GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. —
After months of contract negotiations, Allegiant Air pilots voted to authorize a strike.
Teamsters Local 2118, or the Allegiant Pilots Association, said the union and company negotiators have been exchanging proposals over pilot schedules and quality of life issues since June.
“Management is trying to sidestep its pilots concerns about scheduling,” a statement on Local 2118’s website said. “Local 2118 has refused to give in to company requests, telling Allegiant’s negotiators that pilot working conditions aren’t for sale.”
The pilots aren’t going on strike – yet.
The authorization gives the union the ability to call a strike if certain conditions are met. Local 2118, which represents 1,300 Allegiant Air pilots, said on Thursday 97.4% of pilots voted to authorize the strike.
The federal National Mediation Board is conducting mediation efforts between the union and Allegiant Air. Under the Railway Labor Act the union can request a release from mediations, leading to a 30-day cooling-off period and a work stoppage without notice to management or passengers.
Allegiant Air pilots took to Ford Airport Friday for an informational picket.
“We are way behind an industry standard contract. We consistently show up for this airline, day in and day out,” Aaron Adrian, seven-year commercial airline pilot said. “We are professional pilots. We show up for the passengers. We are a very professional safe airline. It is time for the company to invest in us.”
A work stoppage would affect the 180 departures from Ford Airport each month.
In a statement to 13 ON YOUR SIDE, Allegiant Air said:
Allegiant is currently in mediation with the Teamsters Local 2118 to finalize an agreement. We are committed to the negotiating process through the National Mediation Board and hope our pilots' union is committed as well. Thursday, Teamsters Local 2118 announced the results of a symbolic vote authorizing a strike.
It’s important to understand what that means. A strike authorization vote does not mean a strike is imminent, or that one will occur at all. Instead, a strike vote is an internal process whereby the union asks its membership for their authorization for their union leadership to call a strike if and when it is lawful to do so.
The Railway Labor Act (RLA) is the law which governs labor relations in the airline industry. It clearly states that it is unlawful for a union to call for a strike, a slow-down, or any other kind of “self-help” action until four conditions have been met. They are as follows:
1) The National Mediation Board (NMB) must determine there is an impasse in negotiations between the airline and union.
2) Then the NMB must release both parties from mediation, after which
3) A 30-day cooling off period is completed, and finally,
4) All bargaining procedures under the Railway Labor Act must be exhausted.
It is important to note here that none of these conditions have been met, and the Teamsters Local 2118 cannot legally implement a strike at this time.
Allegiant remains committed to negotiating in good faith to achieve an agreement that supports our pilots and ensures the continued success of our company. Allegiant has offered our pilots competitive wages -- starting with an immediate average increase in hourly wages of 50% with an average 70% increase over 5 years. Additionally, we have offered a significant increase in retirement benefits, long term disability, and extensive scheduling and quality of life improvements.
To demonstrate our commitment to our pilots, Allegiant has been voluntarily accruing a retention bonus since June 2023 that equals to an 82% pay increase for first-year first officers and a 35% pay increase for all other pilots. The accrued money will be paid out in a lump sum to individuals once a new contract is ratified. For senior captains, that retention bonus has already exceeded $100,000 and counting.
We look forward to completing this process to ensure our pilots receive an agreement they can be proud of.”