Originally Posted by
AAerSTL
CVG really isn't a large enough force in the DL system to justify that in isolation, at least. If anything it's a combination of DTW/MSP hubs, line stations, and malcontented employees at PMDL hubs who have been pushing for the IAM. If the IAM knew how to effectively run a campaign for DL (and B6) employees they would have been certified years ago. The IAM hasn't realized the tactics at NW, TW, and UAL no longer and will not work at DL. They haven't changed their organizing approach. And it would be against the law if it was discovered DL was closing this operation at CVG because of employee interest in organizing. Airlines and other employers certainly have taking action like this, but it's against the law.
I'm not saying Delta is right-sizing CVG to stop pro-union employees from organizing.
I'm saying that it looks better to slowly get CVG's numbers down over 6 years (retirements and transfers out while not hiring in) than it does to gut CVG immediately and much more harshly 6 years ago. The ongoing action makes Delta look as pro-labor as an un-unionized company can be. Delta held off lay-offs, encouraged benefitted retirement, is giving preference to impacted employees for transfers, and is offering to help impacted employees relocate easily.
I hear occasional talk about unions from airport customer service, flight attendants, and pilots, but I've never heard pro-union ACS conversations--just FAs and pilots. I'm not saying some ACS people want to be unionized; I'm just saying that I bet any effort by the IAM would fail miserably in today's culture. When the IAM tried getting the FAs onboard last year, I began noticing subtle (and blunt) marketing toward ACS employees against unions. I think Delta's being successful so far at keeping unions away from ACS. Whether I think that's good or bad, I won't say.