Delta rejects union vote under proposed rules

By Kelly Yamanouchi

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Delta Air Lines declined a request from flight attendants for an immediate union representation election under proposed new rules that could make it easier for airline workers to unionize.

The Association of Flight Attendants offer of the quick election challenged Delta's claim that unions are delaying labor elections stemming from the airline's merger with Northwest Airlines, which is more heavily unionized.

The AFA's offer required the use of new elections rules that are proposed by the National Mediation Board, but not yet in place. The rules would require unions to win approval only of a majority of workers who actually vote, rather then a majority of all eligible workers.

Delta opposes the change and said any election should follow existing rules.

“We believe that the law should be applied even-handedly and that the flight attendant election should take place under the existing majority voting rules,” Delta executive vice president of labor relations Michael Campbell wrote.

The flight attendants union had applied for an election among earlier this year but withdrew it after the NMB proposed the rule change. Flight attendants at Delta and non-union, while those at Northwest are represented by the AFA.