Delta boosts employee salaries by a 5%, their second pay raise in 12 months

What’s going on:   

In an impressive sign of a swift turnaround in the airline industry, Delta Air Lines has increased staff pay twice within a year: a 5% boost just recently, following a 4% rise back in May, before the pandemic hit.  

The new wage boost will bring the total pay raise for all non-bargaining agreement workers since May to an impressive 9%. This applies to both ground staff and flight attendants, who are affiliated with the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA.   

Why it matters:  

“Considering the depths of losses we suffered during the pandemic, including a $1 billion first quarter loss just last year, this is truly a remarkable achievement,” CEO Ed Bastian said in a staff note. 

Atlanta’s Delta Airlines will be rewarding its employees with a staggering $550 million of shared profits later this month. 

How it’ll impact the future:  

Despite posting a record-breaking $1.32 billion profit last year following a staggering $12 billion loss in 2020, Delta’s pilots have yet to receive the pay hikes they have been voting on. Should the new contract proposal be ratified, they would receive a substantial 18% raise upon signing and a total of 34% over the next four years.