Southwest Airlines Co. has agreed to shell out $18.5 million to settle claims that it mishandled short-term military leave, a violation alleged under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA). Court filings in California federal court confirmed the proposed class action settlement, which aims to bring closure to years of legal battles.
Largest Known USERRA Class Settlement
The case, originally spearheaded by pilot and Air Force reservist Jayson Huntsman in 2019, has been described as a landmark moment. According to class counsel, the payout will average roughly $4,400 for each of the more than 2,700 eligible workers. Beyond the financial settlement, Southwest also agreed to provide 10 days of paid military leave annually for the next five years — a benefit unmatched in the airline industry.
“This has been a long six-year journey, but Mr. Huntsman is proud of this settlement — which is the largest USERRA class action settlement we’re aware of — and of the groundbreaking programmatic relief that it includes,” said class attorney Michael Scimone of Outten & Golden LLP.
