Union files for another election in Delta's merger

By Kelly Yamanouchi

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The International Association of Machinists submitted an application for another group of workers to hold a union representation election at Delta Air Lines as a result of it merger with Northwest Airlines. It marks another step toward resolving labor issues from the 2008 merger.

The Machinists filed with the National Mediation Board for elections among about 700 stock clerks who handle maintenance parts. The Mediation Board oversees airline labor matters.

Many of the clerks work at Delta maintenance operations in Atlanta, Detroit and Minneapolis. About 450 are from Delta, with the other 250 from Northwest, Machinists union spokesman Joseph Tiberi said.It could be several weeks before an election is scheduled.

The Machinists previously filed for elections among 14,000 ramp workers and 16,500 customer service agents. The Association of Flight Attendants is seeking an election among the 21,000 flight attendants of the combined airline. The unions made those filings immediately after a new federal labor rule went into place that will likely make it easier for unions to organize workers.

The Machinists union has not yet filed for an election among office and clerical employees in the Delta-Northwest merger.