What does an airline do when employees ask for more security and predictability in their pay while still sharing in the company’s success? Simple—it restructures its employee compensation to put more in base pay while keeping a profit-sharing plan that will provide employees with double-digit payouts when the airline meets its financial goals.
Delta announced today that it is increasing most employees’ base pay by 14.5 percent while continuing to offer a generous profit sharing plan. The company also is increasing its 401(k) dollar-for-dollar match from 5 to 6 percent.
In a memo to employees, CEO Richard Anderson and President Ed Bastian said, “When combined with the April (annual pay) increases, pay rates for most employees will be up 18 percent or more in 2015, providing you with record pay raises in a year of record profits. Few companies can match that.”
At the same time, Delta is projected to return about $3 billion to shareholders for 2015. Meanwhile, the airline continues to pay down debt while investing in aircraft, onboard experience and upgrading facilities worldwide.
Here’s what Delta shared with employees today:
1. Delta is responding to employee feedback by putting more money in base pay.
Base pay rates will increase by 14.5 percent for all eligible merit, ground and flight attendant employees around the world on Dec. 1. When combined with the April increases, pay rates for most employees will be up 18 percent or more in 2015, providing record pay raises in a year of record profits.
2. Profit sharing is here to stay.
The new profit sharing formula, for payouts in 2017 and beyond, shares 10 percent of profits until the airline matches its prior-year profitability and then pays 20 percent of profits, with no limit.
3. Delta increases match on 401(k).
Delta will match employees’ 401(k) contributions up to 6 percent of pay starting Jan. 1. With automatic and matching contributions from the airline, which together can equal up to 8 percent of employee earnings, the total will add up to 14 percent of an employee’s earnings.
