Unionized Airport workers held a leafleting campaign against Allegiant Airlines at Punta Gorda’s Airport Thursday.
Members of the Transport Workers Union, representing more than 600 Allegiant Air flight attendants, handed leaflets to passengers at the Punta Gorda Airport.
The Union’s Vice President , Thom McDaniel, said they were protesting what they claim is the airline’s record for frequently abandoning routes and canceling services.
“You know Allegiant is one of the most profitable airlines in the country yet they are asking small communities to fund their expansion with no promise that they are going to make a long term commitment to their community,” he said.
A $7 million expansion is currently underway at Punta Gorda Aiport—paid for mostly by the Federal Aviation Administration. Some of the funding will be provided by the state of Florida and the airport authority.
In 2010, a majority of flight attendants voted for union representation. Since then, Allegiant and the union have not reached a contract agreement.
Allegiant officials said in a statement: "We love and respect our Flight Attendants and appreciate their hard work every day. Our goal remains to reach a consensual agreement with their union representatives. The TWU is welcome to use their resources however they see fit, but we believe our time is better spent attacking the issues, rather than one another."
Allegiant recently added flights from Punta Gorda to Allentown, Springfield and Asheville.
