
Captain J.R. Lynch, MBA, M. Ed.
Candidate for President Local 2118
"Our pilots simply deserve better representation. I give you my word that our team will deliver. We look forward to earning your vote."
PROGRESS
LEADERSHIP
TRANSPARENCY
ACCOUNTABILITY
Our chance for a more productive future.
WE DESERVE A BETTER FUTURE.
IT STARTS WITH YOUR VOTE.
Our Vision: Progress and excellence through leadership. Dedicated to fair, representative, and accountable leadership, industry acceptable decision making and communications, strong organization, and a Tentative Agreement (TA) in 2024.
A CALL TO ACTION
A MESSAGE TO OUR 1,200 PILOTS.
CARE TO SEE OUR PLANS? DOWNLOAD OUR PDF HERE.
It's important that you have all of the information available to you to make an informed decision. It's also important that the information is factual and has utility. You should demand, from all candidates, a vision and actionable plan for forward progress. We've put together this document so you can get a better idea of our plans moving forward and how our team can best serve our pilots. Click here to watch a short video and download our PDF.
YOUR VIEWS AND CONCERNS DESERVE TO BE FRONT AND CENTER
Our Mission: Our mission is to advocate for the rights and careers for each and every Allegiant Air pilot through transparent and accountable leadership, aggressive yet collaborative collective bargaining, and a steadfast commitment to working towards achieving a comprehensive and industry parity Tentative Agreement (TA) before the end of 2024 that greatly improves compensation, retirement contributions, medical protections, and work rules.

A MESSAGE FROM YOUR CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT
We're ready. Let's get to work.
As we stand at the cusp of a pivotal moment for our union, I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your time and consideration. While we are aware of the significant task that lies ahead, I want to assure you that our team is fully prepared to embrace the challenges of the next several years as we represent our union in this time of transformation. None of us have taken this decision lightly. We made this decision deliberately and only after great consideration of the time and personal commitments required. We understand the commitments and we are ready to invest our time and energy for you. You deserve better. We intend to be just so.
I make this commitment to you now: our team will do everything in our power and exhaust every resource to deliver an industry contract and provide the fair and equitable representation you deserve. Our pilots have done more, with less, and for longer than any other pilot group in the nation. It is beyond time that they are compensated and properly represented for their efforts.​ We look forward to the opportunity to earn your vote. More to follow.
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In Unity.
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Captain J.R. Lynch
Candidate for President Local 2118
Our Core Principles
Leadership
Consolidating absolute power leads to no positive outcomes. You, our colleagues across 23 bases and 1,200 pilots, deserve leadership that is not only focused and capable but also autonomous and truly representative of our diverse concerns and issues. Most importantly, you need leadership that is representative of and accountable to you.
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We will deliver.
Progress
Securing a Tentative Agreement (TA) is our top priority. The current approach, involving only a few pilots and trustees along with a non-RLA attorney, is insufficient for this complex task. Achieving an industry-standard contract demands industry-standard representation, which we currently lack. We are committed to immediately assembling the right team of experts who will operate under our guidance and negotiate tirelessly to secure the best possible contract for you.
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We will deliver.
Transparency and Accountability
Secrecy, poor communication, and a lack of clear vision will no longer characterize our Local 2118. We pledge to be open and honest with you about our vision, strategies, and plans. As paying and represented members, you deserve full transparency regarding the actions we plan to take to safeguard your earnings, medical security, work rules, and profession. We welcome your recommendations and questions, acknowledging your right to be actively involved in our decision-making process.
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We will deliver.
Myth Busting: Contract Negotiations
Myth #1
Electing a new team now will slow contract negotiations and make it longer for a better deal done.
Verdict: False
Changing our leadership team will not slow down our contract negotiations; in fact, it will greatly accelerate progress. The experience of our peers at United Airlines, who significantly improved outcomes by electing new leadership even during ongoing negotiations, is a testament to this. We are confident that fresh perspectives and renewed energy, complemented by professional negotiators, will expedite the negotiation process and bring us closer to securing the exceptional deal our pilots deserve.
Myth #3
If we vote for someone different, they'll just cave and take the money with no work rules.
Verdict: False
The notion that we would settle for a superficial 'take the money and run' deal is completely unfounded. Our focus is firmly on tackling the fundamental issues that affect our airline. Allegiant pilots are entitled to industry parity, and we are determined to achieve this with the aid of professional negotiators and attorneys experienced in the Railway Labor Act (RLA). Accepting anything less is not an option for us.
Myth #5
Electing new leaders will show management that we are divided, weak and easily manipulated.
Verdict: False
Electing new representation symbolizes organization and accountability, not division or weakness. This decisive move toward progress unequivocally communicates to management that our pilot group will not tolerate any mismanagement or stagnation. Our firm stance against inadequate representation in negotiations will be conveyed loud and clear, ensuring our voices and demands are acknowledged and respected.
Myth #7
Our elected leaders have done all they can, there obviously isn't anything more that can be done.
Verdict: False
While we acknowledge the efforts of our current representatives, there is significant room for improvement in our approach to complex negotiations. Our strategy includes hiring attorneys and negotiators with specialized expertise in the Railway Labor Act (RLA), who can bring both in-depth knowledge and fresh perspectives. We are committed to engaging in comprehensive and realistic contract discussions with the company. It's essential to utilize all available avenues in our pursuit of securing an excellent contract for our pilots.
Myth #2
There is absolutely nothing that can be done to accelerate negotiations. This is pace set by the RLA and NMB rules.
Verdict: False
That's simply not true. The RLA has never and will not set an unchangeable pace for our negotiations or mediation. The power of open, proactive communication, coupled with a collaborative approach, can greatly enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of our negotiation process. We are committed to ensuring that negotiations advance in a timely and constructive manner, ultimately securing the industry-standard Tentative Agreement (TA) that we rightfully deserve.
Myth #4
If we elected someone new, we're stuck with whatever terrible contract they negotiate.
Verdict: False
Your vote is exclusively yours. We can't take that away from you. Any Tentative Agreement (TA) will require your final approval, guaranteeing that every voice is heard and the final agreement aligns with our pilot's best interests and desires. Furthermore, pending IBT National approval, we will put recall vote ability in our by-laws immediately, empowering you to remove any of us from our positions if we fail to deliver on our promises.
Myth #6
RLA laws specifically prohibit management and the union from talking outside of mediation, so we have to go with this 3 day/month pace.
Verdict: False
There are no restrictions under the RLA or from the NMB that prevent us from engaging in productive and comprehensive discussions, even with the mediator's blessing. Direct negotiation efforts are entirely permissible, especially when they can lead to productive outcomes. Contrary to the current strategy, our approach is to maximize every opportunity for dialogue and negotiation, extending beyond the confines of formal mediation sessions. By adopting a proactive and continuous engagement approach, we are poised to drive positive progress in our negotiations.
Myth #8
The new guy is an inexperienced negotiator and that's going to cost us big in negotiations.
Verdict: False
Our slate brings substantial operational experience to address the issues critical to our pilots. Recognizing the complexities of negotiations, we understand that professional counsel is essential. Relying solely on a few pilots and trustees is insufficient for securing an industry-standard deal, particularly without the expertise of an RLA-experienced attorney. We possess the humility to seek necessary outside counsel and the experience to select the right talent to complement our team. Unaffected by union politics or power struggles, our focus remains unwavering: we are united and committed to advocating for you.