Ruling Allows Discussion, Support Paraphernalia To Be Worn

The US District Court for the Northern District of California issued a preliminary injunction last week upholding SkyWest Airlines pilots' federal rights to explore membership possibilities with the Air Line Pilots Association -- finding SkyWest, Inc. had unlawfully interfered with those rights.

Pro-union pilots filed a lawsuit May 22 complaining the company was in violation of a US law that allows railway and airline workers to unionize, according to Bloomberg. The SkyWest Pilots ALPA Organizing Committee is working with ALPA to gain union representation.

"This injunction is a great victory for SkyWest pilots," said ALPA President Captain John Prater. "It will empower them to take ownership of their lives through access to information that can further their professional futures. ALPA stands ready to help the Organizing Committee in whatever capacity needed to foster additional wins for workers rights."

US District Judge Charles Breyer in San Francisco reportedly ordered SkyWest to allow pilots to distribute ALPA-related materials on non-work time in non-work areas such as the crew lounge and bulletin boards, wear ALPA lanyards and to openly discuss the union.

On May 22, Breyer issued a temporary order that barred the company from interfering with some of the organizing activities. Friday's preliminary injunction ruling will remain in effect until a final ruling is made at trial.

"Defendants' discriminatory enforcement of its lanyard policy has inhibited plaintiffs' organizing efforts," Breyer wrote. "Such interference constitutes irreparable harm."

The carrier opposes unions and funds its own group for its 2,651 pilots, according to Bloomberg News. In its opinion, the Court addressed that funding.

Although the Court declined to order SkyWest to cease funding its in-house pilots group, it indicates that funding the organization 100 percent almost certainly violates the Railway Labor Act, according to the ALPA.

FMI: www.skywest.com, www.alpa.org