Unionization vote set for Delta passenger service workers

By Linda Blachly | October 11, 2010

Delta 747-400. Photo: By Rob Finlayson.

Delta Air Lines' more than 16,000 passenger service workers will hold a vote Nov. 2-Dec. 7 to determine whether they will be represented by the International Assn. of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, the union said Friday.
The vote is one in a series of unionization votes (ATW Daily News, Aug. 30) being taken this fall by employees of the combined Delta/Northwest Airlines. DL and NWA merged in 2008 and have been operating under a single operating certificate since Jan. 1, but the pre-merger DL was largely nonunionized and its employees have to decide whether they want to join labor groups representing former NWA workers. IAM sought and received a ruling from the US National Mediation Board that DL and NWA are a single entity for labor representation purposes, allowing a vote on the matter.

According to NMB, there are 16,435 "potential eligible voters" among DL/NWA passenger service workers, which include baggage handlers. Of those, 11,618 are nonunionized DL workers while 4,817 are former NWA employees represented by IAM. Under an NMB rule that took effect July 1, an airline work group can win representation if a majority of those participating in a certification election vote "yes." Previously, a majority of all members of the work group (including those not casting votes) needed to vote in the affirmative, creating a higher hurdle for unionization (ATW Daily News, June 29).

IAM said DL passenger service workers will vote by phone and the Internet. "Passenger service employees have seen Delta arbitrarily cut pay and benefits in and out of bankruptcy without notice or employee input," IAM General VP Robert Roach said. "These employees understand the need for guarantees and protection that can only be had in an IAM collective bargaining agreement."

IAM is also seeking to represent DL's 14,000 fleet service workers and its 700 stock and stores employees. The fleet service unionization vote will take place Oct. 14 – Nov.18, while the stock and stores workers will vote from Oct. 25-Nov. 22.

Discuss this news 19

10 Oct20:47

Do they really think a union

By Anonymous

Do they really think a union would give them any better protection in today's airline environment? Probably less protection.

10 Oct22:03

Let's see, have your

By Todd Nelson

Let's see, have your retirement cut to shreds and take multiple 30% paycuts year after year. The union can't do any worse than what they have today.

10 Oct23:38

Unions have never saved or

By Anonymous

Unions have never saved or created a single sustainable job or wage rate. For-profit going concerns create jobs and wages. Employees beware of the motivations of those who neither work nor create.

11 Oct01:32

Just look to the previously

By Anonymous

Just look to the previously IAM represented Airlines to see how they prospered, TWA and Eastern, oops, they shut down.

11 Oct08:10

Remember PATCO? The air

By KEN

Remember PATCO? The air controllers that threatened to shut down the US transapotation system in the 80's? Well the IAM is trying to be the next PATCO by running labor at several major carriers representing Customer Service, Stores, Ramp, aircraft maintenance and flight attendants. If they can get their members not to cross picket lines, one strike, all strike. Unions should fall under monopolizing rules like companies do!

11 Oct08:14

Organized labor just doesn't

By R B Quinn

Organized labor just doesn't get it!

11 Oct08:23

Eastern was run into the

By Anonymous

Eastern was run into the ground by Frank Borman, TWA was also ruined by bad management decision (timely fleet renewal for example). SWA being the opposite of that scale (management with union). AA did not ask for government bail out after 9/11 (managment with union). The biggest job losses in US history where created through bad management decisions (US auto workers did not contribute to the design and reliability of US cars !) . So what are you talking about ? However, there are a lot of examples of well run companies with and without unions ! Both have their place in a free society. A reasonable approach from both parties in responding to market challenges and changing industry parameters is key. "I am right and you are wrong" discussions between management and union do not help anybody. The boss gave us brains, let's use them.

11 Oct08:36

The problem here is the

By Anonymous

The problem here is the people who comment have never held a union job and do not understand the history about labor unions. Sure, they continue to reap the benefits of what the unions have structured and put in place in non-union environments. Yes, the benefits you may enjoy were originally created by unions. Unions brought us the weekend, the 8-hour day, paid vacations, holidays, health insurance, and pensions. Unions are working to bring living wages, health insurance, pensions, paid vacations, sick leave, and holidays to workers who have none of these.

11 Oct10:13

Quote The problem here is the

By Mark S

Quote
The problem here is the people who comment have never held a union job and do not understand the history about labor unions.
Unquote

I have been in the IAM, and worked several jobs at Eastern. I do understand. No question that unions had a very meaningful role in our history, but that time has come and gone. Is there abusive management? Absolutely. You dont use organized labor anymore to deal with that. DL employees, it would behoove you to ask yourselves if you want to repeat the crime which occurred between Charlie Bryant and Frank Borman back in the 1980's. Eastern was not run into the ground by Frank Borman. The blame is to be shared by both management (alot prior to Mr. Borman) and the IAM. I encourage every DL employee to educate yourselves and keep your minds open. See this from multiple viewpoints.

11 Oct12:19

I was with DL back during the

By IguanaDC3

I was with DL back during the era of the 1st WTC attack, so you know it's been a while now. Just the same, we had labor peace on both the blue AND white collar fronts. We were not unionized, yet we DID enjoy all of the perks & the very fair pay which some incorrectly insist that only unions can facilitate. Mgmt, by & large, was also very good to all of us, & we to them.

The underlying reason for the creation of unions long ago is known to us all & it was the right reason, yes. Now, however, it's just as much about jealousy & greed & "US vs THEM" and personal envy & class warfare, as waged by liberals, generally. It's an "equalizing" tool which ultimately equalizes nothing. Put your emotions aside for a mere minute, if you have what it takes to dare to do so, & know this. The truth will set ya' free (usually).

11 Oct12:55

No one has described a

By Anonymous

No one has described a sustainable job created by a union. We can all be grateful for the quality of life standard we enjoy as a result of labor advocacy. Business benefits from that through higher productivity. DL has a labor advocacy process that does not require union dues, group think, or strong-arm motivation. Consider who you really want advocating for you.

11 Oct14:46

Mr. or Ms. "The problem here

By Frank

Mr. or Ms. "The problem here is" swallowed the union rhetoric hook, line and sinker. I was IAM for 3 awful years before I escaped to management, where I was until 18 years later when I chose to leave. The IAM never did anything for me but take my dues. And, don't give me that "stuff" about how the union "paved the way" for me, I paved my own way. Good, honest, stable workers do that. Corrupt, lazy workers need the IAM to save their jobs. I don't think it can be said any clearer than that. So, DL workers, rally your co-workers to vote!! An IAM quote in the article concerns me greatly, "IAM said DL passenger service workers will vote by phone and the Internet." Call me cynical, but how is that done without huge levels of voter fraud? Is the "wolf" guarding the "hen house"?

11 Oct23:02

I held union positions at NWA

By Anonymous

I held union positions at NWA and management positions at NWA. Now retired. I receive pension for years as union employee but no management pension as it was lost in the NWA bankruptcy. You make the call.

12 Oct21:05

Retired several years ago

By Anonymous

Retired several years ago after a 35+ year career at DAL in Tech Ops. Watched the former NEA, WAL & PAA folks come over to Delta. With few exceptions, they had NO use for unions. Hope all the folks votining will make the right choice and continue to steer their own destiny....

16 Oct22:42

You all must remember that

By Anonymous

You all must remember that unions were sought because NWA MGt was not ok. Well guess what Half of DL Mgt is NWA mgt. Do you think you can trust them....Delta is not he same Delta as you know it protect yourselves

27 Nov21:56

Your kind of thinking is

By Anonymous

Your kind of thinking is dangerous to the livlihoods of thousands of Airline employees. Delta, never paid you Industry Standard wages because they wanted to be generous, they paid you in accordance to Union Carriers wage rates to keep Delta's labor barefoot and pregnant. Delta employees made the wages that the rest of us earned! Be that what it may, you and the rest of the Delta employees that reject this opportunity for Union representation will live to regret it, that's for certain.

27 Nov21:56

Your kind of thinking is

By Anonymous

27 Nov21:57

Your kind of thinking is

By Anonymous

07 Dec18:11

EXACTLY--and I repeat for all

By Anonymous

EXACTLY--and I repeat for all those nostalgic Delta employees who reminisce the good ole days--DELTA AIN'T THE SAME DELTA -
Now that the vote count is in and the IAM is out, Welcome to NWA management-known to be the least labor-friendly in the industry--take a look at how many Delta managers are from NWA, including CEO Anderson.
Good luck.