Fired baggage handler reaches settlement with Delta Air Lines

[Omaha Steve]

Kip Hedges (kneeling, at left) joins other workers in celebrating the Metropolitan Airports Commission's passage of a $10 minimum wage.

By Barb Kucera, Workday Minnesota
August 20, 2015

MINNEAPOLIS
Kip Hedges, the Delta baggage handler fired for speaking out on behalf of low-wage airport workers, has reached a settlement with Delta Air Lines in his wrongful termination lawsuit.

The terms of the settlement, which was filed Aug. 13 in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, were not disclosed. While not able to provide details, Hedges said, “I’m very happy with the settlement. I thank everyone for standing with me.” He said he will not be returning to work at the airline.

Messages of support and donations poured in after Delta fired Hedges in December for remarks he made in a video for Workday Minnesota.

“A lot of the Delta workers make under $15 an hour, as a matter of fact, I would probably say close to half make under $15 an hour,” Hedges said in the video. “So, there’s a lot of them that understand how important this is, and a lot of the better-paid workers also understand that the bottom has to be raised, otherwise the top is going to fall as well.”

FULL story and video at link.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. Link here:

http://www.workdayminnesota.org/articles/fired-baggage-handler-reaches-settlement-delta-air-lines

[Demeter]

2. A Modern Profile in Courage

I salute you, Kip Hedges!