Release #: DAL 22.06
September 26, 2022

Delta Pilots Mark 1,000 Days Without a New Contract

ATLANTA, Ga.—Delta Air Lines pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), today have reached a milestone in their contract negotiations with Delta Air Lines—1,000 days since their contract became amendable on December 31, 2019. The pilots are working under a contract that went into effect in 2016.

“COVID put our talks on hold in March 2020. Delta pilots flew throughout the pandemic and, when travel demand returned, stepped up to the plate to fly record amounts of overtime to get our customers safely to their destinations,” said Delta ALPA Master Executive Council (MEC) chair Capt. Jason Ambrosi. “It’s past time for management to recognize our contributions and get serious at the bargaining table.”

Negotiations under the auspices of the National Mediation Board (NMB) resumed in January 2022. Since then, thousands of Delta pilots have participated in informational picketing at airports across the country to demonstrate their frustration with Delta’s over-scheduling of the airline and the protracted pace of contract negotiations.

“Delta has invested billions in stock buybacks, foreign carriers, and wholly owned subsidiaries as well as rewarded our fellow employees with pay raises,” said Capt. Ambrosi. “Management praises the pilots for our leadership. Meanwhile, we continue to work under pay rates, working conditions and benefits negotiated six years ago.”

In August, ALPA authorized a strike authorization ballot of the membership at the appropriate time.

“We’re preparing for all scenarios permitted under the Railway Labor Act, including a strike authorization ballot,” said Capt. Ambrosi. “While approving a strike authorization ballot does not mean a strike is imminent, it clearly sends the message that the Delta pilots are willing to go the distance to get the contract we’ve earned and deserve.”

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents more than 65,000 pilots at 40 U.S. and Canadian airlines. Visit ALPA.org or follow us on Twitter @ALPAPilots.

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CONTACT: ALPA Media, 703-481-4440 or Media@alpa.org