It’s not unusual for airlines to come up with volunteer opportunities for employees. Typically these opportunities are for helping the community, while in this case the opportunities are for helping… Sky Club guests? Here’s an interesting ask from an airline, as flagged by @xJonNYC.
In this post:
Delta is short of contractors, needs Sky Club volunteers
Delta Air Lines is allegedly currently short around 115 contractors at its Atlanta Sky Clubs. The airline is now asking all employees in the area (including pilots, flight attendants, gate agents, and more) to volunteer to wipe down tables, run food, and more.
Employees are asked to bring “business casual” wear (which is defined as black slacks and a white shirt), and the airline will generous provide aprons. 😉
Here’s the memo to employees:
We Need Volunteers for our ATL Sky Club Experience!!!
We are severely understaffed in the ATL Sky Club due to lack of contractor support (i.e. we are currently short 115 people) which puts our Sky Clubs at risk from a customer satisfaction standpoint.
We are asking for any Delta employee in the ATL area who can help support. Just come to the ATL airport for a few hours to help with cleaning, wiping tables, running food, restocking food buffets, etc. You can wear business casual wear (black slacks and a white shirt) and we will provide aprons. You will be able to pick up gate passes to get past the airport security to get to the ATL Sky Lounge.
There are needs at all times; however there is a limit to three days per person each month. Ideally, we’d be working each week to fill volunteer slots for the following week.
Fair, ridiculous, comical, or all of the above?
It’s hard to know what exactly to make of this, though the thought of Delta pilots running around Sky Clubs in aprons wiping down tables and restocking food puts a smile on my face.
A few things to note:
- This is marketed as a “volunteer” opportunity, though it’s not entirely clear if this is paid or not; if it is paid, I’d guess an A350 captain wouldn’t be paid the same $354 per hour they’d get if they were flying 😉
- This is not being pushed aggressively, though it is still unusual to see an airline essentially ask employees to volunteer in place of contractors
- More than at American and United, Delta employees are definitely invested in the success of the company, and historically the airline has offered generous profit sharing; that being said, there’s an irony to Delta outsourcing jobs in Sky Clubs, and then asking employees to volunteer in their place when that proves not very reliable
- Delta used to be known for operational excellence, though the airline also seems to be having the most staffing issues lately; Delta has been having huge staffing issues with pilots on three consecutive major holidays, the airline has had extremely long phone hold times, and now the airline is having Sky Club staffing issues
Bottom line
Delta is short of contractors in its Atlanta Sky Clubs, and the airline is now asking other employees to step up and volunteer to clean tables and restock food.
I’m not sure what exactly to make of this. I’d be curious how many Delta employees volunteer, and if this is a paid opportunity or not. Delta hired contractors in its lounges to save money, and when that proves unreliable, the airline is asking employees to step up.
What do you make of all of this?
Transiting between terminals at Heathrow shouldn’t be a big ordeal unless their operations go sideways. I’ve had to wait 30 minutes for a bus from T3 to T5 being at the front of the bus queue. Not great but Covid times.
I worked as an American Airlines flight attendant for 27 years. I took 2005 early retirement.
As for volunteering and volunteering in a tight situation, yes, we would help, in my case.. clean the airplane. Guess what, It Was written into our next contract/job description ground cleaners would be eliminated... flight attendants clean the airplane!!! Most of us learned very quickly not to give an inch.
Also AA's profit sharing was a joke,...
I worked as an American Airlines flight attendant for 27 years. I took 2005 early retirement.
As for volunteering and volunteering in a tight situation, yes, we would help, in my case.. clean the airplane. Guess what, It Was written into our next contract/job description ground cleaners would be eliminated... flight attendants clean the airplane!!! Most of us learned very quickly not to give an inch.
Also AA's profit sharing was a joke, management took lions share, pilots second, rest of work staff split what was left. Pilot profit share was at least $3,000...mine averaged $700.
AA (compared to competitors) is known to be difficult to work for.
I loved my job, kept a low profile.. I enjoyed the benefits, and I didn't leave as a grumbling employee.
I just think management (Delta included) needs to reconsider what they ask of their employees.
Can I volunteer, as a Sky Club member?
As an Admirals Club member, at times the state of disarray at CLT and MIA D30 had made me wish I had access to a spray bottle, paper towel, and dish cart to make a clean space for myself
For those asking about if it’s legal (not in violation of FLSA or other Federal labor laws) to ask employees to volunteer, it should be assuming the choice to do so is voluntary and not mandatory (both in policy and practice), which seems to be the case absent additional facts. Bottom line, if you think it’s illegal or don’t wanna do it, don’t.
As for the work comp questions, I practiced work comp in GA...
For those asking about if it’s legal (not in violation of FLSA or other Federal labor laws) to ask employees to volunteer, it should be assuming the choice to do so is voluntary and not mandatory (both in policy and practice), which seems to be the case absent additional facts. Bottom line, if you think it’s illegal or don’t wanna do it, don’t.
As for the work comp questions, I practiced work comp in GA for 7 years before switching practice areas. Volunteers are never always covered or always not; it’s a factual determination. Since the situation is a current employee acting to benefit the employer for an activity that falls within Delta’s business model, I’d wager an injury while volunteering would be considered a compensable claim.
Even if the claim would not normally be considered compensable, Delta can easily elect to provide WC coverage to the employee/volunteers since Delta is self-insured. If Delta didn’t want to touch the $1,000,000+ bond they put up with the state of GA to be self-insured or provide WC coverage for whatever reason, they would open themselves up to a costlier lawsuit since liability wouldn’t be precluded by the Exclusive Doctrine that applies to WC.
Finally, regarding the pay (or compensation) rate of a pilot volunteering for a job that would normally pay less than his current job with Delta, this situation would be akin to a mandatory company outing where someone gets hurt. He’d be paid based on his what he makes as an pilot/employee. Not that the difference would matter much since the maximum compensation rate in GA is capped at $675 per week.
*Disclaimer: Nothing written above constitutes legal advice, nor does it form an attorney-client relationship.
Billions went to these airlines, and other corporations.
DL and ALL corporations spent years stuffing the pockets of their shareholders, at the expense of employees and guess what, SOCIETY. Outsourcing became a norm, and degraded society became the norm. Do people not see this?.
Many can argue about unemployment benefits being more generous than paid work (I doubt it), well then its time to regulate corporations....and what they pay staff, and what can be...
Billions went to these airlines, and other corporations.
DL and ALL corporations spent years stuffing the pockets of their shareholders, at the expense of employees and guess what, SOCIETY. Outsourcing became a norm, and degraded society became the norm. Do people not see this?.
Many can argue about unemployment benefits being more generous than paid work (I doubt it), well then its time to regulate corporations....and what they pay staff, and what can be returned in compensation to CEO's and other execs. Yes, DL has been a generous employer to some staff (but do outsourced staff get to partake in profit participation?). Does a CEO really need to make $30 million per year. Can they not get by on $3-5 million?
Pay people a proper wage, otherwise they will not show up!
There is a bigger issue here, and all of those who side with any corporation, well it just shows your true colors and mindset. PAY YOUR STAFF a proper living wage, Delta Airlines or shut your lounges! I've sat at the gate before taking International First....it can be done.
Now if DL staff do not volunteer, will this be held against them? Hmmm.
Whenever our union went on strike, exempt are expected to volunteer on production line on top of working hours.
this is normal.
So many folks whining about enhanced unemployment benefits. I hope you are all just as upset that Fortune 500 companies are the first to beg for government welfare, undeserving rich kids inherit billions, and Warren Buffet’s secretary is taxed at a higher rate than Warren Buffet.
But a minimum wage worker getting paid ~$15 an hour to sit on his or her ass for a few months. The sky is falling!!!
It's one thing to run all hands on deck to compensate for a force majour event, but honestly understaffing at a lounge is hardly a priority. More like covering up for operational deficiency.
@Charles S - flying and opening a bank account aren't constitutional rights - voting is. Point of my comment was that that correlating employer issued IDs and government IDs is a completely false equivalence
Federal unemployment checks, state unemployment checks, federal stimulus checks, state stimulus checks (here in CA at least), rent assistance checks, disaster and COVID checks..... that is a lot of checks telling you it is better not to be a productive member of society. Just relax, kick back in your couch and watch the money flow into your account.
If you pay people not to work, guess what, they will stay home.
At least Delta will have a real excuse for their next operational meltdown over memorial weekend: “sorry. Your pilot is busy cleaning the Sky Club”
Delta’s general headquarters with thousands of salaried employees is located at the Atlanta airport. Included among these thousands of salaried employees are many who will happily volunteer their time to help out at the airport and would be owed no additional compensation under the Fair Labor Standards Act. In other words, perfectly legal to NOT pay some employees any additional compensation. Others, would need to be paid and I’m certain Delta knows this as Delta...
Delta’s general headquarters with thousands of salaried employees is located at the Atlanta airport. Included among these thousands of salaried employees are many who will happily volunteer their time to help out at the airport and would be owed no additional compensation under the Fair Labor Standards Act. In other words, perfectly legal to NOT pay some employees any additional compensation. Others, would need to be paid and I’m certain Delta knows this as Delta also employees highly competent in-house labor lawyers.
Imagine being the junior employee asked by corporate HR to "volunteer." Who is going to say no? You know damn well there's a list kept of who answered the call. This has the potential for workplace-related lawsuits.
You know, as an economist, I always struggle with companies that claim they cannot find workers. The complete sentence is always, "we cannot find workers... at the wages we are offering." The flat UI top-up rate was chosen for administrative simplicity given that most states struggled mightily to process regular UI benefits in a timely fashion even before the pandemic. In GA, PUA + FPUC would be higher than regular pay for someone earning ~$34,500/year....
You know, as an economist, I always struggle with companies that claim they cannot find workers. The complete sentence is always, "we cannot find workers... at the wages we are offering." The flat UI top-up rate was chosen for administrative simplicity given that most states struggled mightily to process regular UI benefits in a timely fashion even before the pandemic. In GA, PUA + FPUC would be higher than regular pay for someone earning ~$34,500/year. While it would be nice to live in a world so prosperous that contract cleaners were paid this much, I doubt this is the reality.
I don,t see much wrong, with it, they may have had contractor, who has folded up, anyone want to start a company, nows here is your chance, call Ed on 800 800 800 ha ha , I feel Delat are asking their employee,s mostlly , for the fact, they all have the security clearance, I, not sure Delta or airports would be happy, with anyone just coming in cleaning, and as some one said drinking Krug? , or security risk, so Great Idea. craig
@John I don’t know what you are talking about do you really think that in Europe they allow employees to work off the clock. It’s about following the labor laws of the United States and the state of Georgia. All I was asking is if it was even legal for an employer to do that. US employees are worked harder than their European counter parts.
This is disgusting... Delta EXECUTIVES (along with all other Fortune 100 companies have outsourced what used to be decent paying jobs with slave labor contractors) should have to do these jobs. No frontline staff should be "asked" to do anything outside of their union contract. Another reason Delta employees should be unionized! Only greedy executives would "let" employees volunteer for this!
Ed's too busy engaging in corporative activism to help out. Moving a baseball game out of Atlanta is far more important than this small stuff.
Trust those litigious-minded Americans (cough-cough @Charles S) to ALWAYS look for the sharpest legal angle in this story. Give it a break, why don't ya! You're confirming a national stereotype and probably don't even realize it.
The real question is if we'll see Ed Bastian volunteering at one of of ATL Sky Clubs.
Don't understand the volunteer part. Can't they pay like something in return, not full pay, but something? Maybe bonus or meals, or something. I mean, they don't have contractors to pay, so they can pay their employees instead?
Small business owners often clean the toilets.
As far as people not wanting to work, it's true. I know someone that is planning to work in September when the Federal benefits end but state benefits don't. Now there is not a requirement to look for work.
If I worked for Delta, and I enjoyed working there, I’d be glad to pitch in. If I don’t like working there, gotta question why I work there.
I prefer not to live my life with an “on the clock” mentality, making sure my employer doesn’t take advantage of me. Life is too short.
Anyone that never sweated a payroll or thought about hiring help should think twice about discussing living wages. This is the same airline that had employees buy them a plane. There is more than the usual employee/employer relationship going on.
The first to show up should be senior staff to solidify a team atmosphere and that when it is all-hands-on-deck, EVERYONE pitches in.
To just ask line staff to volunteer is quite lame.
A Delta spokesperson say this on TPG (please forgive me for going to TPG :-)):
“Just as we’ve done for years with Peach Corps employee volunteers during our busiest travel seasons, we have asked Atlanta-based, salaried employees to volunteer in our Atlanta Delta Sky Clubs to help meet the rapid, recent increases in customer volumes and ensure that our teams continuously deliver the elevated Club experiences our customers have come to expect. No matter where...
A Delta spokesperson say this on TPG (please forgive me for going to TPG :-)):
“Just as we’ve done for years with Peach Corps employee volunteers during our busiest travel seasons, we have asked Atlanta-based, salaried employees to volunteer in our Atlanta Delta Sky Clubs to help meet the rapid, recent increases in customer volumes and ensure that our teams continuously deliver the elevated Club experiences our customers have come to expect. No matter where a Delta employee works – whether in the operation or at headquarters – one thing consistent among all Delta people is their willingness to lend a hand. It is part of Delta’s culture and is the Delta Difference.”
It is non-Union salaried employees which makes sence.
I am sure Bastian will be there with them cleaning away.
Yeah, right.
@ All -- The blame all belongs on the Federal Reserve. They have single-handedly destroyed our economy. They need to stop printing money and wind down their balance sheet and let everyone fend for themselves. It would bring some misery but things would normalize much more quickly if everyone focused on working rather than begging.
@Mark F: Your math is flawed, as the $300 is EXTRA and SURPLUS on top of what a particular state pays out in normal unemployment compensation.
Keeping it Klassy as always Delta... ::EYEROLL::
So they get billions from taxpayers, have plenty of money to buy iPads for FAs, but no money for cleaning? Maybe their political lobbying division can chip in and help, they seem to have plenty of resources.
@Bobby: typical snowflake response. Get hurt for helping with cleaning, wiping tables, running food, restocking food buffets, etc. Get a life!!!!
It's actually quite common for all types of corporations (including airlines) to call on salaried staff to volunteer for non-standard assignments during times of crisis. When flight attendants go on strike, it's salaried employees who often step in to fill in some of the gaps. I personally know that American Airlines did this during a FA strike in the 90s.
What is the big deal? Delta has given great bonuses to all their employees. Time to take one for the team.
Or, how about this: unemployment benefits are supply-side economics for the labor market. They force employers to compensate their lowest-wage workers better.
A for-profit company cannot, in most circumstances, as employees to volunteer their time, they must be compensated for all hours worked unless they are an exempt employee. This is almost certainly illegal if they truly intend for employees to volunteer for free.
@ tipsyinmadras yawn. The US government doesn’t make IDs except for passports. Did you know the state of Georgia will issue a free ID to those who need it? You need an ID to open a bank account or fly. They are actually really easy to get. No I am not supporting voting restriction. I just hate the whole it’s hard to get a free ID. By the way since they work at the airport the Delta Contractors would need a state ID and basic background check.
Contractors that support the clubs are not DL employees. Like restaurants, the help is not returning to work - since they are getting paid more from unemployment, with the additional add on payments.
Some states are starting to cancel the supplemental payments so that unemployment is less than pay - that is to encourage contractors and other lower wage employees to return to work.
To use the slang - sometimes it is better to be on the "dole" than work.
All the conservatives immediately jumping to the ol' standby, "unemployment benefits are too good now, no one wants to work!" How about, maybe, if Delta wants to solve its staffing issues, they have to adjust their compensation to be more competitive? Woe is them.
Not to mention the complimentary sparkling lounge in several lounges has been downgraded to $3-$5 per bottle Duc de Valmer, which isn't even made from the champagne method. They went from a legitimate French sparkling wine from the champagne method, one that was sold in wine shops and appeared on restaurant menus, to something worse than Andre. Now, they don't have staff to clean toilets and wipe tables. Someone should call the health department inspectors.
This is ridiculous! What if they get hurt?
Pay them $15 and hour to help out.
Ps. I volunteer 15 hours a week at a hospital so I’m all for doing my share
A problem with being on unemployment is that you stop accruing benefits that you ordinarily would if you were working, such as vacation, profit sharing, 401k match, etc. Employers who provide those benefits are more likely to see the speedy return of their workers than employers who do not.
Have you visited a Sky Club recently, Ben? The gap between DL and the United Clubs and Admirals Clubs is a mile right now. Regardless of volunteers.
If Polaris and Flagship Lounges aren't opening any time soon, the competition isn't even close.
@DLPTATL - UI isn't much to live off, if employers can't pay employees a living wage and stay in business, then they're not running a very good business.
@john - Delta issues company IDs to all employees / contractors. The US government does not make photo IDs readily accessible to everyone who is eligible to vote.
@ Mark F. - Please get your facts straight. Let's call a duck a duck...and a fact a fact. The "Continued Assistance for Unemployed Workers Act" provides $300/week of a SUPPLEMENTAL AMOUNT ADDED TO UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS.
In Georgia the published minimum weekly benefit is $55 and the maximum is $365. With the Federal funds this goes to $355 to $665/week or $8.88/hr to $16.63/hr assuming 40 hour work weeks.
The contractor that staffs...
@ Mark F. - Please get your facts straight. Let's call a duck a duck...and a fact a fact. The "Continued Assistance for Unemployed Workers Act" provides $300/week of a SUPPLEMENTAL AMOUNT ADDED TO UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS.
In Georgia the published minimum weekly benefit is $55 and the maximum is $365. With the Federal funds this goes to $355 to $665/week or $8.88/hr to $16.63/hr assuming 40 hour work weeks.
The contractor that staffs the ATL SkyClubs is SodexoMAGIC, a firm partially owned by "Magic Johnson". Glassdoor reports that the average wage for a SkyClub Ambassador employed by SodexoMAGIC is $33,905 with a guaranteed 40 hours. This works out to $16.30/hr, or 2% below the MAXIMUM unemployment benefit in GA which the average SkyClub Ambassador would be unlikely to receive. The enhanced unemployment is almost certainly better than these wages ignoring additional benefits someone on GA unemployment may qualify for in terms of food support, healthcare, etc.
I was on a tour of North Korea a few years ago with a group of avgeeks, one of them was a Lufthansa 747 pilot. We were standing around commenting about the awful condition of the latrines (bathroom was far too nice a word) and someone said something to the effect of "maybe we could be helpful and try to clean them up a bit." Without missing a beat the LH pilot said "This is not Lufthansa, I don't have to do that."
This isn't surprising right now. I see it all the time in my job of being requested to "help out" and and work weekends on manual labor type jobs that they cant hire enough people to do.
Will these employees have to show a company badge to enter? Or is that racist?
This is like a question from a law school labor law class final exam. There are so many land mines buried in this scenario that it’s ridiculous. Let’s add a fun one: A pilot, volunteering (unpaid—if that’s even legally possible), bends over a coffee table to clean up and either throws out his back or slices his hand on a broken wine glass, putting him out of work indefinitely. What rate of workers’ compensation does...
This is like a question from a law school labor law class final exam. There are so many land mines buried in this scenario that it’s ridiculous. Let’s add a fun one: A pilot, volunteering (unpaid—if that’s even legally possible), bends over a coffee table to clean up and either throws out his back or slices his hand on a broken wine glass, putting him out of work indefinitely. What rate of workers’ compensation does he receive for lost wages? The rate of a pilot or of a lounge server? He was never hired, classified, or paid as a server and Delta told their workers’ comp insurer that he was a pilot. Flight crews are governed by federal labor laws. Lounge workers are typically governed by a combination of federal, state and local laws. So which laws apply to a crew member performing services in a lounge that is not within the normal scope and course of their employment and is outside their compensable hours of flight duty? What a mess!
I think its very normal for them to ask. unemployment is making a big mess
COVID federal unemployment benefits are $300 a week, or $7.50 an hour for a 40 hour week. If this wage is more generous than what the contractors pay, then they probably should pay more.
The canard that the $300 check for 3 more months is what is keeping these companies from being able to properly staff has not EVER been proven true. But it is hauled out WITHOUT PROOF every time someone has a...
COVID federal unemployment benefits are $300 a week, or $7.50 an hour for a 40 hour week. If this wage is more generous than what the contractors pay, then they probably should pay more.
The canard that the $300 check for 3 more months is what is keeping these companies from being able to properly staff has not EVER been proven true. But it is hauled out WITHOUT PROOF every time someone has a staffing shortage.
What IS happening is that these contractor type jobs were dropped like a hot potato when the pandemic hit, and many of those people took jobs in other fields. Amazon is begging for employees around here at $15-20 an hour plus benefits and these employers are confused as to why no one wants to jump at their minimum wage or even sub minimum wage (tips) jobs in hospitality.
Delta took funds from the government to pay their employees, they can afford to pay their volunteers.
Okay is this even legal if they are not compensated? I mean I can’t be asked by my work to perform janitorial functions unpaid as a volunteer. Any lawyers out there care to chime in? Lucky I don’t suppose Delta would elaborate to you cause this seems nuts.
@ Ben -- Maybe Ed can get off of his beggar knees and pitch in?
Knowing Delta employees they will answer the call and help out. I'm flying tomorrow and will keep an eye out for potential volunteers.
This points to the larger issue of the COVID unemployment benefits are more generous than the contractors that staff these lounges; so a lot of former employees that were laid off during the pandemic are deciding to stay home rather than come back to work. This same dynamic will also hit...
Knowing Delta employees they will answer the call and help out. I'm flying tomorrow and will keep an eye out for potential volunteers.
This points to the larger issue of the COVID unemployment benefits are more generous than the contractors that staff these lounges; so a lot of former employees that were laid off during the pandemic are deciding to stay home rather than come back to work. This same dynamic will also hit the retail and restaurant employees in airports, shuttle drivers, etc. We're starting to see some states cutting these unemployment benefits in order to nudge these workers back into the workforce.
JetBlue does this all the time, not with lounges obviously, but employees are strongly encouraged to participate in “Blue Unity”. Employees come to the airport at busy times and assist in the lobby with tagging bags, helping customers use the kiosks, etc.
I always found it strange that it was characterized as sudo-volunteer time, when it was really just helping staff the airline’s operation. While there were opportunities for support center employees to participate...
JetBlue does this all the time, not with lounges obviously, but employees are strongly encouraged to participate in “Blue Unity”. Employees come to the airport at busy times and assist in the lobby with tagging bags, helping customers use the kiosks, etc.
I always found it strange that it was characterized as sudo-volunteer time, when it was really just helping staff the airline’s operation. While there were opportunities for support center employees to participate during working hours, we were also encouraged to do it on weekends and holidays (sometimes with added incentives where you could earn pto)
Once again, Delta is doing the right thing, at the right time, as always.
The question is, am I doing this right, OMAAT Delta sycophants?
I suppose said volunteer could drink all the alcohol they wanted from the bar since they are not on the clock. I’d wipe a few tables for a bottle of Krug.
I'd do 1-2 hours of cleaning for $350 an hour.