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SALT LAKE CITY – Dozens of Delta Air Lines pilots stood and paraded outside Salt Lake City International Airport on Thursday, holding signs. Delta pilots congregate throughout the United States, including six other airports. “Delta pilots are here today to show their determination,” said Officer Reed Donogu, a media spokesman for the Delta Master Executive Board. About 140 Delta pilots signed up to stand together – their time and their breaks – and negotiate a better contract. “It’s time to come to the table and bring in a top contract in the industry for which they worked hard to win,” Donoghue said. It has been 3½ years since the last time Delta pilots were paid. However, that is only one reason why they are here. “The retirement, job roles and quality of life that these recent programs have really brought home,” Donoghue said. That, he said, plus health insurance and retirement, are all reasons why Delta pilots unite. This comes as officials say Delta pilots are throwing record overtime demand in high demand. Combined with mismanagement, they said, these weights leave pilots and passengers trapped – or lose flights altogether. “What they have to do is very simple. They just have to match their flights to the number of pilots they have and the total staff,” Donoghue said. Delta canceled more flights than any other major airline on Memorial Day weekend. “Many of us will have over 30 years of careers here at Delta, so where we have cancellations that affect the brand, it hurts us in the future,” Donoghue said. Morgan Durrant, a spokesman for Delta Air Lines, issued the following statement Thursday afternoon: “This information exercise by some of the off-service pilots will not disrupt our operation for our customers. Earlier this year, Delta, ALPA and a representative from the National Mediation Council resumed the mediation negotiations for our contract that they had Our goal remains to continue to provide Delta pilots with an industry-leading comprehensive contract based on the highest compensation based on pay, retirement, employment rules and profit sharing. “The contract supports the ability to run a world-class business, maintain a strong balance sheet and invest in our business for our customers and employees.” ×

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