As a union seeks to organize workers at Delta Air Lines, the company has ramped up its own campaign against the union -- and raised some eyebrows with a head-turning flyer.
The International Association of Machinists (IAM) has tried for years to organize Delta workers, and is collecting signed cards from Delta ground workers and flight attendants to call for a unionization vote.
Atlanta-based Delta has launched its own campaign, including websites and apps criticizing the IAM and urging them not to sign the cards calling for a unionization vote.
The IAM posted a picture of a flyer posted in a Delta break room that suggests workers should spend their money on a new video game system rather than on union dues.
Insulting. Without an IAM contract, many @Delta workers have to work 2-3 jobs just to survive. They have no time to play games. #DoBetterDelta pic.twitter.com/UVM0PR2fKC
— Machinists Union ✈️🚊🚀 (@MachinistsUnion) May 9, 2019
Delta acknowledged that is one of its flyers, and said in a written statement: “Delta has shared many communications, which on the whole make clear that deciding whether or not to unionize should not be taken lightly.”
The company said its employees “want and deserve the facts and we respect our employees’ right to decide if a union is right for them.”
Delta is now facing criticism from union advocates on social media for the flyer.
.@Delta's campaign against unions is good for:
— Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@RepAOC) May 11, 2019
❌Delta workers
❌Delta customers
❌Delta's long-term profitability
✅Delta executives' bonuses
United we bargain; divided we beg! #UnionStrong https://t.co/Gs9eYYvO0h
Delta told employees to buy video games instead of forming a union. What a disgrace.
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) May 9, 2019
Delta's CEO made nearly $22 million in 2017 while paying ramp agents as little as $9/hour.
I say to Delta: Stop trying to undercut workers' right to form a union and negotiate for better wages. https://t.co/8fx30jIfJf
.@Delta: Telling your workers they could buy a video game instead of joining a union is an ugly attempt in union busting. These types of tactics show us the true you. Corporate greed won't win here & nothing will stop your workers from their right to collectively bargain. pic.twitter.com/DunPY4QYQb
— Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) May 10, 2019
Hey @Delta here’s what a union member thinks of you. No more business from me. #DeltaAirlinesfail #UnionStrong #UnionizeDelta sorry @AmericanExpress pic.twitter.com/2qSDqGPm79
— DB (@danielatbem) May 10, 2019
Not everyone criticized Delta for the campaign against the union.
First, how many "young workers" do you know? Second, if you're right then they'll know that a tiny % of private sector workforce is unionized because unions cost way too much and waste the money buying Democrats.
— Ross Kaminsky (@Rossputin) May 10, 2019
And others offered different perspectives.
The airline industry is highly unionized. Delta (except their pilots) and Skywest are the exception. But it’s possible that the work groups have chosen not to go union because @Delta takes care of them enough to where they don’t believe a union is necessary.
— Brian Lee (@blee256) May 11, 2019
The union also tweeted images of other Delta flyers:
Safe to say @Delta didn’t hit a home run with this one either. Three strikes and you’re out. Let ‘em have it, Twitter. #GameOverDelta pic.twitter.com/veEk8rvtXY
— Machinists Union ✈️🚊🚀 (@MachinistsUnion) May 10, 2019
The IAM said Delta’s relaunch of its campaign against the union came after the IAM on Wednesday worked with other unions to meet in Amsterdam with Delta flight attendants who signed cards. The union said it also has a “major outreaching initiative to thousands of Delta ramp workers.”
“The campaign has been invigorated,” said IAM assistant airline coordinator James Carlson.
The conflict between the IAM and Delta has a long history.
In 2015, after the withdrawal of the IAM’s petition for an election to organize flight attendants at Delta, the National Mediation Board said it referred the matter to the U.S. Justice Department for review.
Delta said then that the National Mediation Board, which governs labor relations at airlines, wrote in a letter that it had “reason to believe that some unknown person or persons knowingly submitted authorization cards with fraudulent signatures in possible violation of federal law.”
Pilots are the only major unionized employee group at Delta.
The IAM contends Delta ramp workers and flight attendants should be able to collectively bargain for compensation, benefits and work rules.
Delta contends its employees are well-compensated and that a union would “insert a middleman between Delta people and leaders.”
More recently, the IAM says it has gotten complaints from some Delta flight attendants about skin reactions and other symptoms that they believe are caused by the airline's new uniforms.
About the Author