Delta has
fired a longtime employee for his truthful comments about the low wages the airline pays its baggage handlers. Kip Hedges had worked for Delta and Northwest (which merged) for 26 years, and had been a union leader before the baggage handlers lost union representation. During an action last week:
“A lot of the Delta workers make under $15 an hour,” Hedges told the reporter for Workday Minnesota. “As a matter of fact, I would say probably close to half make under $15 an hour. So there’s a lot of them that understand how important this is. And a lot of the better-paid workers also understand that the bottom has to be raised otherwise the top is going to fall, as well.”
That was it. That's what Hedges said that supposedly got him fired, because:
“Delta regrets any instance where a longtime employee is terminated. This includes upholding our core values of respect and honesty in any communications regarding Delta. Delta invites healthy, constructive discussion across all areas of its business.”
Core values of respect and honesty—what is disrespectful or dishonest about noting that workers aren't paid well? What Delta would never admit is that Hedges was likely fired to intimidate other workers who might have thought about speaking out. And while
Walmart isn't legally allowed to threaten or fire workers for organizing, Delta operates under
different rules:
Transportation workers like Hedges are not protected by the National Labor Relations Act like private-sector workers, who can appeal mistreatment in the workplace. If Hedges loses his appeal, he plans to sue for wrongful termination in federal court.
Justice is so hard to come by for American workers, and intimidation is so easy for American businesses. Anytime you're tempted to wonder why more workers don't speak out and organize, think of stories like this.