Southwest Airlines is facing a $100 million lawsuit in New York over allegations of failing to pay baggage and cargo handlers weekly. The employees, represented by Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight, have filed the suit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, seeking damages and a jury trial.
The lawsuit highlights alleged unlawful labor practices by Southwest Airlines. The primary plaintiffs, Richard Strain and David Garner, are long-time employees working at Islip and Buffalo airports respectively. They claim that Southwest's payment practices violate New York Labor Law, which mandates weekly payments for manual workers.
Michael Palmer, managing partner at Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight, stated: “Southwest’s refusal to pay its manual workers every week is inconsistent with the state law’s purpose of protecting individuals who depend upon their regular wages for sustenance. No worker living paycheck to paycheck should have to wait to receive their earned wages.”