Decision Pending in Union Complaint on PSA Actions
The National Mediation Board is continuing its investigation into Teamsters Union allegations that Pacific Southwest Airlines improperly assisted the Assn. of Flight Attendants’ attempt to decertify the Teamsters as the bargaining unit for PSA’s 988 flight attendants.
In April, more than half of PSA’s flight attendants petitioned the NMB to hold a representation election. The NMB agreed to stage an election after the flight attendants’ union successfully solicited election cards from an “overwhelming majority” of the airline’s flight attendants, according to union spokeswoman Judy Stack.
However, the Teamsters charged that PSA’s management improperly influenced the flight attendants to support the request for a representation election.
The union began pushing for an election after PSA’s flight attendants grew disenchanted with the Teamsters leaders who were handling labor contract negotiations with PSA. The airline has since been bought by USAir Group.
The Teamsters, who had balked at USAir’s demand that PSA’s union-represented employees agree to modify their labor contracts, eventually agreed to USAir’s demands.
PSA, the Teamsters and the flight attendants’ union recently filed briefs with the mediation board, which has completed interviews with union and management personnel in San Diego. The board now is “investigating this whole thing,” according to spokesman Meredith Buel, who added that “a final decision is still pending.”
PSA “feels that there were no improprieties,” according to airline spokesman Bill Hastings.
The union “believes that (the Teamsters’) allegations are unfounded,” according to Stack, who described the complaint as a smoke screen to help the Teamsters hang onto flight attendants’ dues “for a little bit longer.”
If the NMB throws out the Teamsters’ challenge, the election will be rescheduled. However, the NMB could order a more time-consuming hearing if it determines that PSA managers did improperly influence the call for an election.
The proposed election and the NMB investigation would have no effect on the PSA-USAir merger. Additionally, the Teamsters’ contract with PSA probably would fall by the wayside early next year, when PSA’s operations are to be merged into USAir’s operation. The surviving airline’s contracts take precedence over the airline that ceases to exist, according to federal labor law.
The flight attendants union represents 23,000 workers at 14 U.S. airlines, including USAir Group, which last month acquired PSA.
