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By Jim Douglas |
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July 2, 2010 – The
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) 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.
“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. |
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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 |