Sen. Orrock, Rep. Taylor, Atlanta Mayor-elect Reed to Join AFL-CIO Vice President and Atlanta Unions at Friday Event to Show Support for TSA Workers

/PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Senator Nan Orrock, Representative Rashad Taylor and Atlanta Mayor-elect Kasim Reed will join AFL-CIO Executive Vice President Arlene Holt-Baker at an event Friday to show support for Transportation Security Officers in Atlanta, and for the work being done by the American Federation of Government Employees, the union for TSOs. A number of labor unions and Atlanta organizations also will take part in the solidarity event.

Friday's press conference is being in held in conjunction with AFGE and the AFL-CIO's National TSO Solidarity Week, with events being held in more than 30 cities nationwide. In stark contrast to other employees at the Department of Homeland Security, and most other federal employees, TSOs are denied the basic workplace rights they so rightly deserve.

"It's been a long and difficult fight, but TSOs are so close to getting the collective bargaining rights they so desperately need," AFGE National President John Gage said. "It's more important than ever that we all show support for this dedicated workforce."

AFGE Local 555 represents TSOs throughout Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, and South Carolina. AFGE has represented the TSA workforce since the agency was created in 2001. The union currently has approximately 12,000 dues-paying TSA members at more than 100 airports in 36 union Locals nationwide.

Who: American Federation of Government Employees Local 555
Arlene Holt-Baker, executive vice president, AFL-CIO
Nan Orrock, Georgia State senator, D-36
Rashad Taylor, Georgia State representative, D-55
Kasim Reed, mayor-elect, City of Atlanta
Richard Ray, president, Georgia State AFL-CIO
Charlie Key, secretary-treasurer, Georgia State AFL-CIO
Charlie Fleming, president, Atlanta-North Georgia Labor
Council, AFL-CIO
C.T. Martin, vice chair, Atlanta Transportation Committee
Larry Pellegrini, executive director, Georgia Rural Urban Summit
Rev. Gregory Williams, president, Atlanta's Building
Leadership for Empowerment
Representatives of the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA);
American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees
(AFSCME), Communications Workers of America (CWA),
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
(IAM), and UNITE HERE

What: Will show support for collective bargaining rights at the
Transportation Security Administration, and for the efforts by the
American Federation of Government Employees, the union for
Transportation Security Officers across the country

Where: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Conference Room 1
(3rd floor Executive Conference Center)

When: Friday, Dec. 18; 10 a.m.

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MCA Drivers in Atlanta Vote for Teamster Representation

/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Truck drivers who haul U.S. mail for Mail Contractors of America (MCA) out of the Atlanta terminal have voted for Teamster representation. The 116 truck drivers will be members of Teamsters Local 728 of Atlanta.

"These workers were extremely committed to having union representation," said Randy Brown, President of Local 728. "We are proud to welcome them into our great union and we look forward to beginning bargaining for their first contract."

Gaining respect on the job, having a voice against arbitrary work rules and achieving improvements in wage rates and benefits were some of the reasons why employees voted for Teamster representation.

"I just want us to have a good contract that provides a level playing field for all employees," said Sam Glass, a 6-year employee of MCA. "We have a strong group and we look forward to negotiating our first contract."

Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) recently wrote to the MCA's terminal manager in Atlanta encouraging the company to respect workers rights. "I am a firm believer that unions play a positive role in our community by raising peoples' living standards and helping to negotiate positive changes in the workplace."

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National Mediation Board Upholds Delta Flight Attendants’ Decision To Reject Union Representation

Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) has been notified by the National Mediation Board (NMB) that its flight attendants’ decision to reject union representation will be upheld. The Board dismissed the Association of Flight Attendants’ allegations of interference in the May 2008 representation election at Delta, stating that the union’s claims either “are unsubstantiated…”, ”do not rise to the level of interference under clear, longstanding Board precedent”, or ”constitute isolated incidents…that do not amount to the kind of systematic, pervasive conduct that would have tainted laboratory conditions.”

Delta Senior Vice President of In-Flight Service Joanne Smith issued the following statement today in response to the NMB’s decision:

“Delta has always believed that the AFA’s allegations of interference were unfounded. Armed with the facts and the understanding that this decision had a significant impact on their careers, our flight attendants spoke decisively about their preference for maintaining Delta’s unique culture. We are pleased that the NMB has upheld our flight attendants’ decision. It’s time now to turn our attention to the exciting opportunity ahead of us – creating a premier global airline that will allow our people to share in the airline’s success and provide a legendary travel experience for our customers.”

Delta Air Lines operates service to more worldwide destinations than any airline with Delta and Delta Connection flights to 287 destinations in 58 countries. Delta has added more international capacity than any major U.S. airline during the last two years and is the leader across the Atlantic with flights to 42 trans-Atlantic markets. To Latin America and the Caribbean, Delta offers 315 weekly flights to 43 destinations. Delta's marketing alliances also allow customers to earn and redeem SkyMiles on more than 16,000 flights offered by SkyTeam and other partners. Delta is a founding member of SkyTeam, a global airline alliance that provides customers with extensive worldwide destinations, flights and services. Including its SkyTeam and worldwide codeshare partners, Delta offers flights to 500 worldwide destinations in 105 countries. Customers can check in for flights, print boarding passes, check bags and flight status at delta.com.

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Machinists Union to Protest Merger at Northwest/Delta Shareholder Meetings

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) will demonstrate in opposition to the proposed Northwest Airlines/Delta Air Lines merger at shareholder meetings in New York and Atlanta.

Northwest Airlines Shareholder Meeting Protest
September 25, 2008
8:30 am-11:30 am
AXA Equitable Center Auditorium
787 Seventh Ave, New York, NY 10019

-and-

Delta Air Lines Shareholder Meeting Protest
September 25, 2008
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
2000 Convention Center Concourse
College Park, GA 30337


"This merger would eliminate jobs, reduce service and create a single mega-carrier that could lead to the combined entity's bankruptcy," said IAM Transportation Vice President Robert Roach, Jr.

The Machinists Union is the largest airline union in North America. The IAM represents 12,500 Northwest Airlines Ramp Service, Customer Service, Reservation, Stockroom, Office & Clerical, Flight Simulate Technician and Plant Protection employees. More information about the machinists Union and the proposed Northwest/Delta merger is available at www.goiam.org/mergers.

New York Event Contact: Joseph Tiberi, IAMAW
202-974-8250 (office)
301-529-9341 (cell)
Georgia Event Contact: Gary Mobley, IAMAW
404-208-8807 (office)
612-432-6067 (cell)

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