AFA DEFEATED, AGAIN................
Despite multiple attempts and literally millions $$$$$$ of CWA membership dollars, AFA was soundly defeated in their recent attempt at organizing the Delta Airlines flight attendants.
I have forgotten, is this the 3rd, 4th, or 5th attempt by AFA, in just as many years? Am I missing something, or is this another indication that AFA is not wanted at Delta? Hello.
Remember all the fan fare in February when AFA filed with the NMB on behalf of the Delta FA's?? Remember every code-a-phone and NWA-AFA piece of propaganda boasting of the filing with the NMB? Remember AFA wanted more than 50% the the Delta flight attendants signed, in the event of duplicate or invalid cards? Remember, the lengthy delay in filing with a campaign that started long ago, back in the summer 2007? Remember our "own" NWA-MEC putting important Northwest business on hold while focusing only on Delta organizing? Remember, CWA employee, "appointed" Delta organizer (and NWA FA) Danny Campbell and his "Part-Time" $50,000+ salary? Let's see, 13,786 ballots sent out and 5,306 returned (of which 5,253 were "For" AFA)......that is 38.10% "For" AFA; not quite the "almost 40%" claimed by AFA.
See the official NMB results here: http://www.nmb.gov/electionresults/delta-afa_052808.pdf
What happened to cause at least the other 12% (1,684) who signed, to change their minds???
Let's look at what happened between February 2008 (when AFA filed) and today????[We have received at least 50 e-mails addressing these issues from Delta FA's]
- AFA Fear-Mongering Tactics..............Just Doesn't Work
- AFA Distortions..............................Just Doesn't Work
- AFA Scare Into Submission................Just Doesn't Work
- AFA Half-Truths.............................Just Doesn't Work
- AFA Focusing on Negatives................Just Doesn't Work
- AFA Dividing Instead of Uniting...........Just Doesn't Work
- AFA Propaganda Blitz, Phone Calls...... Just Doesn't Work
- AFA "Losing Touch" With Members.......Just Doesn't Work
- AFA Failure To Educate.....................Just Doesn't Work
- AFA Only Concern; Dues Money............Just Doesn't Work
- AFA Neglect Membership to Organize.....Just Doesn't Work
- AFA Win At All Costs Mentality.............Just Doesn't Work
Where was the fact-based, honest dialogue the Delta flight attendants were seeking? Where were the positive reinforcements necessary (a major paradigm shift-from non-union to union) that the Delta flight attendants were seeking? Rather than attempting to prove everything "union" or "AFA" was far superior; why not solicit what was better at Delta and truthfully share from both worlds??? Why has AFA continued to fail in delivering a positive, honest and truthful dialogue??
Lest we forget. How can we expect honesty, integrity and truthfulness from the very same AFA union that organized a "raid" on PFAA during bankruptcy; a most critical time, when we were fighting for our very survival??
Winning at all costs.
Speaks volumes, huh?
AFA, your membership demands more.
AFA couldn't organize the 46 flight attendants at Compass Airlines, how could one believe they could organize the 13,000 + at Delta??
Lessons learned?? Not likely; however, we'll all see in about 8-10 months.
In the 21st century, the aviation business isn't business as its always been; neither should truly democratic unions.
The Delta flight attendants have spoken; AFA can you hear their collective (over 60%) voice?
......the AFA silence is deafening
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6 comments:
Michael,
You have hit the nail on the head as usual. The fear-mongering, win-at-all-cost with no plan for the future strategy has failed the once respectable AFA again. The idea of taking the high road was long ago buried by the dues-money driven decisions that have been shaping AFA and their policies for years now. Yesterday's loss was a wake-up call that AFA’s leadership will heed and start telling the whole trust respectfully and without such empty arrogance.
It is not a foregone conclusion that all NWA FAs will vote for a union in the next representational election - look at how many of our own NWA FAs refused to pay dues when not forced to do so by Dues Check Off (when PFAA was denied DCO by NWA). These same people have no loyalty to AFA even though some are in positions of perceived power (Someone is MEM comes to mind).
AFA can't even think about resting on their laurels - they haven't any to begin with at NWA. While they should have been minding the store here, they wasted any honeymoon feelings our group could have had by using the same hard-ball scare tactics to push the TA down our throats. Then they raised dues without a membership vote. And now have lost the representational election that has been the focus for so many months. It is folly for AFA to now expect any votes from NWA FAs. Frankly, they haven't earned them. Until they actually start paying attention to the bread and butter issues that haunt the NWA FAs every day, there is little chance that even their worst fear-based tactics will be successful.
Thanks fa! I agree with your sentiments. AFA must reassess its goals, objectives and effectiveness if they ever wish to become a union that represents every flight attendant!! Failure to do so, will once again find this organization and history repeating itself.
Hi! I'm with Delta and so thankful that AFA did not pass. I think the final straw was when some F/A's were lined up in the airport concourse clapping and shouting for AFA. I was SOOO embarrassed that they were doing this in front of our passengers. It was so unprofessional and made me literally want to be sick! Now, how do we share what we have with NW f/a's and convince them that staying union free is WORKING for us!
Dear flygirl,
After this election, it appears the Delta flight attendants keep right on doing what they have been doing; it's working. Conversely, what AFA is doing, another example of failure and what is not working.....
Regards,
Hi Michael,
Just read your blog for the first time and it was very informative.
I am a twenty year Delta F/A and was formerly w/ Eastern Airlines before that. We were unionized at Eastern and I admit, it was a little scary at first coming to Delta which was union-free. I have learned during my twenty years at Delta, while nothing is perfect, we really do have it much better by remaining a union free airline and enjoying direct and open communications with our management. We do not need another layer to speak for us. I was appalled at the harrassment our f/a's were receiving from AFA and their paid organizers. I was getting calls from F/A's from other carriers in support of the AFA demanding to know how and if I voted as were my fellow Delta f/a's. How did they get our private, unlisted phone numbers? I suspect many numbers were stolen off of our company swap board that is meant for f/a's to trade and drop trips with one another. We resented the intrusive and bullying invasion in our private lives as well as their attempt to denigrate our airline. The lies, distortions, and fear-mongering by the AFA were typical of this organization. Needless to say, it didn't work. I suspect the AFA will try to scare our NW f/a friends into believing they have to fear Delta and will need the AFA. To the NW f/a's: DON'T BE DECEIVED BY THEIR LIES!!! They no nothing of our company or our culture. They only want your union dues. We welcome our NW counterparts and look forward to having you join the Delta family. We have a unique culture at Delta that is best served by keeping the unions out. As someone who has been flying since 1986 and worked in both a union and non-union workplace, it is my opinion that we have more power by using our own voice. The threat of a union has always been our biggest advantage at Delta. This has kept our managment on its toes and keeping us happy. All of that would be lost with the introduction of a union. Particularly one as inept and corrupt as the AFA. The Delta f/a's have voiced their opposition many times to a union. Please respect our choice to remain union free. The f/a's at Delta know what IS best for us and our company. Please trust that those of us who are employees of Delta can speak to that fact. What more evidence does anyone need than the rejection of unions by the f/a's at Delta election after election? We must be doing something right. Thanks for your blog.
Dear Kadybelle,
Thanks for the nice comments! Unfortunately, yours is NOT the first report we've heard of the AFA Campaign tactics! If you note my current post, some of the AFA tactics and rhetoric "Just Doesn't Work".... Oh, how I wish others "got it".
I urge you to send a quick note to AFA President pfriend@afanet.org and let her know of you and your colleagues' disappointment.
I too must report the Northwest flight attendants look forward to joining you and the Delta family!! Although we come from different worlds; learning to respect one another and understanding "where the other is coming from" is the ultimate sign of respect and the first step to bridging the gap and becoming one!
On behalf of all the Northwest flight attendants, we welcome uniting with the Delta family and wish to make the new combination as easy, friendly and supportive as possible. Much success to all the Northwest and Delta team!
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