Whilst still in the midst of their labor-related legal battles, American Airlines (AA) has been hit with more litigation.

Last week, New York City’s Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) announced it had sued AA in the City’s administrative court - the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings.

The Department alleges the airline is violating NYC’s Paid Safe and Sick Leave Law by retaliating against workers who call in sick. AA ground crew workers including agents, reps, fleet service and mechanical employees are issued with disciplinary points for each sick day used and - contrary to the law - are required to produce medical documentation for fewer than three days of leave. They are also not paid at the required rate. 

Commissioner of the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA), Lorelei Salas stated:

“We will not tolerate any employer that violates employees’ rights to their paid safe and sick leave.”

The DCWP are seeking civil penalties and more than $375,000 in restitution from AA for more than 750 ground crew workers. 

Salas added:

“American Airlines is not above the law. Workers in major transportation hubs where thousands of people pass through everyday should not have to choose between going into work sick or getting in trouble for exercising their right to take a sick day.”

In response, American Airlines issued a statement that:

“Employees enjoy generous sick leave and benefits, including those set by union contracts with terms that are often more generous than required by the New York law”. They continued that they would work to make sure they continued to do so.