Trustee Update – September 26, 2024

Fellow Pilots,

Yesterday, your Union Negotiating Committee informed me of their decision to change the frequency of their Negotiation Updates from every Monday to after the conclusion of mediation sessions and following any significant negotiations-related developments. Why the change?

Following the conclusion of the mediation session on September 24, your negotiators met to review Allegiant’s proposals and continued their internal discussions until 8:00 p.m. eastern. When their meeting ended, the committee told me that they do not believe management is motivated to reach agreements on key issues related to scheduling, reserves, and related working conditions in Sections 14, 15 and 16 of the Agreement that directly impact and could possibly degrade the quality of work life for Allegiant pilots. Therefore, your Negotiating Committee concluded a weekly negotiations update is not necessary. The fact that your Committee is changing the frequency of their updates should not be misinterpreted by anyone.

The Negotiating Committee is not standing down – far from it. As they continue to work hard preparing for two weeks of mediation in October, they asked me to stand up other Local 2118 committees to support their ongoing efforts at the bargaining table. The Strategic Preparedness Committee (SPC) will be engaged to that end. At this stage in the process, the SPC is tasked with mobilizing the membership and their families to prepare for and participate in the Union’s campaign to inform customers and the public about the labor dispute with Allegiant, which will include informational picketing and other activities. They will have my full support as Trustee.

As members, I encourage you to read all Local 2118 communications. Communications will increase, not decrease, and will include Trustee and committee messages, in addition to timely Negotiating Committee messages. Plan on attending informational picketing events.

The Supreme Court of the United States once described Railway Labor Act negotiations and mediation as “an almost interminable process.” In other words, it can appear endless. But it doesn’t need to be that way, as the experience of other pilot groups demonstrates. Pilot groups have successfully navigated this process and won good contracts by mobilizing members and appealing directly to customers and other members of the public for support. Allegiant pilots can do the same – the public and the customers are on your side. I know this pilot group is demanding a fair contract.

Education communications will follow, as well as a message from the SPC.

Sincerely,

Greg Unterseher
Trustee