SkyWest Airlines Sued Over Fake Union Claims

SkyWest Airlines, North America's largest regional airline, is embroiled in legal disputes concerning allegations of operating a "fake" company union and retaliatory actions against flight attendants involved in union organizing. The Association of Flight Attendants (AFA-CWA) filed a lawsuit in October 2023, claiming that the SkyWest Inflight Association (SIA) failed to fulfill its legal responsibilities as a representative body and obstructed employees from participating in leadership elections due to their support for an independent union. The U.S. Department of Labor has also initiated legal action against SkyWest, asserting that the SIA violates the National Labor Relations Act by improperly influencing labor organization formation. A former SIA board member, Romero, highlighted the blurred lines between management and the union, noting that financial support for the SIA came directly from SkyWest, undermining its independence. He described a culture where management's influence over the union was pervasive, leading to conflicts and allegations against him. The AFA-CWA's lawsuit is currently in the discovery phase, with new claims of management surveillance on union activities recently added. The union argues that the SIA operates under management's control rather than representing flight attendants' interests. In response, SkyWest Airlines dismissed the AFA's claims as baseless, asserting that the SIA and the airline are distinct entities that have successfully improved pay and benefits for flight attendants in the regional airline sector.