=20 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- This article was sent to you by someone who found it on SF Gate. The original article can be found on SFGate.com here: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=3D/news/archive/2002/03/15/f= inancial1438EST0184.DTL ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Friday, March 15, 2002 (AP) Delta: No pay raises for 40,000 employees this year (03-15) 14:25 PST ATLANTA (AP) -- About 40,000 Delta Air Lines employees won't receive pay raises this year as the company attempts to bolster its finances, officials said in an internal memo. The decision affects flight attendants, airport customer service agents and reservation workers. The airline defended the decision by noting that the workers' salaries were reviewed this year and found to be either first or second in the industry. Delta officials confirmed the contents of the memo, reported Friday by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, but declined further comment. The memo also cited weak revenue after the Sept. 11 attacks and low dema= nd for air travel as reasons for the decision, the newspaper said. "Considering these factors and the long-term benefits that come from protecting Delta's financial strength, we have concluded that pay increases for these groups are not appropriate at this time," Delta's executive vice president of human resources, Robert Colman, said in the memo. A Delta spokeswoman declined comment early Friday about the decision, which does not affect raises given to mechanics this month. Those pay increases were to take effect in October, but were postponed after airline revenues dropped following Sept. 11. Delta pilots received pay increases in a new union contract signed last June. Last summer, Delta officials announced a plan to review worker pay at set months during the year. The airline said it would review worker compensation for flight attendants, customer service agents, reservation agents, meteorologists and other employees in January and February. Delta shares rose 29 cents to close at $35.62 Friday on the New York Sto= ck Exchange. On the Net: www.delta.com =20 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright 2002 AP