Negotiations Update (7/1) & Base Visit Reminder

Allegiant Air Pilots:

Our work to see this negotiation to the finish line is not done, but we made real progress in mediation last week on some of the most important sections of our contract.

STATUS – A Return to True “Bargaining”

The Union responded to the Company’s proposals on Section 14 – Hours of Service, Section 15 – Scheduling, Section 16 – Reserve, and the Preferential Bidding System (PBS) on Tuesday. The company provided a pass back to the Union covering Sections 14 – Hours of Service and Section 16 – Reserve on Wednesday. Some specific items in Section 14 and Section 16 were agreed to at the end of last week’s session.

The company is reviewing our Section 15 pass; we expect to receive the company’s response on the Section 15 proposal at or before the next round of mediation. We look forward to receiving the Company’s Section 15 – Scheduling and the PBS LOA replies.

Your Union Negotiating Committee is working as hard as possible to bring these three critical sections to a close without delay or sacrificing quality of life (QOL). These sections contain some of the most important QOL components in every pilot contract. Likewise, they are often the most difficult to negotiate. Even still, as long as pilot QOL issues are treated just as important as company issues throughout the negotiation, we can agree that we are far along in the process and are confident that we can reach agreement with the company. To be clear, this is not a cookie-cutter contract with terms imposed from other carriers. But both sides are taking stock of what is being done at other properties, while making sure that our agreement is one that works for Allegiant pilots and our operation.

PROGRESS – The standing order of your Negotiating Committee

The National Mediation Board has confirmed additional mediation dates for August 13-15, September 3-5, and October 29-31. We are waiting for the company to confirm its availability for the dates offered by the NMB.

Additionally, we informed the Company that we are available to meet to discuss their Section 15 response in July. Last week, the company provided some of the PBS-related information requested by the Union and pledged to provide additional information in response to the Union’s request for scope information. We will be reviewing this information in July and using it for our proposals, as well as developing counterproposals on the QOL sections discussed above. Needless to say, July will be a busy month for your Union Negotiating Committee as we confirm and put into action our commitment to achieving an agreement with expediency. We won’t stay in negotiations one day or one month longer than necessary to deliver a contract that meets the needs of the membership.

UNITY – The Power of Organized Allegiant Labor

Unity is our strength – and our leverage. Every pilot on this property has a part to play in getting a fair agreement across the finish line. Your Negotiating Committee – and management – need to know that this pilot group will not let anything or anyone divide us. Now more than ever, we must continue to demonstrate the power and solidarity of organized Allegiant pilot labor that serves to move our interests forward. Beyond our local union, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) is committing both time and resources to help us achieve our ultimate bargaining objectives.

MISINFORMATION – Consider the Source and Report

At this stage in the game, misinformation is a given, and it can be hard to navigate all of the conflicting information out there.

If any manager makes any statements to you about what is supposedly happening in negotiations or disparages your Union or our Negotiators in any manner, report it immediately to negotiations@apa2118.org. Provide detailed, factual accounts of each incident (i.e., describe who, what, where, when, witnesses). We know you have questions, and we want to answer them all.

If you are in Sanford tomorrow, Tuesday, July 2, please join us in person so we can connect with you face-to-face.

DATE: Tuesday, July 2
TIME: 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. ET.
LOCATION: Friendly Confines Sports Restaurant (7025 County Road 46A, Lake Mary, FL 32746)

In closing, we need your support and resolve as we negotiate some of the more contentious, yet critical areas of our contract. We can get this contract to the finish line, but we need you to do your part – our unity is the key to our collective success. Ignore the noise, misinformation, and distractions. This pilot group has made it through much worse.

Thank you for your unity, your strength, and your continued support.

In Unity,
Captain Joshua Allen
Negotiating Committee Chairman

Captain Jay Killen
Pilot Negotiator

Captain J.R. Lynch
Chief of Staff

Captain Jim Cole
Recording Analyst