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Delta Air Lines Raises Wages for Nonunion Workers
Delta Air Lines, based in Atlanta, has recently announced plans to increase pay for nonunion flight attendants and ground workers. This decision comes on the heels of strong first-quarter earnings that exceeded expectations on Wall Street.
The airline, known for being the most profitable carrier in the United States, is set to raise the starting minimum wage for employees to $19 per hour. Additionally, workers will receive a 5% pay raise, with the top end of the pay scale reaching $79.80 per hour. These wage increases are scheduled to take effect on June 1 and will impact more than 80,000 employees.
“Delta’s leading position comes thanks to a simple concept that dates back nearly a century – invest in our people first, and they will deliver great service and experiences for our customers,”
In a memo shared by the company online, Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed the importance of prioritizing employee satisfaction. The company’s commitment to investing in its workforce has been a key driver of its success.
Since 2022, Delta has implemented pay raises of between 20 and 25% for its major work groups, which include base pay increases and profit-sharing initiatives. Earlier this year, the airline distributed $1.4 billion in profit-sharing among its over 100,000 employees, marking a 146% increase from the previous year.
Delta’s profitability has been notable, with the company reporting $4.6 billion in profits last year. This figure surpasses the combined profits of its competitors, including Southwest, Alaska, United, and American Airlines.
Unionization at Delta
It is noteworthy that only 20% of Delta’s workforce is unionized, a lower percentage compared to other major airlines. While the Air Line Pilots Association represents the more than 18,000 pilots at Delta, the majority of employees are nonunion.
The Association of Flight Attendants (AFA), which recently reached a tentative agreement with Southwest Airlines for its 20,000 flight attendants, has faced challenges in unionizing Delta employees. The overall decline in union membership in the United States reflects broader trends in the labor movement.
“Management knows we’re waking up to what we can achieve when we organize our union,”
The AFA remains committed to advocating for the rights and fair compensation of flight attendants at Delta. Despite obstacles, the union continues its efforts to represent workers and negotiate improved conditions.
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