PHOENIX (AP) — US Airways pilots are demanding fair contracts before the airline moves to acquire rival Delta Air Lines Inc.About 200 of the pilots belonging to the Air Line Pilots Association picketed at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport yesterday, a day after the company announced a hostile cash and stock bid valued at about $8.7 billion for Atlanta-based Delta.

US Airways pilots work under two contracts — one for pilots who came from America West Airlines after it bought US Airways when it was in bankruptcy protection in September 2005, and another for pilots who were always at US Airways. Contract negotiations began shortly after the airlines combined, and there are no deals in sight.

US Airways and America West are still integrating their operations. To date only 57 percent of America West planes have been painted over with US Airways’ logos, a spokesman said.

At yesterday’s informational picket, the solemn-faced pilots donned their Navy blue uniforms and caps, walking in a circle and carrying signs that read, “Pilots get nothing, management gets millions” and “Empty promises for a single airline”.