A group of 25 U.S. Senators has written to Delta Air Lines CEO, urging the company to adopt a neutrality agreement regarding union organizing activities by its employees. The letter, dated recently, highlights concerns over alleged anti-union tactics by the airline and calls for Delta to respect the rights of its workers.
The Senators emphasize the need for Delta to respect the voices of its employees, stating, “We are writing regarding the efforts of Delta employees to organize a union and to encourage Delta to respect the voices of your employees, our constituents, by pledging not to interfere in any union organizing activities by adopting a neutrality agreement.” The letter refers to a coordinated campaign by Delta employees to organize a union, which began in November 2022, including flight attendants, fleet service workers, and technicians.
The Senators express concern over what they describe as Delta’s history of using union-busting tactics. They claim that the airline has engaged in actions such as “threatening employees with termination of their benefits, distributing anti-union literature, and hosting an anti-union website.” According to the letter, these actions are viewed as hostile to workers’ rights and contrary to the principles of fair labor practices.
The letter calls for Delta to adopt a neutrality agreement, explaining that such an agreement would mean the employer agrees not to engage in activities that influence workers’ freedom to form a union. “Your commitment to neutrality would ensure that management does not pressure workers into voting against unionization or delaying the election process,” the Senators state. They argue that a neutrality agreement is the bare minimum standard that Delta should meet to respect workers’ rights and comply with the Railway Labor Act’s directive to not “interfere… influence or coerce” its employees in their choice of representative.
The Senators stress the importance of ensuring all workers have the free and fair choice to join a union, as required by law. “We strongly urge you to adopt a neutrality agreement with regards to any efforts by your employees to unionize and to commit to negotiating in good faith if your employees do choose to form a union,” they wrote.
About 20% of Delta Air Lines employees are unionised, including pilots and flight dispatchers. Unions such as the IAM (technicians), AFA-CWA (cabin crew) and Teamsters are organising to bring in the remaining sectors.
