Rule would boost unions at airlines, railroads

By SAM HANANEL Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - Workers at U.S. airlines and railroads would have an easier time forming unions under a rule proposed by the National Mediation Board.

The new rule would allow employees to organize if a majority of those voting favor a union. Current rules require a majority of an entire work group to vote for a union in order for it to be certified. That means a worker choosing not to vote at all is effectively casting a 'no' vote.

The issue lies at the center of a dispute at Delta Airlines Inc. Unions representing flight attendants and ground workers who worked for Northwest Airlines before it was bought by Delta want the new rules to cover elections for workers at the combined carrier. The airlines oppose the change.