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Delta workers and labor and community allies rallied on Saturday at the St. Paul Regional Labor Federation headquarters to push for union representation at Delta Air Lines.
The rally featured remarks from Delta workers from across the system.
“I’m a 25-year Delta employee, and I started with Northwest Airlines. For about half of my career, I was represented by a union, the IAM, and for the second half, unrepresented. So, I’ve seen both sides,” said Delta ramp worker Dan McCurdy at the Minneapolis−Saint Paul International Airport. “Seeing both sides has fueled my desire to bring respect and dignity to the workplace. We’re going to organize the Delta ramp, tower and cargo employees, the flight attendants, and the mechanics at Delta. This campaign is currently the largest organizing drive taking place in the United States.”
Late last year, the IAM, the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA), and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) announced a coordinated campaign to support the people of Delta Air Lines who are working to organize their unions.
“All three unions coming together is exactly what we need to take on an anti-union company like Delta Air Lines,” said IAM Air Transport Territory General Vice President Richie Johnsen. “I have never seen a campaign like this, and the motivation from the workers on the ground is tremendous.”
“In our union halls, we have a lot of differences and that is what makes us strong. But what we have in common is what brings us together,” said Association of Flight Attendants-CWA International President Sara Nelson. “We all need to take care of our families. We all need to access health care. We all need to live a dignified retirement. We all need to be able to take care of ourselves and our family when we are sick, especially when we get sick on the job.”
“These people are fighting for the right reasons,” said Teamsters Local 120 President and Teamsters Central Region Vice President Tom Erickson. “What we’re doing is not a novel idea. Coordinated bargaining is something we strive for”
Delta is the only U.S.-based mainline carrier where a union does not represent fleet service, flight attendants, and mechanics – only 20 percent of Delta workers are unionized. Delta produced nearly double the profits of other U.S. airlines in pre-pandemic years, and the airline is on a path to record profitability again.
The Machinists Union live-streamed the action on its Facebook page.
Delta workers are ready to secure a union and a contract to keep their share of the profits they create in the communities where they live and work.
.@iamairtransport GVP Richie Johnsen is hyping us up!
This is our movement. We want our unions at Delta. #OrganizeAndFly"It’s from the inside out that we win… I believe this. I’m excited about this!" ⚙️💪✈️@Teamsters120 @Teamsters @DeltaAFA @afa_cwa @MachinistsUnion pic.twitter.com/g8zvcnrYEO
— Delta Ramp Workers Union (@IAM_DeltaRamp) April 15, 2023
"While they stall they want to crush us. Instead we are building POWER. We're ready to go after the entire CEO class. Let us know when you need something. I think we're ready to fight together!@SBWorkersUnited Gracie Nira shows solidarity with Delta workers ⚙️💪✈️ pic.twitter.com/Sc1EiVqQcg
— Delta Ramp Workers Union (@IAM_DeltaRamp) April 15, 2023
.@afa_cwa President @FlyingWithSara shared personal stories about why Delta families & workers need real representation – they're making sacrifices in their own lives while CEOs get richer.
“They took away the roses. We're taking them back! #OrganizeAndFly pic.twitter.com/VHlCPSmezH
— Delta Ramp Workers Union (@IAM_DeltaRamp) April 15, 2023
.@afa_cwa President @FlyingWithSara shares personal stories emphasizing why families and workers need representation – they're making sacrifices in their own lives while CEOs get richer.
“We cannot afford not to come together and fight for the working class. … They took away… pic.twitter.com/VHaK559vTp
— Machinists Union (@MachinistsUnion) April 15, 2023
