Allegiant Air (Las Vegas) has issued this statement in reference to the on-going pilot negotiations for a new contract:

Allegiant issued a statement that dismantles the recent request from the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) Local 1224 for the National Mediation Board (NMB) to declare an impasse in pilot contract negotiations, and highlights the significant progress that has been made towards a first contract for Allegiant’s pilots.

In response to the union’s request, Allegiant COO Steve Harfst said in a letter to all company employees that the company wants to reach a deal with the union that provides Allegiant pilots with significantly higher wages, improved retirement plans, a union-sponsored health plan, and better scheduling rules. He noted that “the IBT’s request ignores the reality that significant progress is being made in these negotiations. Fourteen of 26 sections have been agreed to, and proposals for the remaining 12 sections are being actively negotiated. In fact, nine sections of the proposed contract have been agreed to just since the start of 2015, which is the clearest evidence that the parties are moving towards an agreement.”

The full text of Mr. Harfst’s letter to employees follows.

October 14, 2015

Dear Allegiant Team Members:

Earlier today, the National Mediation Board (NMB) received a letter from the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) asking the NMB to declare an impasse in the pilot contract negotiations with Allegiant. I wanted to provide you with Allegiant’s perspective on this recent development.

The IBT’s request ignores the reality that significant progress is being made in these negotiations. Fourteen of 26 sections have been agreed to, and proposals for the remaining 12 sections are being actively negotiated. In fact, nine sections of the proposed contract have been agreed to just since the start of 2015, which is the clearest evidence that the parties are moving towards an agreement.

Allegiant wants to reach an agreement with its pilots as soon as possible. We are moving forward at the bargaining table and we are nowhere near impasse. This request by the Teamsters is simply their latest scheme­-without-substance, which is aimed at putting economic negotiating pressure on Allegiant. We expect this ploy by the IBT to fail — just as it did the last time they attempted this ploy with the NMB in January.

Negotiations are never easy, particularly with a first contract, where both parties are effectively starting from scratch to reach a collective bargaining agreement. But with a willing partner, we can reach an agreement that is fair and recognizes the significant contribution of our pilots to Allegiant’s success. Over the last few months, the company has made numerous proposals to the union that include significantly higher wages, improved retirement plans, a union-sponsored health plan, and better scheduling rules for the pilots.

The recent exchange of proposals demonstrates our commitment to our pilots and to the negotiations process. The parties are far from reaching an impasse. On the contrary, negotiations had gained momentum until the union decided it wouldn’t move anymore in the hopes of gaining a release from mediation. In fact, more progress has been made over the past several months than in almost three years of negotiations.

We urge the IBT to continue negotiating in good faith. The NMB has already informed us of its intention to hold the next bargaining session scheduled as planned for October 26-27.

We believe that the sooner both sides can reach an agreement, the sooner we can capitalize on the opportunities before us.

Sincerely,

Steve Harfst

Chief Operating Officer

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 757-204 N902NV (msn 26964) departs from Los Angeles International Airport.

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