The Teamsters union is making a new push to end contract negotiations with Allegiant Air and move closer to a strike by pilots.
That doesn't mean a strike is imminent, however.
The union said Thursday it asked the National Mediation Board to release it from talks involving a federal mediator. If granted, that could start a 30-day countdown to a strike, but mediators haven't acted on a similar Teamsters request lodged in January.
Airline unions can't legally strike unless mediators agree that further negotiations are pointless, and strikes at U.S. carriers are rare. Allegiant pilots threatened to strike earlier this year but were blocked by a court order.
The union says Allegiant's pilots are overworked and underpaid. The Las Vegas company did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment.
