The Delta Pilots ratified a temporary pay cut for by a slim majority, which may lead to a major battle in the coming months when Delta and ALPA (the pilots union) work to determine a permanent contract modification.

The latest concession is part of $3 billion in annual savings Delta is seeking to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. It comes on top of a 32.5 percent pilot wage drop last year.
“Given the critical nature of our financial situation, this provides much needed financial relief,” said Delta Chief Executive Gerald Grinstein. “We greatly appreciate the additional sacrifices Delta employees — including our pilots are making to help save the company.”
A total of 5,166 pilots cast ballots in the ratification vote with 3,001 approving the pay cut and 2,165 rejecting it. “This is the closest vote I can remember,” said John Culp, a Delta pilot and spokesman for the Air Line Pilots Association. “It was an uncharacteristically high turnout reflecting concern about the issue and the bankruptcy process.” Delta pilots, once highest paid in the industry, now trail cargo carriers FedEx and UPS, and midcareer Delta 737 captains are likely to earn less than pilots flying similar planes at cross-concourse rival AirTran, according to AIR Inc., a pilot consulting service that closely tracks pay rates. Average pay among Delta’s 6,000 pilots now falls to $146,000 from $170,000. via The Atlanta Journal Constitution