Delta wins union dispute

The National Mediation Board has sided with Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines in a legal dispute. A national flight attendants union claimed the carrier interfered with a failed effort by some of its flight attendants to unionize. Delta says the NMB found that the union's claims either are "unsubstantiated," "do not rise to the level of interference." Delta's flight attendants failed to get the necessary votes to form a union. Not enough of the eligible flight attendants voted, and therefore the results did not meet the certification requirements of the NMB.

Delta flight attendants not unionizing

Delta flight attendants' election to unionize wrapped up today, but not enough of them voted to form a union. Only forty percent of them cast ballots, so the election is void.

But spokesperson from the Association of Flight Attendants Corey Calwell says that this may not be the end of the issue. Her organization represents Northwest's flight attendants.

Calwell says, "We believe voter participation will increase as Delta and Northwest get down the merger path."

After the merger, she says, new elections will be held.

Delta flight attendants wrapping important vote

Month-long voting ends tomorrow for Delta flight attendants for the issue on the table on whether to unionize. It’s a vote being closely watched by the entire airline industry. Union organizers have concern about the possibility of outsourcing flight attendant work to foreign national flight attendants. Atlanta-based Delta is in the process of completing a merger with Northwest Airlines.

Delta flight attendants could unionize

Some Delta flight attendants could unionize. This comes as the airline considers merging with Northwest Airlines or United Airlines.

A similar effort to unionize in 2002 failed.

According to an international union of flight attendants, Delta’s workers will begin filing cards Thursday to request an election that will decide if, collectively, they want union representation. If least 35 percent of Delta’s twelve thousand active flight attendants file cards, they will then vote to determine if they’ll be part of union.

Delta’s pilots are currently the only major work group unionized at the company.