Northwest and Delta Flight Attendants Call for Election

AFA-CWA called on the National Mediation Board (NMB) to declare Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines a single transportation carrier so flight attendants at the recently-merged airline can vote to make sure they have bargaining rights and begin the process of building a world class contract.

A union representation election for the airline's 20,000 combined flight attendant workforce will be triggered after the NMB determines that the merged airline is a single carrier. For the 7,000-plus AFA-CWA members at Northwest Airlines, 60 years of collective bargaining rights are at stake in what will be the largest, private sector union election in years. For Delta's 13,000 flight attendants - who have never had union representation - the election will be an opportunity to negotiate a world class contract.

Flight attendants at the airlines have been working together for union representation for more than a year. "Delta flight attendants have a long, proud tradition at the carrier and in order to preserve it we know we need a legal voice at the bargaining table," said Delta flight attendant Marianne Bicksler, an activist in the campaign. "Northwest flight attendants are eager to move forward and play an integral role in strengthening our world class airline," said Northwest flight attendant Rebecca Collier.

"Flight attendants at Delta and Northwest are determined to secure their futures and advance their profession," said AFA-CWA International President Patricia Friend. "With AFA-CWA representation, these flight attendants will work alongside management in negotiating what is best for their careers," she said.

Keep informed about the flight attendants' campaign at www.deltaafa.org.