Delta fires employee who called for higher minimum wage

A longtime labor activist at Delta has been fired after he pushed for a $15 minimum wage at the airline, the Pioneer Press reports.

Kip Hedges was fired after giving an interview to Workday Minnesota in October. Hedges is a baggage handler at the airport.

Hedges said the Delta managers told him his remarks violated the airline’s Advocacy Policy, which prohibits ‘untrue or disparaging’ public comments about the company, Workday Minnesota said.

“Delta regrets any instance where a longtime employee is terminated,” Morgan Durrant, a spokesman for the airline, said. “However, Delta requires all employees to meet company performance and conduct standards. 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. We apply our policies consistently and in a non-discriminatory manner, based on an individual’s conduct and record of job performance, without regard to anyone’s personal views.”

Airport workers are planning a protest at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport later today.