A former Delta Air Lines flight attendant has sued the company alleging she was wrongfully terminated for not complying with the company's mask mandate.
Laurie Parke filed her complaint in federal court against Delta.
According to the complaint, Parke says she faced retaliatory actions and was wrongfully terminated after refusing to comply with a mandatory health-related policy implemented by Delta. She claims this policy contravened safety rules set by the Federal Aviation Administration and created an unsafe work environment.
Parke claims she was penalized for rejecting Delta's offer and participating in protected activities under The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act, The Florida’s Whistleblower Act and as part of a class action lawsuit against the CDC. This retaliation allegedly resulted in her termination after a 24-year career with Delta.
The lawsuit says Delta began enforcing a mask mandate in April 2020 following a Transportation Security Administration directive, which included exemptions applicable to flight attendants such as Parke. In addition, Delta implemented an app for in-flight employees to monitor COVID-19 symptoms, and later held a raffle incentivizing vaccination among employees.