=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/2002/04/25/f= inancial1136EDT0091.DTL ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Thursday, April 25, 2002 (AP) Arbitrator upholds Delta's pilot furloughs (04-25) 08:36 PDT ATLANTA (AP) -- Delta Air Lines was justified in using an emergency contract provision to furlough hundreds of union pilots after the Sept. 11 attacks, an arbitrator ruled. Delta invoked the clause as travel slumped after the attacks. The carrier has laid off nearly 640 pilots and plans to furlough 107 more next week. The ruling by arbitrator Richard Bloch Wednesday rejected a grievance filed in November by the Air Line Pilots Association, the union that represents Delta pilots. Bloch said the grievance could be reviewed again later. The union was disappointed with the ruling, said Will Buergey, chairman = of the Delta ALPA group. He said the furloughs have been "based on economics, not operational necessities." A Delta spokesman said the airline was pleased with the decision and will focus on boosting demand for air travel and recalling furloughed pilots. Atlanta-based Delta, the nation's No. 3 carrier, has said it may lay off as many as 1,400 pilots. It also cut about 11,000 other jobs following the attacks. On the Net: Delta Air Lines: www.delta.com ALPA Delta chapter: www.dalpa.com =20 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright 2002 AP