Rule change favors unions at airlines, railroads

[SpartanDem]

Source: AP

WASHINGTON — In a major victory for organized labor, unions will have an easier time signing up airline and railroad workers after the Obama administration Monday changed a 76-year-old rule on union elections.

The change is the most significant so far in a string of White House moves designed to boost unions, which are struggling to reverse years of decline in membership.

The new rule, announced by the three-member National Mediation Board, would recognize a union if a simple majority of workers who cast ballots approve organizing. The previous rule required a majority of the entire work force to favor unionizing. That meant workers choosing not to vote at all were effectively counted as "no" votes.

Airlines that fought the change say it will lead to more labor disputes that could disrupt commerce and increase delays in an industry already reeling from recession, higher fuel costs and stepped-up security measures.


Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ir1Cw8Xm8Yl3uREstnG01nw0RIfAD9FK4B182

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Good move now let's just do this for all industries

[fishwax]

1. k/r

:kick:

[FBI_Un_Sub]

2. k and r

[pattmarty]

3. I guess a little bit of change is better than nothing. With the midterm...........

............elections coming we know the EFCA is history until at least 2012.

[defendandprotect]

4. k

[Aslanspal]

5. I helped in an organization campaign with American and this helps

We signed up 60 percent who said they wanted a Union but Anti Union campaign and believe me they spent big , big , bucks to outside Union busters to defeat the CWA. We ended up I believe with 42 percent and those who did nothing and stood on the sidelines really were a no vote.

This is great news, the Karl Rove types who are the Union Buster types just shit a brick.

[earcandle]

6. Believe or not, we got a great Union Tune!

Thanks for making Unions stronger!

Union Sunrise

[demosincebirth]

7. This is one big step in the right direction!