US Supreme Court rules some airline workers are exempt from Federal Arbitration Act News
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US Supreme Court rules some airline workers are exempt from Federal Arbitration Act

The US Supreme Court Monday unanimously ruled in Southwest Airlines v. Saxon that an airline ramp supervisor is exempt from the Federal Arbitration Act‘s §1 as airline ramp workers are considered “class of workers in foreign or interstate commerce.” This means that airline workers engaged in interstate commerce are exempt from the Act’s provisions.

This case originated from a dispute concerning whether airport ramp workers are engaged in interstate commerce. Latrice Saxon alleged that Southwest Airlines (Southwest) failed to pay her proper overtime. Saxon argued she belonged to “a ‘class of workers’ covered by §1” as an airline employee “because the air transportation industry engages in interstate commerce[.]” Southwest however argued that “the relevant class includes only those airline employees actually engaged day-to-day in interstate commerce.”

Justice Clarence Thomas, writing for the court, rejected Saxon’s argument that virtually all airline employees are covered under the Federal Arbitration Act but held that Saxon is engages in “foreign or interstate commerce” based on her job duties.

The Supreme Court’s ruling means that Saxon can now bring her claim against Southwest in federal court instead of through arbitration.

Justice Amy Coney Barrett recused herself from this case because she took part in the lower court’s proceedings and therefore she was not a part in the Supreme Court’s decision.