The Fascinating ‘Me Too’ Clause That Will Guarantee Delta Air Pilots The Best Pay in the Industry

The pilots at Delta Air Lines are expected to get a 34 percent pay rise over the next four years, plus a guarantee that their wages will always be at least 1 percent higher than their peers at both American Airlines and United Airlines.

The details of the tentative deal were leaked on Saturday. The Delta branch of the Allied Pilots Union needs to vote on the contract.

Delta pilots would receive an immediate 18 percent pay rise and a one-time payment equivalent to 22 percent of their earnings between 2020 and 2022.

After the first year of the contract, pilots would get a 5 per cent pay rise, followed by two 4 per cent pay rises in the next two years. The minimum pay increase for pilots will be 34 percent.

The Delta pilot's contract is benchmarked against other workers in the tentative agreement.

The Delta management was able to benchmark the contract against their peers at American Airlines and United who are still in contract talks with their pilots.

If either American Airlines or United were to offer their pilots better pay than what has already been negotiated at Delta, the Atlanta-based airline has promised to beat any deal by at least 1 percent.

The Delta pilots have been working to get a new contract since the contract became amendable. The pay rates and other contract provisions have not changed since the last contract was signed.

Negotiations were put on hold during the Pandemic but airlines are facing a severe pilot shortage and unions are in charge of contract talks.

The Delta pilots voted at the end of October to authorize strike action. Since that historic vote, negotiations have been going on.

Quality of life improvements include ten weeks of paid maternity leave, improved crew meals and enhanced health insurance.

Delta said it was pleased to have reached an agreement in principle for a new pilot contract that recognizes the contributions of their pilots.

As an international flight attendant, Maszczynski worked at the most prominent airline in the Middle East and has been flying for a well-known European airline. He is an expert in passenger experience and human-centered stories. Some of the biggest names in journalism rely on Matt's industry insights, analysis and news coverage often.