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Jed Boal reportingWhile Delta and Northwest Airlines move ahead with plans to merge, Delta flight attendants weigh a decision about their future.
For the second time in six years, the flight attendants are voting whether or not to join a union.
More than 13,000 flight attendants work for Delta, and about 700 are based in Salt Lake City. Some fear the volatility in the industry and want a collective voice to speak up for their jobs. Others say they never felt like they needed union protection.
One week from now, flight attendants will know whether they bargain as a group, as members of the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA).
They are calling their colleagues across the country, urging them to cast their votes by phone, online or at work. Voting ends May 28.
Marianne Bicksler is a longtime Delta flight attendant. She says, "It's about the instability in our industry and having some kind of a say in our lives, in our daily lives, and having voice to speak our opinion to management."
The AFA represents 55,000 workers at 20 airlines, including Northwest. Those workers and Delta flight attendants will work together in the future. If they don't unionize now, there will be another vote after the merger that includes both groups.
Jason Spain works for Northwest and joined this effort. He said, "I wanted to make sure the 40 years of struggle that Northwest flight attendants have had in collective bargaining doesn't just end with this merger."
Bicksler said, "If it's union and union, it's date of hire. It's fair for everybody. You understand where you're coming in to play the game."
A company spokesperson told us: "This is the flight attendants' decision, and Delta respects their right to decide whether they want representation."
The airline cannot influence the outcome of the election. Gina Laughlin, Delta spokeswoman said, "A direct relationship with the flight attendants has worked well in 79 years of corporate history."
Delta has put election-related signs in flight attendant lounges. Those who don't vote are counted as "no" votes.
We also got a call from a Delta flight attendant based in Salt Lake who said she had 38 years of experience. She said she never felt like she needed union representation and doesn't believe her job has ever been in jeopardy.
The decision will be done this time next week.
E-mail: jboal@ksl.com
