Ex-Airline Employee Claims Airport Had Whites-Only Breakroom

HOUSTON, TX — A former Southwest Airlines employee has filed a federal lawsuit alleging that Hobby Airport in south Harris County had a whites-only break room until at least 2016. The lawsuit was filed Wednesday by Harris County resident Jamel Parker who worked for the airline from 2013 until he was terminated in early 2017.

According to the lawsuit, the whites-only breakroom existed until an airport renovation transformed the area into office space. Parker also alleges in his lawsuit that black employees and white employees were subjected different disciplinary actions, that often black employees were dealt with more harshly than white employees who committed the same or more serious infraction.

Southwest Airlines issued the following statement on Thursday:

We wouldn't be able to offer comment on matters relating to litigation, but we welcome the opportunity to emphasize that Southwest is and always has been a Company that puts its People first. We work relentlessly to foster an environment that is diverse and inclusive. We do not tolerate or condone discrimination of any kind, and we cultivate a workplace that mirrors the Customers we serve.

Southwest Airlines is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prides itself on an open and inclusive work environment that consistently ranks among the world's best places to work. We employ more than 57,000 People who provide the world's best hospitality to our more than 120 million annual Customers as they travel throughout the Southwest network. Our People are our greatest asset, and it is our goal to support our Employees and our Customers who come from all walks of life.

The lawsuit did not specify any monetary damages.

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