Teamsters Sue Sun Country Airlines

Teamsters Sue Sun Country Airlines

Union Wants Workers’ Insurance Protected

December 28, 2001

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters sued Sun Country Airlines on December 28, 2001 for not continuing insurance coverage for its furloughed workers as required by law and under the contract between union employees and the carrier.

The Teamsters represent 340 furloughed flight attendants at Sun Country, and are seeking temporary injunctive relief in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis to get Sun Country to immediately reinstate health insurance coverage to protect the workers' benefits. The relief will also allow workers to choose to continue group health benefits for up to 18 months under COBRA.

"The law provides for this continued coverage, but Sun Country says it no longer is providing insurance," said Ray Benning, Director of the Teamsters Airline Division. "That is unacceptable."

In addition to the group health issue, Sun Country also failed to give workers two-week notices of furlough. In lieu of that notice, by contract Sun Country is required to pay two weeks salary and has refused to do so.

Also, Sun Country has failed to pay out workers' accrued vacation time. The Teamsters want a judge to require Sun Country to put money into escrow while those issues are worked out in court.

Sun Country suspended operations earlier this month and laid off most of its employees. The airline is seeking investors for a recapitalization.

"In the meantime, the airline needs to step up and take care of its employees," Benning said. "Flight attendants are angry because Sun Country has acted unilaterally instead of discussing these matters with the union."