February 11, 2008   

DELTA AIR LINES FLIGHT ATTENDANTS
FILE FOR ELECTION OF AFA-CWA  

Union Cards to be Submitted to Federal Agency on February 14 

Washington, DC – Delta Air Lines flight attendants will file cards on Thursday, February 14, seeking a union representation election according to the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA). Since late 2006, the campaign for AFA-CWA representation began when a small group of flight attendants started collecting the signatures necessary for the National Mediation Board (NMB) to call an election. Today, a solid majority of Delta flight attendants have signed cards and eagerly await an election.

“Delta flight attendants have made it clear that they want a voice in their future and a legally binding contract they can count on,” said Patricia Friend, AFA-CWA International President. “They want the right to negotiate rather than simply having to accept what management decides. They want a contract with improvements in pay, benefits and working conditions. They want a seat at the table – whether it is during regular contract negotiations or mergers – so they can have a voice in their careers. Their goals are our goals and we will work together to achieve them.”

The NMB is the federal agency that oversees union representation elections in the airline industry. Once the NMB verifies that enough signed union representation cards have been submitted by AFA-CWA, a secret ballot election will be called to determine the Delta flight attendants’ union representation. Voting is typically conducted electronically via the Internet or through a phone-activated system. 

“Delta flight attendants are hard working and are committed to our airline and to our careers,” said Delta flight attendant Mark Stell. “Just because we want to join a union does not mean that we are mad at management or even unhappy. All we are asking for, and what we deserve, is a say in our careers and our future.”

The NMB normally begins the voting within 60 – 90 days after the cards are filed. A schedule for the voting period has not yet been announced.

For over 60 years, the Association of Flight Attendants has been serving as the voice for flight attendants in the workplace, in the aviation industry, in the media and on Capitol Hill. More than 55,000 flight attendants at 20 airlines come together to form AFA-CWA, the world’s largest flight attendant union. AFA is part of the 700,000-member strong Communications Workers of America (CWA), AFL-CIO. Visit us at www.afanet.org.