1 dzień temu
DALLAS- Southwest Airlines (WN) is facing a $100 million lawsuit filed by its baggage and cargo handlers, claiming the airline violated weekly pay regulations.
The class-action lawsuit, led by workers Richard Strain and David Garner, alleges that Southwest failed to comply with New York employment laws, which mandate that manual workers be paid weekly.
Photo: Aero Icarus | FlickrSouthwest Faces $100 Million Lawsuit
The lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York focuses on two major complaints.
First, Southwest failed to pay employees on time under New York Labor Law and to issue prompt payment under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Second, the plaintiffs seek compensation for themselves and other workers impacted by the alleged pay violations.
At the core of the lawsuit is the claim that Southwest Airlines paid its manual workers only twice a month, rather than weekly, violating New York’s labor regulations.
According to the New York State Attorney General’s guidelines, manual workers must receive their wages no later than one week after the wages are earned.
Michael Palmer, co-managing partner at Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight, representing the plaintiffs, emphasized that this failure to pay workers weekly undermines the purpose of labor laws designed to protect employees who depend on regular paychecks for basic living expenses.
The lawsuit claims that such violations harm workers, especially those living paycheck to paycheck.
Photo: Aero Icarus | FlickrLegal Claims and Damages
The plaintiffs in this case are seeking $100 million in damages, representing compensation for not only the two named workers but also for over 100 others who are similarly situated.
The class-action nature of the lawsuit means that more workers who experienced the same issue could join in seeking restitution.
In their complaint, the plaintiffs argue that Southwest’s actions were inconsistent with both state and federal labor laws. By allegedly failing to make timely wage payments, Southwest may have caused undue financial hardship for its employees, a concern that the lawsuit aims to address.
Photo: Cado PhotoImpact on Workers and Industry Standards
The case has raised awareness about the importance of timely and fair compensation for manual laborers across various industries.
As companies like Southwest Airlines face increased scrutiny, the case may lead to more rigorous enforcement of labor laws, particularly in relation to wage payment practices.
The lawsuit against Southwest Airlines highlights the legal protections available to workers under New York Labor Law and the Fair Labor Standards Act.
It also underscores the need for employers to ensure that they comply with these regulations to avoid costly litigation and reputational damage.
Featured Image by Clément Alloing | Flickr
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