Thousands opt for AERO, Travel Op
More than 3,250 employees have elected to leave Delta as part of two voluntary exit programs announced in September. The Employee Service Center reports that 2,701 employees have elected the Alternative Early Retirement Option -- approximately 28 percent of those eligible -- and another 556 employees have elected the Travel Op program. The deadline to agree to take either program was Monday, Nov. 15 at 5 p.m., Eastern Time.
Delta announced in September that it would have to reduce another 6,000-7,000 jobs during the next 18 months. "The company offered these two voluntary exit programs to eligible employees in an effort to minimize the number of involuntary reductions that will have to take place," said Beth Johnston, vice president-Human Resources. Based on the effect to operations, some divisions may limit the number or delay the departure of AERO or Travel Op participants. Operational leaders will work with employees to determine release dates and ensure that the first priority will be protecting the operation. Retirements will occur on the first day of the month from January to April 2005. "On behalf of the entire Delta team, we thank all the participating employees for their years of dedication and service to Delta," said Johnston.
In TechOps, 372 employees requested the AERO program and 64 employees requested the Travel Op program. TechOps will grant all AERO requests and leaders will work with employees to assign departure dates (occurring between 01/01/05 - 04/01/05) by the end of this month. All Travel Op and Voluntary Furlough requests will be determined based upon operational plans and voluntary program final numbers. Departure awards and dates for Travel Op and Voluntary Furlough will begin to be communicated on December 1, 2004. We expect to continue to award program departures as we go through the RIF process and finalize all operational plans for first quarter 2005.