Delta Air Lines and union pilots may have agreed to a new contract deal to raise the pilots’ pay by 34%.
According to The Seattle Times, Delta and a negotiating committee, along with Air Line Pilots Association, representing Delta’s more than 14,000 pilots, decided to increase their pay by 34% for four years. However, the agreement is pending.
If the deal were approved, it would cost the airline company approximately $7.8 billion in added expenses over the four years the agreement lasts. Delta isn’t the only airline dealing with negotiations. Companies like United, Southwest Airlines and American Airlines dealt with strikes from aviators demanding provisions to their contracts. Union leaders hope the negotiations lead to other deals in the aviation industry.
“Without question, bargaining progress by one airline will stimulate other ongoing labor negotiations in our industry,” the Allied Pilots Association, American Airlines’ union, said.
The Air Line Pilots Association authorized Delta pilots to go on strike to push for contract provisions in October.
“Delta has rebounded from the pandemic and is poised to be stronger than ever, posting record revenues for the third quarter, “Capt. Jason Ambrosi, chair of the Delta Master Executive Council, said. “Meanwhile, our negotiations have dragged on for too long. Our goal is to reach an agreement, not to strike. The ball is in management’s court. It’s time for the Company to get serious at the bargaining table and invest in the Delta pilots.”
In addition to increased pay, Delta’s pilots demanded flexible work schedules and bonuses. Travel Noire reported that Delta aviators are facing an 18% increase after signing their contracts, a 5% increase a year later, and an 8% increase over five years.
Many airline executives want the negotiations to end quickly since airlines are already dealing with canceled flights and fewer pilots since the pandemic. Additionally, since America is most likely headed to a recession, pilots demanding more money could cause airlines to ask for loans and end up in debt—causing flight prices to increase.
