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The Air Apparent . Look for information important to union workers, plus articles humanizing the merger and its final effect on both the Northwest and Delta employees.
May 10, 2010
Machinists respond to NMB rule change
The National Mediation Board (NMB) today published in the FEDERAL REGISTER its final change to rules governing representation elections conducted under the Railway Labor Act. Read the NMB press release HERE.
“Thousands of Machinists Union members and hundreds of members of Congress told the NMB that it was time to end its 75-year practice of imposing a viewpoint on people who, either by choice or by chance, do not participate in representation elections,” said IAM General Vice President Robert Roach, Jr. “IAM attorneys will evaluate this new rule to determine its impact on several upcoming elections in the air and rail industry.”
Under the NMB’s previous election guidelines, 50+1 of eligible voters in an election were required to participate in the election in order for the NMB to certify a union. Anyone who did not cast a vote was automatically considered to have voted against union representation. In contrast, union representation elections conducted under the National Labor Relations Act, as well as all other public elections, are decided by a simple majority of those who actually cast a ballot.
The NMB’s new rule will take effect 30 days after being published in the Federal Register.The Machinists Union is the largest air and rail union in North America, representing more than 130,000 workers covered by the Railway Labor Act. More information about the Machinists Union is available at WWW.GOIAM.ORG.
Related Stories: Delta, Airlines Face Challenge Slowing Union Drives; Federal labor board changes rule; Delta union elections likely.
April 27, 2010A message on election request cards
Over the last month the Machinists Union has spoken with thousands of Delta employees at their homes, over the phone and in group meetings outside the workplace. These discussions have proven very valuable not only in the amount of interest Delta employees have demonstrated by signing ELECTION REQUEST CARDS, but also in illustrating the fear many Delta workers have of their managers.
A surprising number of Delta workers told us of how they supported the IAM’s campaign, but were terrified to be seen just making eye contact with an IAM representative anywhere near their workplace. We also heard stories of how intimidation by Delta managers causes some employees to work in a constant state of fear – fear of making a mistake, fear of unjust discipline, fear of losing their jobs.
There is no reason for any person to have to work in fear. You do your job in a professional way, and that should be respected.
If you or anyone you know has been the victim of intimidation or treated unfairly at work, there is an anonymous way to change your workplace for the better. You should SIGN AN ELECTION REQUEST CARD.
Delta Air Lines will never know who requested an election. The cards go directly from the Machinists Union to the National Mediation Board, the government agency who will conduct the election. Neither the cards nor the information they contain are ever seen by Delta.
The IAM has requested meetings with Delta’s senior management three times in the last few months in an effort to move the process forward. Hopefully, Delta will stop ignoring the IAM’s offer to meet so Delta workers can finally vote on their futures.
The Machinists Union is moving quickly to provide you with an opportunity to vote, and SIGNING A CARD helps guarantee you have the option to choose whether a union – and a workplace free from intimidation and fear – is what you want.
Sincerely,
Robert Roach, Jr.
General Vice President
January 29, 2010New series of USA cards
Over the next few months you will be able to read about important issues as we move closer to resolving representation issues at Delta Air Lines. We are currently involved in the Sim Tech election and you can access that information via the home page on the IAM phone or CLICK HERE.
How Northwest 'Took Over' Delta
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- It was said that Delta(DAL Quote - Cramer on DAL - Stock Picks) took over Northwest in October, but four months later it is reasonable to ask whether that is really what happened. Officially, Delta acquired Northwest in a $2.8 billion stock swap. But after every merger, one company's culture predominates, while the other's seems to diminish in importance. In the case of the merger that created the world's biggest airline, the evidence abounds that the acquiree is in the captain's seat.
Start with the obvious, which is that Delta CEO Richard Anderson spent 14 years at Northwest, leaving as CEO in 2004. Furthermore, of Delta's top 10 officers, five, including Anderson, have worked at Northwest and one came last year from Continental (CAL Quote - Cramer on CAL - Stock Picks), where he worked with Anderson. Only four were at Delta prior to its 2005 bankruptcy.
Click here to be redirected to TheStreet.com
Know your rights under the law
Your right to form a union, to organize your workplace, is protected by federal law. The Railway Labor Act is the law governing labor relations in the airline and railroad industries. Under the law, employees have the right to determine who their representative will be, without influence, interference or coercion from their carrier, its officers or agents. Read all of your rights here
If you feel your rights have been trampled on at Delta print off the following 'Record the Facts' form and turn it over to an IAM representative. Get your complaint form here
A message to all our future union sisters and brothers at Delta Air Lines
The IAM Organizing Drive at Delta Air Lines has proceeded amazingly well. Employees of Delta Air Lines have received our literature with great enthusiasm. They have also expressed to us repeatedly how they "need a union on that property" and how happy they were to see us hand billing their work site(s).
We have disseminated information to all classifications with a few exceptions – the clerical, office, and administrative support groups. The majority of those people are stationed in Atlanta. We have been unable to secure permits to handbill the buildings where we believe most of the clerical group work due to state and local ordinances and Delta management not allowing us to do so. Regardless of obstacles facing us to date, we are determined to extend our union message to those employees as well.
We need your assistance towards that goal.
We are asking any Delta employee who has a spouse, partner, friend or coworker who works in the those related classification at ANY location to be contacted. Ask those individuals if they would like to receive IAM literature for themselves or their coworkers. They can contact us by Email or phone (shown below.) Additionally, any NWA IAM clerical employees can help us as well by directing Delta clerical to our IAM District 143 contact Email and phone numbers.
alwojcik@iamdl143.org
734-637-2224
1-800-544-1461, extension 348
Thank you all for your help towards a more secure future by making Delta another IAM union airline.
Attention Delta workers:
The National Mediation Board (NMB) is the government agency that conducts union representation elections for airline and railroad workers. In order to apply for an election, the IAM must show sufficient interest from workers. This is done through the use of signed Authorization Cards.
To have an Authorization Card sent directly to your home please fill out the form below. Upon the arrival of your confidential A-card, fill it out in its entirety, sign and date, and mail it back to us. It's that simple and strictly confidential. Only the National Mediation Board and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers will know your intentions.
- No. 1: A seat at the table
- No. 2: Know your rights
- No. 3: Who gets protected
- No. 4: Huge operation cuts
- No. 5: Time clocks installed
- No. 6: Want more money
- No. 7: What's the difference
- No. 8: IAM wins gold
- No. 9: Don't get hammered
- No. 10: Trick or treat
- No. 11: Retirement Home
- No. 12: Economy Tanks
- No. 13: Job Loss
- No. 14: The Change is Present
- No. 15: Sign and Vote
"What is this Pocket Card I hear about on the property?"
As we continue our efforts externally with this Delta organizing drive, we continue our efforts internally to bring to our own members at NWA all the needed information and happenings associated with our actions.
Some of you may have seen our first issued “pocket card.” These pocket cards contain a message or an issue that could possibly affect you when the proposed merger happens and when we at Northwest and Delta vote for our Union representation. The idea with these pocket cards is for obviously everyone to read them and be aware of the important issues and for everyone to discuss it and keep each other informed. The second idea is to wear this pocket card” in your pocket to show that you are informed, but also to show the Company and others that we are unified and that our SOLIDARITY is our strength.
Every other week a new pocket card will be issued containing a new issue or message. Your grievance committees and stewards should be distributing these cards as we issue them to your locations.
With every hurdle we jump with our external drive with the Delta employees, we find ourselves faced with another hurdle and another adversary. The National Mediation Board's attempt to now change the rules specifically to our situation, the Northwest/Delta merger only shows of the influence big business has within our government and departments of and the possible allowance of their proposed changes to even be enacted. These rule changes can only be viewed as an attack on us, the working men and women of the middle class, and mostly important on us as Union members and our efforts to grow our membership.
Brothers and Sisters, take notice now if you have not already. Our rights, our right to voice ourselves is being attacked, with this proposed merger they intend to do away with us as IAM Union members. Stay informed and talk about the issues. Make sure each of us all fully understand each and every issue we are facing. There is no more time for anyone to be complacent on anything anymore; your future depends on your involvement and soon your vote. Stay Informed….Wear The Pocket Card…In Solidarity.
- No. 1: Pension is at risk
- No. 2: What will you lose
- No. 3: Why we need the IAM
- No. 4: A voice & a vote
- No. 5: If merger is approved
- No. 6: Let's talk seniority
- No. 7: Grievance process
- No. 8: Delta promises
- No. 9: Series C stock
- No. 10: Who sets the standard
- No. 11: IAM Bargaining Survey
- No. 12: Bankruptcy Wins
- No. 13: No 2nd Class in IAM
- No. 14: Workers are the Key
- No. 15: Can you trust Delta
- No. 16: Change your Luck
- No. 17: Your Stimulus Plan
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NWA Stimulus Plan
Delta Stimulus Plan
Union "Yes" Delta Worker Publication
The Union "Yes" Delta Worker newsletter is published for the Delta employees on our mailing list. To receive this newsletter in the privacy of your own home click here.
In this issue we introduce ourselves to the Delta worker in a letter from GVP Robert Roach Jr. The IAM National Pension Fund is presented as well as highlights from Atlanta.
Growing up Delta touches on a personal side of being in a Delta family. Also, "Who will you turn to when Delta eliminates your job" and "Know your rights."
Money is king for the wolf in sheep's clothing in Coup D' Delta. We also talk about Cincinnati and one of our many visits there.
In this issue the Reservation side of the Organizing Drive is discussed at length. Many of the Delta workers were very welcoming to us. Look for "A Hero's Homecoming" and the IAM home-agent pilot program as well.
"Something to Consider; The Real Comparison" reveals some of the many benefits associated with being an IAM member. Delta ranks 7th in on-time performance says DOT's October 2008 report; union carriers faired much better. See also Bruce Church's article "Sitting up on cinder blocks".
"In Their Own Words" opens this edition of the Delta four pager. See curious stock selling and how Northwest took over Delta.
Read testimonials from Delta and Northwest workers. "Just Over Broke" will have you wanting a career over a job.
Read about the "Union Avoidance" industry. Get the facts and figures on carrier interference, and see common misconceptions about unions dispelled.
IAM Files-- What does this mean to me? Read about what to expect voting in a National Mediation Board ran representation election. See what supervisors and employers cannot do during a representation election.
Across the USA people are talking. See a glimpse of what people want for their future.
The sky is the limit with the IAM. See where you are represented on our map of lodges.
In this first of three Retro-style newsletters a close look into the way the IAM negotiates is discussed, as well as Democracy in the IAM.
The highlights of IAM history and Contract v. No Contract are looked at. "40 Stations in 40 Days and the recent organizing blitz are included as well.