Two unions affiliated with the AFL-CIO are trying to oust the independent union that represents flight attendants at Northwest Airlines.
Typically, an attempt by one union to take over representation from another union is considered "raiding," a violation of one of the core principles of labor solidarity. However, some argue that members who choose to replace one union with another are exercising workplace democracy.
Both the Association of Flight Attendants (which is affiliated with the Communications Workers of America) and the Transport Workers Union say Northwest flight attendants want a different union to replace the Professional Flight Attendants Association.
It was only two years ago, in June 2003, that flight attendants at Northwest voted to make PFAA their union. That vote decertified Teamsters Local 2000, which had represented flight attendants for 25 years.
In materials that AFA and TWU are circulating, both stress their experience in the airline industry and their connections to the rest of the labor movement ? strengths they say are vital as Northwest goes through bankruptcy and seeks $195 million in concessions from flight attendants, including the elimination of 1,400 additional jobs.
AFA, in particular, warns that what happens to flight attendants at Northwest could set a pattern that harms the economic security of flight attendants throughout the airline industry.
Statements from PFAA question the motives of the two AFL-CIO unions, especially in announcing their organizing drives amid the uncertainty of bankruptcy proceedings and during ongoing contract negotiations.
AFA represents 46,000 flight attendants at 22 airlines. TWU represents workers at two dozen airlines, including flight attendants at Southwest Airlines. TWU also represents about 180 flight dispatchers and operations planners at Northwest.
In order for either union to oust PFAA, a majority of the more than 9,400 Northwest flight attendants would have to sign authorization cards seeking a representation election. The National Mediation Board then would conduct an election under terms of the Railway Labor Act.
Adapted from The Union Advocate, the official newspaper of the St. Paul Trades and Labor Assembly. E-mail The Advocate at: advocate@stpaulunions.org
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Two unions affiliated with the AFL-CIO are trying to oust the independent union that represents flight attendants at Northwest Airlines.
Typically, an attempt by one union to take over representation from another union is considered “raiding,” a violation of one of the core principles of labor solidarity. However, some argue that members who choose to replace one union with another are exercising workplace democracy.
Both the Association of Flight Attendants (which is affiliated with the Communications Workers of America) and the Transport Workers Union say Northwest flight attendants want a different union to replace the Professional Flight Attendants Association.
It was only two years ago, in June 2003, that flight attendants at Northwest voted to make PFAA their union. That vote decertified Teamsters Local 2000, which had represented flight attendants for 25 years.
In materials that AFA and TWU are circulating, both stress their experience in the airline industry and their connections to the rest of the labor movement ? strengths they say are vital as Northwest goes through bankruptcy and seeks $195 million in concessions from flight attendants, including the elimination of 1,400 additional jobs.
AFA, in particular, warns that what happens to flight attendants at Northwest could set a pattern that harms the economic security of flight attendants throughout the airline industry.
Statements from PFAA question the motives of the two AFL-CIO unions, especially in announcing their organizing drives amid the uncertainty of bankruptcy proceedings and during ongoing contract negotiations.
AFA represents 46,000 flight attendants at 22 airlines. TWU represents workers at two dozen airlines, including flight attendants at Southwest Airlines. TWU also represents about 180 flight dispatchers and operations planners at Northwest.
In order for either union to oust PFAA, a majority of the more than 9,400 Northwest flight attendants would have to sign authorization cards seeking a representation election. The National Mediation Board then would conduct an election under terms of the Railway Labor Act.
Adapted from The Union Advocate, the official newspaper of the St. Paul Trades and Labor Assembly. E-mail The Advocate at: advocate@stpaulunions.org