House discusses Delta-Northwest merger impact
by The Associated Press
 
ATLANTA -- Union officials who represent Northwest Airlines flight attendants, ramp workers and reservation agents say they are worried Delta Air Lines' plan to combine the two carriers could lead to lost pension benefits for employees.

They spoke during a hearing in Washington before a U-S House of Representatives subcommittee. They say they have not received assurances that certain Northwest pension benefits would be protected if Delta's buyout of Northwest is completed.

Union leader Robert Roach tells Congress the combined airlines should not be allowed to ``dump their garbage'' on the government's pension insurer if Delta were to seek to terminate pension plans.

Delta executive Rob Kight says the airline intends to maintain pension plans of both carriers that were frozen while in bankruptcy.