Delta Air Lines pilots pick up pilots at Salt Lake City International Airport on Thursday, June 30, 2022, in Salt Lake City.
Rick Bowmer / AP
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Rick Bowmer / AP
Delta Air Lines pilots pick up pilots at Salt Lake City International Airport on Thursday, June 30, 2022, in Salt Lake City.
Rick Bowmer / AP
Nearly 15,000 Delta Airlines pilots voted to allow the strike after negotiations over a new contract were halted due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The pilots, who are represented by the Airline Pilots Association union, last negotiated the contract in 2016. Renewal negotiations began in April 2019 and the employees and airline entered the reconciliation phase in February 2020 but was postponed due to the pandemic. Renewal negotiations resumed in January.
“Today, nearly 15,000 Delta pilots sent a clear message to management that we are willing to go the extra mile to secure a contract that reflects the value we bring to Delta Air Lines as is a front-line leader and long-term stakeholder,” Captain Jason Ambrosi, Chairman of the Delta Master Executive Council, said in a statement. release.
About 96% of union members participated in the voting to authorize a strike, with about 99% of those taking part in the voting in favor of the issue.
A strike is only possible if the National Conciliation Board must decide that further mediation efforts will be futile. The NMB will then make arbitration to both parties and if they refuse, a 30-day “cool-down” period will begin. After those 30 days, employees can choose to go on strike or management can enforce a lockdown.
