Machinists union files more charges against Delta
The International Association of Machinists submitted a third filing of interference charges against Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines, seeking a new representation election after losing one earlier this month among Delta's passenger service agents.
The Machinists union filing to the National Mediation Board follows a similar appeal filed last week over two other elections involving Delta baggage handlers and stock clerks last month, which the union also lost.
Such charges are not unusual after large, contentious campaigns.
The union contends Delta coerced employees to vote from company-controlled computers and held meetings with employees "to convey anti-IAM information and misinform employees about voting," among other things. The Machinists union asked for a new election by either mail or by electronic means that don’t include votes being cast on Delta computers or phones.
Delta will submit a response to the allegations after reviewing the IAM’s filling, said Gina Laughlin, a Delta spokeswoman.
The said the union is “ignoring the will of the employees and delaying our employees’ ability to benefit from one set of pay, benefits, work rules and seniority list."
The union elections were needed to settle representation issues stemming from mostly non-union Delta's merger with Northwest, which was much more heavily unionized. Flight attendants also rejected representation, and the union involved in that vote also is seeking a new vote.
