Allegiant Air Pilots Displeased with Airline’s Negotiations

Allegiant Air pilots are disgruntled with the plodding pace of negotiations, and have now asked for release from mediation in a possible prelude to a strike.

Back in November, Allegiant pilots voted to authorize a strike to the tune of 97%, highlighting their displeasure with the multi-year negotiation process. Central to the debate is the carrier’s proposal to allow 20% of its pilot base to act as “surplus”, while they push the other 80% to fly a full schedule. Allegiant pilots aren’t happy about that by any means, citing concerns about pilot fatigue, operational reliability, and quality of life.

The National Mediation Board is all that stands in the way of them working through the standard process to strike, but these processes seldom lead to a true, actual strike in the end anyways. To a disinterested bystander, it all just looks like peacocking, or a ceremonial duel at the Pakistani border. One side stomps and turns, then the other does a crisp about-face, but it ends without harm and everyone waits for the next one. If the request to release from mediation is granted, the Board may offer binding arbitration to resolve remaining issues between Allegiant and its pilots. If either the carrier or the pilots’ representation with the Teamsters declines arbitration, a 30-day “cooling-off” period would begin, after which the pilots could legally strike. That 97% favorable vote means the pilots are quite willing to strike, and they’re hammering it home with their recent press.

“Since we began negotiations, our goal has been simple: secure a contract that ensures long-term success and security for both our pilots and Allegiant Air,” said Captain Josh Allen, Local 2118’s Negotiating Committee Chair. “And every step of the way, Allegiant has refused to offer us that.”

“It’s impossible to make progress when the company keeps moving the goalposts and demanding more ‘efficiencies’ from an already-stretched pilot group,” added Greg Unterseher, Trustee of Local 2118. “Each time our pilots rise to meet the company’s needs with good-faith proposals, Allegiant shifts direction again. Enough is enough — it’s time for Allegiant to finally deliver the fair contract its pilots have earned.”

FMI: www.apa2118.org