{"id":141161,"date":"2026-04-30T04:05:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-29T22:35:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=141161"},"modified":"2026-04-30T00:35:32","modified_gmt":"2026-04-29T19:05:32","slug":"southwest-airlines-attendant-wins-in-religious-lawsuit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/30\/southwest-airlines-attendant-wins-in-religious-lawsuit\/","title":{"rendered":"Southwest Airlines Attendant Wins Nearly $1 Million in Religious Lawsuit"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

DALLAS-<\/strong> Southwest Airlines (WN)<\/a> flight attendant Charlene Carter has received nearly $1 million in damages<\/strong> after winning a federal lawsuit against the carrier and the Transport Workers Union (TWU).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Satisfaction of Judgment filed with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas in Dallas (DFW) confirms Carter received $946,102.87, closing a nine-year legal battle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carter filed her lawsuit in 2017, alleging that Southwest Airlines (WN) and TWU Local 556 violated her rights under the Railway Labor Act (RLA) and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act by firing her for expressing religious and personal beliefs in opposition to union political activities. The National Right to Work Foundation provided free legal representation throughout the case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Southwest
Photo: Tim | Flickr<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Flight Attendant Fired After Criticizing Union Political Activities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The case traces back to January 2017, when Carter, a pro-life Christian, discovered that TWU Local 556 President Audrey Stone and other union officials had used dues money to attend a political rally in Washington, D.C<\/a>. The rally was sponsored by activist groups that Carter deeply opposed, including Planned Parenthood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carter sent private Facebook messages to Stone challenging the union’s support for political positions that conflicted with her personal beliefs. She also voiced support for a recall effort aimed at removing Stone from the union presidency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, Carter sent Stone a message affirming her support for a National Right to Work law after the union circulated an email urging employees to oppose such legislation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following a meeting in which Southwest officials confronted Carter about her messages protesting union officials’ positions, the company terminated her employment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Southwest
Photo: Cl\u00e9ment Alloing<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Jury Awards $5.1 Million Verdict in Carter’s Favor<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After filing her federal lawsuit<\/a> in the Northern District of Texas, Carter’s case proceeded through five years of litigation before reaching trial in July 2022. Over an eight-day trial, a federal jury found in Carter’s favor on all counts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The jury awarded Carter $950,000 in damages against the TWU union local and more than $4 million against Southwest Airlines<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The District Court subsequently ordered both defendants to pay the maximum compensatory and punitive damages permitted under federal law, along with back pay and other relief. The court also ordered Carter’s reinstatement as a Southwest flight attendant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

U.S. District Judge Brantley Starr remarked during the proceedings that while bags fly free with Southwest, free speech did not fly at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Southwest
Photo: Cl\u00e9ment Alloing<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Upholds Ruling<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Southwest Airlines and the TWU appealed the District Court’s decision. On May 8, 2025, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a ruling that affirmed the lower court’s finding. The appellate court agreed that both Southwest and the union had discriminated against Carter based on her religious practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following the appellate victory, a Satisfaction of Judgment was filed with the District Court, confirming that Carter received total damages of $946,102.87.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The final amount reflects the maximum compensatory and punitive damages allowed under federal law, which caps such awards below the jury’s original $5.1 million verdict<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contempt Proceedings Against Southwest Still Pending<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

While Carter’s damages have been paid, the case has not fully concluded at the District Court level. The court has requested briefs on whether a contempt order against Southwest Airlines is necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The contempt issue arose after Southwest attorneys sent notices to flight attendants<\/a> that incorrectly described the District Court’s holding regarding the company’s discrimination against Carter on the basis of religion. The court is now evaluating what form any contempt order should take.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Southwest
Photo: Aero Icarus | Flickr<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Trial Reveals Extreme Anti-Dissident Sentiment Within Union<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

During the trial, Foundation staff attorneys introduced email communications from TWU union members that revealed a hostile atmosphere toward dissenting voices. Internal emails showed union militants advocating for what they described as targeted actions against union dissidents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Members also mocked Carter for her inability to prevent her dues from funding union-backed causes she opposed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carter had resigned from union membership in 2013 but was forced to pay fees to TWU Local 556 as a condition of her employment. Under the Railway Labor Act, employees in the air and rail industries can be required to pay union dues even if they are not members, and state Right to Work laws do not apply to these federally regulated sectors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Southwest
Representative Photo: Southwest<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Broader Implications for Worker Rights<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

National Right to Work Foundation President Mark Mix highlighted that Carter’s case exposes a larger issue in federal labor law. He noted that while the court confirmed Southwest and the TWU violated Carter’s legal rights, she remains compelled to subsidize union officials or face termination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mix expressed hope that the case would prompt a broader conversation about how union power under current federal law affects the rights of workers across the airline and rail industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carter stated that the case had been a long and difficult fight, but affirmed she would continue standing up for what she believes is right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She expressed hope that both her employer and TWU union officials have learned that retaliating against employees for exercising their freedom of religion and speech carries consequences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Southwest Airlines Hit With $215K Lawsuit After Flight Attendant Floods Hotel<\/a><\/blockquote>