Delta leadership responds to inaccurate, defamatory letters sent out by NWA AFA MEC President Janette Rook and AFA-CWA International President Friend

RESPONDING TO THE AFA'S UNSUPPORTED CLAIMS

In recent communications, the NWA AFA MEC and AFA-CWA International President Pat Friend have both accused Delta of lying to, deceiving and undermining the rights of flight attendants. In their letters - which can be read on the IFS Decision 2010 Portal page - they casually quote "hundreds" of examples of Delta's alleged wrongdoings without ever specifically mentioning a single one.

Of course we wholeheartedly disagree with these dramatic accusations but recognize that they are part of the AFA's overall campaign strategy. Anytime we provide facts and information about the AFA or hold them accountable for what they have done or said - they call it "union busting".

The AFA is counting on a strong showing of "yes" votes from PMNW flight attendants and, to quote Pat Friend, "apathy" from PMDL flight attendants to win this election. PMNW flight attendants are used to voting by telephone or the internet in NMB elections (Northwest had three different NMB elections in the past 10 years - and each of the elections involved a choice between two unions) and they are accustomed to being represented by a union - they have never known anything else. Combine these advantages with a relentless campaign of fear-based messages and unsubstantiated claims about the "strong arming tactics" of the company to suppress flight attendant rights, and you have the AFA's playbook.

The experience of PMDL flight attendants has been different. In past union elections, the NMB rules provided that not voting was, in fact, a "No" vote and a vote to remain union free. The NMB voting rules changed this summer. If a large number of PMDL flight attendants were to once again not vote in the current election, it would certainly be convenient for the AFA. That's why voter education has been a major focus of our communication efforts. At the end of the day, it's important that all flight attendants cast a vote in this election, regardless of whether their vote is "yes" or "no" for the AFA. You will not find this anywhere in the AFA literature.

Finally, Delta is not spending "millions of dollars" on a "union busting" campaign as the AFA asserts (we are neither spending "millions" on communications, nor involved in any union-busting activity.) We are simply doing the following:

Informing flight attendants about the voting rules and voting process.

Correcting inaccurate information perpetuated by the AFA.

Providing facts using real world comparisons and objective, historical information.

Stating our opinion (which is our legal right) that we believe our flight attendants and company would be better served without the AFA.

Our flight attendants, both PMDL and PMNW, deserve to have these facts and information before making such a career-defining decision as to whether or not to elect AFA representation.

Joanne Smith
Senior Vice President - In-Flight Service