This story was updated at 5:44 p.m.:
An Allegiant Air pilots' strike was averted after a judge blocked the walkout late Wednesday afternoon. The strike was set to happen Thursday.
Original post:
Allegiant Air passengers may have to make alternate travel plans because the budget airlines' pilots plan to strike beginning Thursday. The strike could impact flights across the country, including in Idaho.
Airports in Boise and Idaho Falls carry Allegiant flights.
According to Reuters, the company's stock dropped 6 percent after news of the strike broke.
"Allegiant sued the pilots union in federal court on Monday, saying it had violated the Railway Labor Act by moving to strike before the parties had exerted every effort to settle their disputes. The National Mediation Board, which oversees collective bargaining for U.S. airlines, had told the parties on March 23 to continue negotiations, the lawsuit said." - Reuters
The company released a statement Wednesday, calling the pilots' strike "irresponsible."
"Sadly, this irresponsible action has been timed to disrupt many of your holiday travel plans and will likely affect flights in and out of all our destinations. We deeply regret the inconvenience this causes you. Please know that we are working to resolve the situation with the Teamsters as quickly as we can." - Allegiant Air
The airline is asking passengers totell the union of their dissatisfaction, and says they'll keep passengers informed as news of the strike changes.
The pilots are upset over the company's change in crew scheduling, as well as cuts to benefits, The Associated Press reports. Negotiations came to a halt in November.
"Striking is a last resort, but we cannot continue to stand by a company that flaunts the law by robbing the pilots of legally protected rights and benefits," said Las Vegas-based pilot Tom Pozdro, in a statement released by the union to The Associated Press. "We deeply regret the inconvenience to our passengers."
In February, the company announced they will add an additional non-stop flight from Boise to Los Angeles this summer.
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