…and It Shows

The Delta Air Lines Master Executive Council (MEC), represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), reported that 78- percent of Delta pilots had voted in favor of a new comprehensive working agreement (read labor contract).

Subject agreement includes over $7-billion in cumulative increases over the coming four years. Additionally, Delta pilots—by a margin of ninety-percent—voted, in favor of a Letter of Agreement that safeguards Delta pilots’ jobs against international flying by Delta’s partner airlines.

Ninety-six percent of Delta’s eligible pilot cadre participated in the voting.

Delta MEC chair Captain Darren Hartmann stated: “This industry-leading contract is the direct result of the Delta pilots’ unity and resolve. Despite a two-year delay in negotiations due to COVID, we never lost sight of our goal to obtain significant across-the-board enhancements to our pilot working agreement.”

In addition to several highly successful informational picketing events staged in the spring and summer of 2022, Delta pilots, in October 2022 approved to authorize a strike—were doing so to become necessary—in October 2022.

The determination with which Delta’s pilots sought to secure a new contract was underscored by the fact that the vote to authorize a strike was ratified by a margin of 99-percent.

Delta’s 15,000 pilots, over the effective period of the new labor agreement, will receive a 34-percent pay increase, improvements to benefits and quality of life, and increased vacation time.

Captain Hartmann added: “This contract recognizes the Delta pilots’ substantial contribution to our company’s success. We will now focus our efforts on ensuring all provisions are implemented and enforced.”

The contract—the effective date of which is 02 March 2023—becomes amendable on 31 December 2026.

FMI: www.alpa.org