Talks To Resume for Local 357
Prompted by a request from Airline Division, the NMB called the parties to Washington for a status update. In a decision seen as positive for the pilots; after having determined sufficient cause exists to restart mediated discussions, the Board has notified the parties that they will advise them of available dates to restart talks.
Airline Division files request with NMB for Arbitration Proffer at Allegiant Air
After over two years of talks and mediation in which management has maintained a constant position of delay, obstruction, threats and a stated refusal to ever enter into a consensual labor agreement with their pilots; on Friday the Airline Division filed a request with the NMB for a Proffer of Arbitration at Allegiant Air.
In the filing, Director Bourne noted that; “In summary, by both word and deed, Allegiant has clearly evidenced its intent never to enter into a consensual agreement with the IBT through mediation. Despite its best efforts, the NMB has not been successful in bringing about an amicable agreement between the parties, nor will it be successful in future mediation sessions. Success – as well as the law – requires a willingness by both parties to reach such an agreement. In this case, unfortunately, Allegiant is unwilling to reach an amicable, consensual agreement with the IBT.”
“Allegiant Air’s actions; from willfully violating a Federal court injunction on crew bidding, refusing to give their negotiators legitimate bargaining authority and dragging out talks in a misguided belief that they will bankrupt the Local, are clear examples of a pattern of corporate arrogance that exists at Allegiant Air. They don’t understand that the pilots vote for union representation was a statement of frustration at managements attitude towards them any more than they view the RLA as a meddlesome law that they don’t have to follow and can defy,” said Local 1224 President Dan Wells.
Allegiant is also being investigated for an excessively high level of serious maintenance issues that have led to numerous calls from Allegiant Air mechanics to a safety hotline with specific information about questionable maintenance practices primarily on their MD80 fleet, some of which have led to an abnormally high number of inflight engine shutdowns over the past year.
Commenting on Allegiant’s ongoing attempts to derail negotiations and union representation at the carrier, Division Director Bourne said, “I want to make one point perfectly clear to the pilots of Allegiant and especially the management of Allegiant Air. It is past time for you to come to the table with integrity to conclude an agreement. Whether it is ensuring that you comply with a Federal injunction over pilot scheduling, negotiations for a contract or any other matter; the full resources of the Teamsters are available to our Allegiant pilots and Local 1224. We will devote whatever resources are needed to conclude a fair contract and hold management accountable for honoring it.”
In a vote concluded January 16th, over 98% of Allegiant Air pilots authorized a strike if an agreement could not be reached.
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