August 4, 2009 - The Machinists Union met with Delta Air Lines executives today to discuss the carrier’s progress toward becoming a single carrier following Delta’s acquisition of Northwest Airlines. The IAM called for the meeting so Delta could provide information relating to their business plan for the combined organization going forward, the timing of Delta’s remaining steps to achieving single carrier status with regard to the IAM represented crafts and classes and the proper composition or definition of those crafts and classes at the combined carrier.
Present for the Machinists Union was General Vice President Robert Roach, Jr.; Administrative Assistant Sito Pantoja; Airline Coordinator Tom Brickner; Transportation Coordinator Jay Cronk; Grand Lodge Representative Tim Klima; IAM Associate General Counsel Carla Siegel; District 143 President and Directing General Chairman Stephen Gordon; and District 143 General Chairman Gerry Bernsen. Representing Delta Air Lines were Mike Campbell, Executive Vice President - Human Resources and Labor Relations; Wayne Aaron, Vice President - Corporate Strategy and Business Development; and Walter Brill - Associate General Counsel.
“The meeting with Delta was productive,” said GVP Roach. “The information Delta provided will be useful in determining our next step.”
When the Machinists Union determines Delta and Northwest are operating as a single carrier for representation purposes for the crafts and classes we represent, the IAM will ask the National Mediation Board to make such a ruling which, along with a sufficient showing of interest from the combined work groups, will trigger union representation elections.
