IAM Union Organizer Accuses Delta Air Lines of Intimidating Workers’ Right to Organize

ATLANTA, Nov. 2, 2023 – The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) is calling out Delta Air Lines on attempts to intimidate workers from exercising their legal right to organize without interference. IAM Delta Organizer Clyde Sampson was involved in a recent incident in which Delta Air Lines management called the police to allegedly intimidate him from organizing in a public area near the carrier’s Atlanta employee parking area. 

WATCH: Incident with IAM Delta Organizer Clyde Sampson

Late last year, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA), and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) announced a coordinated campaign to support the people of Delta Air Lines who are working to organize their unions. There are 45,000 Delta employees actively organizing to join unions. 

“The IAM stands firmly behind Delta workers, and we are deeply concerned about the potential violation of workers’ rights,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “Delta is one of the world’s largest airlines, and the workers there deserve to have a voice and respect in the workplace. The right of its employees to engage in organizing activities is protected under U.S. labor law. Such alleged actions have a chilling effect on the organizing campaign and violate workers’ ability to exercise their legally protected rights.”

Sampson, a dedicated IAM Delta Organizer and retired Delta Ramp Agent, has been working tirelessly to inform Delta employees about the benefits of collective bargaining and their right to unionize. His commitment to ensuring workers’ voices are heard is at the core of his work.

“It’s essential that workers at Delta Air Lines have the freedom to exercise their rights without fear of intimidation or retaliation,” said IAM Air Transport Territory General Vice President Richie Johnsen. “We call on Delta Air Lines to investigate this serious matter thoroughly and ensure that management will not misuse the resources of first responders to further intimidate our organizers.”   

Delta Air Lines has a long history of union-busting. In recent years, the company has spent millions of dollars on anti-union consultants and lawyers. The company has also fired and disciplined workers for union activities.

Delta Air Lines management has threatened employees with termination for union activities. It hosts an anti-union website and distributes literature that threatens workers seeking to organize. Delta also spent approximately $38 million to oppose a flight attendant union campaign in 2010. Its anti-union activities have caused brand damage, including broad media coverage of a 2019 anti-union flier that told employees to spend money on video games instead of union dues.

IAM Delta Organizer Clyde Sampson is available for media interviews. 

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) is among the largest industrial trade unions in North America and represents nearly 600,000 active and retired members in the manufacturing, aerospace, defense, airlines, transportation, shipbuilding, woodworking, health care, and other industries.

goIAM.org | @MachinistsUnion