FTcadence

According to the vice president of the Transport Workers Union, the overwhelming majority of VX's 850 FAs are interested in unionizing. The National Mediation Board could set an election for as early as 2 months from now.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/...A4J0U020140520

fishy21

Interesting to see what happens this time around. TWU sounds pretty confident they will win the vote this time.

VXCabinCrew

"Overwhelming majority" is the kind of hyperbole that TWU is famous for. Quite a large number of the union cards that were signed that have led to an election, were by teammates that were bullied and pressured by the pro-union side. I personally know of several people who want to retract the cards they have signed. The unions stationed their reps in our employee parking lot, at layover hotels, on hotel shuttles, on our aircraft, to intimidate our crews into signing cards. They are very desperate to drum up business for their organization. I, as well as all of the other pro-Virgin teammates, hope and believe that when it comes down to an election, the majority will vote "No", like in 2011.

fishy21

Thanks for your feedback. I guess that's why they vote, and not do card checks. Take a look at Local 2 vs the SF Hotels.

Good luck with whatever outcome.

FlyerTalker7654

How does this work exactly? The staff have a vote on if they want to join a union be it with a certain company? So what happens if the staff vote 'yes' but Virgin does not want it? Do they have to allow it?

fishy21

If the union cards are verified, (which they most likely will), the National Mediation Board will hold a vote. All VX flight attendants will be given instructions to vote by a certain time. IF 50% +1 of the votes are YES votes, then the TWU will represent the VX FA. If they do not get the number of votes, the FA remains non-union. This is whether the company agrees to it or not. The company has no say in the matter, except to campaign and to give reasons why the FA's should vote NO. If TWU wins, then it will be impossible for them to ever deunionize in the future.

Really interesting in the airline industry. You only need 50% +1 of the votes to unionize. Other industries requires 50% of the population +1 to unionize. Don't wanna get political, but a certain someone appointed some union heavy members to the NMB that adopted this rule. Makes it easier for airlines to unionize.

FlyerTalker7654

That is crazy. So a private owned company grows to a certain level and even if they do not want a union they can be forced into having it? And there is nothing they can do? What happens if the company refuses to acknowledge or recognize the union? Say certain staff do not wish to be part of the union, what happens then?

FWAAA

It's only been the law of the land here in the USA for 79 years.

Aren't there unions in the UK and all across Europe as well?

The Wagner Act, passed in 1935, guarantees the right of nearly all private sector employees to organize and collectively bargain, regardless of whether their employer wants it. Most employers don't want their employees to organize - but unionization is a right of the employees, not the employers.

Before this federal law, employers would fire, intimidate, sometimes beat and sometimes kill employees who attempted to organize their co-workers. The Wagner Act put an end to this shameful practice.

What if the company doesn't recognize the union? That ain't gonna happen.

If some staff don't want to belong to a union, they're free to quit and find another job.

VXCabinCrew

Yes, it is crazy. That's why unions are so aggravating. They force themselves into companies and those of us who don't want to join are forced to, or quit. My argument always has been, if these people want to unionize, maybe they should have gone to a union airline in the first place. Unions are an outdated practice. People need to take responsibility for themselves and not hide behind the backing of a third party. It's insane. Show up for work, follow rules and treat guests well....that's all they ask of us....it's not that hard.

UncleDude

In the UK its so biased, a private company has to accept a union even if its over 40%...So in that case...The Majority Loses..Hows that for Democracy.

fishy21

Very good points... and that's how a job/company should be. Unions are a business. People need to get paid... I think a lot of people don't understand their true agendas.

FTcadence

The votes of about 850 eligible VX workers will be tallied on August 13.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/...40626?irpc=932

http://www.sfgate.com/business/botto...in-5582808.php

fishy21

Results to be announced today. Looks like the Flight Attendants will vote yes.

gooseman13

Just a bit over 50% of those eligible to vote voted in favor (note that the Union only needs 50% of those who actually vote, I think it said they got 58%).

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/...0GD1SR20140813

unavaca

To be clear, 58% of those who voted, voted to unionize. 89% of those eligible FAs voted.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/todayi...nion/14010511/