Flight attendants, airport customer service agents and reservation representatives found out in a memo which defended the airline's stance by noting that the 40,000 employees whose pay scales were reviewed in January and February already were paid either first or second in the industry.
The memo also cited weakened revenue after the Sept. 11 attacks and low demand for air travel as factors, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
``Considering these factors and the long-term benefits that come from protecting Delta's financial strength, we have concluded that pay increases for these groups are not appropriate at this time,'' Delta's executive vice president of human resources, Robert Colman, said in the memo.
A Delta spokeswoman declined comment early Friday about the decision, which does not affect raises given to mechanics this month.
Those pay increases were to take effect in October but were postponed after airline revenues dropped following Sept. 11. Delta pilots received pay increases in a new union contract signed last June.
Last summer, Delta officials announced a plan to review worker pay at set months during the year. The airline said it would review worker compensation for flight attendants, customer service agents, reservation agents, meteorologists and other employees in January and February.
The memo said: ``Although some Delta groups are not currently in the No. 1 position, they have enjoyed the best overall position for the majority of the past five years and still remain close to the top.''
The Atlanta-based carrier is the nation's third-largest airline.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/3/197403