AFA-CWA Election Cleared for Takeoff at Delta/Northwest

The National Mediation Board ruled this week that the Delta/Northwest merger created a single carrier, a decision that triggers a union election for 21,000 flight attendants at the newly combined airline.

"Finally our voice will be heard and respected under strong democratic procedures, the same way that other elections are decided in our country," AFA-CWA Toni Weinfurtner said. "We are excited for the opportunity to negotiate an industry-leading contract and continue to work alongside management in building a world class airline."

AFA-CWA represents about 8,000 former Northwest Airlines flight attendants and has been working with Delta flight attendants who want union representation, too. Past airline representation elections counted all non-voters as "no" votes, but in June, AFA-CWA won a long battle to use the same standard in airline elections as is used in virtually every other democratic election in the United States. Under the new rules, only actual votes are counted.

Over the next two weeks, AFA-CWA must show that there is enough interest among flight attendants at the airline to support an election. The NMB then will review the evidence and set a voting schedule.