Democratic senators urge Delta to remain neutral in union organizing effort

WASHINGTON, Sept 9 (Reuters) - Two Democratic senators on Wednesday called on Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian to adopt a neutral stance as some of the carrier's flight attendants continue their push to unionize.

In a letter reviewed by Reuters, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey pointed out that flight attendants have spent years trying to organize at the Atlanta-based airline. They argued that management's approach of warning that organizing could affect future pay and benefits is inappropriate and effectively threatens workers considering unionization.

Delta responded that it welcomes dialogue with the senators. "Delta fully supports our employees’ right to decide whether union representation is right for them and maintains a strict non-interference policy," the airline said, adding that it "respects every employee’s choice and does not tolerate harassment, bullying, or intimidation of any employee, regardless of their views on union representation."

The senators' letter follows a similar appeal in June, when more than 170 House lawmakers wrote to Bastian asking him to stay neutral in organizing efforts involving flight attendants, fleet service workers, and technicians.

"We strongly encourage Delta to respect the rights of these workers by pledging to follow the law and not interfere in any union organizing activities or engage in intimidation, retaliation, or other forms of illegal interference through the adoption of a neutrality agreement," the House members wrote.

The lawmakers noted that Delta employees launched a coordinated union campaign beginning in November 2022.

Warren and Markey wrote that Delta flight attendants have been asserting their right to organize for years, with coordinated union campaigns going back to the 1990s. The senators cited reports that Delta has warned that unionizing could endanger employee benefits and has operated an official anti-union website.

The senators also referenced emails reportedly sent by Delta to staff last year, in which the airline told flight attendants that signing union authorization cards would create "inner turmoil" at the company. They stressed that under federal law, workers are entitled to organize without fear of intimidation or interference.

Once a majority of workers request it, airline unions can file for a representation election with the National Mediation Board. Delta's pilots are already represented by the Air Line Pilots Association.