A union is launching a campaign to push for action on Federal Aviation Administration funding when Congress returns from recess, and it’s accusing Delta Air Lines of holding the money “hostage” over a labor rule change the airline supports.
The Communications Workers of America said it started a month-long campaign Tuesday with supporters handing out leaflets at Hartsfield-Jackson International and other airports urging people to tell members of Congress to pass a long-term FAA funding bill. The union, affiliated with the Association of Fight Attendants, also has an online petition.
The current short-term re-authorization for the FAA ended a partial shutdown of the agency, but it expires Sept. 16. The union wants the broader bill passed without language to reverse a union-friendly rule change on representation elections that took effect last year. Delta was in the midst of a series of elections at the time.
The issue contributed to the Congressional stalemate on the FAA legislation in late July and early August, and several Democrats in Congress have pointed to Delta’s lobbying to reverse the labor rule change.
Delta hasn’t commented on the accusation that it contributed to the stalemate, but it continues to criticize the rule change. Spokeswoman Gina Laughlin said the process for the rule change “undermines the integrity of our government,” and said the airline supports compromises calling for an equal process to allow employees to vote out unions and for possible judicial review of elections.
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