DOL’s Lawsuit Exposes the SkyWest Inflight Association as an Illegal Company Union

Jul 17

The Department of Labor’s (DOL) recent lawsuit against the SkyWest Inflight Association (SIA) once again confirms what many of us have known for a long time: SIA is an illegal company union operating at the behest of management, not for the Flight Attendants it claims to represent.

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The Charges Against SIA

The DOL has charged SIA with five violations of federal law:

Failure to Hold Timely Elections: SIA did not hold an election within the required three-year period.
Inadequate Election Safeguards: SIA failed to maintain adequate safeguards to preserve the integrity of its elections.
Restricting Nominations: Only incumbent representatives were allowed to nominate, run, and serve in executive positions.
Improper Disqualification: SIA improperly disqualified members from running for office without due process.
Inadequate Election Notices: SIA did not provide adequate election notices to its members.

Election Tampering Uncovered

Following an investigation, the DOL revealed that a different Flight Attendant, unrelated to the two wrongly accused SkyWest AFA activists who were terminated by SkyWest management for no valid reason, had tampered with the election. This individual was found to have fraudulently used multiple voter codes to cast unauthorized votes. This revelation further undermines the integrity of SIA’s elections and highlights the need for a legitimate union.

Reinforcing Our Position

This lawsuit strengthens our position and validates the concerns we have raised about SIA’s legitimacy. The facts outlined by the DOL highlight the illegal activities of an organization that claims to be a union but clearly operates under the control of SkyWest management.

The Need for a True Union

SkyWest management has shown that it will go to great lengths, including firing long-time workers, to intimidate and control Flight Attendants. This lawsuit underscores the urgent need for SkyWest Flight Attendants to organize and form a true union with the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) under the Railway Labor Act.

Our Goals

SkyWest Flight Attendants are organizing to achieve:

Legal Rights at Work: Ensuring that our rights are protected under federal law.
A Real Voice at the Airline: Having a genuine say in the decisions that affect our work and lives.
Protection as First Responders: Recognizing and safeguarding our critical role in aviation safety.
Collective Bargaining Power: Gaining the ability to negotiate fair wages, benefits, and working conditions at the nation’s largest regional airline.

We’re Better Together

The DOL’s lawsuit against SIA is a pivotal moment for SkyWest Flight Attendants. It reaffirms the necessity of forming a union that genuinely represents our interests and protects our rights. Together, we can build a stronger, more equitable future for all SkyWest flight Attendants.

Stay informed, stay united, and let’s continue to push forward in our fight for fair representation and a better workplace.

Gailen David

Gailen David is a former international purser with over two decades in the airline industry. He founded the Jetiquette® program to promote respect in air travel and has strongly advocated for aviation workers. In 2021, he co-founded the Air History Project to preserve aviation history, including the legacy of the Pan American Airways Marine Air Terminal in Miami. A dedicated collector of airline memorabilia, he continues to work on preserving historical artifacts while championing both passengers and airline professionals.