Published on : Thursday, May 16, 2019
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers on Wednesday filed election interference charges with the National Mediation Board. The union had threatened action against the airline last week after a flyer encouraging employees to spend their money on video games instead of union dues went viral.
The IAM said it has “overwhelming evidence” that Delta has interfered with the flight attendants’ and ground workers’ right to seek a union vote. The NMB is a federal agency that handles labour-management issues in the airline industry.
“The IAM has provided the NMB with evidence showing Delta has run an unlawful, systematic anti-union campaign that includes intimidation, discipline and terminations of union activists,” IAM General Vice President Sito Pantoja said in a statement. “Last week, the public was able to see what many behind the walls of Delta have always known: that Delta will go to great lengths to suppress their employees’ collective voices.”
In a statement, Delta called the charges “baseless” and said the union’s own tactics are under scrutiny.
Delta, which is the least unionised major U.S. carrier, was blasted by union supporters last week for the flyer and similar anti-union messages distributed in airport break rooms.
“Union dues cost around $700 a year,” the controversial poster read. “A new video game system with the latest hits sounds like fun. Put your money towards that instead of paying dues to the union.”
James Carlson, an assistant airline coordinator in the IAM’s transportation department, called it a “juvenile, insulting” message.
“The union-busting techniques have hit an all-time low,” he said. “We are considering all options to combat that.”
The IAM lost a vote to represent the ramp workers in 2010, after the Delta-Northwest merger, and has been trying to collect enough cards for another vote since. The union is also trying to organize Delta’s flight attendants.
Delta is fighting both efforts and has a website dedicated to the effort, with the URL “Don’t Risk It, Don’t Sign It.” The union has a website, too.
Delta has confirmed that the flyer is authentic and was distributed to the employees.