Representational Election 

A representational election is conducted under certain circumstances including:

When a group is currently not represented by a union and fulfills the requirements to have an election.
The current Delta representational election conducted on the Delta property by AFA-CWA is an example of this type of election. Because Delta flight attendants are not represented by a union, AFA-CWA gathered enough cards to cause the NMB to conduct an election. Voting in this election begins April 23, 2008 and will conclude May 28, 2008.

Another example of this is the Compass Flight Attendants who recently were asked if they wanted to be represented by a union (AFA-CWA). This is another example of a representational election being conducted for a group not currently represented by a union. AFA-CWA's attempt to represent this group was unsuccessful and the case was dismissed by the NMB. (read more)

When a group currently represented by a union and that group is involved in a combination with another group of employees of approximately the same size (at least 35% the size) that is unrepresented or represented by another union.
In the case of the possible merger between NWA and Delta, a representational election would be held to determine if the Flight Attendants of the combined carrier will be represented by a union or not. This is because Delta, with approximately 14,000 Flight Attendants is non-union. NWA with approximately 8,200 Flight Attendants is represented by AFA-CWA. Because the NWA group is more than 35% the size of the Delta group and because one of the group is represented and one is not, the conditions are met to conduct a representational election.

Should AFA-CWA win the current election (referenced above), there is no need to conduct a representational election because of the merger of Delta and NWA. However, should AFA-CWA not win the election, another representational election will be called.

National Mediation Board
Aviation workers - including Flight Attendants - are governed by the Railway Labor Act. As a result of this Act, the National Mediation Board oversees representational elections for Flight Attendants. The NMB has produced a Representational Manual which thoroughly outlines the steps a group needs to take in order for a representational campaign/election to be conducted fairly. Click here for the Representational Manual.

The National Mediation Board's website can be a wonderful resource of all things related to the representational election. Visit it at http://www.nmb.gov/index.html and http://www.nmb.gov/representation/rmenu.html.