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WASHINGTON, Jan. 17, 2024 – Representatives of the International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers (IAM), the Teamsters, and the Association of Flight Attendants (CWA-AFA) participated in a roundtable discussion at the U.S. House of Representatives’ Labor Caucus to promote the organizing and collective bargaining efforts for Delta Air Lines workers.
The worker roundtable discussion was hosted by the Congressional Labor Caucus Co-Chairs Rep. Donald Norcross (D-N.J.), Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) and Rep. Steven Horsford (D-Nev.).
The event included remarks by Delta Air Lines workers and Delta Air Lines’ Union Coalition representatives, including IAM Air Transport Territory Coordinator James Carlson, AFA-CWA International President Sara Nelson, and Teamsters National Organizing Director Chris Rosell.
“Congressional leaders were able to gain a complete understanding of the persistent challenges that Delta Air Lines employees face while trying to secure union representation,” said IAM Air Transport Territory Coordinator James Carlson. “The discussion was a crucial step towards identifying solutions that will ultimately help improve the workers’ lives.”
Around 55,000 employees who work on the ramp, tower, cargo, and as flight attendants and mechanics for Delta Air Lines are currently organizing with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA-CWA) and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT), respectively.
“The IAM applauds the Congressional Labor Caucus for providing support in amplifying the voices of workers in Delta Air Lines,” said IAM Air Transport Territory General Vice President Richie Johnsen. “This support is instrumental in the success of one of the most significant organizing campaigns in recent memory.”
“We are here to ask Congress to support Delta Air Line workers to unionize and to resist the company’s attempts to interfere in the process of obtaining a voice in the workplace,” said Delta worker and activist Felix “Flex” McGhee. “We believe that every worker has the right to join a union and collectively bargain with management for better wages, benefits, and working conditions.”
The roundtable was attended by elected officials and congressional staff who gathered to learn about updates regarding the organizing campaign, discuss challenges and opportunities, and share ideas to build collective power for workers at Delta Air Lines.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) is among the most significant industrial trade unions in North America and represents nearly 600,000 active and retired members in the manufacturing, aerospace, defense, airlines, transportation, shipbuilding, woodworking, health care, and other industries.
