Georgia has one of the lowest rates of unionization in the country, (only 4.6 percent as in 2009). A coalition of forces has arrayed itself against the prime target of Atlanta in an effort to crack open the state to union influence, and they seem to be pinning their hopes on upcoming efforts to unionize employees at Delta Airlines, and Coca Cola Enterprises. “We need to make a breakthrough and establish a beachhead of union support right here in the Deep South,” state Sen. Nan Orrock, D-Atlanta, said at an ATL Solidarity committee event last month. The ATL Solidarity committee is a coalition of unions, community organizations, politicians and clergy formed to campaign for the union elections at Delta and the Transportation Security Administration. “Delta and Coca-Cola have tremendous influences throughout our city and region,” said Ben Speight, organizing director for Teamsters Local 728. “I think it will have a large impact.” The Teamsters are seeking to organize the CCE employees. Patrick Scott, who works with the AFL-CIO-organized ATL Solidarity Committee, said Delta’s marquee value is immense. Wins could lead other unions to consider how to “come down to the South and work with community allies and community organizations and organize workers.”
