Allegiant Air flight attendants demonstrate as mediation continues

By Mick Akers

Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017 | 11:02 a.m.

“Enough is enough” chanted Allegiant Air flight attendants picketing outside Terminal 1 at McCarran International Airport on Wednesday.

About 25 flight attendants — joined by a few pilots in a show of solidarity — aired their displeasure with the airline after six years of failed contract negotiations and plane issues.

Represented by Transport Workers Union of America (TWU), AFL-CIO Local 577, the group claimed to be among the lowest-paid flight attendants in the airline industry despite Allegiant being one of the most profitable airlines in the U.S.

Flight attendant Rey Chaparro, said that Allegiant planes’ cabin temperature is frequently as hot as 90 degrees during boarding, 10-15 degrees above other airline boarding temperatures. He said that he hears complaints from customers daily about the warm conditions.

“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 suffered 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.”

Additionally, Chaparro said, when a plane is delayed, the flight crew has to carry out the day’s flight schedule, no matter how long their workday stretches.

“We have a heavy issue on maintenance … and due to that, it creates extended-duty days for our workers,” Chaparro said. “For being one of the most profitable airlines, they don’t compensate us like they should on extended 20-hour duty days. There’s no such thing as overtime.”

Allegiant Air pilots ratified a contract last year after four years of negotiations and a request for release under the Railway Labor Act. During their picketing, pilots sent a letter to Allegiant’s board alleging the company cut corners on industry-standard practices, ignored FAA recommendations on running important safety programs and used scheduling systems that created pilot fatigue and frustration.

The TWU on Aug. 8 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. If the proffer of arbitration is refused by either the union or the company, a 30-day “cooling-off” period will begin.