Delta encouraged by NMB decision to ask for DOJ review after IAM application dismissal

NMB cites concerns

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Apr 09, 2015, 06:22 ET

ATLANTA, April 9, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Mediation Board today dismissed the International Association of Machinists application for an election among Delta (NYSE: DAL) flight attendants, following the IAM's notice of withdrawal. In a letter accompanying the dismissal, the NMB states that it "has reason to believe that some unknown person or persons knowingly submitted authorization cards with fraudulent signatures in a possible violation of federal law." It also states that it "has decided to refer the matter to the appropriate office of the United States Department of Justice for further review."

"There is nothing more important than our people and our culture," said Richard Anderson, chief executive officer. "We respect the integrity of the NMB's election process and fully support the DOJ investigation so our people can know the full truth."

"We are very encouraged that this matter has been referred to the DOJ," said Joanne Smith, Delta's executive vice president and chief human resources officer. "At the time of the IAM filing in January, many flight attendants were raising questions regarding the validity of the authorization cards the IAM submitted to the NMB."

Unions seeking to represent airline employees are required to submit valid authorization cards to the NMB from at least 50 percent of all eligible voters in order for an election to be held.

Effective today, under the NMB's rules, no union can file an application to represent Delta flight attendants for one year.

Delta Air Lines serves more than 170 million customers each year. Delta was named to FORTUNE magazine's top 50 World's Most Admired Companies in addition to being named the most admired airline for the fourth time in five years. Additionally, Delta has ranked No.1 in the Business Travel News Annual Airline survey for four consecutive years, a first for any airline. With an industry-leading global network, Delta and the Delta Connection carriers offer service to 321 destinations in 58 countries on six continents. Headquartered in Atlanta, Delta employs nearly 80,000 employees worldwide and operates a mainline fleet of more than 700 aircraft. The airline is a founding member of the SkyTeam global alliance and participates in the industry's leading trans-Atlantic joint venture with Air France-KLM and Alitalia as well as a newly formed joint venture with Virgin Atlantic. Including its worldwide alliance partners, Delta offers customers more than 15,000 daily flights, with key hubs and markets including Amsterdam, Atlanta, Boston, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York-JFK, New York-LaGuardia, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Salt Lake City, Seattle and Tokyo-Narita. Delta has invested billions of dollars in airport facilities, global products, services and technology to enhance the customer experience in the air and on the ground. Additional information is available on delta.com, Twitter @Delta, Google.com/+Delta, Facebook.com/delta and Delta's blog takingoff.delta.com.