Friday, October 16, 2015
Staff report
YOUNGSTOWN
Allegiant, the only commercial airliner that operates at the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport in Vienna, has dismissed claims of an impasse in its ongoing labor negotiations with the Teamsters.
The company issued a statement Thursday to dismantle the recent request from the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 1224 for the National Mediation Board to declare an impasse in pilot-contract negotiations, and highlight what progress has been made toward a first contract for Allegiant’s pilots.
In response to the union’s request, Allegiant COO Steve Harfst said in a letter to all employees that the Las Vegas-based 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,” Harfst said in his letter. “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 toward an agreement.”
The union says for nearly three years the company has refused to negotiate an industry-standard contract.
“Despite Allegiant being the most-profitable airline in the world, management believes that the pilots should agree to work for wages and benefits at levels below our peers at other airlines,” said Cameron Graff, Allegiant Air first officer and union leader, in a statement.
Earlier this year, 98 percent of pilots voted to authorize a strike if it became necessary.