Delta restores managers’ pay as workers remain on leave

Delta is making payments to management employees to help offset reductions imposed a year ago when the burgeoning coronavirus pandemic decimated travel demand and prompted workers to take unpaid leave or retire early to help slash spending. The carrier is making the payouts after accepting billions of dollars in federal aid dedicated to preventing broad involuntary furloughs, and as Congress considers a new round of economic stimulus spending that would include a further $14b for US airlines. The payments brought the reduction in total compensation for employee groups below executive-officer levels to 20% to 30%, CEO Ed Bastian said in a memo to employees Monday. Before, some managers’ compensation had been reduced by about 50%, he said. The “one-time payments were entirely consistent and in compliance with” terms of federal payroll aid provided by the US, Bastian said.<br/>