, announced the update in a letter posted online Aug. 5.
“On Wednesday, August 3, the National Mediation Board (NMB) notified Delta management and your union that mediation would be recessed for three weeks,” wrote Malone.
“It was apparent that this was done because of recent lack of progress at the bargaining table.”
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“On the positive side,” Malone added, “this is an opportunity for all of us to pause, step back and consider what we want to accomplish in these negotiations.”
The union, which represents 13,000 pilots, had asked for a 40% pay rise over three years, according to CNNMoney.
Delta (DAL) later responded that that “does not provide a reasonable framework for negotiations,” reported Bloomberg.
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The airline has said in a statement that it is “committed to reaching a timely new agreement that is market-based, sustainable, and that also ensures Delta pilots have an industry-leading package of pay, benefits and work rules.”
Mediators have next “tentatively scheduled” a meeting with both parties on Aug. 26 to see if they’re ready to continue negotiations, said Malone.
