Union calls for probe of tire explosion that killed 2, injured 1 Delta worker at Atlanta airport

A union making an attempt to prepare Delta Air Traces floor employees, the Worldwide Affiliation of Machinists (IAM), referred to as on Delta and authorities to research a reported tire explosion at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Worldwide Airport that has left two Delta workers useless and one injured.

“As a union devoted to the well-being and security of our members and the broader group, we are going to provide our assets to all these impacted by this tragic occasion. We stand in unity with Delta employees throughout this tough time and we name on Delta and the related authorities to shortly launch a radical investigation into how this occurred,” IAM mentioned in an announcement.

The IAM represents 100,000 airline employees throughout North America — however whereas most U.S. carriers are extremely unionized, Delta is just not. The IAM is pushing to unionize Delta’s ramp employees, tower employees, and baggage handlers, whereas the Teamsters union has pushed to unionize mechanics. 

Simply final month, IAM organizers held a small rally with Delta employees close to the airport in assist of unionization.

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, in a put up on X, supplied his “deepest condolences” to the households and family members of the deceased, and his ideas to these injured. The mayor mentioned police, hearth, and airport officers have been on the scene.

Delta TechOps Chief of Operations John Laughter mentioned in a memo to TechOps workers shared with Atlanta Civic Circle that he’s “deeply saddened to share that three TechOps group members have been concerned in an accident that happened early this morning in Atlanta TOC 3, Dept. 391 – Wheel & Brake Store. Tragically, two of our group members concerned handed away and one different group member was severely injured.”

“We’re extending our full assist to their households at this tough time and conducting an investigation to find out what occurred,” Laughter’s memo said.

A Delta spokesperson mentioned in an announcement that “We are actually working with native authorities and conducting a full investigation to find out what occurred.”