Teamsters, Airline Set To Resume Dialogue Once Again

One more try... after previous negotiations have failed to produce a consensual labor agreement between Delta regional subsidiary Comair and its flight attendants, Aero-News has learned the two sides are scheduled to once again return to the bargaining table August 23-24.

In announcing the news, however, Teamsters Local 513 -- which represents the flight attendants -- made it very clear that even as negotiations are set to get underway once again... flight attendants are also preparing for job actions should those talks fail -- and Comair chooses to implement its own pay proposal.

"We have already proven that we are dedicated to keep this airline flying. But if Comair chooses unilateral action instead of a consensual agreement, then our members will decide how to take action," said Connie Slayback, Local 513 President in Florence, Kentucky. "Travelers should be aware that strike activity is possible and would disrupt operations at both Comair and Delta."

The union maintains that the flight attendants -- who voted 93 percent in favor of authorizing job actions -- will be free to respond with self-help actions should the company choose to implement its demand for concessions.

The Cincinnati-based Comair filed for bankruptcy protection, along with Delta last year, and has sought $8.9 million in cuts from the flight attendants.

The executive board of Teamsters Local 513 passed a resolution in early March that laid the foundation for possible strike actions by 1,000 Comair flight attendants.

Local 513 Executive Board members unanimously passed the resolution, condemning what the union says are the company's unreasonable concession demands.

FMI: www.comair.com, www.teamsters.org