Machinists condemn dismissal of claims against Delta Air Lines

The dismissal was the latest in the series of actions by the board, which earlier rejected claims the carrier interfered in the 2010 elections among stock clerks and flight attendants. Today, nearly all of Delta’s workforce – with the notable exception of the pilots – is non-union.

“The Machinists Union disagrees wholeheartedly with this decision,” Machinists General Vice President John Roach said. “The NMB’s conclusions do not accurately reflect the illegal actions undertaken by Delta Air Lines during the election.”

Among the election violations the IAM charged Delta Air Lines with are coercing pre-merger Delta employees to vote from Delta-controlled computers while electronically blocking pre-merger Northwest employees, who belonged to the IAM, from voting from Delta computers. Additionally, Delta habitually engaged in surveillance and intimidation designed to make employees fearful of supporting the IAM, the union said. The Machinists provided more than 180 exhibits to demonstrate the breadth of the interference.

“Although we do not agree with Delta’s conduct or the NMB’s conclusions, we are prepared to move to the next step,” said Roach. “Delta employees do not need the NMB to order a new election; all they have to do is sign an IAM card requesting an election, and we will do the rest. The IAM is prepared to work with Delta employees to bring them the justice they deserve. We will not let Delta Air Lines or their political allies deter us from that goal.”

More information about the IAM at Delta Air Lines is available at www.takingbackourfamily.com.