Allegiant Air flight attendants will be hitting the picket lines today at Punta Gorda Airport to protest the pace of federally mediated contract talks. Members of the Transport Workers Union of America will be handing out flyers discussing alleged maintenance issues at Allegiant as well as reports of hot working conditions. Airline spokeswoman Hilarie Grey said there will be no work stoppage and that the picketing “is an activity that is entirely expected during the course of a long negotiation process.” She said management “remains committed to negotiating in good faith.” She made no mention of the maintenance issues raised by the union. The next scheduled mediation session under the auspices of the National Mediation Board is set for Aug. 22-24. The union says Allegiant’s flight attendants are among the lowest paid in the industry even though they work for one of nation’s most profitable airlines.