Delta-Northwest Deal Could Oust Unions

Under NMB election rules, not voting is the best way to prevent unionization. To be certified in an NMB representation vote, a union must meet two standards. One is that a majority of the people in the bargaining unit must vote. Second, the union must get a majority of the votes cast.

The AFA maintains that Delta is trying to "suppress" flight attendant voting, through signs, leaflets, DVDs and computer messages. But Delta spokeswoman Gina Laughlin says "the NMB has ruled that similar communication in prior elections were accurate and appropriate" methods to keep workers informed.

Interest on Capitol Hill

Because of the pending merger, Congress has taken a pronounced interest in the election.

On Monday, three Delta flight attendants met with a few dozen congressional staffers to discuss the carrier's efforts. "This entire campaign is about fairness, which is why management's current campaign encouraging flight attendants not to participate in the process is even more underhanded," union president Pat Friend said Tuesday in a prepared statement.

Last week, when Delta CEO Richard Anderson appeared before the House Judiciary Committee to discuss the merger, Rep. Betty Sutton, (D., Ohio), repeatedly questioned whether Delta is opposing the unionization effort. "We support a democratic free election with plenty of information for everybody," Anderson responded. Sutton concluded: "I will take your answer as not really answering my question, as the answer."

And earlier this month, 26 U.S. senators -- including Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama -- wrote to Anderson and Northwest CEO Doug Steenland urging two steps: that the two airlines "demonstrate a genuine commitment to cooperative labor relations by recognizing and bargaining with a majority of Delta or Northwest workers that identifies a union representative," and that the airlines "remain neutral and not engage in any untoward tactics in future union representation elections, particularly during the election for Delta flight attendants later this month."

Anderson will respond directly to the senators, Laughlin said.