Delta Air Lines has raised wages for its non-union employees for the third time since 2022, this year proactively awarding employees with a 5% raise across pay scales just months after a generous profit-sharing payout.
Employees At Delta Air Lines Will Receive 5% Pay Raise With Minimum Wage Set To $19/Hour In USA
Delta is raising the minimum starting wage to $19 an hour for domestic mainline positions and providing eligible employees across the company with a 5% pay raise. Eligible employees include those not covered by a collective bargaining agreement or government wage requirement.
Delta boasts that in the last 15 years, it has provided 12 base pay increases that add up to an average of an 85% increase in base pay. More recently, it awarded non-union employees with a 5% pay raise in April 2023 and a 4% pay raise in May 2022.
As Delta CEO Ed Bastian explains it:
“Delta’s leading position comes thanks to a simple concept that dates back nearly a century – invest in our people first, and they will deliver great service and experiences for our customers. That’s exactly what you do, and it always sets us apart.”
We could debate all day about the motives behind this. Some will say this is a desperate move by Delta to keep more employee groups from unionizing while others will say it is just a different way of doing business at Delta and a manner in which the airline has effectively been able to generate industry-leading profit by treating employees well and thereby building their trust to perform well.
Both may well be true, but the point here is that workers at Delta tend to take home more than workers at other airlines with similar seniorities and roles. Not only do these non-union employees save union dues, but they enjoy more profit sharing and raises than we’ve seen at other US legacy carriers, particularly since the pandemic.
It’s not for me to say here and now what the best approach is…today I will simply congratulate the employees of Delta for another raise and stipulate that whatever your politics on industrial relations, it is always nice to work for a company that recognizes hard work and rewards employees accordingly.
image: Delta
I always notice that the technology/infrastructure group (the people who have the most unappreciated role in any business) is never mentioned.
Just yelled at that “the IT is not working!” and ignored the rest of the time. I wish that were different.
Gates and the computer boys have conned society into thinking computers are soooo important … and next they will force AI nonsense onto society . And they suck the money right out of the business . What a load of nonsense . I know a shop owner in Hawaii who uses an Abacus , and never needed any computer . He’s smart .
About time businesses paid both employees and contract workers better wages . Airline companies have been sucking money out of the wallets of the traveling public with all types of creative charges and fees . For example , charging a fee to select a seat , or a “resort” fee . The money goes direct to DEI fools and manager’s bonuses .
the fact that Delta is trying to prevent unionization in several work groups is very much the motivation behind this decision.
yes it’s good for them now – but without a contract behind it those pay raises (and job security) can easily be taken away tomorrow.
And American Airlines flight attendants continue 5 years without any wage increases (and low profit sharing). Passengers wonder why the service on AA continues to decline.
Can’t wait for the unions to take credit for this!
Good for those that got a raise. Sadly the unions are not serving their workers. In fact it’s more like a disservice. Flight attendants should start questioning the value of their dues. Perspective seems to be lost. Yes the pilots were lucky in timing and shortages but that’s not the hard truth with flight attendants. And if as Jan suggests, unions take credit for delivering raises, maybe it’s time to break up. Who pays for something they don’t receive?
I dislike Delta on a variety of levels but their management is certainly not stupid. This sure is a clever move.
There are probably jr FAs at Republic and SkyWest working DL operated flights that aren’t getting $19/hr.
Well Southwest just voted in their TA and far surpassed Delta wages. Based on everything Delta claims, I guess they’re busy sharpening their pencils.
9% raise in 2yrs and starting at $19/hr. No wonder I don’t work there.