Black United Airlines Pilots File Racial Discrimination Lawsuit

A group of 22 African-American pilots have filed a class action lawsuit against United Airlines, accusing the company of racial discrimination.

The pilots claim in the discrimination class action lawsuit that minority employees are given fewer promotions to upper management than their white co-workers due to United Airlines’ “highly subjective decision making” about promotions.

According to their class action lawsuit, minority captains are subject to a “dual employment track” and are relegated to part-time jobs with less job security and opportunity for promotions, while non-minority employees get full-time, higher wage positions.

The United Airlines discrimination lawsuit further charges that nearly all black employees at the company are in non-management positions, and that the few blacks there are in management are only promoted to give the appearance of diversity. The pilots further allege that these minority managers are excluded from “informal” emails and social gatherings when operating procedures, managerial issues and corporate advancement opportunities are discussed.

The pilots are seeking an end to discriminatory practices, back pay and unspecified punitive damages from their potential class action lawsuit.

A United Airlines spokeswoman responded to the discrimination lawsuit by saying, “United does not tolerate harassment or discrimination of any kind. The company believes the lawsuit is without merit and will defend against it.”