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Loading ...SkyWest Accused of Bias against Gays
11.02.2009 5:34pm EST
The SF Chronicle reports that Gilbert Caldwell, a SkyWest Airlines baggage agent since September 2004, is accusing the airline of bias against same-sex couples.
Caldwell, 56, married his partner of 34 years, Rev. David Farrell, 72, last year in June.Spouses of employees fly free on SkyWest, but Caldwell claims the airline refuses to give his husband the free fares it provides to heterosexual spouses.
SkyWest, an equal opportunity employer, says Gilbert Caldwell’s husband is his “travel companion,” entitling him to fly at a discount rate but not for free.
Caldwell said, “I am asking SkyWest to give me the same benefits that they give my married heterosexual co-workers.”
State law entitles same-sex spouses and domestic partners to be treated the same as heterosexual married couples in employment, housing, insurance and commerce.
Tara Borelli, Staff Attorney of the gay rights organization Lambda Legal, has been assigned to the case.
“This is a blatant violation of California law requiring that married same-sex couples be treated with the same respect and protections as married heterosexuals,” said Borelli.
“Travel benefits are an important part of airline employees’ compensation, and denying spousal travel benefits to married lesbian and gay employees is a denial of equal pay for equal work. SkyWest is telling Mr. Caldwell that his spouse doesn’t count and that his work is not as valuable as that of other employees. This letter is our final attempt to correct SkyWest and Delta’s clearly unlawful travel benefits policy before Mr. Caldwell proceeds to court.”
Borelli said Caldwell will sue for damages unless SkyWest changes its policy.
Thanks to Mike for providing SkyWest’s corporate contact info. Here’s the response I received from my e-mail to them…… Thank you for bringing your concerns to our attention. SkyWest is committed to maintaining a satisfying work environment with mutual respect for all of our employees, regardless of sexual orientation. We provide equal benefits, including travel, for all employees to the extent the law provides. Travel privileges are considered a fringe benefit under federal tax laws. These laws specifically include opposite sex spouses as eligible for free travel, but do not include same sex domestic partners or same sex spouses as eligible for such travel. For this reason, SkyWest cannot extend travel privileges on a tax free basis to same sex domestic partners or same sex spouses. Again, SkyWest is committed to diversity and a workplace of mutual respect for all of our employees. We appreciate your business Ms. ******* and hope you will allow us future opportunities to serve you.
I work for SouthWest Airlines and my partner fly’s free, is covered on my insurance, and is treated with respect at company outings.
Southwest Airlines scored a 95 of 100 on the latest Diversity report. The missing 5 points is because out insurance does not cover snip and tuck procedures.
Bob
Don’t just state you won’t fly them… they have a “fill in” comments on their website. I told them (as a web designer) I’d put their biased and illegal activity on all my websites… and certainly will tell all my friends and colleagues. Don’t just boycott them: let them know directly: http://www.skywest.com/contact/corp_contact.php
Sky West is a Utah based Co. which flies
and books as Delta. Moron Mormons again!
I understand what this couple is going through. I went through the same issues with America West Airlines/US Airways and worked in an anti gay company for over 4 years. I will never fly US Airways again and now will never fly a OO operated flight for DL and UA and no one else.
Yet another example of how second-best “rights” don’t matter for shit, no matter what the law says. Those who think marriage equality doesn’t matter, here’s your most recent example of the reality.
Money speaks louder than following the law with some corporations so SUE the bastards into submission.
Get ‘em, Gilbert!
Yup, there’s a good enough reason for me and my partner to not fly SkyWest again.
And now it begins. ALL the confusion and suits about who is, and who is not married in CA. This one should be easy…. and does Sky West really think that the negative Fall Out is worth it?
I, for one, have started a SKY WEST Boycott, right now.