AFA-CWA Questions Timing of Rule Change on Recognition

AFA-CWA and other airline unions are questioning the timing of the National Mediation Board's proposed rule change that would make it easier for Delta and Northwest Airlines to thwart unionization after their merger.

The board, which governs labor relations in the airline and railroad industries, is proposing that "more than a substantial majority" of workers be unionized overall before a union is recognized after a merger, while offering no clear and objective measurement for meeting that standard.

The NMB also proposes banning recognition based on majority card signing, requiring elections – with a requirement that over 50 percent of workers must cast ballots for results to be official -- even if an employer agrees to majority signup recognition.

With the huge merger deal now pending, and the current administration coming to a close:  "It looks very suspicious that they are doing it now, because they are going to help Delta destroy collective bargaining rights," AFA-CWA President Pat Friend told Bloomberg News. 

Airline employees, such as the Delta flight attendants who currently are seeking AFA-CWA representation, already are handicapped by existing election rules with voting participation requirements that no workers outside of transportation face.  There are more than 13,000 flight attendants at Delta and the union currently represents 8,500 at Northwest.

Congressional labor and transportation committee chairs, Senator Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) and Representatives James Oberstar (D-Minn.) and George Miller (D-Calif.) have voiced opposition to the proposed new rules in a letter to the board.  The AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Dept. is asking union members to write lawmakers urging similar opposition to the pending rule change.  Letters can be sent electronically at www.congressweb.com/cweb4/index.cfm?orgcode=ttd&hotissue=51.