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Delta president promises jobs

Published (5/9/2008)
By Craig Green
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Delta Air Lines President and CFO Edward Bastian, left, tells the House Commerce and Labor Committee May 5 that Atlanta would be the headquarters if a merger of Delta and Northwest Airlines occurs. Ben Hirst, right, senior vice president-corporate affairs and general counsel of Northwest Air Lines listens. (Photo by Tom Olmscheid)

Addressing the House Commerce and Labor Committee May 5, Edward Bastian, the president and CFO of Delta Air Lines, said with increasing fuel costs, the merger of Delta and Northwest airlines will create a premier global company that can compete in an increasingly competitive global marketplace.

Bastian said both companies are committed to preserving jobs, especially in Minnesota; that no hubs would be closed; and pension plans would continue for current employees and retirees.

Referring to NWA’s agreement to keep its headquarters, hub and a specific number of jobs in Minnesota, Committee Chairman Rep. Joe Atkins (DFL-Inver Grove Heights) asked if Delta plans to honor those agreements if the deal goes through.

Bastian said that although the corporate headquarters will be in Atlanta, Delta will maintain a “vibrant presence” in Minneapolis-St. Paul, and that there is a commitment to “no loss of jobs of an involuntary nature for any of our frontline employees.” Bastian said Delta looks forward to discussing the terms of the covenants with the governor and the state, but it’s too early to get into specifics.

Atkins asked if there is any way to convince Delta to move its headquarters north. “No, there’s not,” Bastian said.

Members asked if Delta would remain neutral in any future discussions with its employees and labor unions. Currently, pilots are the only unionized Delta employees. Bastian said the airline would “support the process,” and “respect the employees’ voice.”

Bastian agreed to be available for additional questions, if needed.

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