AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler visited Atlanta to support Delta Air Lines employees in their ongoing campaign to unionize. The visit was part of the AFL-CIO’s “Better In A Union” bus tour, which aims to highlight workers across the country who are organizing for improved job conditions and respect at work.
During her time in Atlanta, Shuler met with members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA), and Delta employees seeking union representation. Currently, only about 20 percent of Delta’s workforce is unionized, making it the only major U.S. airline where flight attendants, fleet service workers, and mechanics do not have union representation. Despite this, Delta has reported profits nearly double those of other U.S. airlines before the pandemic and is on track for record profitability again.
Recently, IAM responded to a settlement involving Delta Air Lines and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia. The airline agreed to pay $8.1 million to resolve alleged False Claims Act violations related to the Payroll Support Program. IAM stated that this settlement supports their longstanding claim that Delta accepted significant taxpayer-funded relief during the pandemic with conditions meant to protect workers’ jobs and benefits but did not uphold those agreements.
“Delta workers are tired of being left behind while the airline earns billions,” said IAM Union International President Brian Bryant. “I want to thank President Shuler for encouraging the Delta workers to keep up the fight for fairness and a seat at the table.”
Delta employees continue efforts to secure union representation and a contract that would allow them a share in company profits generated in their communities.
“Delta workers are leading one of the biggest labor campaigns in the country,” said IAM Union Air Transport General Vice President Richie Johnsen. “They are not just organizing for themselves. They are raising the bar for every worker in our nation. We are proud to continue this fight for the respect and dignity they deserve.”
Earlier in Atlanta, labor leaders and union members gathered at IBEW Local 613’s Union Hall as part of a rally called Workers Over Billionaires, which was also connected to AFL-CIO’s national bus tour.
