Delta Air Lines Inc: Respect for Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining

January 10, 2025 As You Sow

BE IT RESOLVED: Shareholders request that the Board of Directors of Delta Airlines adopt and disclose a Non-Interference Policy (“Policy”) upholding the rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining in its operations, as reflected in the International Labour Organization’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.

SUPPORTING STATEMENT: Shareholders request the Board consider including, at its discretion, commitments to:

Non-interference when employees seek to form or join a trade union; and
Good faith and timely collective bargaining if employees form or join a trade union.

WHEREAS:

Freedom of association and collective bargaining are fundamental human rights under internationally recognized human rights frameworks. “Freedom of association refers to the right of workers . . . to create and join organizations of their choice freely and without fear of reprisal or interference.”[1]

Delta has operations and employees around the world. The Company should uphold the highest international standards under which it operates. Southwest Airlines,[2] United Airlines,[3] American Airlines,[4] and JetBlue[5] all have pledged to respect labor rights as laid out by the International Labour Organization.

Delta’s communications to its employees around unions have not historically met a non-interference or neutrality standard. Allegations include that Delta distributed anti-union materials, hosted anti-union briefings[6] and an anti-union website,[7] and threatened employees with termination for unionizing activities.[8] Delta is the only U.S.-based mainline carrier that does not have union representation for its flight attendants, fleet service or mechanics.[9]

Delta’s consumers support labor unions; according to a 2024 Gallup poll, 70 percent of Americans approve of unions.[10] Union support is also a bipartisan political goal,[11] yet Delta’s practices have drawn the negative attention of legislators; in 2024, 145 House of Representatives members and 25 Senators wrote to Delta calling on it to adopt a neutrality agreement.[12]

Freedom of association and collective bargaining can enhance shareholder value through improved health and safety;[13] increased productivity;[14] encouraged workforce training and skills development;[15] and strengthened human rights due diligence.[16] The presence of unions has been positively correlated with low turnover and reduced legal and regulatory violations.[17]

Instituting a Non-Interference Policy would not prevent Delta from touting the positives of working at the Company, its pride in its workplace, or the benefits that its employees enjoy.

[1] https://www.ilo.org/actrav/events/WCMS_315488/lang--en/index.htm

[2] http://investors.southwest.com/~/media/Files/S/Southwest-IR/southwest-human-rights-policy-statement.pdf

[3] https://ir.united.com/static-files/3482652b-31b2-4b3e-be3c-69c773b12e11

[4] https://www.aa.com/i18n/customer-service/about-us/human-rights-statement.jsp#:~:text=Freedom%20of%20Association%3A&text=We%20are%20committed%20to%20fostering,grievance%20mechanisms%20and%20remedial%20action.

[5] https://www.jetblue.com/human-rights

[6] https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jun/12/delta-workers-pro-union-report-threats-management

[7] https://www.onefutureonedelta.com/content/ifs/en/about-afa.html

[8] https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/aug/03/delta-flights-attendants-union-push

[9] https://thehill.com/business/4869155-poll-approval-labor-unions/

[10] https://thehill.com/business/4869155-poll-approval-labor-unions/

[11] https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/10/17/key-facts-about-union-members-and-the-2024-election/

[12] https://laborcaucus-pocan.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/laborcaucus-pocan.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/CLC%20Letter%20on%20Delta%20Neutrality%20Agreement_20240212.pdf