Business news briefs for June 10, 2004

Thursday, June 10, 2004 | 11:11 a.m.

Teamsters agree to contract

Teamsters-led workers at Coca-Cola Bottling Co. of Las Vegas have ratified a proposed contract with the beverage distributor, averting a strike.

About 112 workers at the plant, who are represented by Teamsters Local 14, had voted twice to reject company contract proposals in May. Workers had also voted to authorize a strike at the North Mojave Road plant.

Sticking issues for the workers were health benefits and a provision the company tried to include barring the workers from engaging in sympathy pickets with other unions.

Gary Mauger, secretary-treasurer of Local 14, said those issues were resolved in the new contract.

"We're just glad it's over," Mauger said.

He declined to reveal details about the settlement.

Bob Phillips, a spokesman for Coca-Cola Bottling Co. of Las Vegas, declined to comment on the ratified contract.

LV carrier adds service to Bellingham, Wash.

Allegiant Air, capitalizing on its niche as an air carrier linking second-tier communities with Las Vegas, has announced new nonstop service to and from Bellingham, Wash., north of Seattle.

Las Vegas-based Allegiant will begin service four times a week, Thursdays, Fridays, Sundays and Mondays, beginning Aug. 5. Flights will be offered on a 162-seat twin-engine MD-83 jet.

A spokesman for Allegiant said Tuesday that the airline would add the service by expanding its fleet, acquiring its 10th jet.

Bellingham is the 11th city to be linked nonstop from Las Vegas by Allegiant.