For years, the International Association of Machinists (IAM) has been trying to unionize Delta Airline’s flight attendants and baggage handlers without success, a failing they claim stems from anti-union tactics by Delta.
After filing a complaint against the airline in May with the National Mediation Board (NMB), which handles labor relations with the airlines, IAM did not receive the response they wanted. The NMB has declined to investigate the allegations, stating they are unable to do so because the union has not filed an application for a unionization election.
NMB general counsel Mary Johnson wrote in a letter to the union that “the NMB would consider that request” if IAM decided to file an application for an election and request a pre-election investigation.
IAM general vice president Sito Pantoja responded to NMB’s decision with the statement, “By refusing to act, the NMB is saying that Delta firing workers for supporting a union election is an ordinary way of doing business, and therefore not worth an investigation.”
Read more about the complaint here.
