RNWLG Obtains Largest USERRA Settlement in History

Sep 29

On September 26, 2025, Southwest Airlines agreed to pay $18,500,000 to settle a class action accusing the carrier of failing to provide paid leave to employees who took short-term military leave. The preliminary settlement was filed with the Court on September 25, 2025 and will be reviewed in the coming days. The lawsuit alleged that Southwest wrongly denied pay when they took 14 days or fewer of military leave, despite paying for other absences including sick leave, bereavement leave and jury duty—a violation of USERRA, a federal law protecting military personnel in their civilian employment. Approximately 2,791 eligible Southwest employees would receive an average $4,421, after legal fees of up to one-third of the settlement fund are deducted, court papers show. As part of the settlement, Southwest also agreed to provide some paid days for military service going forward.

For more information on RNWLG’s USERRA practice, please contact Matt Crotty at mzc@rnwlg.com.

More information on the settlement can be found here: https://www.reuters.com/business/world-at-work/southwest-airlines-pay-185-million-over-employees-military-leave-2025-09-26/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=Newsletter&utm_campaign=Daily-Docket&utm_term=092925&lctg=5f3422cdf16b3f2d6dcd510e