The NMB (National Mediation Board) has reviewed the 2010 union election at Delta for flight attendants and determined that Delta did not interfere illegally in the election.  Flight attendants there rejected the AFA (Association of Flight Attendants) as a representing union by a large enough margin and under the new rules requiring that only cast votes be counted.

What’s that mean?  Well, for one thing, former Northwest Airlines flight attendants get a raise and better work rules in the non-union shop.  Ironic, no?

Will there be another election?  I suspect we’ll see another attempt in 12 to 18 months because the AFA is able to get enough traction to force these votes. 

Will it ever succeed?  Only if Delta takes it eyes off the ball and stops treating its employees in some of the best ways the industry has experienced.  In other words, it isn’t likely to.  In fact, the flight attendants from Northwest are generally older and more senior and more likely to fade in numbers over the next decade.

Unions can be good and powerful forces for employees but how relevant are they when the company simply continues to do the right thing?

Filed under: Airline News by ajax