Back in November 2024, a powerful flight attendat union that has been campaigning for years to win the right to represent crew members at Delta Air Lines said it could be just a matter of weeks before it had collected enough authorization cards to file for a vote.
Nearly five months later, however, little progress has been made and there is no sign that the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA0-CWA) is getting any closer to winning enough support to make a formal unionization attempt a reality.
Delta remains the only major US carrier where flight attendants are not represented by a union, despite several high-profile attempts in the past by various unions, including the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA) and the Transport Workers Union (TWU).
In fact, only 20% of Delta’s entire US-based workforce is currently unionized, mostly representing pilots and dispatchers, and the Atlanta-based carrier has been fighting to keep that number from rising any further.
In order to secure the right to represent flight attendants, the AFA must first collection so-called ‘union authorization cards’ from at least half of the airline’s flight attendant workgroup.
Only once this has been achieved would the union be allowed to file a request to run a formal ballot amongst all Delta’s flight attendants.
Last November it seemed that the AFA was getting close to reaching the 50% threshold, so what changed?
According to some insiders, it’s down to the fact that Delta has been on a hiring spree and the new trainee flight attendants that the airline is bringing in aren’t signing the authorization cards.
According to a lawsuit filed by an ex-Delta flight attendant, new-hire flight attendants must undergo mandatory training in which Delta makes “false, misleading and coercive statements about AFA and otherwise spouted anti-union views.”
The airline also hosts its own ‘anti-union’ website called ‘One Future. One Delta’ which is used to list the benefits that might be lost if flight attendants and other non-unionized employees voted to change the status quo.
At the end of last week, Delta posted its latest update, warning flight attendants that “contract negotiations are unpredictable and can drag on for years.” Delta used United Airlines as an example, where flight attendants haven’t had a pay raise since 2020, despite the cost of living crisis.
The current state of the economy could, however, tip the balance in the favor of the AFA. Earlier this month, Delta warned of slowing domestic demand admidst “broad economic uncertainty” that could force the airline to rely on cost-cutting to make up for a drop in bookings.
The slow down in hiring, as well as unpopular and unilateral scheduling and work changes that Delta has recently made, could convince just enough flight attendants to sign an authorization card.
Of course, we’ve been here on several occasions in the past, and each time the prospect of a vote has been quietly shelved. But who’s knows. Maybe Delta’s centenary year could be historic for more reasons than one.
WHY??? Why would the Delta flight attendants want to screw up the good deal they have now? The ONLY thing that unions want is…MONEY. Delta employees are treated well, paid equal or better than other air lines. This past February 14th (always on Valentine’s Day) they received a profit sharing check equalling about 5 weeks pay. So, by forming a union, EVERY THING is up for negotiation. Salaries, bonuses, medical, life insurance, etc. is FROZEN until such time as negotiations are signed and sealed. There is a good chance that they will be getting LESS than they have now AND…they will pay about $500/month out of the paycheck in hopes of getting something better??? Ignorance is one thing. STUPID is something else. Many new hire flight attendants for all of the airlines have a poor work ethic. They don’t show up for flights as scheduled. “I had a chance to go waterskiing at Lake XXX.” “But you have a flight scheduled per your bid award.” “I’ll take a sick day.” Again…STUPID
As a pilot I don’t even pay $500 a month in union dues…
I know that Allegiant pilots pay very close $600/month. They are not ALPA either but Teamsters. New hire first officers make about the same salary or less as a regional jet first officer. Thanks for the information, though.
Unless you work for the airline you have no idea what the day to day situation is for them. That “they are only interested in your money” is a tired old anti union cliche.
But it is true! I do work for an airline. Flight attendant work is hard? Yes it is! No disagreement there. But, I reiterate…why get a union involved when you are already at the top of the heap? How much more juice can you squeeze when you’re at the top? The union just wants the feather in their cap AND THE MONEY!
Go ahead and ruin your already good jobs and benefits by unionizing. You will surely regret it.
Unions are like herpes. Once you get it, you can’t get rid of it. They are the “gift that keeps on taking”.
Bad move to be a AFA member. They have spent their union members dues to chase after Delta for over 5 years. If they are so great why do I keep seeing United FA fighting for a contract I think the United FA have been fighting for a contract over 5 yrs. My opinion is maybe take care of your members instead of spending their dues on Delta.