Flight attendants union sues Delta ahead of expected vote

Source: Reuters

* Union says Delta not honoring Northwest bargaining pact

* Delta says complaint has no merit

- The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA union has sued Delta Air Lines Inc (DAL.N), saying the world's biggest carrier is violating the bargaining agreement that covers more than 7,000 flight attendants who worked for Northwest Airlines.

The complaint, filed in federal court in Washington, D.C., states Delta "is unwilling to resolve disputes" with the union, and adds contract breaches involve such issues as scheduling and pay.

Carmen Parcelli, attorney for the flight attendants union, said on Thursday that the lawsuit was filed on Aug. 19. It seeks unspecified damages and an order halting contract breaches.

The complaint comes ahead of an expected election that would determine whether more than 20,000 flight attendants at Delta will be represented by the flight attendants union. Delta was largely nonunion before it acquired Northwest in 2008.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN2621319820100826