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Despite facing the legal teams of Southwest Airlines and the Transport Workers Union (TWU), Charlene Carter, a former flight attendant, continues her legal battle over her termination in 2017. Carter's lawsuit claims she was fired for opposing TWU's political activities, which conflicted with her religious beliefs.
In recent developments, Foundation staff attorneys defended Carter's District Court victory at the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals against appeals by TWU and Southwest. National Right to Work Foundation Vice President William Messenger stated that "Southwest and TWU union officials made Ms. Carter pay an unconscionable price just because she decided to speak out against the political activities of union officials in accordance with her deeply held religious beliefs."
During oral arguments, attorney Matt Gilliam argued that a Southwest agent admitted considering Carter’s religious beliefs in the termination decision. Gilliam emphasized that under Title VII, an employee’s religious beliefs cannot influence such decisions.
