Independence Day Message from Communications Committee

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Fellow Pilots,

Happy Independence Day.

As our nation celebrates its 249th birthday, we’re reminded of the enduring spirit that built this country: courage, unity, and the relentless pursuit of a better future. Whether you’re flying this weekend or enjoying time at home with loved ones, we hope you find a moment to reflect, recharge, and reconnect with what matters most.

This 4th of July, we also recognize our own fight—a fight for an industry-standard contract that reflects our value, our professionalism, and our sacrifices. Make no mistake, this will be a hard-fought battle. We face a company that has resisted progress at every turn and shown consistent hostility toward union efforts. But we are not the first to walk this path—and we are not walking it alone.

We’ve been reaching out to pilots who stood in this arena before us—those who laid the groundwork, who faced similar resistance and overcame it. One pilot told us, “The company finally gave in once they saw how united we had become.” That is the key. Not words. Not emails. Unity.

If you want negotiations to move forward—if you want real progress—stand strong with your fellow Teamsters. Stop giving oxygen to division. Don’t echo the talking points of a company trying to weaken our resolve. This isn’t about one group or one individual—it’s about all of us, together.

As President Theodore Roosevelt once said:

“It is not the critic who counts… The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena… who strives valiantly… who, if he wins, knows the triumph of high achievement; and who, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly…”

Let’s continue to dare greatly. Let’s stay in the arena—shoulder to shoulder, proud and united.

In solidarity,

Captain Robert Skiles
Communications Committee
APA Teamsters Local 2118

Bylaws Committee Update – July 3, 2025

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Fellow Allegiant Pilots,

I have recorded some explanatory videos of the documents that were provided to you, attached below. Additional videos to follow soon. You can also look forward to an additional survey that will be distributed once there has been enough time for review of our revisions.

I sincerely hope that we can all take a few moments to put some individual review of these bylaws that are being put forth. I wholeheartedly believe they are a necessary improvement, and have been independently reviewed by pilots who will serve their career under them. I believe that the only appropriate direction to move from here on out is forward! These bylaws are an important step in that direction, and if you want to move toward an elected executive board to represent you, then please make the effort to participate in this upcoming vote!

 

Bylaws Comparison Video

Bylaws Revision Video

 

In solidarity,

Captain Dean Rodgers
Bylaws Committee
APA Teamsters Local 2118

Setting the Record Straight – We Stand United

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Fellow Pilots,

We’ve seen the recent emails from Allegiant’s VP of Labor Relations, Bill Fishburn, and we need to set the record straight.

Despite his attempt to spin the National Mediation Board’s (NMB) response as a company “win,” the facts tell a very different story.

Let’s be absolutely clear: the NMB did not deny our request for a status conference nor did they deny our request for a proffer of arbitration, as you can read for yourself in the NMBs notice. The NMB went on to say that our request for a status conference, a standard precursor to any successful proffer request, is still under consideration.

The NMB also stated that the parties are to meet in July as scheduled, previously established, and agreed to by the parties. Nothing in the NMBs notice indicates a final decision has been made. Any suggestion otherwise is misleading at best, although some make failing attempts to twist, politicize, and weaponize the NMB’s words.

Mr. Fishburn’s messaging is clearly intended to sow division and demoralize this group. This isn’t new—it’s the same tired tactic we’ve seen from this company for years. But we know better. And more importantly, we stand stronger than ever before.

As our new Union volunteers take the baton and carry this fight forward, we’ve revisited the path blazed by the pilots who came before us. Looking through communications from over a decade ago, one theme is striking: the company used the exact same tactics back then—misdirection, division, and delay. But just as we saw through it then, we will cut through the noise now.

So let’s borrow the rallying cry from those Allegiant pilots who’ve built this foundation:

Ignore the Noise. Focus on the Facts.

Aviate. Navigate. Communicate. UNIFY.

We are not backing down. We are not at a loss. We are right where we need to be, informed, and relentless. Allegiant will deliver the contract that we have earned. We won’t settle for anything less.

In solidarity,

Captain Robert Skiles
Communications Committee
APA Teamsters Local 2118

Negotiating Committee Update – July 3, 2025

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Fellow Allegiant Pilots,

Today we received notice from the National Mediation Board that mediated negotiations are scheduled for July 28th.

The Mediator is working to confirm August dates. The Negotiating Committee remains focused on securing the Agreement you deserve. We will provide updates next week.

 

In Solidarity,

on behalf of the Negotiating Committee (NC)

Bylaws Committee Update – July 2, 2025

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Fellow Allegiant Pilots,

Sincere thank you to all those who attended yesterday’s webinar presentation on the new bylaw revisions we’ve been working on. I want to distribute to the pilots some accompanying documents that outline our work up to this point.

2021-2025 Bylaw Comparison

First is a note sheet that is a line by line comparison of what was changed to bring the 2021 Bylaws up to the May 2025 version that was recently voted on. This outline identifies every single change in the language, and an accompanying reason for such change.

New Bylaw Revisions

This document outlines the specific sections of the Bylaws that Kevin and I have revised based on the survey results, and issues that we had identified in our review of the bylaws. These changes include:

  • Financial reports to be kept online
  • Clarification of Duties of Trustees
  • Revision to disallow elected officers serving simultaneously as Business Agents
  • Provision for method to remove stewards
  • Electronic notification of emergency expenditures
  • Clarification of Executive Board’s duty to determine those members in good standing for voting
  • Clarification for Eboard’s requirement to make meeting minutes accessible
  • Removal of Automobile purchasing allowance, instead now a standard mileage allowance
  • Clarifications on nominations notifications
  • Clarifications on minimum dues while not receiving pay
  • Provision requiring Re-confirmation of special assessments by the members
  • Clarification of voting rights regarding hybrid (remote) meetings
  • Clarifications on basis for charges against members or officers outlined in the constitution, including free speech and protection from retaliation
  • Removal of firearms being barred from meetings
  • Removal of Area Wide agreements requiring General Presidents approval for ratification that did not apply to our Local

New Version of Bylaws with the above changes incorporated.
This document is the full version of the bylaws, with the above changes made.

Anonymous Bylaw Comparison
This outlines a response to a document that was widely distributed that had many inaccuracies and misconceptions regarding our bylaws. Many of the references are not accurate or non-existent, but we have tried to point back to the source material on our responses.

Additionally, some clarification pieces from yesterday’s meeting. Regarding dues in the bylaws the following applies. While these provisions can be changed, we feel this is best left for an elected body to determine the financial requirements of the union.

Dues Clarification:

  • When you are earning income:
    • Dues are a minimum of 56% of your guarantee at your pay rate
    • Dues are a maximum of 56% of all earned income
  • When not earning income (i.e. personal leave), you may:
    • Withdraw (unable to vote, no dues required)
    • Not withdraw (able to vote):
      Subject to a minimum of:
      56% × CBA lowest min guarantee (70 hours) × lowest pay rate ($57.67)
      (At the time of this writing)

In conclusion I want to make clear that Kevin and I have pored over these bylaws independently and clarified every single piece directly with lawyers at the international. We incorporated every revision that we could to make these bylaws more inline with the wants of this pilot group. We both feel these bylaws are fair and just, and an improvement from the original bylaws, which had several holes and conflicts that left a door open for abuses. We continue to monitor the bylaw survey, and we intend to put out a new survey shortly for additional feedback. Any questions or concerns can be emailed to Bylawscommittee@apa2118.org.

In solidarity,

Captain Dean Rodgers
Captain Kevin Leach
Bylaws Committee
APA Teamsters Local 2118

Negotiating Committee Update – June 30, 2025

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Fellow Allegiant Pilots,

Today, the parties received an update from the National Mediation Board. The parties were reminded that the Union’s request for a status meeting is still under consideration and that they are expected to attend the July mediation session. The NMB also reminded the parties in writing of the status quo requirement of the Railway Labor Act (RLA).

The Union has already provided availability for both July and August. We have not yet received confirmed dates for the July session from the NMB. When the schedule is confirmed, we will provide an update.

Thank you for your support.

 

In Solidarity,

on behalf of the Negotiating Committee (NC)

Disaster Relief Update: Teamsters Stand United in Times of Crisis

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Fellow Allegiant Pilots,

The Teamsters are proud to announce that we have successfully distributed disaster relief funds to support families affected by Hurricane Helene — a devastating Category 4 storm that made landfall in Florida on September 26, 2024.

Hurricane Helene caused catastrophic damage across the region, resulting in an estimated $75 billion in destruction and tragically claiming 251 lives. In the face of such devastation, the strength and solidarity of our union have once again proven vital.

Through the Teamsters Disaster Relief Program, we were able to provide $180,000 in direct aid to Teamster families impacted by this disaster — families who found themselves suddenly surrounded by loss, uncertainty, and destruction.

This is a proud moment for our union. When our brothers and sisters are in need, we show up. Not just in words — but in action, with meaningful support when it matters most.

The Disaster Relief Program reflects the very core of what it means to be a Teamster: standing shoulder to shoulder, lifting one another up, and never leaving a member behind.

We will continue to strengthen these programs and ensure that whenever and wherever disaster strikes, the Teamsters will be there.

 

In Solidarity,

APA 2118 Communications Committee

With Gratitude: Jim Clark’s Service as Assistant Trustee

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Fellow Pilots,

I have several opportunities to fly in corporate aviation and have decided to step down as Assistant Trustee. It has been a privilege to work with everyone to prepare Local 2118 to exit Trusteeship. My last day is June 30, 2025.

Fly Safe.

Jim Clark

Allegiant Pilots,

For those of you who don’t know Jim, he is a retired F-14 Naval Aviator, former Teamsters Local 357 President, Allegiant Pilot, and Sim Instructor hired in 2017, and retired (age 65) in November of 2024. Jim is a man of unimpeachable integrity and character.

Jim has served as the appointed Assistant Trustee for the last fourteen months; it would be impossible to overstate the work he has accomplished. Jim literally corrected and rebuilt our accounting processes, our dues and membership records, installed financial controls, and created repeatable policies and procedures that will ensure newly elected officers will inherit a functioning organization.

My sincere gratitude goes to Jim for all that he accomplished and for going above and beyond each day.

 

Fraternally,

Greg Unterseher
Trustee, APA Teamsters Local 2118

Message from the Bylaws Committee

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Fellow Allegiant Pilots,

Let me first introduce myself. I am an Appleton-based captain and have been volunteering as a union steward since March of 2024. As a steward, my duties have been primarily assisting with contract compliance, and section 18 discipline investigations. It has been an honor to serve the pilot group, and I am proud to have helped many of you navigate difficult scenarios.

Also serving on the committee is Punta Gorda captain Kevin Leach. Kevin has been at Allegiant for over ten years and is committed to the pilot group as well as the airline he has chosen to make his career at. Kevin has been serving as a steward since early 2025.

He and I have volunteered to independently review the bylaws and the survey responses to see what we can do to make the bylaws our own — by and for the Allegiant pilots. I hope that we can all put politics aside for the moment and reach a shared objective of getting these bylaws to match the will of the pilots that we represent every day.

Captain Dean Rodgers Captain Kevin Leach

We have been given the authority to make changes we see fit, and submit them ourselves directly to the International for approval. We have already identified changes to be made, but we are continuing to work through the survey results to write something that we can all agree on.

We are planning an all-pilot Zoom call on July 1st to outline these changes and answer any questions you have on what or why anything was changed. Zoom registration link for the July 1st meeting will be forthcoming.

 

In solidarity,

Captain Dean Rodgers
Captain Kevin Leach
Bylaws Committee
APA Teamsters Local 2118

Replay: Trustee Update Webinar – June 24, 2025

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