AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler visited Atlanta as part of the AFL-CIO’s national “Better In A Union” bus tour, meeting with Delta Air Lines employees and union leaders to support their ongoing efforts to organize. The bus tour aims to highlight workers nationwide who are seeking better jobs, contracts, and workplace respect.
During her visit, Shuler met with representatives from the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA), and Delta employees advocating for union representation. Currently, only about 20 percent of Delta’s workforce is unionized, making it the only major U.S.-based airline without union representation for its flight attendants, fleet service workers, and mechanics. Despite this, Delta has reported strong financial performance both before the pandemic and in recent years.
The IAM recently addressed 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 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act related to the Payroll Support Program. According to IAM officials, this supports claims that Delta accepted government relief funds intended to protect workers’ jobs, pay, and benefits but failed to meet those commitments.
“Delta workers are tired of being left behind while the airline earns billions,” said IAM Union International President Brian Bryant. “I want to thank President Shuler for encouraging the Delta workers to keep up the fight for fairness and a seat at the table.”
Union advocates say securing a contract would help Delta employees share more equitably in company profits within their communities.
“Delta workers are leading one of the biggest labor campaigns in the country,” said IAM Union Air Transport General Vice President Richie Johnsen. “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 gathered at IBEW Local 613’s Union Hall for a “Workers Over Billionaires” rally as part of AFL-CIO’s ongoing bus tour activities.