Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, July 21, 1994 TAG: 9407250022
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: B8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Short
The Machinists topped the United Steelworkers of America for the chance to represent the nearly 8,000 workers, who handle baggage and cargo for the Arlington, Va.-based airline.
The board said 3,353 ballots were cast in favor of the Machinists, while the Steelworkers received 1,976 votes. Out of 7,593 eligible workers, 5,329 ballots were cast.
``We're just glad to have the campaign and the election process behind us,'' USAir spokesman David Shipley said. ``We look forward to sitting down with the IAM and working out a contract.''
Neither the Machinists nor the Steelworkers could be reached for comment after the results were announced.
The board allows two working days for any allegations of election interference to be filed. If no such claims are filed by 5 p.m. Friday, the three-member panel will certify the Machinists as the collective bargaining agent for the employees, who have not had union representation for four years.
The workers first voted in May and the Machinists led that tally, but a runoff was required because none of the three unions in the running received a majority of votes. The Steelworkers placed second while the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, which represented the workers until 1990, was eliminated from consideration.
by CNB