The National Mediation Board (NMB) is proposing historic changes to the rules governing representation elections in the air and rail industries, and the NMB is inviting comments from the public. With the near-certain prospect of additional consolidation in the airline industry, workers at United, Continental and all carriers need to understand how a rule change proposed by NMB would dramatically increase their chances of retaining their contracts, retirement benefits and seniority rights.
The proposed rule change would grant air and rail employees the same voting rights enjoyed by workers in other industries and would end a discriminatory practice which treats non-voters as if they had voted “no.”
The current rules also require an absolute majority of eligible voters in a bargaining unit to cast ballots in favor of representation before a union can be certified. If similar rules were applied to U.S. political elections, many states would have no elected representatives.
Elections in the United States are decided by a majority of voters who participate in an election. Nowhere but in the transportation industry do non-voters routinely determine the outcome of an election.
Airline executives and their corporate allies are already mounting an aggressive campaign against the rule change, which would close a loophole they have exploited to suppress union organizing drives.
All IAM members are strongly urged to submit comments supporting the voting rights of air and rail workers. Family and friends are also encouraged to submit comments - all members of the public are welcome to submit comments. Instructions on how to submit comments electronically, download a pre-written letter to sign and return, or how to submit your own personal comments are available a www.goiam.org/nmb.
The deadline for submitting comments to the NMB on the proposed election rules is January 4, 2010. The time has come to provide full and fair voting rights for tens of thousands of air and rail employees who have been unfairly denied their full rights as citizens and workers. Please take the time to send a message to the NMB today.
Thu. November 26, 2009
This is one of the most important changes to be proposed for airline workers considering the current climate of mergers. I support this change and applaud the IAM for leading this fight on behalf of all the hard working employees in America.