Allegiant pilots hold 'practice pickets' at SRQ, PIE airports

A group of Allegiant Air pilots connected to a labor union demonstrated outside Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport Wednesday, the day after a similar demonstration at St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport.

Both were “practice pickets” made by pilots who are members of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, according to a statement from the labor union.

“A ‘practice picket’ sends a message to the carrier that the pilots are serious about getting a fair contract,” Teamsters spokesperson Kara Deniz says in an email. “It shows pilots are uniting and gathering publicly to demand the contract they deserve. It is a ‘practice picket’ in advance of a potential strike.”

The demonstrations follow a 97.4% vote by Allegiant Air Teamsters in November to authorize a strike if the carrier fails to reach a fair agreement with the 1,300 pilots over their contracts, according to a statement, which says the pilots seek “industry-standard compensation and improvements to scheduling and quality-of-life accommodations.”

Last month, Allegiant Air Teamsters rallied outside the corporate headquarters of Allegiant Air in Las Vegas Nevada, asking for pay and scheduling adjustments, and they have been holding practice pickets at airports nationwide ever since.

Currently, the federal National Mediation Board is conducting mediation efforts between the Allegiant Air Teamsters and Allegiant Air. 

Allegiant Air did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Business Observer. The company told Reuters that it offered pilots a 50% pay increase with up to a 70% increase over five years.

The demonstration by Allegiant pilots in Sarasota comes as the airline prepares to expand its service at the airport. Allegiant announced it would be offering eight new flights from SRQ starting in February 2025. It has also leased all five gates at the airport’s new terminal, which is opening in January.