Carrier steps up pilot fight

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

ATLANTA -- Hoping to end a daily scramble to staff flights, Delta Air Lines planned to ask a judge to issue a temporary restraining order to compel Delta pilots to resume flying overtime shifts.

The airline said it canceled more than 300 flights over the weekend and has struggled for more than three weeks to schedule enough pilots to fulfill its daily schedule of nearly 2,700 flights.

Delta is accusing pilots of taking an illegal job action to express displeasure with ongoing contract negotiations. Under their existing contract, Delta pilots are free to decide whether to fly extra hours.

Delta has been in contract negotiations with the pilots since September 1999. Many of Delta's 9,400 pilots have been declining voluntary overtime assignments since last month, when Delta presented the pilots' union with a 10-year pay proposal that pilots contend is inadequate.

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