US Lawmakers Call on Delta Air Lines to Maintain Neutrality in Union Organizing Efforts

Over 140 U.S. House Democratic lawmakers have united in urging Delta Air Lines to maintain neutrality in the ongoing efforts of its employees to organize a union among flight attendants and ground workers.

Multiple unions are actively striving to organize Delta technicians, flight attendants, ramp workers, cargo handlers, and tower personnel in forming their respective unions.

In a direct letter to Delta CEO Ed Bastian, the lawmakers, including Representatives Donald Norcross, Debbie Dingell, Frank Pallone, Mark Pocan, Rosa DeLauro, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, raised concerns over the airline’s history of deploying “union-busting tactics.”

These tactics, as outlined by the lawmakers, include threatening employees with the termination of benefits, distributing anti-union literature, and hosting anti-union websites.

The lawmakers emphasized that a neutrality agreement entails the employer refraining from engaging in pre-election activities that could influence workers’ freedom to form a union.

In response, Delta stated that the airline “believes every employee has the right to choose or reject union representation without interference.” However, it reiterated its responsibility to ensure employees can make informed decisions, noting that its workforce has consistently declined union representation over the past two decades.

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Association of Flight Attendants, and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers announced a coordinated campaign in November 2022 to organize Delta’s 45,000 employees. Union officials informed Reuters that employees are presently signing authorization cards, with the possibility of the airline unions filing for a representation election with the National Mediation Board once a majority of workers have done so.

It’s worth noting that Delta’s pilots are already represented by the Air Line Pilots Association.

In a related development, last month, a group of 33 senators urged Tesla and 12 other automakers to maintain neutrality in ongoing efforts by the United Auto Workers (UAW) to organize U.S. auto plants and to pledge non-interference in any organizing activities.