Quantcast

Southwest Airlines sued for $100M over alleged unpaid wages in New York

Nepal Plane Crash Kills 18 After Takeoff - Airline Ratings
Southwest Airlines is getting rid of open seating | CNN Business
CrowdStrike Outage Caused 10% Spike in Air Charter
Aircraft Engine Maintenance and Repair to Peak in 2026, Worsening Capacity Shortage for Commercial Aviation, Says Bain & Company
The National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation announces NLRB-scheduled vote to remove union officials
Families recount the horror of MH17 ten years on - Airline Ratings
777-9 Enters Certification Flight Testing - AVweb
Kompass Kapital Sets New Course with Airshare Investment
SATS, SIA Engineering Company and Changi Airport Group to Trial Autonomous Buses at Changi Airport
Qatar Airways Landing An A350 In Hamburg Makes A Powerful Statement - Airline Ratings
EBAA Backs Dassault's Sustainability Lawsuit against European Commission | AIN
American Airlines Now Lets You Earn And Spend Miles On Concerts And Events
Boeing agrees to plead guilty to defrauding the FAA but escapes punishment sought by victims’ families | CNN Business
IATA partners with Aviation Sustainability Forum to tackle cabin waste
Qatar Airways In Talks To Buy 20% Of Virgin Australia - Airline Ratings
Boeing Will Buy Spirit AeroSystems For $4.7 Billion In Stock & Airbus Enters $559 Million Agreement For Its Parts
Bombardier Global Jet Production Stops in Toronto as Union Workers Strike | AIN
Justice Department To Offer Boeing a Plea Deal Related to Max Crashes
Plane diverted to Brazil after turbulence injures 30
As air taxi services make progress in U.S., no timeline set for liftoff over L.A. traffic
Southwest Airlines sued for $100M over alleged unpaid wages in New York
Policy
Webp 5r3vc2svdh8ibaxk8gr8iutw0za2
Simple Flying | Simple Flying

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.”

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

The lawsuit also accuses Southwest of not paying employees promptly as required by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). In addition to damages, plaintiffs seek an injunction against these practices and coverage of attorney fees and litigation costs.

Andrew Melzer, another attorney representing the plaintiffs, commented: “By retaining the wages of its manual workers beyond the timeframes set by the NYLL, Southwest benefits and benefitted from delaying the payment of wages at the expense of the plaintiffs and class members. This illegal practice allowed the airline to utilize those funds for its expenses or accrue interest in its business accounts while its manual workers struggle to meet their basic household needs.”

This legal action follows a previous dispute where Southwest was fined nearly $430,000 in Arizona over allegations related to sick leave policies involving mechanics. Rui Leonardo from Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association Local 32 remarked on similar issues faced by mechanics regarding sick leave usage.

Southwest operates at several airports across New York including Buffalo Niagara International Airport and LaGuardia Airport among others.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Amman — The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has published a study examining the economic and employment contributions of aviation, including aviation-related tourism, to Egypt's economy.

Apr 27, 2025

In May, 46 US airports, including territories, are set to witness widebody flights.

Apr 27, 2025

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) utilizes two Pilatus PC-12 NG turboprop aircraft, named "Ernesto Alanis" and "Bobby Doherty," for swift response and operational duties along the Texas-Mexico border.

Apr 27, 2025

Virgin Atlantic operates flights from three UK airports—London Heathrow, Manchester, and Edinburgh.

Apr 27, 2025

Tecnam, an Italian aircraft manufacturer located in Capua, is a prominent producer of piston-powered general aviation aircraft.

Apr 26, 2025

Becoming a private jet pilot is a commitment that involves extensive training, exams, and significant flying experience.

Apr 26, 2025