Allegiant Air dispatchers reject union representation

By Richard N. Velotta

Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2011 | 2:43 p.m.

Dispatchers at Allegiant Air have rejected a union representation in a close vote, but representatives of the Transport Workers Union say they’ll be back in a year to try again.

The small employee group’s vote, completed Monday, ended in a 6-6 tie. The National Mediation Board, which conducted the election, said voting rules allowed one write-in vote to be counted as a yes for the union.

“We are pleased our dispatchers have chosen to maintain a direct relationship with company management rather than through a third-party representative,” Maurice Gallagher, Allegiant’s CEO and chairman, said in a statement released following the announcement of the results. “Because of Allegiant's unique business model, we believe a direct relationship is always in our employees’ and the company's best interest and look forward to continuing to work directly with our dispatchers on matters of concern to them.”

A spokesman for the TWU, however, said the union would try another representation vote because the results were so close. Labor laws enable another vote a year after the election.

Dispatchers began voting for union representation Dec. 30, concluding the election Monday.

Dispatchers are certified by the Federal Aviation Administration and serve as a pilot’s eyes and ears on the ground. They plan and monitor all flights and keep crews apprised of changes in weather, navigational aids or airport conditions while a plane is in the air.

Allegiant flight attendants approved TWU representation in a 220-137 vote completed in December. Union representatives are expected to be in Las Vegas next week to begin incorporating the local union and assisting in the election of officers.