Delta Changes Policies in Advance of Union Election
"A Message From MEC President Kevin Griffin....regarding the 2009 Delta pay raise, our sick leave banks, the recent proposed benefit changes for Delta employees, and our policy on seniority integration." *HERE!*
Joint Delta NWA Flight Attendant Merger Statement
Dear Fellow Flight Attendants,
As expected under the current administration, the Justice Department has quickly approved the merger between Northwest and Delta Air Lines.
On behalf of our 21,000 combined flight attendants, we see this merger and the creation of the world's largest global carrier, as a great opportunity. With such an opportunity comes great responsibility.
As the largest flight attendant union in the world, we will be poised to set (and improve) trends in our industry. Or, we can be the largest non-union flight attendant group in the world and potentially contribute to the declining wages, benefits and working conditions we have seen in our profession.
The choice is ours.
We are all safety and service professionals, who are bound by a common goal to uphold our career in a changing global economy. Our executives change frequently, but we are the constant force that will keep our airline a leader in this industry.
In the coming weeks and months, there will be a lot of rumors and misinformation flooding the system. We ask that you take the time to stay informed and to get involved in our futures. Please join us as we work together to ensure we have a legal voice in our future. Let us use our voice to obtain an industry-leading contract at what will be the world's largest airline.
In unity,
Angela Winningham
Delta Air Lines, 23 years
Delta Campaign Coordinator AFA-CWA
c.3@deltaafa.org
Kevin Griffin Northwest Airlines, 28 years
Northwest MEC President AFA-CWA
kgriffin@nwaafa.org .
Congress Makes History and Holds Hearing on NMB Conduct
Before a packed gallery, AFA-CWA International President Patricia Friend testified before the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on September 24th. The hearing was called to scrutinize the conduct of the National Mediation Board (NMB) and its anti-worker policies.The NMB is the federal agency in charge of enforcing the Railway Labor Act, which protects workers' rights to organize unions and engage in free and fair collective bargaining in the U.S. transportation industry. The NMB is run by a three-person board, who are appointed by the President of the United States. Over the past eight years, the NMB has not only neglected its basic role in protecting workers, but has served corporate interest time and time again.
The hearing brought up that the current NMB Chair is a former employee and lobbyist for Northwest Airlines. In the recent election for Delta flight attendant representation, the NMB turned a blind eye to Delta managements unprecedented anti-union, voter suppression campaign. AFA has waited nearly four months for a response from the NMB; regarding allegations of management interference in that election. One example of AFA complaints about the NMB’s oversight: the NMB refused to remove a deceased flight attendant from the eligibility list!
"The deck is in a sort of way stacked against unionization," said Representative James Oberstar, D-MN, Chairman of the Committee. In particular, Oberstar expressed concern about long-standing and arbitrary NMB rules that require a majority of eligible employees to vote, in order for the election to be certified. Those who don't vote are counted as 'No' votes, according to current NMB rules. Oberstar stated that while this might be his first hearing about this matter, that "it wont be the last." For a video of the hearing testimony, please visit http://www.afanet.org.
Mumble. Grumble. Complain. Wallow. Hope. Despair. Worry. VOTE NOV 4th!