Questions & Answers

The following questions and answers are found in our Delta Net system.

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Q1: The majority of voters have voted to reject AFA representation. What happens now?
A1: Under the NMB’s rules, the AFA has until November 12 – seven business days - to file interference claims with the NMB. Delta is not in a position to align pay, benefits, and work rules until representation is finally resolved.

Q2: Why does the NMB provide a seven business day waiting period and when will it end?
A2: In our industry, the NMB provides a seven business day waiting period following the announcement of representation election results so that any party can file interference claims (the term “business day” does not include weekends and holidays).

In the flight attendant representation election, the seven day waiting period begins on November 3 and ends on November 12. The AFA is able to file interference claims with the NMB during this time.

Q3: What happens if the AFA files interference claims during this seven business day waiting period?
A3: If AFA does file interference claims with the NMB, the NMB would decide whether to conduct an investigation of these claims.

If interference claims are filed, Delta will not be in a position to align pay, benefits and work rules until representation is finally resolved.

The time frame of an investigation is unknown; however, the investigation following the simulator technician election lasted 5 months. During any investigation, we would be in what the NMB calls “laboratory conditions,” so PMDL flight attendants would continue to work under Delta’s policies regarding pay, benefits and work rules while Delta would continue to apply the pre-merger NW pay, benefits and work rules for PMNW flight attendants. Depending on the outcome of the investigation, either a re-run election would be held, or the AFA’s challenges would be found without merit and Delta would finally be able to move forward with full integration.

Q4: What does it mean to be in laboratory conditions? Are we in them now?
A4: In general, under laboratory conditions the company may not make changes to pay, benefits and work rules in order to influence the outcome of a representation election. Under laboratory conditions, the Company is permitted to implement changes that either are in the ordinary course of business – e.g., changes of the type that are typically made periodically – or that were previously planned. We are currently in laboratory conditions until November 12. However, if AFA files interference claims by that date, then laboratory conditions would continue.

Q5: What happens if the AFA does NOT file interference claims during the seven business day waiting period?
A5: If AFA does not file interference claims, you can expect to hear our plans for integration very soon. We would plan to move as quickly as we are able for the benefit of our flight attendants and our operation, as we have with other workgroups where representation has been resolved.

Q6: What will happen with our pay, benefits and work rules?
A6: If the AFA files interference claims by November 12 – the last day of the NMB’s seven business day waiting period - Delta will not be in a position to align pay, benefits and work rules until representation is finally resolved.

If the AFA does NOT file interference claims by November 12 then Delta will work as quickly as we are able to align pay, benefits and work rules and we will keep you posted on our plans.

Q7: When will we know more details about Delta’s transition plan?
A7: Delta will communicate its transition plan as soon as possible after Nov. 12 if the AFA does not file interference claims.

Q8: What would be the process for seniority integration? Hasn’t a decision/recommendation been made by PMDL flight attendants?
A8: As required by law, seniority integration would be handled through a "fair and equitable" process. Both the law and Delta policy state that no seniority integration agreement can be implemented without the agreement of PMDL employees, PMNW employees and the company. If no agreement is reached, the law requires that seniority integration would then be decided by a neutral arbitrator. However, a committee of PMDL flight attendants has already recommended a date of hire integration and we are hopeful that agreement could be reached promptly. We will provide more information once we proceed with our transition plan.

Q9: When can we transfer bases and begin flying together?
A9: As soon as we are able to align pay, benefits, work rules and produce a single seniority list then we would be able to address the issue of base transfers and mixing crews.