Negotiating Committee Update – July 9, 2025

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Fellow Pilots,

Yesterday, we reached out to the Company and indicated that we will provide a comprehensive proposal on the remaining open items of the contract. We offered to meet in person next week to answer any questions that the company may have; we are currently awaiting a response.

The Union’s positions have not changed. From day one, the Union has been willing to bargain fairly and in good faith. Unfortunately, the Company has taken a very different approach — one marked by delays, substandard and unrealistic proposals, and a general unwillingness to bargain fairly. The company claimed that, unlike the rest of the industry, they could not make any progress unless they received a comprehensive proposal.

Now, they will have no more excuses.

We’ve made every attempt to bargain fairly, including offering operational flexibility and pragmatic solutions unique to Allegiant’s business model. Instead of working together to close out this contract, they have instead engaged in surface bargaining and delay tactics.

The intent of our comprehensive proposal is to remove any remaining pretense for their continued stalling and inaction. We have heard the Company claim they are ready to make a deal if they could just see the full picture; they are about to have it. At this late stage of bargaining, we expect nothing less than for management to come prepared to reach an agreement without further delays and/or excuses. If their below market offers and deliberate procrastination continue, the fault will remain where it always has been — with management.

We continue to do everything possible to move this process toward a just and timely conclusion. Our goal has always been a fair agreement — nothing less, and certainly nothing that moves us backward or is worse than what we currently have.

We will not accept concessions! More to follow.

In Unity,

Captain Joshua Allen
Negotiating Committee Chairman

Captain Jay Killen
Pilot Negotiator

Captain Brad Keller
Pilot Negotiator

Captain J.R. Lynch
NC Chief of Staff

Captain Jim Cole
Recording Analyst

ALLEGIANT PILOTS CONDEMN MASSIVE FINANCIAL LOSS, DEMAND OWED MONEY AND EXECUTIVE ACCOUNTABILITY

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ALLEGIANT PILOTS ASSOCIATION TEAMSTERS LOCAL 2118
NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For Information Contact: Josh Martin, APA 2118 702-308-2755

ALLEGIANT PILOTS CONDEMN MASSIVE FINANCIAL LOSS, DEMAND OWED MONEY AND EXECUTIVE ACCOUNTABILITY

LAS VEGAS, NV – July 9, 2025 – Allegiant Air pilots, represented by Teamsters Local 2118, are calling out management after the company’s fire-sale of its Sunseeker Resort for just $200 million — a major financial blunder that resulted in a staggering $520 million loss and has pilots questioning whether an immediate executive management change is needed.Allegiant Travel Co., parent company of Allegiant Air, spent more than $720 million to build the ill-fated Florida resort, which operated for just 18 months before being offloaded to Blackstone at a 72% loss — recouping only 28 cents on the dollar.

“This wasn’t just a bad investment — it was a catastrophic miscalculation,” said Captain Rob Skiles. “And while pilots have been terminated for far less, not one executive has been held accountable. If we flew planes the way they run this company, we’d be grounded.”

A central concern is the retention bonus, estimated at over $200 million, which management committed to in order to retain pilots during a period of below-industry wages and stalled contract negotiations. Now, after four years without a deal, pilots say the security of that bonus is in serious doubt.

“We have every reason to fear our bonus will be the next fire-sale discount — if it’s ever paid at all,” said Captain Kevin Winter. “If leadership can accept 28 cents on the dollar for their own failures, we must demand full payment of what we’ve earned before it vanishes into C-suite compensation and other vanity projects.”

The Union also emphasized that pilot morale is at an all-time low, citing mounting pressure from front-line supervisors to overlook safety concerns and fly while fatigued — all while negotiations stagnate and operational demands intensify.

“We’ve been asked to do more with less while they gambled with this company’s future,” said Captain Skiles. “When those gambles failed, they turned around and blamed the Union. That’s not leadership — that’s deflection.”

Pilots also expressed frustration with the lack of corporate governance from Allegiant’s Board of so-called “Independent Directors” — including Chairman Maury Gallagher and Director Ponder Harrison, both of whom previously held leadership roles at ValuJet, the ill-fated Florida budget carrier whose history ended in tragedy. Most on the board appear to be long-time associates of Gallagher, raising serious concerns about whether true independence or accountability exists within the Board of Directors. Pilots are now calling for new leadership that prioritizes accountability, safety, and sustainable airline growth. “It’s time to take a hard look at who is leading this company,” said Winter. “We deserve a management team whose accountability matches the dedication and professionalism we bring to the flight deck every day.”

About Allegiant Pilots Association Teamsters Local 2118
Teamsters Local 2118 represents approximately 1,400 pilots of Allegiant Air and is affiliated with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. The Union has been in active negotiations with Allegiant since 2021.

Negotiating Committee Update – July 8, 2025

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Fellow Pilots,

This week, your Union has taken to hold Allegiant management group accountable for its actions and to bring these negotiations to a timely end. We’ve been ready. It’s more than time for Allegiant management to catch up to us.

The Sunseeker debacle is the latest instance of management pointing fingers and failing to take accountability for its actions. They sold the resort for 0.28 cents on the dollar. They lost over $520 million on the sale — equal to more than 50% of the company’s entire market value — they congratulated themselves. This type of laissez-faire, care-free behavior is the same energy they bring to bargaining.

This pilot group is out of patience.

We have demanded that management pay your retention bonuses immediately, and rightfully so, before that money becomes another pennies-on-the-dollar discount like Sunseeker. You have earned it. Allegiant managers have repeatedly promised you that they would pay it out.

Please see the Amendment to the Interim Agreement and letter to Greg Anderson from Trustee.

No more excuses.

In Unity,

Negotiating Committee
APA Teamsters Local 2118

ALLEGIANT AIR WASTES MILLIONS, STILL WON’T PAY PILOTS

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For Immediate Release July 8, 2025

 

 

Teamsters Call Out Airline for Misplaced Priorities and Stalled Negotiations

(WASHINGTON) – Allegiant Air pilots represented by Teamsters Local 2118 are raising serious questions about Allegiant’s leadership after the company this week sold its failed Sunseeker Resort while continuing to stall contract negotiations for 1,400 union pilots.

The airline claims the sale of its unsuccessful hotel project signals a renewed focus on its core airline operations, but their actions tell a different story.

“Allegiant’s executives have wasted billions on failed side hustles while refusing to fairly pay the pilots who actually keep this carrier in the air,” said Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien. “Allegiant owes our members over $200 million in hard-earned retention bonuses. The Teamsters demand accountability and a fair contract now from this greedy, corruptible employer.”
Allegiant pilots have been stuck in negotiations for over four years. While others across the airline industry have secured pay increases and improved working conditions in recent years, Allegiant has refused to pay industry standard wages and is asking pilots to make concessions on quality of life and scheduling issues.

Since March 2021, Allegiant’s market value has decreased by 78 percent, with a current market cap of $1.3 billion. The company lost $520 million on the sale of its ill-fated Sunseeker Resort, which is equal to over half of the company’s current market value. The sale of the South Florida hotel follows a pattern of frivolous spending by the airline. With impractical ventures outside its core airline operations, from sports stadiums to luxury hotels and golf courses, Allegiant has burned millions of dollars on corporate pet projects.

Corporate financial mismanagement has left the company ill-equipped to resolve outstanding contract negotiations for pilots, but the Teamsters continue to call on Allegiant to return to the bargaining table.

“Management at Allegiant has no ability to lead this company. They have no allegiance to the hardworking, dedicated pilots,” said Greg Unterseher, Teamsters Airline Division Director, Above-the-Wing. “The Teamsters Union has zero confidence that Allegiant will bargain in good faith, but this company must be held to account. We demand they return to the table and end the disrespect of working people now.”

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents over 1.3 million hardworking people in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit Teamster.org for more information.

 

Contact: Lena Melentijevic, (347) 208-2279 LMelentijevic@teamster.org

Communications Committee Update – July 7, 2025

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Fellow Pilots,

Today, Allegiant CEO Greg Anderson was “pleased” to announce that Allegiant sold the failing Sunseeker Resort for just $200 million. They spent over $720 million to build it, excluding the substantial operational losses incurred during its short life. That’s a loss of over $520+ million.

The “best in class” management team recovered just 28 cents on the dollar.

Allegiant Pilots have been terminated for much less.

These “managers” are still employed, while some Allegiant pilots have been fired for simply doing their jobs in difficult situations. Allegiant pilots are being aggressively targeted for things like standing up for safety and using the fatigue program, yet management is high fiving itself over this colossal failure.

If management is willing to accept 28 cents on the dollar for their own mistakes, how can we trust them with our future, let alone their financial obligations to us? Will our retention bonuses be the next Allegiant obligation to take a “discount”?

IT’S TIME 

Management has repeatedly told pilots they want to pay the bonus, if only the Union would “just get out of the way” and “make it happen”. As an unwilling Allegiant debtholder, we now demand that our retention bonus be paid immediately — in full — before another $200 million quietly vanishes into C-suite bonuses and other ridiculous projects. Our pilots have carried this airline through management’s repeated blunders, a global pandemic, and now four years of fruitless negotiations. No excuses. The bonus must be paid.

Additionally, let’s take a hard look at who’s leading this company. It’s time to openly discuss our lack of confidence in our senior management and the Board of Directors that enabled these disasters. The managers who spent nearly $ 1 billion on Sunseeker and lost tens of millions more per quarter trying to keep it afloat want to tell you that you’re not worth a contract that matches your peers.

If we aren’t worth a contract that matches our peers, are we at least worthy of a management team that can run an airline?

In Unity,

Communications Committee
APA Teamsters Local 2118

Independence Day Message from Communications Committee

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Fellow Pilots,

Happy Independence Day.

As our nation celebrates its 249th birthday, we’re reminded of the enduring spirit that built this country: courage, unity, and the relentless pursuit of a better future. Whether you’re flying this weekend or enjoying time at home with loved ones, we hope you find a moment to reflect, recharge, and reconnect with what matters most.

This 4th of July, we also recognize our own fight—a fight for an industry-standard contract that reflects our value, our professionalism, and our sacrifices. Make no mistake, this will be a hard-fought battle. We face a company that has resisted progress at every turn and shown consistent hostility toward union efforts. But we are not the first to walk this path—and we are not walking it alone.

We’ve been reaching out to pilots who stood in this arena before us—those who laid the groundwork, who faced similar resistance and overcame it. One pilot told us, “The company finally gave in once they saw how united we had become.” That is the key. Not words. Not emails. Unity.

If you want negotiations to move forward—if you want real progress—stand strong with your fellow Teamsters. Stop giving oxygen to division. Don’t echo the talking points of a company trying to weaken our resolve. This isn’t about one group or one individual—it’s about all of us, together.

As President Theodore Roosevelt once said:

“It is not the critic who counts… The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena… who strives valiantly… who, if he wins, knows the triumph of high achievement; and who, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly…”

Let’s continue to dare greatly. Let’s stay in the arena—shoulder to shoulder, proud and united.

In solidarity,

Captain Robert Skiles
Communications Committee
APA Teamsters Local 2118

Bylaws Committee Update – July 3, 2025

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Fellow Allegiant Pilots,

I have recorded some explanatory videos of the documents that were provided to you, attached below. Additional videos to follow soon. You can also look forward to an additional survey that will be distributed once there has been enough time for review of our revisions.

I sincerely hope that we can all take a few moments to put some individual review of these bylaws that are being put forth. I wholeheartedly believe they are a necessary improvement, and have been independently reviewed by pilots who will serve their career under them. I believe that the only appropriate direction to move from here on out is forward! These bylaws are an important step in that direction, and if you want to move toward an elected executive board to represent you, then please make the effort to participate in this upcoming vote!

 

Bylaws Comparison Video

Bylaws Revision Video

 

In solidarity,

Captain Dean Rodgers
Bylaws Committee
APA Teamsters Local 2118

Setting the Record Straight – We Stand United

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Fellow Pilots,

We’ve seen the recent emails from Allegiant’s VP of Labor Relations, Bill Fishburn, and we need to set the record straight.

Despite his attempt to spin the National Mediation Board’s (NMB) response as a company “win,” the facts tell a very different story.

Let’s be absolutely clear: the NMB did not deny our request for a status conference nor did they deny our request for a proffer of arbitration, as you can read for yourself in the NMBs notice. The NMB went on to say that our request for a status conference, a standard precursor to any successful proffer request, is still under consideration.

The NMB also stated that the parties are to meet in July as scheduled, previously established, and agreed to by the parties. Nothing in the NMBs notice indicates a final decision has been made. Any suggestion otherwise is misleading at best, although some make failing attempts to twist, politicize, and weaponize the NMB’s words.

Mr. Fishburn’s messaging is clearly intended to sow division and demoralize this group. This isn’t new—it’s the same tired tactic we’ve seen from this company for years. But we know better. And more importantly, we stand stronger than ever before.

As our new Union volunteers take the baton and carry this fight forward, we’ve revisited the path blazed by the pilots who came before us. Looking through communications from over a decade ago, one theme is striking: the company used the exact same tactics back then—misdirection, division, and delay. But just as we saw through it then, we will cut through the noise now.

So let’s borrow the rallying cry from those Allegiant pilots who’ve built this foundation:

Ignore the Noise. Focus on the Facts.

Aviate. Navigate. Communicate. UNIFY.

We are not backing down. We are not at a loss. We are right where we need to be, informed, and relentless. Allegiant will deliver the contract that we have earned. We won’t settle for anything less.

In solidarity,

Captain Robert Skiles
Communications Committee
APA Teamsters Local 2118

Negotiating Committee Update – July 3, 2025

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Fellow Allegiant Pilots,

Today we received notice from the National Mediation Board that mediated negotiations are scheduled for July 28th.

The Mediator is working to confirm August dates. The Negotiating Committee remains focused on securing the Agreement you deserve. We will provide updates next week.

 

In Solidarity,

on behalf of the Negotiating Committee (NC)

Bylaws Committee Update – July 2, 2025

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Fellow Allegiant Pilots,

Sincere thank you to all those who attended yesterday’s webinar presentation on the new bylaw revisions we’ve been working on. I want to distribute to the pilots some accompanying documents that outline our work up to this point.

2021-2025 Bylaw Comparison

First is a note sheet that is a line by line comparison of what was changed to bring the 2021 Bylaws up to the May 2025 version that was recently voted on. This outline identifies every single change in the language, and an accompanying reason for such change.

New Bylaw Revisions

This document outlines the specific sections of the Bylaws that Kevin and I have revised based on the survey results, and issues that we had identified in our review of the bylaws. These changes include:

  • Financial reports to be kept online
  • Clarification of Duties of Trustees
  • Revision to disallow elected officers serving simultaneously as Business Agents
  • Provision for method to remove stewards
  • Electronic notification of emergency expenditures
  • Clarification of Executive Board’s duty to determine those members in good standing for voting
  • Clarification for Eboard’s requirement to make meeting minutes accessible
  • Removal of Automobile purchasing allowance, instead now a standard mileage allowance
  • Clarifications on nominations notifications
  • Clarifications on minimum dues while not receiving pay
  • Provision requiring Re-confirmation of special assessments by the members
  • Clarification of voting rights regarding hybrid (remote) meetings
  • Clarifications on basis for charges against members or officers outlined in the constitution, including free speech and protection from retaliation
  • Removal of firearms being barred from meetings
  • Removal of Area Wide agreements requiring General Presidents approval for ratification that did not apply to our Local

New Version of Bylaws with the above changes incorporated.
This document is the full version of the bylaws, with the above changes made.

Anonymous Bylaw Comparison
This outlines a response to a document that was widely distributed that had many inaccuracies and misconceptions regarding our bylaws. Many of the references are not accurate or non-existent, but we have tried to point back to the source material on our responses.

Additionally, some clarification pieces from yesterday’s meeting. Regarding dues in the bylaws the following applies. While these provisions can be changed, we feel this is best left for an elected body to determine the financial requirements of the union.

Dues Clarification:

  • When you are earning income:
    • Dues are a minimum of 56% of your guarantee at your pay rate
    • Dues are a maximum of 56% of all earned income
  • When not earning income (i.e. personal leave), you may:
    • Withdraw (unable to vote, no dues required)
    • Not withdraw (able to vote):
      Subject to a minimum of:
      56% × CBA lowest min guarantee (70 hours) × lowest pay rate ($57.67)
      (At the time of this writing)

In conclusion I want to make clear that Kevin and I have pored over these bylaws independently and clarified every single piece directly with lawyers at the international. We incorporated every revision that we could to make these bylaws more inline with the wants of this pilot group. We both feel these bylaws are fair and just, and an improvement from the original bylaws, which had several holes and conflicts that left a door open for abuses. We continue to monitor the bylaw survey, and we intend to put out a new survey shortly for additional feedback. Any questions or concerns can be emailed to Bylawscommittee@apa2118.org.

In solidarity,

Captain Dean Rodgers
Captain Kevin Leach
Bylaws Committee
APA Teamsters Local 2118