NMB Finds Machinists Union Broke Rules In Continental-United Election

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International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Jun 06, 2012, 03:26 ET

U.S. Agency Shortens Period Before Next Election Can Be Held

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 6, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Mediation Board issued a decision on Monday confirming Teamster claims regarding incidents of worker intimidation and other violations on the part of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) in last year's single-carrier election between Continental-United fleet service workers.

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While the Board stopped short of ruling that IAM's conduct constituted election interference that would require a rerun election, it found that the violations warrant a six-month shortening of the period before a new election can be held.

"The Machinists engaged in deplorable conduct against Teamsters supporters in the CAL-UAL election and this week's decision by the NMB proves it," said Capt. David Bourne, director of the Teamsters Airline Division. "Now ramp workers at the new United Airlines will have the opportunity to move to a vote earlier for the next election."

The August 2011 election between the Teamsters and the IAM was marked by incidents of harassment by the IAM. Of particular concern was the IAM's use of a hidden hyperlink on the voting website in violation of NMB rules. The link allowed the IAM to illegally track workers that voted from the link.

In response, the IBT filed objections with the NMB after the election. As Capt. Bourne observed at the time, "These allegations took place within the context of a very close election. If the IAM had received 11 fewer votes, the NMB would have required the election to be re-run."

Although the Board decided that the violations did not compromise the overall voting process, it ruled that the effective infringement on the secrecy of the ballot process was enough to allow for the shortening of the period before a new election from two years to 18 months.

The election for single-carrier status last year involved 7,500 Teamster-represented ramp workers at Continental and 6,800 IAM ramp workers at United. The two airlines completed their merger in March of this year.

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents more than 1.4 million hard-working men and women in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico including more than 75,000 workers in the airline industry. Go to www.teamster.org for more information.

SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters