Things are Heating Up on Allegiant Air Planes and In Flight Attendant Negotiations

Comment Off 86 Views

Things are Heating Up on Allegiant Air Planes and In Flight Attendant Negotiations

Allegiant Air flight attendants, represented by the Transport Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO Local 577 will conduct informational picketing and leafleting at Allegiant Air Florida crew bases on Wednesday, August 16 to highlight the recent reports of excessive heat on airplanes and union efforts to settle a six-year contract fight.

There have been numerous reports of hot aircraft and maintenance delays on Allegiant Air this summer.  In addition, their flight attendants are among the lowest paid in the industry, despite working for one of the most profitable airlines in the country, and are fighting for industry competitive wages and work rules. They’ve been at the negotiating table with the company for more than six years, but, the flight attendants claim, after a tentative agreement was rejected by 76 percent of the membership, Allegiant has been deliberately avoiding any meaningful negotiations.

“Allegiant flight attendants and customers often face oppressive heat on their flights during the summer,” said Thom McDaniel, TWU International Vice President who has led the negotiations. “In addition, our flight attendants have been suffering under low wages and poor work rules for more than six years.  It is time for Allegiant to take care of business for both customers and employees.”

Last week, the TWU requested a proffer of arbitration from the National Mediation Board, the legal step made available by federal law when negotiations between a carrier and one of its unions has reached an impasse. Under the Railway Labor Act, if the proffer of arbitration is refused by either the union or the company, a thirty-day “cooling-off” period will begin. At the end of those thirty days, the parties can exercise “self-help.” During self-help, the union may choose to strike, and the company may choose to lock the workers out. Allegiant Air pilots recently ratified a contract after four years of negotiations and a request for release under the RLA.

Scheduled times for the leafletting events are scheduled for the following airports and times:

St Pete – Clearwater International Airport (PIE) – 6:00 – 11:00 AM

Sanford Airport (SFB) – 6:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Punta Gorda Airport (PGD) – 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Ft Lauderdale Airport (FLL) – 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
In : Business

About the author

Editor of Don411.com Media website.
Free Newsletter Updated Daily