Delta Air Lines pilots voted to authorize a strike if an agreement isnt reached in the long-delayed contract negotiations between Delta and the union.
The Air Line Pilots Association union said 96% of Delta pilots voted, and 99% voted to authorize the strike, though they would prefer a contract.
Negotiations for a new contract began in 2019, but were paused in 2020 for nearly two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Talks continued in January 2022, the union said.
Capt. Jason Ambrosi, chair of the Delta Master Executive Council, noted that Delta has largely rebounded from the pandemic, “posting record revenues for the third quarter.”
The National Mediation Board will decide whether to offer arbitration. If arbitration is declined, a strike could commence after a 30-day “cooling off” period.
