SkyWest Accused of Bias Against Gays
Monday, November 2, 2009 5:34:40 PM

The SF Chronicle reports that Gilbert Caldwell, a SkyWest Airlines baggage agent since September 2004, is accusing the airline of bias against same-sex couples.

Caldwell, 56, married his partner of 34 years, Rev. David Farrell, 72, last year in June.

Spouses of employees fly free on SkyWest, but Caldwell claims the airline refuses to give his husband the free fares it provides to heterosexual spouses.

SkyWest, an equal opportunity employer, says Gilbert Caldwell’s husband is his “travel companion,” entitling him to fly at a discount rate but not for free.

Caldwell said, “I am asking SkyWest to give me the same benefits that they give my married heterosexual co-workers.”

State law entitles same-sex spouses and domestic partners to be treated the same as heterosexual married couples in employment, housing, insurance and commerce.

Tara Borelli, Staff Attorney of the gay rights organization Lambda Legal, has been assigned to the case.

“This is a blatant violation of California law requiring that married same-sex couples be treated with the same respect and protections as married heterosexuals,” said Borelli.

“Travel benefits are an important part of airline employees’ compensation, and denying spousal travel benefits to married lesbian and gay employees is a denial of equal pay for equal work. SkyWest is telling Mr. Caldwell that his spouse doesn’t count and that his work is not as valuable as that of other employees. This letter is our final attempt to correct SkyWest and Delta’s clearly unlawful travel benefits policy before Mr. Caldwell proceeds to court.”

Borelli said Caldwell will sue for damages unless SkyWest changes its policy.

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