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The Real Delta Difference Is the Hearts of Flight Attendants

WHY DOESN’T MANAGEMENT WANT FLIGHT ATTENDANTS TO HAVE A UNION?

As soon as we announced our intention to organize with AFA, management and their union-busting law firm put out a video and a website full of anti-union talking points - within three hours. Management is prepared to spend tens of millions of dollars to stop us from forming a union, and they want you to think that it’s because they’re looking out for us. But here’s our question: why is management so intent on preventing us from coming together in a union?

There are 100 million reasons to start with. Delta pays $100 million per year less than United for Flight Attendant costs like pay, benefits, profit sharing, and working conditions. If we form a union, we’ll have the power together to demand our fair share of Delta’s industry-leading profits. That’s the real reason they’re willing to spend millions to prevent us from coming together through AFA.

So what is management saying about our union? Let’s take a look at the truth.

UNION-BUSTER CLAIM: AFA IS ONLY INTERESTED IN DUES

FACT: Dues are only paid once a contract is negotiated and voted in by Delta Flight Attendants. Dues are used to negotiate contracts and enforce them. Unions are non-profit organizations focused on getting companies to put more money in the pockets of the people we represent and that’s why management doesn’t want you to pay dues to help make that happen. If we choose a union with AFA, dues are a flat $50 per month, and 80% of the money is allocated directly to the frontline representation at Delta. The 20% allocated to the full union also supports the things we need to do our jobs safely—for example, AFA’s efforts have led to achieving Flight Attendant priorities like access to KCM, 10-hours minimum rest, permanently banning knives on planes, banning voice calls and e-cigarettes, and expanding efforts to prevent in-flight harassment and assault. We also have access to experts like industrial hygienists who can help us define the health risks of toxic uniforms and fume events in order to get solutions that protect our health and job security.

FACT: AFA leaders don’t get a raise if Delta Flight Attendants decide to join. AFA—like all unions—is a non-profit. There are no bonuses or stock options for union leaders, unlike the corporate executives who get a bonus for keeping labor costs down by shortchanging workers. We are all about lifting each other up - that’s our incentive.

FACT: We have more power together. Today, Delta is the only mainline U.S. airline without a Flight Attendant union. That affects and undercuts Flight Attendants at every airline. When Delta Flight Attendants have a union contract and voice on the job, it will increase our power across the aviation industry to work together for positive change.

UNION-BUSTER CLAIM: IT TAKES A LONG TIME TO NEGOTIATE A CONTRACT

FACT: A contract only takes as long as management drags their heels. With 25,000 Flight Attendants united at Delta, we’ll have tremendous power to win positive changes that benefit us, support our passengers and make Delta the best place to work in aviation.

FACT: Under AFA’s constitution, only Delta Flight Attendants would have a say on the issues we want to negotiate, and only Delta Flight Attendants get a vote on any contract proposal. And since AFA represents 50,000 Flight Attendants at 20 other airlines, AFA leaders and staff bring unmatched expertise in our issues, the history of Flight Attendant contracts, and the ways we can win on issues that matter to us at Delta.

UNION-BUSTER CLAIM: AFA LOVES CHAOS

FACT: Actually, this is true. Here’s why: since we pioneered the CHAOS™ strategy in 1993, we’ve only had to strike seven flights. Ever. CHAOS™ uses our unique power as Flight Attendants to create the most pressure on management with the least risk to Flight Attendants. Management is so afraid to lose control of the schedule, even the threat of a CHAOS™ strike brings them back to the table to reach agreement.

UNION-BUSTER CLAIM: AFA WAS CENSURED BY THE AFL-CIO

FACT: This is false. AFA has never been censured by the AFL-CIO. On January 17, 2020 an AFL-CIO Hearing Panel determined that AFA-CWA has in no way interfered with any organizing campaign at Delta. As we knew when we started our campaign on November 1, 2019, nothing stands in the way of AFA supporting Delta Flight Attendants in our efforts to join the Flight Attendant union.

UNION-BUSTER CLAIM: TROUBLED FINANCES

FACT: AFA doesn’t have a huge budget, but that doesn’t mean it’s in trouble. We don’t need a huge purse to be an effective advocate for our members, so we keep dues as low as we can. AFA dues are among the lowest in all unions--just $50 per month, and 80% of that money stays in your local chapter. But AFA has all the money necessary to support a winning campaign - and the structure of our Flight Attendant union at 20 airlines to help get it done. We also have the full support and resources of the 700,000 members of the Communications Workers of America.

UNION-BUSTER CLAIM: CAN’T TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER

FACT: Delta Flight Attendants are leading this effort. After other organizing drives fell short or stalled out, we decided it was time to ask for AFA’s help once again. It has been nine years since we voted for a union. Management has changed and we have changed. This is a Flight Attendant-led campaign, and we’re grateful to have AFA on our side to win the union we need to make sure Delta stays a great place to work. We want to claim our rights to be a part of shaping our experience at work just like our pilots have done for decades. It’s a new day with AFA.

UNION-BUSTER CLAIM: IF WE VOTE FOR AFA, WE’LL NO LONGER HAVE A-DAYS

FACT: Only Delta Flight Attendants can decide what’s negotiated. Nothing will change unless we as Delta Flight Attendants want it to change. So let’s put this one to rest once and for all. Management’s claim just isn’t true. It’s our union and our choice as Flight Attendants to keep A-days.