IAM organizers cite involvement by Flight Simulator Technicians at Delta Air Lines for the government’s decision to order a new round of voting after the group fell short in a representation election held earlier this year.
Union elections for air and rail workers are conducted by the National Mediation Board (NMB), which also investigates allegations of interference, but rarely overturns election results.
With evidence collected by Sim Techs in Minneapolis and Atlanta, the IAM filed an appeal with the NMB, claiming that Delta violated election rules by promising pay raises for non-union employees and holding coercive one-on-one meetings with employees.
NMB rules specifically state: “No carrier, its officers, or agents shall deny or in any way question the right of its employees to join, organize, or assist in organizing the labor organization of their choice, and it shall be unlawful for any carrier to interfere in any way with the organization of its employees . . .”
The Board attached considerable weight to the testimony of many Sim Techs who stated that Delta’s announcement of a pending pay increase impacted how they voted.
The IAM also charged that Delta violated NMB guidelines by promising to favorably adjust employee work schedules; conducting illegal surveillance of Sim Tech employees; misstating Board rules; denying lawful access to union representatives and permitting the distribution of a petition in an effort to prevent an election.
After a five-month investigation that included 20 interviews with Simulator Technicians, IAM representatives and management officials, the NMB ruled unanimously on August 10, 2010 that the conditions for a fair election had been tainted by Delta’s actions.
“The right to vote without interference may be protected by law, but it takes people like the Sim Techs at Delta to ensure it’s more than just words on paper,” said IAM Transportation GVP Robert Roach, Jr. “Every union member owes them a debt of gratitude for defending a right that belongs to us all.”
In addition to its efforts among the Sim Tech group, Delta is currently waging aggressive campaigns against organizing efforts by thousands of Delta employees in a half dozen different classifications.
Wed. August 18, 2010
President Obamah\'s appointments to the NMB Do Make a difference , just as preceding republicans have, and (I did not like those.) You Decide which one is working for you. I am tired of our jobs, retirements, and our working conditions along with pay, and even the 40 hour work week being under attack. Listen our guns, abortion, mosques, and other so called issues are not the real issues. The real issues are stated above, do not be so easily distracted by the propaganda machine. This NMB got it right , thank yous to the IAMAW Grand lodge for the coordination efforts to bring this to the NMB and for the brave men and woman who stood up and spoke out, and testified. S/T local 1073Wed. August 18, 2010
Just because the NMB made the RIGHT decision after all these years of unfair election practices only proves one thing! Justice has been served for millions who have been wronged by previous decisions based on a voting fallacy. Ignorance is bliss – Obama had nothing to do with this decision so the point is mute and the IAM – well your welcome to your own opinion. Thousands of represented individuals would disagree with you but then again your entire post is YOUR opinion which also happens to be the only thing your welcome to…so good luck with that.Tue. August 17, 2010
Just because you have the NMB in your back pocket does not mean you will win. Obama sucks and so does the IAM.