Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Delta employees being financed by Delta for the benefit of Delta

First, it is important to understand that these groups have no legal standing to make decisions for Delta employees, let alone any Northwest employees. They are not a union or lawful employee representative. They are Delta employees being financed by Delta for the benefit of Delta. The fact that they are illegal "company unions" is one of the issues before the Court in IAM vs Delta Air Lines pending in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.
Second, while these groups purport to make recommendations for seniority that would impact employees' work groups, only the National Mediation Board is lawfully authorized to make work group determinations. Further, any recommendations for how seniority can be used for bidding purposes would not be legally binding on Delta without a union. With the IAM, the methods by which employees can use their seniority would be in a legally binding collective bargaining agreement, ensuring your right to use seniority as voted upon by your craft or class.