DOJ Settles Employment Suit on Behalf of American Airlines Pilots

The Justice Department today settled a class action against American Airlines on behalf of 353 pilots who complained that the company did not allow them to accrue vacation and other benefits while they were called up for military training.

The department filed its complaint in 2006 after pilots brought their concerns to the Department of Labor, which was not able to resolve the matter, Acting Assistant Attorney General Grace Chung Becker of the Civil Rights Division told reporters in a conference call.

Under the agreement, filed in U.S. District Court in Dallas, the airline will reimburse $560,772 to the class for lost vacation and sick leave days. The airline will also revise its policies and will be monitored for at least three years, Chung Becker said. The case involved pilots who had taken off 16 days or less for military duties.

“Individuals who were taking nonmilitary leave [such as jury duty] were accruing vacation and paid leave, but those who went on [short-term] military leave did not,” Chung Becker said. “I think this is a win-win for service members ... What we’re dealing with here is unique in that an individual claimant may not be in a position to litigate or file a complaint ... but because we were able to ensure that they got what they deserve, it adds up.”