NMB Orders Investigation of Delta Misconduct in Election

Decision Follows AFA-CWA Complaints of Widespread Interference

Based on AFA-CWA complaints of widespread interference by Delta Air Lines during the 2010 representation election for 20,000 Flight Attendants, the National Mediation Board has ordered an on-site investigation into Delta's conduct.

The workers came within 328 votes of winning AFA-CWA representation last November, but lost because of management interference, the union charged. "Delta Flight Attendants will finally have their day in court," AFA President Veda Shook said. "Management's misconduct was blatant and persistent."

During the voting period, supervisors contacted Flight Attendants at their homes, and management encouraged Flight Attendants to vote on company computers where they could be monitored. Flight Attendants supporting AFA were denied the ability to talk with other pro-union Flight Attendants, even in the lobbies of layover hotels.

AFA is also supporting the 7,000 pre-merger Northwest Flight Attendants at Delta who are suing the airline for discrimination because they were union members.

Shook said AFA will cooperate fully with the NMB investigation, and urged Delta to end its delaying tactics in the merger integration process for the former Northwest Flight Attendants.