Allegiant workers get health coverage

Allegiant Air’s Honolulu-based flight attendants will be getting health care coverage after all.

Transport Workers Union Local 577, which represents more than 600 flight attendants at the Las Vegas-based carrier, said Tuesday that the airline has reversed course and decided to make its flight attendants in Hawaii full time rather than part time. The change will qualify the attendants to receive health care coverage similar to Allegiant’s attendants on the company’s mainland bases.

"This is a big win for our members and a great way for Allegiant to provide top-quality service on its new routes to Hawaii," said Debra Petersen-Barber, an Allegiant flight attendant and lead negotiator for Transport Workers Union Local 577.

The agreement, which will affect at least 25 attendants, comes as the airline begins service to Hono­lulu this week from airports in Boise, Idaho; Phoenix; and Spokane, Wash.

In October the TWU sent letters to state officials asking them to investigate the company’s compliance with Hawaii’s Prepaid Health Care Act. The TWU claimed that Allegiant was attempting to skirt the law by hiring only part-time flight attendants to staff the new Hono­­lulu base even though a round trip to the mainland lasts at least 14 hours, including the time flight attendants are required to be aboard before and after a flight. The union says it was unlikely flight attendants based in Hawaii would be working less than 20 hours per week.

Hawaii’s Prepaid Health Care Act requires employers to provide health insurance to any employee who works at least 20 hours per week for four consecutive weeks.

"Our staffing decisions are based on what is appropriate for the operation," Allegiant spokes­woman Jessica Wheeler said Tuesday.

Allegiant flight attendants voted in December 2010 for union representation, and the two sides are now using a federal mediator to negotiate their first contract.