Spirit Airlines employees file class-action lawsuit against carrier over lost wages
Spirit Airlines is facing a proposed class action lawsuit following the budget carrier’s announcement earlier this month. stop operations permanently.
The lawsuit was filed May 12 in the Southern District of New York on behalf of former employees who claim the company violated federal labor laws by abruptly ceasing operations on May 2 and reducing its workforce by approximately 17,000 employees without notice.
According to the complaint, Spirit Airlines ceased operations and notified employees in an email from company management the same day.
The complaint alleges that the company told employees in an email at the time that it could not give further advance notice of the layoffs “because the Company was actively seeking capital to prevent these layoffs and closures and notice would prevent the Company from obtaining needed capital,” according to a copy of the message included in this week’s filing.
The complaint alleges that workers immediately lost their jobs, benefits and access to company systems at that time, and were owed accrued vacation and sick pay.
The complaint alleges that employees were shocked when the airline announced it would immediately cease operations and cease operating.
According to the complaint, workers were allegedly told they would be paid by May 2, 2026. But many workers still haven’t received their final paychecks or compensation for unused vacation and sick time, the lawsuit alleges.
The former employees are seeking compensation equal to 60 days of wages and benefits under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, or WARN Act, which the U.S. Department of Labor defines as “relief.”[ing to] Ensure advance notice of qualified facility closures and mass layoffs.” accordingly complaint.
Plaintiffs are also asking the court to certify the case as a class action covering all affected Spirit employees.
Spirit Airlines Announced on May 2 It has begun “an orderly halt to our operations with immediate effect”, quote “The material increase in oil prices and other pressures on the business” that “materially impacted Spirit’s financial outlook.”
The announcement came after the airline’s negotiations with the federal government to secure a $500 million rescue deal stalled.
“To our guests: all flights were canceled“We are proud of the impact our ultra-low-cost model has had on the industry over the past 33 years and hoped to serve our Guests for many years to come,” a message on the Spirit website reads.
Spirit Airlines declined to comment on the complaint when reached by ABC News.
