Airline Says It Would Prefer To Continue Its Direct Relationship With Pilots

The Airline Division of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters said Monday it has made an application to the National Mediation Board (NMB) for a representation election to be held for the pilots of Allegiant Air.

Allegiant Air, subsidiary of Las Vegas-based Allegiant Travel Company, employs 363 pilots flying McDonnell Douglas MD80's and Boeing 757's. "We are honored to have been asked by the pilots of Allegiant Air to meet with them and explain the benefits of representation by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and the Airline Division," said Captain David Bourne, Director of the Airline Division.

"The overwhelmingly positive response we received in meetings and the outstanding response to the card drive is a testament to the dedication of the Allegiant Air pilots," Bourne said. "We look forward to a favorable ruling on our application by the NMB and a vote being scheduled as soon as possible."

This will be the first time Allegiant pilots have voted on union representation. The airline said in a statement that it would like to continue to negotiate directly with its pilots, rather than have a union intervene.

"We strongly believe that Allegiant's success is attributable in large part to our pilots and the direct, open relationship we have with them," Maurice J. Gallagher, Jr., Allegiant CEO and Chairman, said in the statement. "We are committed to ensuring a fair election and we are confident Allegiant pilots will cast their votes based on the facts, and not rush to judgment based on IBT propaganda."

FMI: www.teamster.org, www.allegiantair.com