NMB Relaxes Unionization Standards

In an apparent effort to help organizers establish a union at Delta Air Lines, the National Mediation Board (NMB) has voted (along party lines) to change the secret ballot standard for unionization.

Airlines (and FedEx, which is currently subject to another political hatchet job to be forcefully unionized) are regulated by the Railway Labor Act rather than the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). The NMB has traditionally interpreted unionization voting standards as requiring a majority of affected workers to vote affirmatively, meaning that those who don't bother to vote are counted as "noes."

No more, the NMB action yesterday (Nov. 2, 2009) means that organizers now need just a majority of votes cast even if the number of those voting doesn't even add up to a majority of affected workers.

Cute trick. The only thing now standing between Delta's unionization by minority vote is a 60-day public commentary period following the NMB vote.

If you want conspiracy theory, here it is: On the Friday before Monday's NMB vote, the International Association of Machinists (IAM) withdrew its application for a unionization vote at Delta.

Delta says the IAM withdrew its ballot request to delay the vote until the new rule comes into effect.

You think?