Washington, DC--Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY-17) issued the following statement after the U.S. District Court in Fort Worth, Texas ruled in favor of American Airlines and blocked efforts by the Communications Workers of America to hold organizing elections for nearly 10,000 workers.  The judge ruled the CWA needed signed cards showing 50 percent of eligible workers are interested in union representation, the union argued it needed 35 percent, the standard prior to a Congressional rule change in February.  The union had applied for the election prior to the change.

“As the proud son of an ironworker I am appalled by the decision by the court to side with American Airlines, against the workers and against free and fair elections by the union.  It makes no sense to use the date of the mediation as the standard to judge which rules should apply; it should date back to the time of the application.  The rule to require 50 percent is not one I supported, and I will continue to fight on behalf of workers to change the standard back to the more reasonable levels set prior to this dysfunctional Congress. Management often subtly – and at times outwardly – intimidates workers into rejecting unionization, and 50 percent can often become a mark impossible to obtain.  This deals a significant blow to the rights of workers to organize and is a slap in the face to the working families of America,” said Rep. Engel, a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. 

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