AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler visited Atlanta as part of the organization’s “Better In A Union” national bus tour, showing support for Delta Air Lines employees seeking to unionize. The event included meetings with leaders from the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA), and Delta workers who are campaigning for union representation.
Delta remains the only major U.S. airline where flight attendants, fleet service workers, and mechanics are not represented by a union, with just 20 percent of its workforce unionized. In previous years before the pandemic, Delta reported profits nearly twice that of other U.S. airlines and is on track for record profitability again.
Recently, IAM responded to a settlement between Delta Air Lines and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia. The agreement requires Delta to pay $8.1 million over alleged False Claims Act violations tied to the Payroll Support Program. IAM stated this confirms their longstanding position that Delta accepted significant taxpayer-funded relief with conditions meant to protect jobs, pay, and benefits but did not honor those terms.
“I want to thank President Shuler for encouraging the Delta workers to keep up the fight for fairness and a seat at the table,” said IAM Union International President Brian Bryant. “Delta workers are tired of being left behind while the airline earns billions.”
IAM Union Air Transport General Vice President Richie Johnsen added: “Delta workers are leading one of the biggest labor campaigns in the country. 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 during a Workers Over Billionaires rally as part of AFL-CIO’s ongoing tour.
