The pilots union at Delta Air Lines has instructed its negotiating committee to seek new talks with the carrier's management to break in impasse on wage concessions that Delta officials say are necessary to avoid bankruptcy proceedings.
"As has been reported, Delta is under considerable pressure due to increasing fuel costs and declining yields," the Air Line Pilots Association told its members Thursday in a hot line message.
While seeking the first formal discussions with management since the winter, the union also wants the airline to be talking with other suppliers and backers.
ALPA leaders said any deal will depend on a "comprehensive financial restructuring plan to include all of Delta's other stakeholders."
No talks have been scheduled, and the Air Line Pilots Association did not detail its new goals.
Delta spokeswoman Meghan Glynn said the airline was "encouraged that ALPA sees the need to provide Delta with a significant economic benefit."
"We continue to meet with ALPA to help them understand this urgent need to achieve competitive pilots costs here at Delta," she said.
Delta has asked its 7,200 pilots, the highest paid in the industry, for a 30 percent pay cut and work rule changes that could save the airline nearly $900 million a year. The union has offered about a third of that.