Delta pilots want separate union for Compass Airlines

By a narrow margin, Delta Air Lines’ pilots union leaders have recommended the creation of a separate union branch to represent pilots at a regional carrier acquired as part of the Northwest merger.

Pilots at Virginia-based Compass Airlines had been represented by the pilots union at Northwest. But Delta’s pilot union historically has represented only pilots who fly for the main airline.

Air Line Pilots Association leaders at Delta voted 13-12 last week to recommend the national union set up a separate ALPA unit for Compass, according to a memo by Delta ALPA chairman Lee Moak. The restructuring would be effective in October 2010 if approved by the national union.

Pilots at Delta subsidiary Comair and former subsidiary Atlantic Southeast Airlines are represented by separate ALPA units. They petitioned unsuccessfully in 2000 to be merged into the main unit, arguing it would result in fairer representation. Comair and ASA pilot leaders said at the time that, on issues that affect pay and career advancement, the larger chapter has more clout and can negotiate terms that hurt the smaller units. One such issue is limits on regional jet use, which large unions have sought in order to hold down the amount of flying done by lower-paid regional pilots.

Compass pilots fly Embraer 175 jets out of Northwest hubs Minneapolis, Detroit and Memphis.