Trustee Update – September 10, 2025

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Allegiant Pilots,

Last night we received approval of the amended bylaws from General President O’Brien, HERE. Final Approved Bylaws HERE.

We are meeting tomorrow with our vendor regarding the timelines and process for Nomination Meeting(s) and Officer Elections. A combined notice of nomination and officer election will be mailed at least 20 days before a Nomination Meeting. Will be publishing the timelines for both the Nomination Meeting(s) and Officer Election by the end of next week.

A tab will be created this week on apa2118.org that will contain all nomination and election guidance and resources.

Fraternally,

Greg Unterseher
Trustee, APA Local 2118

Communication Committee Update – September 6, 2025

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Brothers and Sisters,

We built this airline. A decade ago, most people had never even heard of Allegiant. Through our hard work and unity, we helped turn it into a recognizable name, an airline families rely on. That pride should have carried us forward. Instead, it has been squandered.

Mismanagement at the Top

Time after time, Allegiant executives chose to spend hundreds of millions on ill-advised side projects instead of investing in the airline. Over $1 billion was funneled into failed ventures like the Sunseeker Resort, which was then sold at a 70% loss, while those responsible for safeguarding the future of our airline left the controls unattended. The Sunseeker investment alone could have funded industry-standard pilot pay and working conditions for many years, yet our pilots are nearly 5 years into negotiations with no new contract.

Now, the same executives who grossly mismanaged our airline claim that they “can’t afford” a fair, industry-parity contract. Let’s be clear: Allegiant Pilots are among the worst paid in the industry, by a wide margin, while our company clearly has the ability to afford a new contract. The math simply doesn’t lie—but management and their excuses do.

“Bankruptcy” – The tired and lazy battle cry of inept managers

The company says our contract proposal would “bankrupt” them. That is beyond absurd.

If Allegiant truly cannot afford a fair contract while our pilots continue to deliver industry-leading performance and profits, then this management team has proven it is not competent nor worthy to lead this airline. Period.

Let’s not forget:

  • The same executives responsible for the billion dollar Sunseeker debacle still received millions in bonuses. Interestingly, there were no claims of “bankruptcy” then.
  • Allegiant took millions in taxpayer grants during COVID to keep the airline afloat and preserve jobs — and they still furloughed pilots anyway. Real leaders eat last.
  • They’ve enjoyed nearly 5 years of discounted pilot labor while wasting profits — even after the Union saved them from total operational collapse with the retention bonus. Enough is enough.
  • This is not about affordability. This is about priorities—and they have chosen everything but their most important asset — pilots. Without you, there are no flights, there are no ticket sales, there is no profit, there are no executive bonuses. Without your labor, this airline is completely grounded.

Vote of No Confidence – It Matters

We have seen enough mismanagement and abuse to know that a leadership change is necessary to save our airline. Our Vote of No Confidence (VONC) sends an undeniable message to the public:

  • We reject excuses
  • We reject a lack of accountability
  • We reject financial mismanagement
  • We reject substandard pay and working conditions

Given the current state of affairs, we must take the difficult but necessary step to do as our brothers and sisters at American Airlines and Southwest before us. VONC is an effective statement to the public that the same pilots who deliver industry-leading operational performance and profits demand accountability from the managers who benefit from our efforts.

Stand Together. Stand Strong. 

This is our moment to unite. Division is exactly what management wants—it buys them time. But together, as one, we cannot be ignored.

Brothers and Sisters, our actions from here on out are not just symbolic—it’s a declaration. A declaration that Allegiant pilots will not tolerate poor leadership. A statement to the public that we will no longer be taken advantage of. Our profession demands honesty, respect, and true leadership. The Board of Directors, CEO, and senior leaders of this airline have demonstrated a lack of all 3.

Management supports a Union decertification drive, yet the only ones who need to be “decertified” are the failed executives and directors blindly leading our airline off a cliff. Their time is up. Your voice and vote matters. Stay focused. Stay united. Ignore their fuzzy math. Trust the real facts.

In solidarity,

Captain Robert Skiles
Communications Committee Chairman
Teamsters Local 2118

Negotiating Committee Update – August 30, 2025

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Fellow Pilots,

“If the facts are against you, argue the law. If the law is against you, argue the facts. If the law and the facts are against you, pound the table, scream like crazy, and hope for the best”. -Unknown

Management must be the original author of this quote as their latest communication is the truest reflection of it. By now, you have had the time to read and digest management’s latest negotiations update. Some may be perplexed by management’s tone which, even for this management team, was decidedly more immature and incendiary than usual. If you consider the way that management was summarily embarrassed and delegitimized over the course of the last few days, you can better understand their reaction in an email that they likely wish they could take back. Worthy of note, not a single “company negotiating team” member was willing to put their name on or take ownership of their written masterclass of self-inflicted humiliation.

This week, the parties focused on costing. The company’s “costing analysis” was flat out wrong and embarrassingly so. Management’s analysis is so outlandish that it is impossible to believe that it was produced by a trained professional. Our economist credibly demonstrated that the company’s “analysis” was riddled with either amateurish errors or intentional falsifications. On average, individual item costs were inflated by more than 50% — with some exaggerated as high as 99%. Some of the more ridiculous statements that we heard from the company’s negotiators include:

“I think we were too aggressive in assuming that 100% of all sick time would be used.”

For perspective, management’s math shows that the cost of the Union’s proposal would somehow be hundreds of thousands of dollars more per pilot per year than industry-leading contracts on a relative basis. The company’s “work” is an insult to common sense. Their analysis had little factual basis to be deemed credible analysis, and the Union unequivocally demonstrated this fact. If this analysis was the same used to green light the Sunseeker Resort, we now better understand why it resulted in a colossal failure.

There was little room for disagreement with the Union’s analysis. When confronted with the facts, management was forced to painfully admit their errors in their own costing fantasy. They had no choice but to admit that they double-counted certain items and were “too aggressive” in costing numerous others. They were wrong and perhaps deliberately so. Avoiding accountability is one of management’s core values, so admitting their substantial errors, which our economist proved are material, must have been painful. Even still, management flat out refused to provide the Union with all of the requested information and data that their analysis is based on, including the formulas and assumptions it used to create such ridiculous numbers.

To further exaggerate the Union’s position, management has reversed its position and now claims that the retention bonus is a “cost” of the Union’s proposal. This is in direct contrast to their previous statements that the money was already “banked” away, accounted for, responsibly set aside and waiting to be paid. Apparently but unsurprisingly, this isn’t true. In fact, in the last few weeks the company quietly made a small, yet material change to the verbiage of your retention bonus emails that all but confirms this.

“Please find below an update on the retention bonus the company is banking for you until we achieve the ratification of a new collective bargaining agreement…” July 2025-previous

“Please find below the estimated retention bonus amounts the company is accruing based on your Position and Longevity…” August 2025.

This subtle but material change from “banking” to “accruing” exposes the truth: management, including the CEO, will spin any story necessary to suit their narrative. The Union’s prior concerns regarding the bonus are sustained. In a most magnificent display of financial ineptitude, it appears management never actually “banked” anything to prepare for the day they would actually have to pay the bonus. They are now using the $200M+ retention bonus payment, which they should have responsibly set aside, to further pad their already inflated claims of the Union’s proposal cost.

Management falsely claims that the Union’s Negotiating Committee told the company to “sell planes” to pay for the contract. That is a lie. When the company claimed that Allegiant was in a weak financial position, our economist held management accountable for CEO Greg Anderson’s own statements to our pilots regarding the financial condition and liquidity of the airline. In part, we read verbatim:

“Allegiant currently maintains over one billion dollars in available cash, as well as an additional billion dollars in fleet value that can be leveraged if necessary, demonstrating that the liquidity is there to fund your full retention bonus, which sits today around $160 million.” -Greg Anderson, CEO

Predictably, they retreated to the tired “bankruptcy” trope that they use as an excuse to delay a contract. To claim bankruptcy for a cost less than what management wasted on Sunseeker and other ridiculous pet projects is an insult to the dedication and hard work of every pilot on this property. Regardless, it was management who presented the idea of selling airplanes and “burning the furniture” to pay for the contract. Shockingly, the company’s negotiating team then completely threw their CEO right under the bus — and then drove over him when he was down just to be sure — by summarily dismissing Anderson’s referenced statement to pilots and claiming those numbers can’t be relied on and are misleading, in part because the one billion dollars in cash isn’t actually “available” (even stating “you know how these things go.”) After being humiliated, attacking the person who signs your checks appears to be management’s logical escalation.

In their update, management goes even further by implying that the mediator is on their side (in fact, mediators are neutral) and using thinly veiled attacks by repeatedly referring to “the Trustee and his appointed negotiators.” Appointed, elected, or otherwise is of no relevance to the company. It is clear that management is (now openly) advocating for the replacement of your Union representatives, and certainly not because management has your best interests at heart. Their only hope now is for a negotiating committee that they control who will kowtow and endorse a substandard contract. Questioning the method by which the Union selects committee members is a black and white attempt to interfere with internal Union affairs. This level of desperation has not been previously seen during these negotiations.

Despite their public temper tantrum, at the bargaining table management admitted that their costing analysis was wrong in many areas and thus not credible. After years of refusing to do so when requested by the Union, and being held accountable for their material misrepresentations, it was management who suggested on Friday that their costing expert should meet with ours “in person, with their laptops out.” The Union is happy to oblige.

Late in the evening on Friday, the company sent a comprehensive proposal to the Union. The mediator has requested that both parties refrain from discussing the particular details of the comprehensive proposal publicly until after the next mediation session. The Negotiating Committee will comply with the mediator’s request, but to temper any expectations, refer to the company’s last comprehensive offer from June 2024 for insight into what we received.

We hope that we have finally put the remaining rumors about the company’s bargaining behavior to bed, including:

“If the Union gives the company a comprehensive, management will negotiate much faster.” or “The Union is always unprepared and hasn’t costed anything.” or “The company will give you whatever you want, it’s your Union that won’t negotiate and ask for it.” or “Your retention bonus is set aside and already accounted for. It doesn’t affect bargaining.”

Management’s message exposed their true objective – avoid a new contract as long as possible, undermine the Union, and keep you working under an outdated contract for as long as possible. Regardless, the company’s desperation messaging and divide and conquer tactics simply won’t work.

Management is out of time, out of excuses, and running low on options. Their communications will be louder, more personal, and more targeted, as the company desperately tries every possible option to break you. They will do it themselves or use their proxies to attack you and your NC publicly. Don’t fall for it.

What’s Next: Mediation will resume in Las Vegas the week of September 22. Before then, the company’s costing expert and the Union’s economist will meet in-person as previously discussed. The Negotiating Committee remains prepared and dedicated to your goal – securing the long overdue contract that the Allegiant pilot group deserves and will receive through our collective strength and unity.

We will keep you updated with any new developments. Thank you for your support!

By Name and 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 – August 29, 2025

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Allegiant Pilots,

On the eve of Labor Day weekend, I want to offer my sincere appreciation for the volunteers who have stepped up and leaned into your representation; helping rebuild your local and its governance, fighting for a fair contract, all the while taking bullets from the company and its proxies for simply doing what every other trade unionist does – fight for our professions integrity and fair treatment.

Thanks to a dedicated effort by the Bylaws committee, we reached a milestone this week with the ratification of your Bylaws. The next step will be nominations for the Executive Board and Officer elections. We expect having those timelines published once the Bylaws are accepted by the General President.

The guidelines are published HERE.

 

Fraternally,

Greg Unterseher
Trustee, APA Local 2118

Communication Committee Update – August 26, 2025

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Fellow Pilots,

We are standing at a pivotal moment in our fight for fair treatment and a future worthy of the sacrifices we make every day to keep Allegiant Air flying. For over four years, our management has failed to deliver on the most basic promise to its workforce: fair compensation and respect. Now, as negotiations stall and management scrambles to undermine our unity, we must recognize just how close we are to victory—and why standing shoulder to shoulder has never been more important.

Look at what’s happening at the Long Island Rail Road. A coalition of unions representing over 55% of the workforce endured years of stonewalling, hollow proposals, and deliberate delay tactics. They entered mediation under the supervision of the National Mediation Board and participated in seemingly endless rounds of mediation. Last week, recognizing that further mediation would prove futile, the NMB released those five unions from mediation, triggering the 30-day cooling off period and the possibility of a legal strike.

Our right to strike is an economic weapon of last resort, but it is our right nevertheless. While time is always on the carrier’s side, the negotiations process can only endure management’s continuous stalling, unrealistic demands, and bad faith tactics for so long. Likely facing the same challenges, the LIRR unions showed patience, unity, and resolve and demanded no less than what they are worth. The Allegiant pilots have made the same choice. We stand united to achieve our goal of a fair and equitable contract that reflects the value that each and every one of you bring to this airline — and time is running out.

Allegiant’s management knows this—and they are terrified. That’s why executives are desperately flying out to our bases, only to find few (if any) pilots willing to listen to another round of propaganda. That’s why they peddle fear, support decertification/ALPA, and continually try to fracture our solidarity. They know their position is collapsing and they are running out of time and options. They see your unity and they know, one way or another, that properly investing in their pilots is simply inevitable.

Let’s be clear: this management team has failed the airline and its pilots at every turn. They are the ones who’ve led us into this crisis, who cannot be trusted to negotiate in good faith, and who are now trying to weaponize their repeated, embarrassingly public failures into a campaign against us. Allegiant pilots must join with investors, regulators, and the flying public and share the message clearly reflected in management’s failures and Allegiant’s stock performance: We have lost all confidence in Allegiant’s leadership or Board of Directors to run this airline.

With respect to negotiations, we have sacrificed too much to falter now. Management is betting on fatigue, hoping that delay will break our spirit. But they underestimate us. Every time they stall, every time they try to divide us—they only prove our point. We are stronger, more united, and closer to crossing the finish line than ever before.

This is our moment. Stand with your union. Toe the line. Reject fear. Reject division. Together, we will achieve the respect, fair contract, and management that we deserve.

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

In solidarity,

Captain Robert Skiles
Communications Committee Chairman

Bylaw Committee Update – August 25, 2025

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Fellow Pilots,

We are pleased to announce that the amended Bylaws have been approved by the pilot group, with 70.63% voting in favor of ratification. A total of 623 ballots were received, representing 45% of our pilot group. Thank you to everyone who participated—your vote is the most important way to take part in shaping the future of our union.

This is a major milestone for Local 2118. The revised Bylaws not only clarify outdated language but also give pilots greater control over the governance of our local. They have been sent to the Teamsters legal department for formal adoption and acceptance by General President Sean O’Brien.

Once the Bylaws are formally accepted, we will issue a combined Notice of Nominations and Elections, which will outline all relevant dates and timelines. In the meantime, we will also be distributing Teamster guidelines on conducting Local Union Officer elections to help everyone understand the process.

We are proud of this step forward and look forward to the next phase—nominations, elections, and ultimately, our exit from trusteeship.

Thank you again for your support and participation.

Results HERE

In solidarity, 

Dean Rodgers
ATW Captain

Kevin Leach
PGD Captain

Bylaws Committee APA Teamsters Local 2118

SPC Update – August 15, 2025

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Fellow Pilots,

Over the past few days members of senior management spent time flying on private jets to FNT, GRR, and ATW for some union busting activities. Using base visits as a façade, management can get a feel for how united we are, and what type of contract we’ll accept. At the invitation of the SPC, members of your negotiating team availed themselves of this opportunity to meet with senior management at the Grand Rapids event. The negotiations team members had hoped they’d find a receptive audience with Tyler Hollingsworth, Rod Hardesty, Michelle Bathalter, and Greg Anderson. Although there were no pilots in attendance and plenty of time for discussions, management refused to engage the negotiating committee. Our negotiators have shown that they will meet with management at any time and any place/base. These base visits have only one purpose, to lower your expectations and tell you you’re worth less. The negotiation committee has put forward a fair proposal, and are awaiting the company’s counter offer.

Our pilot group makes an impassioned plea to our CEO Greg Anderson, please get involved. No contract can be finalized without your involvement. It’s been 4 plus years that our contract has become amendable. You’ve said numerous times while CO-President and now CEO that a pilot contract is your top priority. If this is true, it is well past time that you become involved and set the tone. Otherwise the last comments from senior management about our contract comes from our CFO, who stated during the last earnings call that there would be no increase in wages for 2026.

Even though the meeting with management was unproductive, your SPC representatives couldn’t be prouder of the pilots of FNT, GRR, and ATW. The SPC asked the FNT pilots to attend their event. GRR, and ATW were asked not to attend the management event. This is what unity looks like.

 


(GRR Pilots attending an SPC event instead of meeting with management.)

 

#decertifymanagement

 

In Unity,

Strategic Preparedness Committee (SPC)

Allegiant Pilots Local 2118 Prepare for Vote of No Confidence in Management

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LAS VEGAS, Aug. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The pilots of Allegiant Air (NASDAQ: ALGT), represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 2118, announced today that they are preparing to hold a formal Vote of No Confidence in Allegiant’s current management team and its Board of Directors. The decision comes after years of repeated failures, poor strategic decisions, and reckless spending by company leadership — actions that pilots say threaten the long-term health and stability of the airline, regardless of the outcome of ongoing contract negotiations.

“Contract or not, [Maury] Gallagher and [Greg] Anderson’s management team have proven that they don’t have what it takes to lead an airline,” said Captain Kevn Winter on behalf of Local 2118. “The last several years have been failure after embarrassing failure. If pilots had even 1% of this level of failure in the flight deck, our careers would be over. It is time for management to be held accountable.”

Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien delivered a direct assessment of Allegiant’s leadership culture: “[Allegiant] management culture is toxic. It is fueled by arrogance and protected by yes men and women who could never do the pilots’ job.”

Most recently, Allegiant’s leadership has presided over a 50% collapse in the company’s market value in just six months, a $500 million loss on the failed Sunseeker Resort project, the shutdown of its GMS Racing NASCAR team, and millions wasted on unrelated ventures such as the “Allegiant Nonstop” entertainment centers. Pilots say these failures, combined with tone-deaf public relations and lavish executive perks, have eroded trust and jeopardized the airline’s future.

“We are doing this to protect the airline and the Allegiant brand that we built,” said Captain Tyler Heavey. “This management team seems ready to destroy what we’ve built because of ego and greed.”

One pilot pointed to the company’s recent base visits in private jets as the latest sign of misplaced priorities:

“Flying fancy private jets around the country to meet with pilots — just to tell them that you ‘can’t afford’ a new contract is a level of tone-deaf arrogance the industry hasn’t seen since Frank Lorenzo’s Eastern Airlines disaster in the 1990s.

“A no confidence vote is not something any Union takes lightly,” said Greg Unterseher, Trustee of Local 2118. “The pilots believe a change is necessary in the best interest of the airline, its employees, its customers, and its shareholders.” The Teamsters emphasize that the upcoming Vote of No Confidence is about more than contract talks — it is a call for new leadership and stronger corporate governance capable of ensuring the airline’s long-term stability, safety, and success.

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. Follow us on X @Teamsters and on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters.

Contact:
Josh Martin, (725) 308-2755
jmartin@apa2118.org

Communication Committee Update – August 14, 2025

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Fellow Pilots,

As management flies around in fancy private jets to do “base visits”, while reminding you that they can’t afford a fair contract, we have a different message. Allegiant’s current management team has failed. Our pilots have lost all confidence in this management group to lead this airline and it’s time to take action. In recent history:

  • They destroyed 50% of our market value in just 6 months.
  • They lost over 70% on the Sunseeker Sale after spending nearly $1 billion dollars to build it and running it for less than 2 years.
  • The took over $150M in taxpayer assistance — then furloughed pilots anyway and granted millions in executive stock options.

These failures have already affected you as a pilot and it’s time for management to be held accountable for their words and actions. Their pattern of tone-deaf, ego-driven decisions that has repeatedly put the long-term health of our airline at risk and must come to an immediate end.

The facts are clear: whether we have a contract or not, these are not the people that should run this airline. This management team cannot lead this airline and, if left unchecked, will destroy the long-term stability of the Allegiant brand that we built.

While Allegiant management shamelessly promotes a decertification drive to destroy your Union, IBT General President Sean O’Brien has a different message “Enough is enough! We will decertify Allegiant management!”

A special message to Allegiant Air Pilots from IBT General President Sean O'Brien

You can watch the full video here:
Message from Sean O’Brien

In line with the directive from Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien, we must do what is necessary to ensure the long-term health of this airline. Local 2118 will conduct a Vote of No Confidence (VONC) in Allegiant’s current management team. This is a difficult but necessary step to ensure accountability and the future success of our airline. Allegiant pilots: we must protect the brand we built from being further damaged by arrogance, greed, and poor judgment.

We ask that you remain informed and participate over the next several days. You can visit our public facing website at decertifymanagement.com. Thank you for your continued engagement and support.

#decertifymanagement

 

In Unity,

Communications Committee

UNITY Podcast – Episode 2

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Dear Local 2118 Members,

I recently had the privilege of sitting down for my second podcast with our Negotiating Committee. Over the course of the discussion, I asked many of the questions that have been circulating among our pilot group — gathered from the chat boards, conversations, and direct polling.

This conversation reminded me just how much dedication and skill this committee brings to the table. Negotiating on behalf of our group is often a thankless job, yet they approach it with professionalism, unity, and a shared vision. In fact, during our discussion, it was clear how seamlessly they work together — often finishing each other’s thoughts — and how committed they are to securing the best possible contract for all of us.

This podcast gave me confidence that we have the right team representing us in negotiations. But their success depends on our solidarity. We must stand behind them, speak with one voice, and remain united in our shared goals.

UNITY Podcast Episode 2

I encourage you to listen to the full conversation linked above and hear directly from the team working tirelessly on our behalf.

In Unity,

Captain Rob Skiles
Chairman, Communications Committee
Local 2118, Teamsters