ATLANTA - Officials of unions that represent Northwest Airlines flight attendants, ramp workers and reservation agents told lawmakers Wednesday they are worried that Delta Air Lines' plan to combine the two carriers could lead to lost pension benefits.
During a hearing in Washington before a House subcommittee, the officials said they have not received assurances that certain Northwest pension benefits would be protected if Delta's planned buyout is completed.
"If this merger continues and is consummated, they will surely lose benefits going forward," Robert Roach, general vice president of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, told the Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions subcommittee, referring to Northwest workers his union represents.
He said he believes that Delta management will "fight us very hard," and he argued that the combined airline should not be allowed to "dump their garbage" on the government's pension insurer if Delta were to seek to terminate pension plans.
Rob Kight, vice president for compensation, benefits and services for Delta, told the subcommittee that Delta intends to maintain the pension plans of both carriers that were frozen while in bankruptcy.
"We believe that if we take care of our people, they will take care of our customers," Kight said.
