80 airport workers accuse American Airlines of racial discrimination, safety violations

Eighty Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.-based airport ramp and tarmac workers have accused their employer, American Airlines, of racial discrimination and of committing a number of safety violations. Through their attorney, the predominantly African American workers have sent a letter to Attorney General Loretta Lynch, asking her to investigate their claims.

According to the letter, written by Philadelphia attorney Brian Mildenberg and obtained by NBC Philadelphia, the affected employees say that the terminals where they work have segregated break rooms, and that their managers at both airports used slurs and offensive terms to refer to the breakroom – calling it the jungle, ghetto, Darfur or the chocolate break room – and other equally offensive terms (including the N-word and "circus monkeys") in reference to the employees themselves. The workers also allege that their supervisors additionally withheld training and overtime from minority employees and allowed white employees to access newer and safer equipment. The letter states:

"This allegation is what started our investigation into the safety practices of this airline. Our clients alleged that white employees were routinely allowed by managers to reserve the best tugs, trucks, lifts and other equipment for their use, to the exclusion of black employees. Black employees have been forced to work on the unsafe equipment that is described in detail in the Safety Complaint, and which equipment both the FAA and OSHA have confirmed does not comply with federal standards."

The other safety violations mentioned in Mildenberg's letter include "repeatedly delaying repairs or maintenance of baggage, catering and other airline trucks and gear" and allowing the trucks that remove the waste from the airplanes' sewage holding tanks to "spill their goo" onto the tarmac. In March, OSHA did fine American Airlines $11,000 for safety issues ranging from broken windshields on baggage trucks to potentially flammable spills.

Ross Feinstein, an American Airlines spokesperson, has denied the employees' allegations, saying:

"[D]iversity and inclusion are fundamental to our airline. Ours is a diverse workforce serving customers who are equally diverse, and we are committed to fostering a work environment that is based on collaborative teamwork and mutual respect. We will vigorously defend our company and the hardworking employees who provide top-quality service to our customers each and every day."

As of this writing, Lynch has not responded to Mildenberg's letter. Road Warrior Voices has reached out to American Airlines and will update if we get a response.