Delta Baggage, Cargo Workers Reject Union

Baggage and cargo workers at Delta Air Lines Inc. voted overwhelmingly not to join a union, handing the nation’s third-biggest and least-unionized carrier a victory in a campaign both sides had portrayed as crucial to the airline’s future. Only 17% of Delta’s 10,700 ramp and cargo workers voted to organize. “The employees have demonstrated their support for Delta and for the continued partnership for Delta and Delta people,” a company spokesman said. “And that partnership works best without a third-party intervention.” Organizers at the Transport Workers Union said they were disappointed by the lopsided vote, which they attributed to a pay raise announced in January. Raises for workers ranged from 3% to 15%.