The union representing Comair flight attendants asked a bankruptcy judge late Wednesday to deny the airline's request to void its contract with about 1,000 flight attendants.
Comair has not shown that its reorganization efforts would fail without the $8.9 million in cuts it wants from the union, according to the document, filed by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters late Wednesday in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in New York.
"This proceeding is being instituted in order to undo a deal the carrier regrets - its flight attendant contract," the motion says. "Comair seeks to reduce its flight attendants' pay rates and other benefits so it can enjoy the savings associated with those reductions. The company's motion is a classic example of employer abuse of bankruptcy."
The union contends that Comair is a profitable carrier and has used "dubious" figures to show an operating loss.
Comair officials did not immediately return a call for comment early Thursday.
Comair is a subsidiary of Delta Air Lines Inc., which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September.
Comair asked a federal bankruptcy judge last month to reject the contract with the union, the only labor group that has not agreed to concessions with the regional airline.
Comair wants to use rules and pay scales that it proposed last fall.
Officials with Teamsters Local 513 have said those pay levels would cut each worker's pay by an average of $10,500.
Comair says it needs to cut costs by about $70 million overall to remain competitive.
The union is seeking authorization from its members to call a strike if it does not reach an agreement and the company voids the contract.
A hearing on the company's motion is scheduled for March 27.
Comair is based in Erlanger, Ky., near Cincinnati. About 5,000 of its 7,000 workers are based at nearby Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.
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On the Net:
Comair: http://www.comair.com
International Brotherhood of Teamsters: http://www.teamster.org
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