20_Latest News - February 2010

20_February 25, 2010
Delta Airlines Flight Simulators Technicians Reject Union Representation
Los Angeles Times by Associated Press

Delta Air Lines Inc.'s flight simulator technicians have rejected union representation, though 16 months after the carrier acquired Northwest Airlines its two biggest work groups have yet to resolve representation.

The world's biggest carrier said Thursday it was notified by the National Mediation Board that of the 91 flight simulator technicians eligible to vote, only 40 voted in favor of being represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.

Flight simulator technicians fix the flight simulators that pilots use for training.

A majority vote in favor of a union is required for that union to represent an employee group. Currently, in union votes involving airlines, a person who doesn't cast a vote is considered a "No" vote.

Delta's two biggest work groups — ground workers and flight attendants — have yet to resolve representation. Both groups were nonunion at pre-merger Delta, but union at pre-merger Northwest.

Ground workers include gate, reservation and ticket agents and ramp and cargo workers. Along with flight attendants they number roughly 50,000 employees at Delta, a spokeswoman said.

Delta is based in Atlanta.