Strengthening Our Union at DSM

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Brothers and Sisters,

Last night, the SPC hosted another successful base event—this time with our DSM pilots, joined by members of the Negotiating Committee. On behalf of SPC Leadership, thank you to everyone who attended. Your presence continues to demonstrate the strength and unity of our pilot group as we work together toward our shared goals.


DSM Base Event October 29, 2025

As we move toward our Nationwide Picket on 11/18/2025, it is more important than ever for all of us to stand shoulder to shoulder. Every chance we have to show our support sends a powerful message: we are united and committed to achieving the fair contract our pilots deserve.

Our next upcoming SPC base event will be at PGD. We strongly encourage every pilot in base to attend. These events are not only a chance to connect with fellow pilots—they’re an opportunity to stay informed, engaged, and united. It’s our unity that drives progress and brings us closer to securing the contract we deserve.

Thank you again for your engagement and unity.

Stay focused.
Stay united.
Ignore the noise.
Trust the facts.

 

In Unity,

Your SPC Leadership
APA Local 2118

Trustee Update – October 29, 2025

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Allegiant Pilots,

Yesterday, the nomination meeting for Local 2118 Officer Elections was held at the union hall. The results were two full slates, listed below.

 

Blue Skies 2025 Slate Building Unity Slate
President, Ryan Joseph President, Rob Skiles
Secretary Treasurer, Gregory Harris Secretary Treasurer, John McClelland
Vice President, Hansel Duran Vice President, Kevin Winter
Recording Secretary, Fihmi Rossman Recording Secretary, Harrison “Brad” Keller
Trustee, Brandon Wood Trustee, Ben Phillips
Trustee, Genie Moy Trustee, Kyle Scott
Trustee, Barron Howard Trustee, Peter Willums
www.blueskies2025.com www.buildingunityslate.com

Every Friday at 2 PM Pacific Time, each slate will have the opportunity to use the Local Union’s email system to distribute campaign material. The content of that material will not be edited or altered by Local 2118 in any manner. Distribution of such campaign material does not imply endorsement of either slate by Local 2118.

Fraternally,

Greg Unterseher
Trustee, APA 2118

Negotiating Committee Update – October 23, 2025

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Fellow Pilots,

The Mediator, Union and Company had a scheduled in-person mediation session in Washington, D.C. from October 20-22, 2025. The mediator was not present due to the government shutdown. The parties agreed to meet without the mediator. The Negotiating Committee attended the meeting in-person with the company’s attorney and negotiating consultant. Unfortunately, management decided not to attend the negotiations in-person and chose to attend the meeting virtually instead.

These sessions produced no new agreements and the vast majority of each of the three in-person sessions were squandered due to the company’s lack of preparation and internal dysfunction. The company did not present a comprehensive counterproposal, informing the Union that it had failed to cost out the Union’s comprehensive proposal or any of the company’s previous proposals. Additionally, the company failed to pass Section 15 as the Union repeatedly urged the management to do. The primary focus for the first two sessions was the value and defer items in Section 9 – Vacation, Section 10 – Sick, and Section 16 – Reserve. The final day was spent discussing the remaining open items in Section 12 – Vacancies.

The company informed the Union that it would not be able to provide a comprehensive counterproposal until it could complete “accurate” costing, despite nearly 4.5 years of negotiations and nearly a two-month advance notice of these bargaining dates. Management has insisted that their internal costing “experts” are critical to bargaining discussions. However, the company’s costing personnel were not available to meet with the Union’s costing expert (who was present in DC for three days) until well into the final day of bargaining, and then only for one hour over Zoom.

On a somewhat positive note, it appears that management has accepted that delaying negotiations because it cannot properly cost out its own proposals or respond to ours is inexcusable. Management informed the Union during the last session that it will immediately retain an outside firm to handle their costing going forward. That decision speaks volumes. Without saying it outright, management has effectively confirmed what we’ve known all along. When they were attacking the Union’s costing, which is accurate and supported by verifiable data, they were trying to hide a basic truth: Allegiant’s claims simply have no basis in fact. While we are somewhat encouraged that they’ve finally sought outside help at this late stage of negotiations, it is a stunning indictment of their own internal process and the false propaganda campaign that Allegiant officials waged against our Union and your NC. Hopefully, a greater reliance on qualified third party contractors and consultants on the company’s part will expedite these negotiations.

The company has indicated that they will be ready to resume bargaining when we reconvene during the week of November 10, 2025. The Union remains singularly focused on reaching a fair agreement before year’s end. Despite the Company’s continued dysfunction, our team remains united, data-driven, and unwavering in its resolve to deliver a contract that reflects your value and professionalism.

Stay engaged, stay informed, and stay confident. 

The facts and data are on our side — and so is our future.

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

SPC Update: Mark Your Calendars For November 18

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Allegiant Pilots,

After five years without an amended contract, Allegiant pilots have no confidence in management. Reckless financial decisions, broken promises, and endless delay and division tactics meant to wear us down is all they offer. We are standing together to demand real leadership, accountability, and a stable future for Allegiant. We have invested our careers – the time is up Allegiant – Buckle up!

APA Nationwide Picket

This is our contract. This is our career. This is our time.

In Unity,

SPC Leadership Team
APA Local 2118

Confessions of a Union Buster Series 1

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Pilots,
This is how union busting works—and how it’s being used against us today.

The Cravat Coal Story 

In 1983, union buster Martin Jay Levitt was hired to crush a union drive by the United Mine Workers at Cravat Coal. He didn’t win by being smarter or more honest. He won by manipulating workers, dividing them, and turning management into actors in a staged play.

Here’s how Levitt did it:

  • Use the Law Against Workers – Levitt bragged that the National Labor Relations Act, the very law designed to protect workers, could be used to drag unions through endless delays. By slowing everything down, he made workers think the union was powerless and ineffective.
  • Turn Supervisors into Weapons – He gathered foremen, dressed them in jeans to look “relatable,” then sent them out to spread anti-union propaganda. Those who pushed “vote no” got bonuses and perks.
  • Plant Doubt and Division – A few skeptics were all he needed to poison trust. Pro-union miners were harassed, ignored, and forced into conflict. Levitt then blamed the union for the very tension he created.
  • Rig Access to Workers – When the union was supposed to get worker contact info, Levitt tampered with it—giving only initials, leaving out addresses and zip codes. Then management claimed the union had violated privacy by asking for the list.
  • Twist Language – They never said “union members.” Levitt always used “union bosses” to make the union sound like just another layer of management. Meanwhile, the company painted itself as “humble and caring.”

The result? Workers were divided, fighting among themselves, and the company walked away with 298 out of 391 votes—another union campaign crushed.

Sound Familiar? 

Levitt’s playbook is alive and well at Allegiant:

  • Delay, Delay, Delay: Coming up on five years of negotiations, management still says we’re “far from a deal.” They refuse extra mediation sessions, then send emails blaming the Union for lack of progress. Classic stall tactic.
  • Blame the Union: In their August 29th communication, they smeared our comprehensive proposal as a “bankruptcy proposal.” This from the same company that burned nearly a billion dollars on Sunseeker. That’s the real bankruptcy move—not paying pilots industry-standard wages.
  • Manipulate Language: Management insists they’re “committed to a deal that works for everyone.” Yet they reject sessions, reject solutions, and reject progress. Their words don’t match their actions.
  • Sow Division: Just like Levitt used skeptical miners, Allegiant uses “mole” employees to spread doubt and weaken unity. They want us pointing fingers at each other instead of holding them accountable.

The Lesson for Allegiant Pilots 

Levitt admitted: “All we needed were a few skeptics to plant the suspicion among workers.”

That’s the game our management is playing. If they can divide us, they can defeat us.

But if we stand united—every pilot, one voice, one purpose—they cannot win.

We aren’t asking for anything unreasonable. We’re demanding what we’ve earned:

  • Industry-standard pay 
  • Industry-standard working conditions
  • Industry-standard respect

We will not be manipulated. We will not be divided. And we will not settle for less than what every professional pilot deserves.

Final Word 

Don’t fall for these textbook tactics. Levitt’s tricks only work if we let them. The company can stall, they can spin, they can smear—but they cannot stop a united pilot group that refuses to back down.

Stay focused. Stay united.
Ignore the noise. Trust the facts. 

 

In Unity,

Communications Committee
APA Local 2118

Update From Your Strategic Preparedness Committee

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Allegiant Pilots,

As we head into another demanding holiday season, let’s pause to reflect on what we have carried on our shoulders. Through the turbulence of this industry, we—Allegiant pilots—have remained the steady hands keeping this airline in the air. Yet, despite our professionalism and dedication, we continue to work under a contract that fails to reflect our true value in today’s market.

We have now reached a turning point. Allegiant can no longer delay the inevitable. They are out of excuses, and time has run out. We gave this company every opportunity to do right by its pilots. Instead, management chose the path of RLA delay tactics, union-busting propaganda, and the same tired playbook designed to secure the cheapest labor possible. They underestimated us. They assumed we would cave. They were wrong.

The Vote of No Confidence results make one thing undeniable: Allegiant pilots no longer trust management or the board of directors. Despite our sacrifice and professionalism, they have failed us. Period. They have gambled with our careers, our families, and our future. Now is the time to demand accountability.

Management has suggested they want to “reset” this broken relationship. But let’s be clear—the root cause has never changed. The only path to repairing this relationship is delivering what this pilot group has earned and deserves: an industry-standard contract that reflects our worth in today’s market. Nothing less will suffice. Equally important, this management team must end its toxic behavior toward pilots, learn to show genuine respect, and treat us as the professionals we are.

We know our value. We have been more than patient. And now—our patience has run out. 

In the weeks ahead, our national campaign will accelerate, bringing our fight into the spotlight of our industry and the financial markets. The Strike Preparedness Committee will continue supporting our Negotiating Committee with one objective: to secure a contract by year’s end that honors the sacrifice and skill of every Allegiant pilot.

This is our contract. This is our career. This is our time.

Stay focused. Stay united. 
Ignore the noise. Trust the facts.

Together, we will win what we have long deserved.

 

In Unity,

SPC Leadership Team
APA Local 2118

Trustee Update – September 29, 2025

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Allegiant Pilots,

Today, a combined Notice of Nomination Meeting and Notice of Officer Election was mailed to you. That notice can be found on APA2118.org, under the Elections tab – Officer Elections.

We have received some emails inquiring about how to maintain good standing after September 2025 if you drop below 70 PCH in a month or if you are on a LOA.

Good Standing and Continuous Good Standing.

To be eligible to participate in the Nomination Meeting, a member needs to be in good standing through the month preceding the Nomination Meeting, which will be September 2025. General Secretary Treasurer, Fred Zuckerman, informed the Local that the General Executive Board has granted our request for a waiver of Article X, Section 5 (c) of the International Constitution. This allows for a zero-correction of all delinquent dues and will reflect all members in good standing to participate in the Nomination Meeting.

To be eligible to vote in the election and have it counted, a member must be in good standing through November 2025 (the month preceding the election).

To be eligible for election to any office in this Local Union, a member must be in continuous good standing for a period of twenty-four (24) months before the month of the Nomination Meeting. Due to the previous mismanagement of the Local Union on September 8, 2025, General President O’Brien, in accordance with Article II, Section 4(h), granted a waiver of the 24-month good-standing requirement for members who had been on dues checkoff since July 2023.

How It Applies To Members

Due to the previous mismanagement of the local, the GST has granted forgiveness for all delinquent dues through September 2025. Once dues are received from Allegiant for October (October’s Dues will be received in November), delinquent dues letters will promptly be sent out via email and USPS. (Please ensure that the local has your most current address and email address.)

Members will have two options to pay the difference for any delinquent dues:

  • DocuSign document that provides permission for Allegiant to deduct delinquent dues from the following month’s payroll
  • Mail the check to the local directly, and it must be received by the last day of the month to remain in good standing.

If you drop below 70 hours in a month, you owe the difference to remain in good standing.

Understanding How Dues Become Delinquent:

  • If there are monthly earnings, members are responsible for remitting dues calculated as follows: Hourly Rate x 70 Hour Min Guarantee x 1.56%
  • If there are no monthly earnings, minimum dues shall be calculated as follows: $57.67 x 70 min guarantee x 1.56% = $62.98

As an example, if you started a medical LOA in August, for the months of October and November, you would need to pay $62.58 per month to participate in the December election. Per the General Secretary’s letter, you will be able to participate in the Nomination Meeting.

If you do not wish to participate in the Nomination or Officer Elections and are on a non-military LOA, you may request a Withdrawal Card.

Any members on non-military LOA will be presented with the opportunity to remit minimum dues to remain in good standing if they have not requested to be issued a Withdrawal Card.

Fraternally,

Greg Unterseher, Trustee
APA Local 2118

Negotiating Committee Update – September 26, 2025

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Fellow Pilots,

This week, the parties conducted 3 days of mediation at company headquarters in Las Vegas. As previously reported, the Union sent the Company its second comprehensive proposal on September 12, 2025. The Company did not provide a comprehensive counterproposal to the Union.

The parties negotiated over previously deferred items in Section 9 – Vacation and Section 10 – Sick. The Union presented a packaged settlement proposal that would immediately close out both sections; the company rejected both proposals. The company additionally re-proposed language that they originally passed in 2022. Both Sections remained open at the conclusion of mediation.

The Union proposed necessary revisions to Section 24 – Union Business to bring the Section into alignment with current Union practices and requirements. The Company proposed revisions to Section 18 – Grievance Procedure and Section 19 – System Board of Adjustment. The parties reached agreements on these Sections resulting in updated Tentative Agreements, which will be finalized next week. No other agreements were reached.

With respect to ongoing costing efforts, the party’s subject matter experts attempted to discuss the cost of their respective proposals. Although the Union fully costed its comprehensive proposals, the company admitted that they have failed to provide the Union with requested, verifiable information about the cost and cost drivers of their own proposals.

While their costing details remain outstanding, the company did provide a total value for the “new money” they have thus far been willing to allocate to a new pilot contract. This increase from current book value would be materially less than they wasted on constructing and operating the failed Sunseeker Resort over the course of a 5 year contract.

The company indicated that they would like to “reset” the disastrously combative labor relationship it currently maintains with the Union and its pilots. Your Negotiating Committee made it clear that the pace of negotiations are completely unacceptable and the company must do the heavy lifting to repair the relationship. We also made it clear that we have every intention of reaching an agreement on all remaining sections before the end of the year. Only the company’s maximum effort to reach this objective can repair this relationship. We look forward to a change in behavior, both at the bargaining table and beyond, that will settle this agreement by year’s end and grow our airline.

In consideration of the previous conversation, the Union and Company jointly agreed to meet outside of mediation for a virtual negotiating session on October 6th, 2025 to focus on Section 1 – Scope. The parties will resume mediation in Washington, DC on October 22nd, 23rd and 24th, 2025.

Thank you for your continued support.

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

Trustee Update – September 20, 2025

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Allegiant Pilots,

Nomination Meeting and Officer Elections, Delegate Elections

We have contracted with a new election provider, Merriman River Group, to conduct our Nomination Meeting and Officer Elections. Additionally, Delegate Elections for the International will be next year, and we have formally submitted our Election Plan to the Office of the Election Supervisor. There will be separate tabs on our APA2118.org website that will serve as an electronic bulletin board for both elections.

Timelines

The Union will be sending out a combined Notice of Nominations Meeting and Notice of Officer Elections. This will be a mail ballot – the timelines will be as follows:

September 29, 2025 – Combined notice of Nomination Meeting and Officer elections mailed.
October 28, 2025 – Nomination Meeting to be held in person in Las Vegas, via Zoom, and with a mail-in option.
November 7, 2025 – Officer ballots mailed.
December 17, 2025 – Election ballot count.

Good Standing and Continuous Good Standing.

To be eligible to participate in the Nomination Meeting, a member needs to be in good standing through the month preceding the Nomination Meeting, which will be September 2025. Today, General Secretary Treasurer, Fred Zuckerman, informed the Local that the General Executive Board has granted our request for a waiver of Article X, Section 5 (c) of the International Constitution. This allows for a zero-correction of all delinquent dues and will reflect all members in good standing to participate in the Nomination Meeting.

To be eligible to vote in the election and have it counted, a member must be in good standing through November 2025 (the month preceding the election).

To be eligible for election to any office in this Local Union, a member must be in continuous good standing for a period of twenty-four (24) months before the month of the Nomination Meeting. Due to the previous mismanagement of the Local Union on September 8, 2025, General President O’Brien, in accordance with Article II, Section 4(h), granted a waiver of the 24-month good-standing requirement for members who had been on dues checkoff since July 2023.

Bylaws Section 17 Dues and Initiation Fees, Explained

Dues: The monthly dues of this organization shall be 1.56% of all earned income.

This amount is deducted by Allegiant (Dues Checkoff) and sent to the Local monthly.

The minimum monthly dues of this organization shall be calculated on the basis of the formula set forth in Article X, Section 3(d) of the International Constitution. In no event shall monthly dues be less than the minimum established in the International Constitution.

This amount is what you owe every month to remain in good standing, and is based on a 70-hour guarantee at your longevity rate and status (Captain or First Officer). This is also the amount the Local Union bases its Per Capita tax of 22% and pays to the International. 1.56% dues paid on earnings above guarantee are kept entirely by the Local Union.

If you drop below 70 hours in a month, you owe the difference to remain in good standing.

Following is the calculation for minimum dues:

The monthly dues for members who are not on withdrawal as provided in Article XVIII, Section 6 of the International Constitution and have no monthly earnings while on a personal leave of absence from employment shall be 1.56% of the lowest minimum guarantee multiplied by the lowest pay rate then in effect under the collective bargaining agreement.

This is the rate that a pilot would pay to remain in continuous good standing for the purpose of running for an Officer Position, currently, $62.98 a month while on a LOA per Article II Section 4 of the International Constitution. Pilots on a Military LOA are exempt from this provision while on orders longer than 30 days and not more than 24 months per Article II Section 4 (a) (4)(a).

The Notice you receive will have more information on dates and times to request replacement ballots, and how to participate in the Nomination Hearing via Mail or Zoom.

Fraternally,

Greg Unterseher, Trustee
APA Local 2118

Communications Committee Update – September 11, 2025

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Fellow Pilots,

On September 4th, 2025, Allegiant finalized the sale of the Sunseeker Resort to Blackstone Inc. for $200 million. This project cost the airline over $1 billion. The so-called “Best in Class” Board of Directors and C-suite personnel recovered what was initially thought to be around 28¢ on the dollar—but that figure doesn’t include closing costs, according to the SEC filing.

In reality, what cost the airline more than $1 billion will now return less than 28¢ for every dollar spent. Even more disturbing: none of the proceeds will go toward pilots. Not toward your retention bonus, not toward your retroactive pay, and not toward your new contract. Per the terms of the senior secured note, these funds may only be used to pay down debt or for other general corporate purposes. After applying the less than $200 million toward Sunseeker’s debt, Allegiant Travel Company will still owe more than $300 million related to this failed venture.

Ask yourselves: What kind of management team awards itself millions in bonuses while furloughing pilots?

  • What would our daily operations look like if that billion dollars had been invested into the airline instead of the doomed Sunseeker project?
  • Would we already have a fair contract?
  • Would we be growing instead of stagnating?
  • Would management still be claiming pilots are “bankrupting” the company with a fair deal?

Our Executive Chairman and his handpicked board of directors have always loathed pilots.

“Going forward we and the industry will be paying more for the same product”. Maurice J Gallagher Jr. 2023 Letter to the Shareholders. 

The Board of Directors may see you as a “product” or a “part number,” but you are what makes this airline work. Without two pilots, this “travel company” won’t generate a dime of revenue. It’s time to hold them accountable—because the next “pet project” they chase could actually bankrupt the airline.

You’ll receive the Vote of No Confidence survey email on Friday. Please take 5 minutes to let management know we are not part numbers or product. This is your chance to let management know we do not have any confidence they can navigate the treacherous waters in which they have placed us in.

Q: What’s the purpose of a Vote of No Confidence? 

A: A Vote of No Confidence is a legitimate tool unions use to inform stakeholders that senior management has lost the support of those they are supposed to lead. In recent years, EasyJet, PSA, and Southwest have all issued VONCs to remove ineffective leadership.

EasyJet VONC
SouthWest VONC
PSA VONC

 

In Solidarity,

Captain Kevin Winter
Communications Committee