Machinists File for Union Elections at Delta Air Lines

2010-07-01

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The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) today is filing applications with the National Mediation Board (NMB) for rulings that will lead to union representation elections for more than 30,000 employees at Delta Air Lines.

“Delta employees deserve to be represented by an organization whose sole purpose is to protect workers.”

“The election process will give Delta workers an opportunity to determine their future,” said IAM General Vice President Robert Roach, Jr. “Delta employees deserve to be represented by an organization whose sole purpose is to protect workers.”

The IAM is requesting separate “single carrier” rulings from the NMB with respect to the carrier’s fleet service and passenger service classifications. These rulings would establish that Delta and Northwest Airlines are operating as one carrier for representational purposes in each of these classifications, clearing the way for elections to be scheduled for each of these combined work groups. The Machinists Union is still investigating the single carrier status of stock clerks and office & clerical employees.

Following the NMB’s single carrier ruling, the IAM will have 14 days to provide evidence that sufficient interest exists in that employee classification to warrant an election. Proof of interest is demonstrated by a combination of the IAM’s current pre-merger Northwest membership plus signed election request cards from pre-merger Delta employees totaling at least 35 percent of eligible employees in each classification.

“The IAM campaign at Delta is about giving workers a voice, securing pension benefits and making sure Delta’s merger with Northwest does not strip workers of their right to an independent voice at work,” said IAM District 143 President Stephen Gordon.

Pre-merger Delta employees must sign election request cards to secure an election. If the NMB verifies sufficient interest exists, it will schedule and conduct separate elections for each classification. No set timeline exists for the NMB to hold elections.

The Machinists union is the largest airline union in North America, representing more than 110,000 airline workers, including 12,500 pre-merger Northwest Airlines fleet service, passenger service, office & clerical, stock clerks, simulator technician and plant protection employees. More information about the IAM’s campaign at Delta Air Lines is available at www.IAM4Delta.org.