Norwegian Air affiliate signs surprise deal with IAM, the biggest US airline union

In a surprising step, the International Association of Machinists agreed to represent flight attendants at a US affiliate of Norwegian Air. a Norwegian airline group that is shaking up trans-Atlantic travel with a low-cost model and a confusing array of affiliated companies including multiple airlines and a labor contractor and that had, until now, met with fierce resistance from the entire US airline labor movement. The IAM, the largest US airline union, said late Wednesday that it has been recognized as the representative of the 40 US-based flight attendants who will fly for Norwegian Air International, one of the affiliated companies. Dublin, Ireland-based Norwegian Air International will begin trans-Atlantic service this summer from Stewart, NY and Providence, RI, with narrowbody Boeing 737 Max aircraft. The startup of US flight was delayed for three years while NAI awaited approval from the US DoT. That approval was opposed by the big three US carriers and by labor unions who argued that incorporation in Ireland represented an effort to evade labor protections that would have remained in place for a Norway-based company. IAM's deal is with OSM Short Haul, a contracting company that is 50% owned by Norwegian Air.<br/>