Flight simulator technicians at Delta vote against union

By Kelly Yamanouchi

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Flight simulator technicians at Delta Air Lines have voted against union representation as their employee groups combine in Delta's merger with Northwest Airlines.

Simulator technicians from Northwest were represented by the International Association of Machinists, while those from Atlanta-based Delta have been non-union.

The vote concluded Thursday among the employees who operate and maintain Delta's flight simulators in Atlanta and Minneapolis at the combined Delta. Of the 91 employees eligible to vote in the election, 40 voted in favor of representation by the Machinists union.

The Machinists union also represents baggage handlers, customer service agents and other ground workers from Northwest who are now at Delta. Yet to be scheduled are union representation elections for flight attendants and those other ground workers at Delta, as the National Mediation Board considers a change in rules that could make it significantly easier for labor unions to organize employees at airlines and railroads.