What if, to be elected, you needed the majority of everyone eligible to vote – including those who sat on the sidelines and don’t vote? It would be hard to elect ANYONE under those conditions.
And, yet, for decades, that is what employees in the transportation industry have had to endure if they sought representation by a union. Under the arcane rules established by the National Mediation Board (NMB), tasked with enforcing the 1926 Railway Labor Act, employees seeking a union needed to get 50 percent plus 1 of the entire unit.
This formidable hurdle meant that flight attendants at Delta Air Lines twice fell short of gaining representation even though both times (in 2002 and in 2008) the majority of those who voted were for the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA. Unfortunately, those who didn’t vote – and Delta ran a “Rip it Up, Don’t Vote” campaign – counted as “no” votes.
But, no more. The NMB is finally ending the undemocratic practice of requiring a supermajority for employees in the industry to gain representation. On May 10, the board published new voting procedures for a Yes-No ballot, with a simple majority required for a union victory. The rules are due to become law in 30 days from the official promulgation in the Federal Register, on June 10.
That’s good news for more than 20,000 Delta flight attendants, including more than 7,000 from merger partner Northwest, where unions always have been welcome. Unless Delta and its corporate union, the American Transportation Association (ATA), are able to tie up the new rules in court, flight attendants finally will have a chance for a democratic vote in about 90 days.
Right behind them will be some 30,000 ramp and other personnel who are seeking representation by the Transport Workers Union. When their employees have a voice on the job, Delta will be a better airline.
Also by this AUTHOR
By the STAFF of...
