Kip Hedges, the Delta baggage handler fired for speaking up for low-wage airport workers, is still waiting to hear the airline’s decision on his appeal. In the meantime, he has been awarded unemployment compensation and continues to advocate for higher wages and a union.

Hedge filed the appeal in mid-December through Delta’s internal process. If he is not rehired, he plans to pursue action in federal court for unlawful termination.

A 26-year airline employee and known union activist, Hedges was fired on Dec. 2 for comments he made in a Workday Minnesota video in support of the campaign to raise the minimum wage at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport to $15 an hour.

Since then, Hedges has addressed the Metropolitan Airports Commission about his case and continues to work on 15Now’s effort for a higher airport minimum wage and the International Association of Machinists campaign to organize ground workers at Delta.

“I’m doing all the things that got me fired in the first place,” he noted.

The State of Minnesota has granted Hedges unemployment compensation, rejecting the airline’s claim that he is ineligible.

In a letter to Hedges, the state Department of Employment and Economic Development wrote, “The evidence does not show that the applicant violated a policy or failed to follow instructions or procedure. The applicant’s actions were not employment misconduct . . .  The applicant is eligible for unemployment benefits . . .”

In addition to receiving jobless benefits, Hedges is making ends meet with the help of co-workers, friends and supporters from around the globe. A fundraiser in December, attended by several hundred people, raised $8,000.

Hedges said he continues to be amazed and grateful for the outpouring of support he has received.