On behalf of over 7,200 flight attendants at pre-merger Northwest Airlines (now Delta Air Lines), I convey our group’s message of solidarity and support for the Minnesota Nurses. Some of my colleagues and I attended the vigil last night in Saint Paul and we were inspired by the energy from the speakers and those in attendance. It shouldn’t surprise any of us that so much of our focus is the same, no matter what the industry. Staffing, wages, working conditions, recognition — all of these important themes are shared struggles within our movement.
The flight attendants at Northwest (Delta) have had collective bargaining rights for over 62 years. Our merger with Delta has put those We know that positive changes in our profession do not come about because corporate America decides to make things better. Real change comes from solidarity shown to those at the bargaining table and an organized workgroup. Today, the unionized nurses of Minnesota are taking the ultimate stand for their patients, healthcare, and for those of us struggling to bring back a viable middle class to working women and men.
Flight attendants from Northwest and Delta will soon vote in a historic representation election. Delta is almost completely non-union and we have been engaged in a massive organizing campaign for the combined 21,000 flight attendants since 2008. We look forward to winning our vote and getting to the table with management to make desperately need improvements to concessionary agreements. Listening to the speakers at last night’s vigil reinvigorated our spirit and drive for our campaign.
We’re with you and thankful for the stand you are taking for the community and for labor.
In Solidarity,
Daniel Grey,
Vice President, NWA Master Executive Council Association of Flight Attendants-CWA
www.nwaafa.org <http://www.nwaafa.org> | www.deltaafa.org <http://www.deltaafa.org>