Delta baggage handlers begin voting on union

By Kelly Yamanouchi

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Baggage handlers at Delta Air Lines begin voting Thursday on whether to be represented by a union, another step toward resolving labor issues from Delta's 2008 merger with Northwest Airlines.

The voting among baggage handlers by website or telephone runs through Nov. 18. Those from Northwest are represented by the International Association of Machinists, while those from Atlanta-based Delta are non-union.

It's one of several elections to resolve the issue of unionization among worker groups that were unionized at Northwest but not at Delta. Delta has long been the least-unionized major airline, with pilots the only big group represented.

Delta flight attendants are already in the process of voting on representation in an election that  concludes Nov. 3. Elections have also been scheduled for Delta customer service employees and stock clerks.

“Delta workers have been waiting for a long time for an opportunity to have their voices heard," said IAM spokesman Joe Tiberi.

But at Delta “We believe our unique culture is worth preserving," said spokeswoman Gina Laughlin in a written statement.

The election is being held under new National Mediation Board rules that are likely to make it easier for unions to organize workers. Unions at airlines and railroads, where labor relations are governed by the Mediation Board, can now win an election by getting votes from a majority of those who cast ballots, rather than from a majority of all who are eligible to vote.

Delta is urging employees to vote in the election. In the past it had encouraged employees to rip up ballots because under the old rules, non-voters were counted as no votes.

Union representation elections

Last month: Delta flight attendants election began Sept. 29, running through Nov. 3.

Earlier this week: Mechanics at Atlanta-based Delta Connection carrier Atlantic Southeast Airlines voted to join the Teamsters.

Thursday: Delta baggage handlers election begins, running through Nov. 18.

Later this month: Delta stock clerks election begins Oct. 25, running through Nov. 22.

Next month: Delta customer service workers election begins Nov. 2, running through Dec. 7.