A Texas federal judge delayed the deposition of multiple pilots after Southwest's union alleged the airline threatened witnesses with discipline right before they sat for depositions, saying the company could not...
Labor & working conditionsAllegation
Southwest is accused of threatening to remove pilot qualifications
Southwest is accused of threatening to remove pilot qualifications if they affiliate with the union.
In its amended complaint, the Union sought injunctive relief prohibiting Southwest from taking disciplinary action against Union members and from “unlawfully i nterfering with” the Union. It also sought to reinstate Captain Roebling as a check pilot and to recover damages arising from his unlawful discipline, as well as punitive damages for Southwest’s wrongful conduct.
Southwest’s alleged anti-Union coercion and threats led to decreased attendance at Union events and reduced contact between check pilots and the Union, interfering with the representation of check pilots.
Shortly after the Union announced the Committee, Southwest updated its Flight Operations Training Manual to prohibit check pilots from participating in any Union committees: Employees who currently have an FAA Check Airman/Check Pilot authorization letter on file at Southwest Airlines are prohibited from participating in [Union]-controlled committees and from serving as an officer in the [Union].
In 2018, immediately after the Union announced the formation of the Check Pilot Committee, Southwest issu ed a blanket ban prohibiting check pilots from participating in any Union committees or serving as officers in the Union.
_____________________ Southwest’s multi-year, anti-Union camp aign, in which Southwest “coerced” and “threatened” check pilots from affi liating with the Union.
Here, the Union alleges that Southwest’s actions “threate n to weaken or destroy the union” by discouraging check pilots from participating in the Union.
Shortly after the Union announced the Committee, Southwest updated its Flight Operations Training Manual to prohibit check pilots from participating in any Union committees: Employees who currently have an FAA Check Airman/Check Pilot authorization letter on file at Southwest Airlines are prohibited from participating in [Union]-controlled committees and from serving as an officer in the [Union]. Although Southwest later retracted the proh ibition, the Union claims that the airline continued its anti-unioniz ation actions via “whisper campaigns and private admonishments against p ilots from getting involved with [the Union].” Southwest’s campaign against union activ ity came to a head when it allegedly stripped the check-pilot qualif ications from one pilot, Captain Timothy Roebling, for his decision to join the Check Pilot Committee.
Check pilots, for example, stopped coming to Union “open houses” because Southwest “threatened” to remove their check-pil ot qualifications if they chose to affiliate with the Union.
Labor & working conditionsConfirmed
Southwest fired employee after union recognition
Southwest fired an employee shortly after recognizing a union not elected by workers, allegedly to interfere with employee bargaining choices.
Given that Southwest “recognized” a union that had not been elected by workers and that Southwest fired Roscello very shortly after this recognition, evidence indicated that Southwest held animus against Roscello’s organizing efforts with the Teamsters and that Southwest sought to interfere with the employees’ choice of bargaining representative.
Given that Southwest “recognized” a union that had not been elected by workers and that Southwest fired Roscello very shortly after this recognition, evidence indicated that Southwest held animus against Roscello’s organizing efforts with the Teamsters and that Southwest sought to interfere with the employees’ choice of bargaining representative.
Given that Southwest “recognized” a union that had not been elected by workers and that Southwest fired Roscello very shortly after this recognition, evidence indicated that Southwest held animus against Roscello’s organizing efforts with the Teamsters and that Southwest sought to interfere with the employees’ choice of bargaining representative.
Workplace equityConfirmed
Bob Jordan promises diverse workforce
Bob Jordan promises diverse workforce and climate progress as Southwest's new CEO.