Destination: Representation
Two Traditions, One Global Airline. Destination: Representation!
Northwest and Delta flight attendants are excited by our opportunity to become the largest unionized group of flight attendants in the country at the "New Delta." We look forward to working together to negotiate an industry leading contract, following our vote to maintain union representation in this merger. We encourage all flight attendants to vote for union representation, so we can work together to maintain and expand the protections so important to all Delta and Northwest flight attendants. Contractual provisions are essential for flight attendants – not only designed to protect management and pilots' rights! Here are just a few of the issues where we will be stronger as unionized flight attendants.
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Latest Merger News
Northwest and Delta ALPA Reach Tentative Agreement
Northwest and Delta ALPA, Delta Air Lines Management Reach Tentative Agreement
Subject to member ratification, Northwest Airlines and Delta Air Lines pilots reached a tentative agreement with Delta Air Lines management late yesterday. Although complete details of the deal have not been released, sources say improvements to Delta’s original offer in terms of pay, equity in the combined carrier and retirement benefits were what moved ALPA leaders to approve the agreement and bring it to the membership for a vote.
Delta’s desire to reach an agreement with Northwest and Delta ALPA pilots well in advance of expected Department of Justice merger approval shows that for this transaction to be successful, executives know they must bargain in good faith with union representatives.
When it comes to flight attendants, management has a different plan. In an effort to avoid their contractual obligations now and in the future, they plan to try to eliminate the possibility of having to negotiate with a flight attendant union at the combined airline by eliminating our union, our bargaining rights and our contract.
Delta and Northwest executives know there will be a representation election for the combined flight attendant workforce when the National Mediation Board (NMB) determines that a “single transportation system” exists between the carriers. That determination is based on criteria like a “standardized uniform,” “common marketing,” etc.
Until then, if management continues its relentless, deplorable anti-union propagandizing at Delta and in employees’ homes, we risk losing this election. Management’s intimidation of its employees puts all of us at risk of being stripped of our negotiated rights.
Management is focused on their plan for this merger. We must be equally focused – and united – in order to preserve our rights.
Northwest AFA-CWA union leaders, AFA-CWA International attorneys and CWA organizers are focused on retaining our right to bargain collectively with Delta management. We have the right to expect to participate in this merger as a legally recognized entity, protecting and improving our contract just as ALPA has done with its tentative agreement.
Our MEC and AFA-CWA legal experts are working to ensure that scope and successor language in our ratified collective bargaining agreement is upheld throughout the merger process. We will pursue every measure available to us to protect the rights and jobs of Northwest flight attendants. And we are committed to bringing Delta flight attendants the protections of a union contract at a merged airline.
While we fight to convince Delta and Northwest management to live up to their own well-publicized principles of fairness and equity for employees in a merger, we urge all of you to renew your commitment to flight attendant solidarity and earned respect. With that pledge, remain informed, engaged and dedicated to a future as proud members of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA.
Posted by Communications Chair on 06/24 at 08:22 PMAFA-CWA Press Release: 6JUN08
AFA-CWA FILES FORMAL INTERFERENCE CHARGES
AGAINST DELTA AIR LINES MANAGEMENT
Washington, DC – The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) filed formal interference charges today with the National Mediation Board (NMB) against Delta Air Lines management alleging illegal conduct during the recent flight attendant representation election. AFA-CWA’s allegations include substantial evidence that Delta flight attendants were denied a free and fair election due to management’s aggressive tactics aimed at defeating union representation.
“Delta flight attendants were denied the opportunity to freely participate in this election without being intimidated by management and heavy-handed efforts to keep them from gaining a voice,” said Patricia Friend, AFA-CWA International President. “A majority of Delta flight attendants wanted the opportunity to have an election and they deserve an election that is free and fair. We now look for the NMB to stand up for that right and hold Delta executives accountable for their actions.”
A majority of Delta’s over 13,000 flight attendants signed representation cards when AFA-CWA filed for an election in February. Under NMB rules, 50 percent plus one of all eligible flight attendants must return a ballot in order for the election to be certified. Since only forty percent of the flight attendants returned ballots, which were counted on May 28, the results of the election were not certified despite AFA-CWA receiving 99 percent of the votes cast.
If the NMB finds sufficient evidence that illegal interference occurred, it can set a new election. AFA-CWA is asking for a new election with a balloting procedure that will limit the effects of any further illegal conduct by Delta management. By rerunning the election using a “Laker” Ballot, flight attendants will be permitted to vote “Yes” or “No” for AFA-CWA representation. In the previous election, flight attendants were discouraged from participating in the voting process as only the “Yes” votes were counted, thereby automatically counting those who did not vote as “No” votes.
Posted by Communications Chair on 06/06 at 02:27 PMAFA-CWA Press Release: 28MAY08
NORTHWEST FLIGHT ATTENDANTS VOW TO DEFEND CONTRACT
AS DELTA FLIGHT ATTENDANT ELECTION IS VOIDED
Washington, DC – Northwest Airlines Master Executive Council President Kevin Griffin issued the following statement today after results were announced from the Delta Air Lines flight attendants’ election to become members of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA). With 5,306, or almost 40 percent, of eligible flight attendants voting, the National Mediation Board (NMB) could not certify AFA-CWA as the flight attendants’ representative.
“This election’s results send a strong message to the over 7,500 flight attendants at Northwest Airlines – our contract and our profession are under attack and we must do everything in our power to preserve and protect our future. For Delta executives, the idea of a merger with Northwest is even more attractive as it would give them a chance to prevent thousands of non-union employees from gaining a union, and also would be an opportunity to eliminate the unions that already provide protections for their members at Northwest. We have outlined conditions necessary that need to be met before Northwest flight attendants will support any merger and we will continue to stand behind those.
“Delta flight attendants faced an uphill battle throughout this election. Every step of the way they were met with increased resistance from management. We applaud and honor the Delta flight attendants who stood up to management’s intimidation and coercion and who voted to have voice in their future.
“Today Northwest flight attendants face a very real threat to our collective bargaining rights. Delta is now set for what could be an unprecedented remaking of the entire airline industry, one that could destroy airline jobs as a stable and secure middle class career once and for all. We will continue to do everything we can to prevent that from happening. Northwest flight attendants refuse to imagine a future without a voice and without a vote. We refuse to imagine a future without a say in our work lives. We refuse to imagine a future where there is no seat at the table for flight attendants.
“Northwest flight attendants have been known for our long and proud history of being strong union members and we will do everything in our power to continue that tradition. Over the next several months, we will work alongside our Delta flight attendant colleagues on how to best move forward with our two groups and we are prepared to defend our rights should the merger occur and another election is triggered.”
Under current NMB rules, when one non-union work group merges with a union group, if 35 percent of combined workforce has union representation or signs a union card, a union election will automatically be called. That vote is expected to occur in early 2009.
On May 29, flight attendant representatives from Northwest and Delta will meet at the AFA-CWA offices for the first of many strategic joint committee sessions. The sessions are geared toward developing a framework for integration of the two flight attendant groups, as well mapping out future plans for responding to the merger.
Posted by Communications Chair on 05/28 at 01:07 PM