According to a report from Texas Scorecard, Southwest Airlines is dropping their DEI practices. That report is being disputed by the airline itself.
In a statement to KTRH, Southwest said, "Southwest Airlines will continue to recruit, hire, and retain a diverse and inclusive workforce in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. During an informal conference on Dec. 2, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) reiterated that Southwest should continue to abide by the regulations. OFCCP made no determination of any violations by the airline."
This all comes after complaints were filed back in January and also include American and United airlines by American First Legal. AFL alleged that the airlines participated in illegal racial and sex discrimination during their hiring and promotion procedures.
"Despite receiving over $330 million in federal government contracts since 2007, Southwest Airlines appears to be engaged in discriminatory practices," AFL said in a statement. "Since at least 2020, Southwest has engaged in discriminatory hiring and promotion processes under the guise of creating ‘more diverse, equitable, and inclusive opportunities and candidate pipelines."
The Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs confirmed that Southwest agreed to discontinue its DEI practices and quotas.