AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler visited Atlanta to support Delta Air Lines employees in their campaign to unionize. The event was part of the AFL-CIO’s “Better In A Union” bus tour, which aims to highlight workers across the country organizing for improved jobs, contracts, and workplace respect.
During her visit, Shuler met with representatives from the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA), and Delta workers who are seeking union representation. Currently, only 20 percent of Delta employees are unionized, making it the only major U.S. airline where flight attendants, fleet service workers, and mechanics lack union representation. Despite this, Delta has reported high profits both before and after the pandemic.
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 over alleged violations of the False Claims Act related to the Payroll Support Program. According to IAM, this settlement supports their claim that Delta accepted significant taxpayer-funded relief intended to protect jobs but did not uphold those conditions.
“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 for a rally called Workers Over Billionaires as part of AFL-CIO’s national bus tour.
