Unions attempting to organize Delta employees have been rejected over and over again and to the surprise of many.  While some elections have been somewhat close, the results were pretty clear in every case.  Despite new rules favoring organizers, unions have had no real traction at this airline.

Unions can claim intimidation all they want but that doesn’t really fly in the airline world, pun intended.  Airline employees are well accustomed to unions, even those at Delta, and I’m very skeptical that even Delta can intimidate employees away from asking for a union if they really want it. 

Furthermore, I think the idea that Delta offering criticism of these unions isn’t intimidation.  If the unions can call Delta management dirty names and criticize their performance, it’s only fair that Delta management be allowed to throw a little mud themselves.  It’s notable that one union thought it effective to liken Delta CEO Richard Anderson to Adolt Hitler and that just goes a bit too far.  Among US airline CEOs, Anderson is one of the best and certainly well respected. 

The truth is, the employee environment at Delta is working for both the employees and management for whatever reasons may exist.  A union is only going to add value when those employees feel they aren’t getting fair treatment at the table.  Obviously that condition doesn’t exist today.  Why pay union fees when you’re interests are being accounted for?

Union organizers would be better off waiting a few years rather than continuing to rabidly fight this battle.  In fact, unions carrying on with this are likely to put off employees rather than win them over at this point.  Witness the fact that Delta flight attendants are asking the AFA to leave them alone.  These people are annoyed now, not enchanted.

That isn’t to say that Delta management has a free hand now either.  It means they’ve won, for now but they’ve got to remain on their own best behaviour to keep these conditions.   Attempts to be arbitary in their treatment of these labor groups will result in a change of heart.  Right now, I think Delta management gets that and they’ll keep their eye on the ball.  Should that management corps turn over, it may become a different situation.

These unions would be better off attempting to organize some regional airlines that are non-union.  These are employee groups that may well see value in them and it’s a better place to start at this time.

Filed under: Airline News by ajax
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