Challenges to new US labor rule contemplated

The old rule was unfair. If you didn't vote that meant a "NO". So if you were sick, dead, on vacation, on leave etc etc and didn't vote that was a vote against the union. What other type of election works this way?

The new rule is fair. If you don't vote...your vote doesn't count. You either vote Yes or No. The majority of those that vote determines the outcome.

That is the fairest way to vote.

The ATA just fears their employees becoming Unionized. It's o.k. for senior management to have their own contracts with the company but not o.k. for the front-line employees? How is that fair?

Nothing was issued by the NLRB... it was the NMB, which is empowered by the RLA...

Aviation is not regulated by the NLRB...

You need to check your numbers... the airline industry is heavily organized... but, the unons are not as strong as those regulated by the NLRB, which is to ensure a balance of power between management and the unions...

Unions in the aviation industry are very unlikely to bankrupt companies in the aviation industry, Charlie Bryant aside when he destroyed Eastern...

You are absolutely right. Only votes cast should be counted "yes" or "no" for BOTH certifying and decertifying the union.

Are you sure there is no change planned for decertifying a union?

Bottom line though...this new ruling is fairer than the old rule.

Workers definitely ought to have the right to organize if they want to. However, if they choose to be represented by a group outside the company, they really aren't employees anymore. Their loyalties are clearly with the union, not the company. They should be considered outside contractors or 3rd party vendors. As such, the company should then be free to put the work out for bid when the contract's up. If the organized workers are the best bidder, then great. But there's no reason that a company should be stuck having to contract with just one group and not have any other options. You wouldn't accept that situation in your personal dealings. Suppose you employed a babysitter for your kids, that babysitter declared themselves to be a union, demanded more money and threatened to walk out. Now you're not allowed to hire any other babysitter. Your stuck with the one who organized. Does that person really feel like your employee anymore? Are you really interested in what's fair for everyone, including the people who own the airline, the shareholders? Or are you using a corrupt system to hold the company at gunpoint?

How does one decertify the union if they no longer want it?

Doesn't seem like the new rule is that "fair" after all.

If these people are so fair and we the airline workers are so pro union why did these union workers show up in black SUVs and harange people as well as threaten their jobs? Dont say it didnt happen...it did and I did not hear 1 person who said they thought it was ok.

Anonymous...where and when? What company are you talking about? Sounds like the rumor mill to me.

Of course you ignore managements insidious threats of termination for anyone trying to organize at any company.

I have worked in the airline industry for 35yrs in administrative and sales positions, non-unionized, and saw the industry go down, departments and offices close down because of unions. We who work in offices get low salaries and work twice as hard to make up for the mediocre (to say the least) work by unionized workers who will not lend a hand because 'it is not in their union contract' when they have nothing to do. And by the way, we are not management!

Totally agree!

Unions have an important role to fill, management has the responsibility to insure training and good supervision.

My view comes from two previous positions, one as a union employee the other as a sales manager which I believe provides a solid perspective.

When employees are paid well and treated respectfully their work excels, when management bully's, insults and demeans employees the results become apparent.

There is no union contract that prevents management from correcting and ultimately removing a bad employee. It is managements job to show the employee what is expected and to lead by example.

What often happens is management ignores their duties and then blames the employees.

By the way, unions don't start unions-bad/unfair management does. (quote from a union steward that once worked for me).

Your opinion does not reflect the low DOT customer service rankings of NON UNION airlines in this country vs. UNIONIZED airlines.

(snicker)