Catherwood LibraryILR School

A recent merger of Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines has generated dispute over possible union elections. Northwest is highly unionized, while only pilots are represented at Delta. Both Delta and the Air Line Pilots Association (which represents pilots at both airlines) presented applications to the National Mediation Board to obtain single carrier status, which would force unions to show 35% employee interest in other collective bargaining groups at Delta within just two weeks to spur an election. Unions at Northwest object to the application on grounds that the move is too soon after the merger for employees to adequately make a decision. Delta contends that procedures should be settled quickly in the merger, while the Pilots union made their filing as part of an agreement with Delta to form one bargaining unit for the pilots of both airlines.