Pat’s Retired: What Does She Care About our Careers? Take Action Now to Protect our Interests

Pat’s Retired: What Does She Care About our Careers? Take Action Now to Protect our Interests

Following my last bulk email, I’ve heard from many of you who agree that it’s time we – the dues paying members of AFA – take matters into our own hands and demand that the Northwest/Delta representation election take place as soon as possible, in order for us to quickly reap the benefits of a fully merged operation.

As such, I have written the following letter to the National Mediation Board, urging the Board to rule that a representation dispute now exists between our two groups, requiring an immediate election.

I am aware that many of you already have petitioned the board for action, and others of you are just looking for some ideas in order to write your own letters to the board. Feel free to copy and paste this letter and email it to the NMB or personalize it by adding your own thoughts to it before sending it.

Here is my petition:

Ms. Read Van de Water - vandewater@nmb.gov
Chairman, National Mediation Board

Ms. Elizabeth Dougherty - dougherty@nmb.gov
Member, National Mediation Board

Mr. Harry Hoglander - hoglander@nmb.gov
Member, National Mediation Board

Dear Ms. Van de Water, Ms. Dougherty and Mr. Hoglander,

As a Northwest Airlines flight attendant and dues paying member of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, I respectfully request that the National Mediation Board declare that a representation dispute exists between the Northwest and Delta Air Lines flight attendants requiring an immediate resolution through a representation election.

In the Board’s recent determination, (36 NMB NO. 17; CASE NOS, R-7191, R-7192, and R-7193), the Board found that for purposes of representation, the merger of Northwest and Delta created a single transportation system with respect to the pilots, flight dispatchers and meteorologists.

However, according to the AFA, the Board’s ruling rejected Delta’s argument that a single carrier finding also triggered a representation dispute for the other work groups who did not file applications – including the AFA. And, in subsequent communications to the Northwest flight attendants, the AFA has since concluded that the Board affirmed the AFA’s position that only an employee, or union, can initiate a representational election.

Remarkably, before and since, the AFA’s elected and unelected leaders have openly and publicly proclaimed their desire to forestall the inevitable consolidation of the Northwest and Delta flight attendant workgroups, yet have been unable to offer any consistent or congruent reasoning for such delay. They have failed to identify any tangible benefit that the members will realize by delaying this election. In fact, all they are delaying is much needed improvements to our pay and working conditions and the seniority integration necessary for increased schedule flexibility.

As a loyal, long-term airline employee, dependent upon my employer for a decent, livable wage, I can no longer afford to patiently wait for a much-needed raise while the AFA continues to reject, mock and misrepresent the growing call of its membership for a speedy and fair election as nothing more than rants from a “lunatic fringe.” Comments such as this only reveal overpaid union leaders who are out of touch with the very members they are supposed to represent and who have a distinct disdain for those who strive to improve our situation.

Management recently granted raises to my Delta counterparts while simultaneously noting that Northwest contractual employees are bound by the lower pay and benefit covenants negotiated in our bargaining agreements. While some may rightfully brand the company’s actions’ “union busting,” I call it simply what it is – reality. And because of this reality, and the reality of our current, recessionary climate, we must conclude this merger with the greatest haste, so all Northwest employees – regardless if we ultimately choose for or against union representation – can reap the economic benefits of a strong, well-positioned carrier.

In closing, and with the highest respect, I reiterate my call for the Board’s immediate attention and action to this matter. And, taking into account the AFA’s own conclusions regarding employee’s ability to initiate representation elections, I call for such today.

Sincerely,

Jose Arturo Ibarra,
Northwest Airlines flight attendant