US Airways Cheats On Wages, Skycaps Say

PHILADELPHIA (CN) - Since US Airways and Prime Flight Aviation Services began charging $2 a bag for curbside check-in in 2005, skycaps' wages and tips have plunged, and workers are forced to over-report their tips to make it look like they get minimum wage, a class action claims in Federal Court. Defendants keep the $2, though passengers think the skycaps get it, "and defendants have knowingly profited off of this misunderstanding," the class says.

"As a result of the mandatory $2 per bag charge, skycaps' compensation has decreased dramatically, as few passengers are willing to pay additional tips on top of this charge," according to the complaint. "Many passengers believe the $2 charge is paid to the skycaps, and defendants have knowingly profited off of this misunderstanding. As a result of the decline in tips received, many skycaps' compensation fell below minimum wage, though they were forced to over-report their tips to appear as though they were making minimum wage. Additionally, plaintiff skycaps were often forced to work through their meal breaks and did not receive compensation for work performed off the clock and/or overtime compensation for work performed in excess of forty hours per week."

Plaintiffs are represented by Harris Pogust with Pogust, Braslow & Millrood.

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