Southwest Airlines Hit With $100 Million Wage and Hour Lawsuit for Refusing to Pay Workers on a Weekly Basis

Core Viewpoint - Southwest Airlines is facing a lawsuit for alleged wage violations affecting manual workers in New York State, particularly baggage and cargo handlers, who claim they are not being paid in accordance with state and federal labor laws [1][2][3]. Legal Action - Attorneys from Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight have filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York on behalf of two baggage and cargo handlers, Richard Strain and David Garner, and other employees in similar roles [2]. - The lawsuit seeks $100 million in damages for the plaintiffs and the proposed class, alleging that Southwest Airlines has violated the New York Labor Law (NYLL) and the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) by failing to pay manual workers weekly as required [8][9]. Wage Violations - The complaint asserts that Southwest Airlines pays its manual workers on a bimonthly basis instead of the mandated weekly payments, which is detrimental to workers who rely on regular wages for their basic needs [9][11]. - The plaintiffs argue that this practice allows the airline to benefit financially by delaying wage payments, which is contrary to the purpose of the NYLL designed to protect workers [5][9]. Company Operations - Southwest Airlines operates in New York State, including major airports such as Buffalo Niagara International Airport and LaGuardia Airport, and reported record third-quarter operating revenues of $6.9 billion in October 2024 [4]. Class Action Details - The class action complaint claims there are over 100 members in the proposed plaintiff class, all of whom are manual workers under the NYLL, performing physical tasks essential to the airline's operations [16][17]. - The plaintiffs are seeking a declaratory judgment that Southwest's practices are unlawful, along with equitable and injunctive relief to stop these violations [12].