Strike Authorization Vote Q&A – APA Teamsters Local 2118

Allegiant Pilots,

Thank you to everyone who joined last week’s informational picket event in Appleton, Wisconsin (ATW). This is the first of a nationwide call to action the Strategic Preparedness Committee (SPC) is taking in our fight for an industry-standard contract. I hope all of you had the chance to watch the video message from Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien. We have the full support of the 1.3 million Teamsters members and the SPC looks forward to putting our contingency plans into action.

As discussed in previous updates, we are nearing twenty months since filing for federal mediation with the National Mediation Board (NMB). Despite company communications claiming that achieving a new contract for our pilots is a top priority, a tentative agreement that values our work, rewards our investment in Allegiant and does not trade away parts of our agreement to pay for others has yet to be achieved. The Negotiating Committee has employed various methods to engage management and encourage them to bargain. However, they still follow the same playbook, refuse to meet outside of mediation and continue to drag out negotiations.

Despite the extraordinary efforts of your Negotiating Committee, Allegiant management continues to push proposals that are inconsistent with the industry and labor market. We have zero confidence that the Company intends to reach an acceptable agreement. Instead, it continues to bargain like this is a game. It is not a game – it is our profession and our future. We have proven our commitment to this airline, and now it is time for Allegiant to show this pilot group the same commitment.

We all must send Allegiant management the message that time has run out. Given the disrespect management continues to show to our pilot group by refusing to reach an industry-standard contract, it is time for a strike authorization vote.

What is a strike authorization vote?

A strike authorization vote is a first step required under the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) Constitution to grant the Local the ability to call a strike on behalf of the pilot group, if necessary and when legally permitted to do so under the Railway Labor Act (RLA).

When is a strike legally permitted under the RLA?

We are currently in mediated negotiations overseen by the NMB pursuant to the RLA. These negotiations will continue until an agreement is reached or the NMB concludes that the parties are at an impasse, and continued mediation will not result in an agreement. In this case, the NMB will offer both parties the opportunity to have an arbitrator determine their next contract. If either party rejects that offer, the NMB then releases the parties into a 30-day cooling off period. At the end of the cooling off period, if the parties still have not reached an agreement, they can engage in self-help – and the pilot group can strike.

Do you think a strike will occur at Allegiant?

A strike is by no means inevitable. Most mediated negotiations result in an agreement without the parties being released to self-help. No one wants a strike, and your Union is certainly working to avoid one here. But unfortunately, management’s behavior in this negotiation is arrogant and absurd – a bad combination. We need to be prepared for all potentialities at Allegiant, including supporting ourselves and each other through potential strike action.

Why take a strike vote?

The main reason for a strike authorization vote is to give the Union a green light to call a strike, if and when the time comes. But a strike vote is also a huge opportunity to demonstrate that our pilot group stands strongly behind the Negotiating Committee and is willing to take all steps necessary to bring this negotiation to a successful end. For that reason, it is crucial that EVERY PILOT be ready to VOTE, and vote YES. The results of a vote will send a message to Allegiant’s management team, investors and other observers; and that message is that we are UNITED AND PREPARED TO TAKE WHATEVER ACTION IS NECESSARY TO SECURE THE BEST CONTRACT POSSIBLE FOR PILOTS.

When will a strike vote occur at Allegiant?

Friday, October 25, 2024. We have been extraordinarily patient with Allegiant‘s delay tactics and given them every opportunity to do the right thing. But our patience has run out, and we know yours has too.

We have retained Ballot Point Election Services to conduct the Strike Authorization Vote. You will receive an email from BallotPoint on Friday that will allow you to cast your vote. This is a very secure system, and nobody will know how you voted, not the Union and certainly not management. See this link for BallotPoint security: https://ballotpoint.com/publicsite/security.pl

Every Allegiant pilot in good standing—including probationary pilots, Visa holders—can vote.

We have heard loud and clear pilots are ready to vote NOW, and so are we.

Continue to support each other and operate as a UNITED pilot group. We are all in this together, and our unity will determine the outcome of this negotiation. To that end, please continue to:

• Wear your lanyards and APA 2118 pin.
• Read every news update from your SPC and Negotiating Committee.
• Talk to your co-workers about a strike authorization vote and help us ensure all Allegiant pilots are prepared to vote YES.
• When the strike authorization is put out for a vote, VOTE YES.

Stay strong, stay informed, and stay engaged. We are going to win this fight for an industry-standard contract. Failure is NOT an option, and we will not accept a substandard contract. It’s that simple.