Delta, workers await union representation elections
A judge has ruled against an airline group seeking to stop a federal labor board from changing a rule that could make it easier for unions to organize workers. The decision gives a green light for unions to file for representation elections at Delta Air Lines as early as next week.
The rule change would go into effect July 1 and unions expect to quickly file for massive union representation elections following Atlanta-based Delta's merger with Northwest Airlines.
The Air Transport Association, the airline group that filed the suit, said it has not yet decided whether it will appeal. Both sides are awaiting the full written decision from the District of Columbia U.S. District Court, expected Monday.
The decision allows the National Mediation Board, which oversees labor issues at airlines and railroads, to move forward with a new rule requiring that union votes be determined by a majority of those who cast ballots, rather than from a majority of all workers eligible to vote.
Although there is a possibility that the ATA could also request a stay of the judge's decision, Delta said it is eager to see union elections move forward so that it can wrap up the last big remaining issue in its merger with Northwest.
"We're disappointed with the ruling," Delta spokeswoman Chris Kelly said. "However, we are pleased that the court reviewed the case quickly." She said Delta hopes unions representing flight attendants and ground workers "will now move forward to resolve representation."
The ATA also said it was disappointed and believes the National Mediation Board does not have the authority to impose the new rule.
The elections at Delta will determine whether combined workers from Delta and Northwest will be union-represented nearly two years after the merger. Flight attendants and ground workers, including baggage handlers, customer service agents and reservations agents, are mostly unionized at Northwest and mostly nonunion at Delta.
The International Association of Machinists, which represents ground workers from Northwest, rallied at Delta's employee parking lot near Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Friday to prepare for the elections.
"We just need to stop these distractions and move forward and give people the opportunity to voice their opinion," said Robert Roach Jr., general vice president for transportation at the International Association of Machinists. "We are going to move forward as quickly as possible." He said the union will file for elections at Delta in the next few weeks.
Pam King, an organizer for the machinists union, said workers are eager to vote on union representation. After about a year of integration in the Delta-Northwest merger, the National Mediation Board last year started a months-long process to change the rule. Once the rule change process was finalized, it was followed by the Air Transport Association lawsuit this year.
"A lot of folks just want the election," King said.
About the Author
As business team lead, Kelly Yamanouchi edits and writes business stories. She graduated from Harvard and has a master's degree from Northwestern.
