August 13th 2024.
Joseph Pitts, a former supervisor at Southwest Airlines, recently took legal action against his previous employer. He filed a lawsuit on July 29 in San Mateo County Superior Courts, accusing the airline of engaging in discriminatory practices, harassment, wrongful termination, and retaliation.
In an interview with The Mercury News, Pitts, who is 53 years old, shared the emotional toll that these events have taken on him. He expressed his anxiety and uncertainty, questioning if standing up for what he believed was right was worth the consequences. Losing his job has left him without a source of income, adding to the stress and pressure he is facing.
Pitts revealed that during his time at the company, he was referred to by other employees, including Black colleagues, using a derogatory and offensive term. Despite making it clear that he did not want to be addressed in such a manner, the behavior persisted. He stated, "I didn't want to come to work and hear that." He understood that speaking out against this issue would cause some conflict, but he believed that it was necessary to address these unacceptable working conditions at a company as reputable as Southwest Airlines.
As a result of Pitts' repeated complaints to his superiors, he was informed that a ramp agent had threatened to file grievances against him in an attempt to have him fired. This only added to the hostile and unfair treatment he was already facing.
In October 2023, Pitts approached a Southwest Airlines administrator and asked if they were aware of the frequent use of the offensive term at the facility. When the administrator confirmed his suspicions, Pitts shared the names of three employees who he believed were targeting him. This incident was a pivotal point in his decision to take legal action against the company.
Pitts' lawsuit also claims that he received threats from a manager regarding his attendance and was threatened with demotion or termination. In November, while talking with another supervisor in a supervisor's office near the employee break room, a ramp agent walked in and loudly complained about not being able to use derogatory terms, followed by using one himself. Shortly after, when Pitts entered the break room, he was met with threatening glares from the ramp agent.
In December, Pitts was informed by a manager that he was being fired for allegedly not assisting in an investigation. This unjust termination forced Pitts to dip into his retirement funds and has left him struggling to find employment. Furthermore, his wife, who is currently ill, has had to postpone necessary medical procedures due to their financial strain.
Pitts expressed his disbelief and disappointment in the company's actions, stating, "Why would you do this to someone who was trying to bring about change, who was trying to make you aware of these violations of company policy?" He is left questioning why he has been treated in such a manner despite his efforts to improve the working conditions at Southwest Airlines.
This lawsuit comes after another employee, Pepa Denton, claimed that she was wrongfully removed from a Southwest flight. These events raise concerns about possible systemic issues within the company that need to be addressed.
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