September 15, 2008 - After months of intense lobbying by the Machinists Union, pressure from Congressional leaders and pleas from scores of airline workers, the National Mediation Board (NMB) has rescinded its proposal to make it more difficult for unionized airline workers to retain union protection when merging with un-represented carriers.
“Due to the concerns and confusion expressed by the commenting parties, the Board has decided that it will not implement the Manual revision proposals at the current time,” said NMB General Counsel Mary Johnson in a memo to all carriers and labor organizations.
“This is a major victory for all airline workers,” said IAM General Vice President Robert Roach, Jr. “This win is a result of a concerted effort from the IAM’s Transportation Department, Legislative Department, Legal Department, Strategic Resources Department, Air Transport District 143, its affiliated Local Lodges and personal appeals from members.”
Under the current procedures, whenever there has been a merger between an unrepresented and a represented group and the represented group has a majority, the NMB has extended the certification of the representative. The NMB wanted to adopt a rule that would have changed the simple majority needed to “more than a substantial majority as determined by the Board”, signaling a deviation from decades-long precedent without any demonstrated need or justification.
“The NMB moved away from its unfair rule change, but we must remain vigilant” said Roach. “Delta Air Lines and their friends in Washington will continue fighting to silence workers. The Machinists Union will not allow that to happen.”
