Allegiant Air pilots union files appeal of strike ruling

The union representing pilots for Las Vegas-based Allegiant Air have filed an appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit over a ruling that prevents the pilots from striking.

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 1224 is appealing U.S. District Judge Andrew Gordon’s May 1 ruling that blocks the pilots from walking off the job in a dispute over the airline’s establishment of a pilot scheduling process.

The pilots argue that Gordon misapplied the Railway Labor Act and the Norris LaGuardia Act in his analysis of determining the return to status quo in contract negotiations in what would be Allegiant’s first union contract.

The two sides argued in court for three days in April before the judge issued an order for a temporary injunction that prohibits a strike.

“As professional airline pilots, we do our very best to serve our passengers,” said First Officer Cameron Graff, an Arizona-based crew member who testified in the case.

“We also have a responsibility to speak out about the problems we face day to day that impact our ability to do our jobs,” Graff said in a statement accompanying the announcement of the appeal. “We do not agree with the judge’s decision to keep us from striking because provisions in both statutes — the Norris-LaGuardia Act and Railway Labor Act – were misapplied.”

The Appeals Court has asked the union to submit its opening briefs by June 26.

Follow @RickVelotta on Twitter. Contact reporter Richard N. Velotta at rvelotta@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3893.