Skywest, Inc. | Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility

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<strong>Company:</strong>
<p>Skywest, Inc.</p>
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<strong>Year:</strong>
<p>2026 </p>
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<strong>Issue Area:</strong>
<p>Human Rights & Worker Rights </p>
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<strong>Focus Area:</strong>
<p>Collective Bargaining/Unionization, Human Capital Risk Management </p>
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<strong>Status:</strong>
<p>Filed</p>
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<h2>Resolution Text</h2>
<p><strong>WHEREAS</strong>: Freedom of association and collective bargaining are fundamental human rights under internationally recognized human rights frameworks. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), “Freedom of association refers to the right of workers . . . to create and join organizations of their choice freely and without fear of reprisal or interference”[1]</p>
<p>The United States has seen a “revival of union power” leading to significant changes in employee contracts in multiple industries.[2] A Gallup poll found that almost 70 percent of Americans approve of unions, this support has held steady for the last five years, and is the highest approval rating of 60 years.[3],[4] In line with this, a number of companies have taken meaningful steps to strengthen their policies and practices, including American Airlines, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines.</p>
<p>Should SkyWest’s brand be linked to anti-union rhetoric, it risks losing customers. Moreover, the presence of unions has been positively correlated with low turnover, improved diversity, investment in training, and reduced legal and regulatory violations.[5] Conversely, companies that actively oppose unionization experience declines in productivity relative to those that are less opposed; “the overall negative effects are driven by manager’s or owner’s dislike of working with unions rather than economic costs of unions.”[6]</p>
<p>The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA has filed a federal lawsuit alleging that SkyWest funds an internal employee association, the SkyWest Inflight Association (SIA), intended to replace independent unionization.[7] SkyWest is alleged to have retaliated against employees seeking independent union representation and interfered with employees’ choice of union representatives, in violation of the Railway Labor Act.[8] The United States Department of Labor (DOL) is also seeking a declaration that SIA elections are void.[9] These cases continue to wind its way through the legal system.</p>
<p>SkyWest representatives have stated that, “SkyWest Airlines and SIA are separate organizations,” while the former president of SIA, Romero Malone, has stated “There is utterly no separation between management and the labor union, from the pay to the voter operating system.”[10] </p>
<p>Given this inconsistency, the Non-Interference Policy requested would provide investors with greater confidence that SkyWest is appropriately managing its relationship to labor.</p>
<p><strong>BE IT RESOLVED</strong>:  Shareholders request that the Board commission an independent third party to prepare a report, at reasonable cost and excluding proprietary information, assessing whether the company’s policies and practices align with the rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining reflected in the International Labour Organization’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.</p>
<p>[1] https://www.ilo.org/actrav/events/WCMS_315488/lang–en/index.htm </p>
<p>[2] https://hbr.org/2023/10/are-we-seeing-a-revival-of-union-power </p>
<p>[3] https://www.afge.org/article/new-gallup-poll-70-of-americans-approve-of-labor-unions/  </p>
<p>[4] https://news.gallup.com/poll/694472/labor-union-approval-relatively-steady.aspx </p>
<p>[5] https://www.workerscapital.org/our-resources/shared-prosperity-the-investor-case-for-freedom-of-association-and-collective-bargaining/ </p>
<p>[6] https://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/newsroom/press-kits/2023/assa/unionization-employer-opposition-preview.pdf , p.3</p>
<p>[7] https://www.afacwa.org/skywest_management_illegal_retaliation </p>
<p>[8] https://airlinegeeks.com/2024/08/15/lawsuit-against-skywest-and-its-labor-group-takes-new-turn/# </p>
<p>[9] https://static1.squarespace.com/static/626843bda1232f0ba9616158/t/669575a7d220842bbdbde555/1721071016301/DOL+Lawsuit+Against+SkyWest+Inflight+Association+7+15+24.pdf </p>
<p>[10] https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/aug/14/skywest-airlines-fake-union-lawsuit </p>

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<h3>Lead Filer</h3>
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<div class=”views-field views-field-nothing”><span class=”field-content”> Meredith Benton</span></div><div class=”views-field views-field-title views-field-field-shareholder”><span class=”field-content”>As You Sow</span></div>
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<h4>Resolution Details</h4>
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<strong>Company:</strong>
<p>Skywest, Inc.</p>
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<strong>Year:</strong>
<p>2025 </p>
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<strong>Issue Area:</strong>
<p>Human Rights & Worker Rights </p>
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<strong>Focus Area:</strong>
<p>Collective Bargaining/Unionization </p>
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<strong>Status:</strong>
<p>Filed</p>
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<h2>Resolution Text</h2>
<p class><strong>WHEREAS</strong>: Freedom of association and collective bargaining are fundamental human rights under internationally recognized human rights frameworks. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), “Freedom of association refers to the right of workers … to create and join organizations of their choice freely and without fear of reprisal or interference.”[1]</p>
<p class>The United States has seen a “revival of union power” leading to significant changes in employee contracts in multiple industries.[2] A Gallup poll found that 70 percent of Americans approve of unions, their highest approval rating in 60 years.[3] In line with this, several companies, including Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, American Airlines, and JetBlue, have taken meaningful steps to strengthen their policies and practices.</p>
<p class>Should SkyWest’s brand be linked to anti-union rhetoric or practices, it risks losing customers. Moreover, the presence of unions has been positively correlated with low turnover, improved diversity, investment in training, and reduced legal and regulatory violations.[4] Conversely, companies that actively oppose unionization experience declines in productivity relative to those that are less opposed; “the overall negative effects are driven by manager’s or owner’s dislike of working with unions rather than economic costs of unions.”[5]</p>
<p class>The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA has filed a federal lawsuit alleging that SkyWest funds an internal employee association, the SkyWest Inflight Association (SIA), intended to replace independent unionization.[6] SkyWest is alleged to have retaliated against employees seeking independent union representation and interfered with employees’ choice of union representatives, in violation of the Railway Labor Act.[7] The United States Department of Labor (DOL) is also seeking a declaration that SIA elections are void.[8]</p>
<p class>SkyWest representatives have stated that, “SkyWest Airlines and SIA are separate organizations,” while the former president of SIA, Romero Malone, has stated “There is utterly no separation between management and the labor union, from the pay to the voter operating system.”[9]</p>
<p class>Given this inconsistency, the Non-Interference Policy requested would provide investors with greater confidence that SkyWest is appropriately managing its relationship to labor.</p>
<p class><strong>BE IT RESOLVED</strong>: Shareholders request the Board adopt and disclose a Non-Interference Policy upholding the rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining in its operations, as reflected in the International Labour Organization’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.</p>
<p class><strong>SUPPORTING STATEMENT</strong>: The Policy should contain commitments to:</p>

<p class>Non-interference when employees exercise their right to form or join a trade union, including prohibiting SkyWest from undermining this right or pressuring employees seeking to form or join a company-hosted organization intended to represent employees;</p>

<p class>Good faith and timely collective bargaining if employees form or join a trade union;</p>

<p class>Where national or local law is silent or differs from international human rights standards, following the higher standard; and</p>

<p class>Processes to identify, prevent, account for, and remedy any practices that violate or are inconsistent with the Policy.</p>

<p class>[1] https://www.ilo.org/actrav/events/WCMS_315488/lang–en/index.htm</p>
<p class>[2] https://hbr.org/2023/10/are-we-seeing-a-revival-of-union-power</p>
<p class>[3] https://www.afge.org/article/new-gallup-poll-70-of-americans-approve-of-labor-unions/  </p>
<p class>[4] https://www.workerscapital.org/our-resources/shared-prosperity-the-investor-case-for-freedom-of-association-and-collective-bargaining/</p>
<p class>[5] https://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/newsroom/press-kits/2023/assa/unionization-employer-opposition-preview.pdf, p.3</p>
<p class>[6] https://www.afacwa.org/skywest_management_illegal_retaliation</p>
<p class>[7] https://airlinegeeks.com/2024/08/15/lawsuit-against-skywest-and-its-labor-group-takes-new-turn/#</p>
<p class>[8] https://static1.squarespace.com/static/626843bda1232f0ba9616158/t/669575a7d220842bbdbde555/‌1721071016301/DOL+Lawsuit+Against+SkyWest+Inflight+Association+7+15+24.pdf</p>
<p class>[9] https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/aug/14/skywest-airlines-fake-union-lawsuit</p>

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<h3>Lead Filer</h3>
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<div class=”views-field views-field-nothing”><span class=”field-content”> Lyndsay Fritz</span></div><div class=”views-field views-field-title views-field-field-shareholder”><span class=”field-content”>Amalgamated Bank</span></div>
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Resolution Details

Company:

Skywest, Inc.

Year:

2024

Issue Area:

Human Rights & Worker Rights

Focus Area:

Collective Bargaining/Unionization

Status:

Filed

Resolution Text

WHEREAS: Freedom of association and collective bargaining are fundamental human rights under internationally recognized human rights frameworks. According to theInternational LabourOrganization (ILO), “Freedom of association refers to the right of workers . . . to create and join organizations of their choice freely and without fear of reprisal or interference.”1

In 2023, the United States saw a “revival of union power” leading to significant changes in employee contracts in multiple industries.2 As investor and public expectations for companies to respect fundamental labor rights continue to grow, an increasing number of companies have taken meaningful steps to strengthen their policies and practices, including Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, American Airlines, and JetBlue.

SkyWest, Inc. is reliant on a domestic workforce and customer base. However, the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA has alleged that SkyWest retaliated against employees seeking union representation and funds an internal employee association, the SkyWest Inflight Association (SIA), intended to replace independent unionization.3 This is at odds with the ILO’s ethos of independent bargaining and non-interference. A case has been filed alleging that SIA is an illegal ‘dummy union.’4

Should SkyWest’s brand be linked to anti-union rhetoric, it risks losing customers. A recent Gallup poll found that American approval of unions is higher than it has been in over 50 years.5 Controversy over SIA has already led to negative publicity for the Company, including Senator Bernie Sanders tweeting: “Creating company unions are an illegal union busting tactic. Follow the law!”6

Moreover, the presence of unions has been positively correlated with low turnover, improved diversity, investment in training, and reduced legal and regulatory violations.7 Conversely, companies that actively oppose unionization experience declines in productivity relative to those that are less opposed; “the overall negative effects are driven by manager’s or owner’s dislike of working with unions rather than economic costs of unions.”8

BE IT RESOLVED: Shareholders request the Board adopt and disclose a Non-Interference Policy upholding the rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining in its operations, as reflected in the International Labour Organization’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.

SUPPORTING STATEMENT: The Policy should contain commitments to:

Non-interference when employees exercise their right to form or join a trade union, including

prohibiting SkyWest from undermining this right or pressuring employees seeking to form or join a company-hosted organization intended to represent employees;

Good faith and timely collective bargaining if employees form or join a trade union;
Where national or local law is silent or differs from international human rights standards, following the higher standard; and
Processes to identify, prevent, account for, and remedy any practices that violate or are inconsistent with the Policy.

1 https://www.ilo.org/actrav/events/WCMS_315488/lang–en/index.htm

2 https://hbr.org/2023/10/are-we-seeing-a-revival-of-union-power

3 https://www.afacwa.org/skywest_management_illegal_retaliation

4 https://assets.nationbuilder.com/afacwa/pages/3329/attachments/original/1697057943/2-23-cv-00723.pdf?1697057943

5 https://www.huffpost.com/entry/labor-unions-making-a-comeback_n_64f23d39e4b03bdff3ae2c17

6 https://twitter.com/BernieSanders/status/1715357837017141546

7 https://www.piie.com/blogs/realtime-economic-issues-watch/higher-wages-low-income-workers-lead-higher-productivity ; https://www.trilliuminvest.com/news-views/the-investor-case-for-supporting-worker-organizing-rights ; https://www.workerscapital.org/our-resources/shared-prosperity-the-investor-case-for-freedom-of-association-and-collective-bargaining/

8 https://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/newsroom/press-kits/2023/assa/unionization-employer-opposition-preview.pdf , p. 3

Respect Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining

Resolution Details

Resolution Text