Democratic Senators Urge Delta Air Lines to Adopt Neutral Stance in Union Drive

Two U.S. Democratic senators are pressuring Delta Air Lines (DAL) to remain neutral in an ongoing effort by flight attendants and other employees to unionize. In a letter to CEO Ed Bastian, the lawmakers argued the carrier's current posture is inappropriate and interferes with workers' rights.

Call for Neutrality

In the letter, which was reviewed by Reuters, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey stated that Delta management's stance is "threatening flight attendants’ future pay and benefits if they choose to organize." They called on the Atlanta-based airline to cease what they described as intimidation and interference in the organizing activities.

This action follows a similar move in June, when over 170 members of the U.S. House of Representatives wrote to Bastian. That letter also urged the company to adopt a neutrality agreement and respect the rights of flight attendants, fleet service workers, and technicians to organize without company interference.

Delta's Response

In response to the senators' letter, Delta stated that it welcomes the discussion. The airline affirmed its commitment to its employees' rights and company policy.

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"Delta fully supports our employees’ right to decide whether union representation is right for them and maintains a strict non-interference policy," the company said. Delta added that it "does not tolerate harassment, bullying, or intimidation of any employee, regardless of their views on union representation."

Context of the Organizing Effort

The senators' letter cites a history of union campaigns at the airline, noting that "Delta flight attendants have been exercising their right to organize for years, leading coordinated union campaigns since the 1990s." A more recent coordinated campaign began in November 2022.

The letter alleges specific anti-union tactics by the company, including the publication of an official anti-union website and emails sent to staff last year warning that signing union cards would cause "inner turmoil." Under federal law, airline workers can file for a representation election with the National Mediation Board once a majority of employees have signed authorization cards. While many of its workgroups are not unionized, Delta’s pilots are represented by the Air Line Pilots Association.