Eighth Delta Workgroup Resolves Union Representation, IAM Rejected Again

Stock clerks join below-wing ACS and Cargo employees, flight attendants and others in saying no to unions

One election remains pending as result of merger

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Nov 22, 2010, 03:36 ET

ATLANTA, Nov. 22, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) has received notification from the National Mediation Board (NMB) that an overwhelming majority – 73 percent - of TechOps Stores employees voting in the Stores representation election rejected representation by the International Association of Machinists (IAM).

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There were 607 votes cast – 439 "no" votes, only 166 votes for IAM and two write-in votes. There were 673 eligible voters.

"Whether voting under the old rules or the entirely new voting process, Delta people continue choosing to stay with the great tradition of this Airline of people working together," said Mike Campbell, executive vice president – HR and Labor Relations. "This is the eighth workgroup in which representation was resolved since Delta's merger, resulting in no union for the more than 41,000 employees in these groups. We urge the IAM and AFA to respect our people's choice and the will of the majority. Delta people have patiently waited two years to have their pay, benefits, work rules, and seniority aligned. It's time to move forward."

In addition to the 439 TechOps Stores employees who rejected IAM representation, Delta's below-wing Airport Customer Service and Cargo warehouse employees rejected IAM representation in the Fleet Service election last week, flight attendants rejected AFA representation earlier this month, Delta's simulator technicians twice rejected IAM representation in 2010, and Delta's meteorologists rejected union representation in March 2009. Delta's aircraft maintenance technicians and technical writers/planners also resolved representation by moving to a direct relationship in early 2009. These groups total more than 41,000 employees.

"Since the merger's close, many of you have expressed the desire to move forward as one team," said Tony Charaf, president – Delta TechOps, in a memo to employees. "We are ready to begin the process of aligning pay, benefits and work rules, and producing a single seniority list as quickly as possible."

Delta employees continue voting in one remaining representation election as a result of Delta's merger with Northwest. Results for Reservation Sales and customer-facing airport and cargo agents in the Passenger Service craft or class will be announced on Dec. 7.

Delta Air Lines serves more than 160 million customers each year. With an industry-leading global network, Delta and the Delta Connection carriers offer service to 348 destinations in 64 countries on six continents. Headquartered in Atlanta, Delta employs more than 75,000 employees worldwide and operates a mainline fleet of more than 700 aircraft. A founding member of the SkyTeam global alliance, Delta participates in the industry's leading trans-Atlantic joint venture with Air France-KLM and Alitalia. Including its worldwide alliance partners, Delta offers customers more than 13,000 daily flights, with hubs in Amsterdam, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, Memphis, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York-JFK, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Salt Lake City and Tokyo-Narita. The airline's service includes the SkyMiles frequent flier program, the world's largest airline loyalty program; the award-winning BusinessElite service; and more than 50 Delta Sky Clubs in airports worldwide. Customers can check in for flights, print boarding passes, check bags and review flight status at delta.com.