USW Applauds Election Reforms for Airline and Rail Workers

Contact: Wayne Ranick (412) 562-2444

(Pittsburgh) – The United Steelworkers (USW) said it is pleased by the National Mediation Board (NMB) announcement yesterday that it has amended union election procedures in the airline and rail industry. The new rules replace procedures that required a majority of workers to vote just to validate a union election.

“The amended procedure announced today will make elections far more fair and much more democratic,” said USW International President Leo W. Gerard. “Airline and rail workers deserve a proper opportunity – one that is consistent with democratic norms — to elect collective bargaining representation.”

The proposed rule change received widespread support, with 39 Senators, 179 Democratic House Members and 13 Republican House Members having written letters of support.  In addition, the Center for American Progress, American Rights at Work, and national, state and local unions provided support.

Under the old rules, when a worker didn’t participate in an election, a “no” vote was recorded. This procedure often encouraged voter suppression, because companies could prevent unions from forming by encouraging workers to not participate in the election. With today’s change, only workers who cast a vote will be counted.

The USW has 850,000 members in the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean, employed in metals, rubber, chemicals, transportation, paper, oil refining, atomic energy and the service sector.

#  #  #