Questions & Answers

Questions and Answers 30 - 31

Question 30:  There are rumors out there that we would have to reapply for our jobs with Delta, since this is what happened to the Pan Am flight attendants when Delta acquired them.  Is this true?

Answer: There has been no indication that Delta has any plans to force Northwest flight attendants to re-apply for their jobs with Delta.  The Pan Am deal was different in that Delta was only acquiring a small part of the former Pan Am operation.  Here, Delta executives have stated publicly that they plan to merge the two operations, and have stated that they anticipate no involuntary layoffs for frontline employees.  Having said that, if we lose the representation vote that’s taking place now at Delta, then the second vote that will take place if Delta flight attendants are still non-union when the merger is completed, we will immediately lose union representation:  there will be no union and no contract to enforce.

Our best line of defense is to help the Delta flight attendants in their representation campaign, and to vote for the union if there’s a second election at the time of the merger.  Offer to help Delta flight attendants in their fight to win representation for the first time in Delta history.  Volunteer at a Get-Out-The-Vote call center during the Delta AFA-CWA representation election —it’s the easiest way to show our support, and winning this election is the best case scenario moving into this merger.  Contact flight attendant activists for more information at:

Call centers are open in ATL, CVG, DCA, DFW, FLL, LAX, NYC and SLC. Visibility Campaigns ongoing in ATL, BOS, CVG, FLL, LAX, MCO, NYC and SLC.

Question 31:  When we merge seniority lists with Delta, what happens if two classes started on the same day?  How will the two individual classes be combined?

Answer:  Seniority merger committees typically break such a tie by using birth dates.  Our MEC is currently seeking merger representatives for the seniority integration process provided for in the AFA-CWA Constitution and Bylaws.  Please visit our website (”Committees” page) for details.  Letters of interest/résumés due by May 15. 

Posted by Communications on 04/28 at 05:54 PM