Allegiant Air pilots stage informational pickets in Las Vegas
Allegiant Air’s pilots say they’re the least-compensated in the industry and working for the nation’s most profitable airline.
Company executives say they’re willing to negotiate a contract that’s in the best interests of the pilots and the company.
But the two sides obviously aren’t on the same page.
That’s why nearly 150 pilots walked informational picket lines in Las Vegas on Tuesday in an attempt to call attention to negotiations that have been stalled for more than two years and under the supervision of a mediator since April.
A representative of Teamsters Local 1224 said the union has the votes for a strike if it comes to that.
“This is an incredible show of support,” said Gregory Unterseher of the Teamsters’ Airline Division as 86 pilots, most in coats and ties, marched along the sidewalk in front of Allegiant’s new corporate headquarters in Summerlin near Town Center and Covington Cross drives.
Earlier in the day, a different group of 64 walked the area along the departures curb outside the front of Allegiant’s ticket counter at McCarran International Airport.
Similar demonstrations occurred at St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport and Fort Lauderdale International Airport in Florida, two of Allegiant’s primary markets on the East Coast.
Tuesdays are traditionally slow days for Allegiant, which flies between small cities and resort destinations on Thursdays and Fridays, returning on Sundays and Mondays. That’s one reason pilots were able to picket en masse.
At issue to the pilots is compensation and work rules involving seniority and scheduling.
The pilots’ ire is aimed directly at Allegiant Chairman and CEO Maurice Gallagher, who the union alleges has lined his pockets at the expense of the airline’s employees. Unterseher said through public filings the union has determined that in recent Allegiant Travel Co. stock buybacks, the company has received $100 million, 20 percent of which has gone to Gallagher.
Gallagher has said on numerous occasions that he doesn’t like negotiating “with third parties.”
“Allegiant’s road to success has been paved on the backs of its employees,” Unterseher said as the pilots silently marched and carried signs critical of the company’s stance. “It’s egregious that he (Gallagher) is unwilling to negotiate. He’s literally stuffing millions of dollars in his pockets.”
Gallagher reportedly was not at the office when pilot picket line arrived.
Allegiant issued a brief statement about the demonstration.
“Allegiant is committed to negotiating a successful contract that in is the best interest of our pilots and the company,” it said. “We respect the union’s right to public demonstration, however, we feel that our time and energy is better spent attacking the issues at the negotiation table rather than each other.”
A federal mediator has overseen contract negotiations since April and Unterseher said he thinks talks are nearing an impasse.
If either side believes an impasse has occurred, it can proffer a release from negotiations. Such a request would go to a three-person board for consideration.
Unterseher said an unofficials telephone strike vote resulted in 98 percent of the pilots favoring a walkoff. That could only occur after a 30-day cooling-off period once an impasse has been declared.
Pilots voted in August 2012 for Teamster representation. Union officials say working conditions and morale fell once the vote was certified. The union said pilot benefits were reduced below prior negotiated levels, which would be a violation of the Railway Labor Act. The union sued and won a court-ordered injunction to restore benefits to previous levels, which representatives say has not occurred.
Contact reporter Richard N. Velotta at rvelotta@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3893. Follow @RickVelotta on Twitter.
