An open letter from Allegiant COO Steve Harfst to all Allegiant pilots:
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COO LETTER- JANUARY 1, 2016
BY ALLEGIANT AIR, JANUARY 1, 2016
To Allegiant Pilots:
As we embark on a new year, I wanted to take an opportunity to share some observations with you about the current status of Allegiant’s negotiations with Local 1224, and also discuss where we have set our sights for 2016.
In the coming year, we are scheduled to induct an additional eight Airbus aircraft into our fleet as we continue to grow our airline and the markets we serve. In support of this growth, we are focused on implementing further improvements across all operating departments to improve our operational performance.
By working together, Allegiant and the union have made significant advancement towards reaching a fair contract for you and your families. In the last year, we reached tentative agreements with Local 1224 on nine sections of the contract (this is more progress than in the previous three years of negotiations combined) and are close to tentative agreements on several other sections. In 2015, we also invested in key safety programs – FOQA, ASAP, HIMS and Professional Standards – that are important to pilots and will strengthen Allegiant’s operation.
While I am pleased with this progress, there is still much work to be done.
Along those lines, I am hopeful that in 2016 we can work cooperatively with Local 1224 to meet a common objective: a first contract that rewards pilots for the contributions you make every day to the success of our airline. This will result in significantly higher wages, enhanced benefits and improved scheduling practices while continuing to recognize Allegiant’s unique business model.
In that spirit, the next mediation sessions are currently scheduled for early February. We will come to the table prepared and ready to work as a team toward our objective. We are hopeful that the union will do the same.
If both sides work together, we can reach a deal with Local 1224 quickly. The uncertainty caused by not having a contract doesn’t benefit anyone at Allegiant.
I will continue to keep you updated and informed during this important process.
Thank you for your leadership and your airmanship in operating a safe airline and providing a great service to our passengers. I look forward to what we can achieve in 2016.
Fly Safe,
Steve