Kara Dupis, ATL Delta Flight Attendants, AFA Activists & Shareholders
Despite the narrative of a direct and "open-door" relationship with our leaders, opportunities to address the entire Board and executive team are rare, especially when discussing controversial topics. My involvement in the push for unionization has taught me that this fight is necessary, even when faced with adversity. On June 15, 2023, four Delta employees and shareholders representing the various work groups currently engaged in active union campaigns, alongside IAM’s Airline Division Chief of Staff, Edison Fraser, and IBT’s Co-Director of the Capital Strategies Unit, Alan Meyers, spoke in favor of Shareholder Proposal #6 during the Annual Shareholder's meeting in New York City. The proposal sought the adoption of a non-interference policy by the Board. Sabrina Stratton, Senior Vice President of Amalgamated Bank, provided a strong argument in presentation of the proposition on behalf of the shareholders, highlighting how Delta's interference in workers' rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining negatively affects the company's reputation and tarnished its brand.
Regrettably, the opportunity for our employee and union representatives to address the Board was not afforded until after the polls had closed and the meeting had adjourned, depriving us of the chance to influence votes or have our remarks officially recorded. While each of us conveyed a unique message, a resounding commonality persisted: the daily reality within the corporation contradicts the Board's claims of respecting every employee's right to choose or reject union representation. In my statement, I reminded Chairman Frank Blake and CEO Ed Bastian that the Railway Labor Act explicitly prohibits carriers from attempting to influence or coerce employees to discourage their involvement in labor organizations. I challenged them to acknowledge the stark disparity between their stated intentions and our experiences — including pervasive anti-union signage and pamphlets in crew lounges and training centers, managers distributing anti-union materials, undue pressure on new hires to attend anti-union briefings during training, and the inundation of anti-union messaging through company communication channels. It is very evident that management is attempting to influence their employees, resulting in the interference in our union drive.
I concluded my statement by expressing that “embracing a policy that supports the rights of employees in shaping the future of our company, we not only uphold our values but also demonstrate our commitment to being responsible stewards of our shareholders’ money.” Chairman Blake, in response, assured us that the Board takes its non-interference responsibility very seriously, emphasizing they are “very careful” in their communication and have implemented management training. He also indicated that with the closed polls and preliminary results against the proposition, the matter was considered closed.
Our coworkers Tyler Okney, Gamile Appiah, and Pat Gores further provided numerous examples of interference and attempts to influence employees, including their personal experiences, yet Chairman Blake's response grew increasingly dismissive. By the time our final representative made their statement, Chairman Blake resorted to referring us to the Board's full response in the Proxy Statement. The "Rules of Conduct for Annual Meeting and Question and Answer Session" stated that Delta officials would be available to meet with individual shareholders after the Q&A session. However, at the conclusion of the session we were immediately approached at our seats, instructed to exit through a specific door, and escorted to the elevator bank for departure. While waiting for the elevator, I inquired with the escorting representative if employee shareholders could have the opportunity to speak with our Board members. Unfortunately, another representative intervened, reiterating that we had to leave. Subsequently, the Board exited the conference room shortly after us, having every opportunity to engage with their own uniformed employees while walking to the elevators and exiting the building. Only Allison Ausband, Executive Vice President and Chief Customer Experience Officer, made any attempt to engage with us. Respectfully, Mrs. Ausband took a moment to speak with me before the meeting commenced and expressed her gratitude for our presence as we left the conference room.
Despite the passionate pleas of the shareholders and employee representatives in support of the non-interference proposal during Delta Air Lines' Annual Shareholder's meeting, the measure failed to gather sufficient votes for approval or elicit a genuine response that acknowledged the validity of our concerns. The meeting shed light on the significant challenges faced by those advocating for change within the company and underscored the ongoing need for transparent and accountable corporate governance. The dismissive response from Chairman Frank Blake and the Board's abrupt exit without engaging their own employees further exemplified the disconnect between the board's stated intentions and the workforce's experiences. This outcome underscores the importance of continuing efforts to address workers' rights and cultivate a truly inclusive corporate culture.