Air Transport District 143
2510 Lexington Avenue South
St. Paul, MN 55120
tel- 651.688.2640
fax- 651.688.7229
Email: iamaw143@aol.com
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS UNDER THE LAW
Flight Simulator Technicians and
Simulator Support Specialists
Northwest Airlines
May 6, 2010NMB to investigate Delta’s interference in Sim Tech election
The National Mediation Board (NMB) announced that it would investigate the IAM’s charges that the Delta Air Lines illegally interfered in the representation election for 91 flight simulator technicians.
NMB General Counsel Mary Johnson wrote, “After reviewing the submissions provided by Delta and the lAM, I find that because the lAM's allegations and supporting evidence if true, would warrant a finding of election interference, the lAM has presented a prima facie case of election interference. The Board will commence its investigation and will be in contact with the participants to schedule interviews and an on-site investigation.”
Some examples of interference include Delta announcing a pay raise for non-contract employees on the first full day of voting in the election, holding one-on-one meetings with workers to influence how employees will vote, and conducting surveillance on employees to discourage employees from talking about the benefits of a union.
If the Board concludes there was interference, it is likely to order a new election. In such circumstances, the Board may modify the balloting procedures. The complete NMB correspondence is available for viewing and printing at IAM4DELTA.ORG.
May 5, 2010NMB finds need for further investigation in Sim Tech election interference case
"...After reviewing the submissions provided by Delta and the lAM, I find that
because the lAM's allegations and supporting evidence if true, would warrant a finding
of election interference, the lAM has presented a prima facie case of election
interference. The Board will commence its investigation and will be in contact with the
participants to schedule interviews and an on-site investigation."
Sincerely,
Mary L. Johnson
General Counsel
National Mediation Board
February 26, 2010Voting rules, interference stymie Delta workers
Despite a high number of votes for the IAM, the election for 91 flight simulator technicians at the recently merged Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines was declared invalid by the NMB when fewer than 50 percent plus one of eligible employees participated in the Internet and telephone voting. The Machinists Union received 40 of the 43 valid votes cast.
Delta Air Lines interfered in the election process in violation of the Railway Labor Act and IAM attorneys are reviewing what steps to take next. This matter is not closed.
Unlike traditional political elections in the U.S., as well as representation elections for workers covered by the National Labor Relations Act, a simple majority of votes cast is not sufficient to prevail in elections for the nation's air and rail employees.
In addition to a 50 percent plus one participation requirement, the current NMB rules count all un-cast ballots as votes against union representation.
February 19, 2010Final stages
As we come to the final stages of the election cycle,
we would like to share some last thoughts with you.
If you have received your voting instruction and have already exercised
your democratic right and voted, we thank your for your support and look
forward to working with you to secure your future with Delta Air Lines.
If you still have questions about the Machinists Union, contact us at 407‐491‐1135.
If you have not received your voting instruction or somehow misplaced them you can request a duplicate set from the NMB. A form letter you can download is available on the District 143 web site, www.iam143.org. If for some reason you have decided that a Union is not for you, we ask that you reconsider your decision and join your fellow brothers and sisters that have cast their Union vote so we can work together for a better future for you and your family.
THANK YOU!
February 17, 2010Simulator Technician update
February 10, 2010Request a duplicate VIN/PIN
If you have not received a VIN and PIN by February 8, 2010, you can request a duplicate from the Board by mail.
February 5, 2010ALPA president sends letter to Delta Sim Techs
A message from ALPA President Captain John Prater to the Simulator Technicians of Delta Airlines
Fellow Professional and Airline Employees:
The Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) proudly represents over 53,000 airline pilots at 38 airlines in the United States and Canada. Since 1931 our mission has been to improve the safety and security of our shared industry, while representing pilots' interests through collective bargaining and recognized legal representation. We believe having a legally enforceable contract between our union and management that governs our working conditions, joint safety programs, retirement and healthcare benefits, seniority and job protection rights, wages, and other important provisions, creates a solid foundation for establishing and protecting our members. Just as important it establishes contractual rights and legal processes to resolve grievances that survive changes in supervisors, owners and corporate business plans.
A contract also creates stability between professional workers and their managers so that everyone knows the rules and expectations allowing us to focus on doing our jobs. The airlines and their workers face a very unstable environment of domestic and foreign competition along with ever increasing pressures to reduce employee costs. Outsourcing of airline employee jobs to other companies or subsidiaries has become all too common as a method to lower costs. Protecting our members from that threat is always a primary goal in our contracts.
February 4, 2010First IAM election at Delta Air Lines underway
The National Mediation Board (NMB) yesterday mailed telephone and Internet voting instructions to nearly 100 Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines flight simulator technicians, opening a three week voting period in the first IAM election since Delta acquired Northwest. Pre-merger Northwest Sim Techs are IAM members, while their Delta counterparts are currently non-union. Voting will end at 2pm ET on February 25, 2010.
"Voter participation is critical in this election," said General Vice President Robert Roach, Jr. "NMB rules count any eligible voter who chooses not to participate in the elections - for whatever reason - to have voted against union representation."
Once Sim Tech voters receive their Personal Identification Number (PIN) and Voter Identification Number (VIN) from the NMB, they can vote by calling 1-877-NMB-VOTE, or visiting www.nmb.gov and clicking red link that says "Click Here to Vote in a Representation Election."
Any eligible Sim Tech voter who has not received a PIN/VIN from the NMB by February 8, 2010 should contact in writing the NMB Office of Legal Affairs and request a duplicate PIN/VIN and reference NMB Case No. R-7230. Duplicate PIN/VIN request forms are also available from IAM Representatives. The correct address to submit the request is:
National Mediation Board Office of Legal Affairs
1301 K St., NW
Suite 250 East
Washington, DC 20005
Elections for other employee groups at the combined airline are not yet scheduled. More information about the Sim Tech election is available at www.iam143.org.
February 3, 2010Delta Sim Tech Election
REDIRECT TO VIDEO 4; SIM TECHS FIRST VOTE, FEBRUARY 3, 2010
REDIRECT TO VIDEO 3; BARGAINING FOR DELTA, JANUARY 28, 2010
REDIRECT TO VIDEO 2; DELTA SIM TECH ELECTION, JANUARY 20, 2010
REDIRECT TO VIDEO 1; DELTA NORTHWEST UPDATE, JANUARY 13, 2010
January 12, 2010NMB schedules first machinist election at Delta Air Lines
In spite of opposition from Delta Air Lines, the National Mediation Board (NMB) has scheduled the first union representation election following the merger of Delta and Northwest Airlines," said International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) General Vice President Robert Roach, Jr. following the NMB's announcement of a union representation election for nearly 100 of Delta's flight simulator technicians (Sim Techs). "Delta Sim Techs now have the right to choose for themselves if they want a union to help improve their working conditions at Delta Air Lines."
The IAM's application was filed on August 13, 2009, but the process was delayed while Delta argued that Sim Techs should be included in Delta's currently un-represented mechanic and related classification. The NMB rejected Delta's claims.
"If Delta had been successful in combining Sim Techs with mechanics, Northwest Sim Techs would have lost their union contract without a vote and Delta Sim Techs would have been denied an opportunity to make up their own minds about union representation," said Roach. "Delta's aggressive stance to prevent an election shows they are afraid of what their employees can achieve when acting collectively."
The NMB will mail voting instructions to eligible voters on February 3, 2010 and tabulate votes on February 25, 2010. Voting will be conducted electronically by phone and through the Internet. Sim Techs, based in Minneapolis, MN and Atlanta GA operate and maintain Delta's flight simulators.
January 8, 2010IAM presents NMB with signed election authorization cards from Delta Sim Techs
On December 22, 2009, the National Mediation Board (NMB) granted the lAM's request to declare that Delta and
Northwest Airlines were operating as a single carrier for representation purposes for the combined airlines' flight
simulator technicians (Sim Techs). Additionally, the NMB agreed with the lAM's arguments that the Sim Techs
were their own separate and distinct class or craft and, therefore, eligible for their own representation election
independent of other classifications.
The lAM's original application was filed on August 13, 2009, but the process was delayed because Delta had argued that flight simulator technicians should be included in the currently unrepresented mechanic and related classification. The NMB rejected Delta's claims and found that both Northwest and Delta have historically treated their Sim Techs as a separate class or craft apart from their mechanic and related employees.
If Delta had been successful in combining the Sim Techs with mechanics, Northwest Sim Techs would have lost
their union representation without a vote and Delta Sim Techs would have lost an opportunity to make up their
own minds about union representation.
Delta tried to prevent Sim Techs from voting on whether
or not they want to be represented by the Machinists Union.
Nobody knows what is best for Delta employees other than the employees themselves. Delta tried to silence the
Sim Techs, but the lAM fought so they could have the opportunity to make a choice. Under NMB rules, the lAM
had until January 5, 2010 to supplement its August 2009 application to prove sufficient interest for a Sim Tech
representation election.
Accordingly, the lAM on January 5, 2010 presented the NMB with signed election authorization cards from Delta
Sim Techs. Also, the NMB ordered Delta to submit the list of potential eligible voters. That list is due by January
19, 2010. Once submitted, the lAM will have the opportunity to review the list and file challenges, if appropriate,
to make sure all employees listed are eligible to participate in an election. The NMB will determine the final list of
eligible voters and set an election date. Eligible voters will receive voting instructions directly from the NMB
mailed to the iast address they had on file with their company.
Voting will be conducted by telephone and through the Internet.
Fraternally and in solidarity,
Stephen M. Gordon
President/Directing General Chair
January 5, 2010IAM moves closer to first Delta election
On December 22, 2009 the National Mediation Board (NMB) granted the IAM's request to declare that Delta and Northwest Airlines were operating as a single carrier for representation purposes for the combined airlines' flight simulator technicians (Sim Techs). Additionally, the NMB agreed with the IAM's arguments that the Sim Techs were their own separate and distinct class or craft and, therefore, eligible for their own representation election independent of other classifications.
The IAM's application was filed on August 13, 2009, but the process was delayed because Delta had argued that flight simulator technicians should be included in the currently un-represented mechanic and related classification. The NMB rejected Delta's claims and found that both Northwest and Delta have historically treated their Sim Techs as a separate craft or class apart from their mechanic and related employees.
If Delta had been successful in mixing the Sim Techs with mechanics, Northwest Sim Techs would have lost their union representation without a vote and Delta Sim Techs would have lost an opportunity to make up their own minds about union representation.
"Delta tried to prevent Sim Techs from voting on whether or not they want to be represented by the Machinists Union," said General Vice President Robert Roach, Jr. "Nobody knows what is best for Delta employees other than the employees themselves. Delta tried to silence the Sim Techs, but the IAM fought so they could have the opportunity to make a choice."
Under NMB rules, the IAM had until January 5, 2010 to supplement its August 2009 application to prove sufficient interest for a Sim Tech representation election. Accordingly, the IAM today presented the NMB with signed election authorization cards from Delta Sim Techs.
Also today the NMB ordered Delta to submit the list of potential eligible voters. That list is due by January 19, 2010. The NMB will now investigate, finalize a list of eligible voters and set an election date. Eligible voters will receive voting instructions directly from the NMB mailed to the last address they had on file with their company. Voting will be conducted by telephone and through the Internet.
An application requesting a single carrier ruling for the combined airlines' security guards was also filed on August 13, 2009, but the NMB has not yet made a determination in that case. Delta is again trying to eliminate IAM representation for Northwest guards without a vote of affected employees. The IAM is opposing Delta's attempt to suppress their employees' voices.
The IAM will file single carrier applications for fleet service, customer service and stock clerks when Delta and Northwest are operating as a single carrier for each of those classifications' representation purposes. Each classification must have a separate single carrier ruling before an election can take place for that classification.
December 23, 2009Simulator technicians one step closer to union election
This determination addresses the application filed by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, AFL-CIO (IAM). The IAM requests the National Mediation Board (NMB or Board) to investigate whether Delta Air Lines, Inc. (Delta) and Northwest Airlines (Northwest) (collectively the Carriers) are operating as a single transportation system.
In addition, the Board was asked to determine the proper craft or class for Flight Simulator Technicians (Simulator Technicians or Sim Techs).
The investigation establishes that Delta and Northwest constitute a single transportation system for the craft or class of Simulator Technicians.