Delta pilots vote in favor of potential strike as contract talks drag on

Delta Air Strains pilots voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike if contract talks between the provider and the union do not result in an settlement, the labor group mentioned Monday.

A strike would not be fast and it could require permissions from the federal Nationwide Mediation board. The Air Line Pilots Affiliation union mentioned it needs a contract, not a strike.

Covid derailed contract talks all through the airline trade beginning in 2020. Talks have since resumed, and the Delta pilot strike vote underscores the problem in getting agreements by way of.

Pilots for U.S. carriers like Delta and opponents American Airways, United Airways and Southwest Airways have have just lately picketed at main airports to demand higher contracts because the trade returns to profitability.

“In the meantime, our negotiations have dragged on for too lengthy. Our aim is to succeed in an settlement, to not strike,” mentioned Capt. Jason Ambrosi, chair of the Delta grasp govt council of the Air Line Pilots Affiliation. “The ball is in administration’s courtroom. It is time for the Firm to get severe on the bargaining desk and put money into the Delta pilots.”

Delta mentioned the vote will not have an effect on its operation, because the pilots aren’t on strike, and that the provider and union have made “important progress” of their talks.

“ALPA’s said goal for the vote is just to realize leverage in our pilot contract negotiations, which proceed to progress below the traditional course of set by the Railway Labor Act and in partnership with the Nationwide Mediation Board,” the airline mentioned in an announcement. “We’re assured that the events will attain an settlement that’s honest and equitable, as we all the time have in previous negotiations.”

Earlier this yr, Alaska Airways pilots voted to authorize a possible strike. Pilots for that airline just lately reached a brand new contract settlement with the corporate.