February 1, 2002
Dear Delta Flight Attendant,
In my 36 years as a flight attendant, we have never experienced
anything in our profession like the last few months. As AFA President and
as the flight attendant representative on the DOT Security Task Force, I
have seen the effects of the 9-11 tragedy and the uncertainty of job
losses on every flight attendant in every airline in our country.
But you had yet one more attack on your security than the rest of us
— a company willing to use the fear and uncertainty that arose from 9-11
to take away your right to a voice at work.
You know the results of the election. The total vote did not reach the
50% +1 mark needed for AFA representation of Delta flight attendants. Nevertheless,
in the face of intimidation and uncertainty, 5,609 flight attendants stood
up and voted for a voice at Delta.
That is an accomplishment in which you can take pride.
Let's address what will happen in the coming months. Last October, the
National Mediation Board found a prima facie case of Delta's
interference with your right to choose a union. The Board decided to hold
off on its investigation until after the election. That investigation
begins now.
Scores of Delta flight attendants documented how the company continued
to illegally intimidate them and their co-workers until the end of the
election campaign. How Delta shamelessly used 9-11 to interfere with your
choice for a voice at work. This evidence will be added to the already
considerable case against Delta and will clearly show the NMB the extent
of Delta's interference.
The NMB investigation and final decision — possibly declaring this
election invalid and ordering a fair election — will take at least a few
months. The Board's decision will set the future course of your effort to
have a voice at Delta. Until then, we will provide Delta flight attendants
with information about the latest developments. Visit deltaAFA.org
or call 888-997-8866 to keep in touch with the campaign.
Let me congratulate you on the work you did in the face of the
company's interference. It has truly been an honor to work with you in
this campaign. It is AFA's mission to improve the working lives of all
flight attendants. We will continue to work with you as you move toward
gaining your voice at Delta.
Sincerely,
Patricia A. Friend
International President
Association of Flight Attendants
