{"id":1782335,"date":"2022-12-21T06:04:02","date_gmt":"2022-12-21T11:04:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=1782335"},"modified":"2022-12-21T07:34:25","modified_gmt":"2022-12-21T12:34:25","slug":"fired-pro-life-flight-attendant-calls-reinstatement-the-best-christmas-present","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/fired-pro-life-flight-attendant-calls-reinstatement-the-best-christmas-present\/","title":{"rendered":"Fired Pro-Life Flight Attendant Calls Reinstatement the &#8220;Best Christmas Present&#8221;"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ffired-pro-life-flight-attendant-calls-reinstatement-the-best-christmas-present%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=1782335&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Southwest Airlines restores Charlene Carter to her former position after lengthy legal battle<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>After five years of court battles, Charlene Carter is thrilled that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/t-southwest-airlines\">Southwest Airlines<\/a> has taken steps to return her to work under a federal judge\u2019s order\u2014despite the airline\u2019s earlier statement that it was planning to continue the fight.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOh, it\u2019s the best Christmas present in the world to receive, that you get to go back to the career that you love!\u201d Carter told The Epoch Times in a Dec. 16 interview, shortly after Southwest told Carter that she was scheduled to report for a required four-week training session in Dallas at the end of January.<\/p>\n<p>The company didn\u2019t immediately respond to an Epoch Times request for comment. So it remains unclear whether Southwest still might attempt an appeal of Judge Brantley Starr\u2019s order to reinstate Carter in a case that hinged on federal laws protecting employees\u2019 religious and union rights.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/southwest-airlines-to-fight-judges-ruling-slamming-intolerance-of-speech-in-fired-workers-case_4907449.html?utm_source=ref_share&#038;utm_campaign=copy&#038;rs=SHRCDSHVS\">Starr\u2019s ruling, <\/a>issued on Dec. 5, also requires Southwest and Transport Workers Union of America Local 556 to pay Carter a combined total of more than $835,000 in back pay, damages, and other compensation. In addition, in a new court filing, Starr is being asked to consider awarding nearly $3 million to the nonprofit legal foundation that supported Carter.<\/p>\n<p>The case holds significance not only for Carter, the company, and the union, but also for thousands of Southwest employees and customers who have been following Carter\u2019s saga.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI would like to just be able to put all of this behind me,\u201d Carter said, \u201cand hopefully behind Southwest and then for the union as well \u2026 and then get on with the business of flying, and you know, and enjoying my career.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>\u2018Enjoyed Every Minute\u2019<\/h2>\n<p>Carter, a flight attendant for 21 years until she was fired in 2017, says she has terribly missed her \u201cco-Hearts\u201d\u2014Southwest\u2019s term for coworkers at the airline with the LUV stock-ticker symbol because it was founded at Love Field, Texas.<\/p>\n<p>Carter says she also is excited to provide service to passengers and revel in the joy of flight.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s an amazing big world out there, and I enjoyed every minute of it,\u201d Carter said.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4495152\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/img.theepochtimes.com\/assets\/uploads\/2022\/05\/27\/A-Southwest-Airlines-commercial-aircraft--1200x800.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy wp-image-4495152 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/assets\/themes\/eet\/images\/white.png\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/A-Southwest-Airlines-commercial-aircraft-600x400-1.jpg\" alt=\"A Southwest Airlines commercial aircraft\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\"   style=\"display:none\"><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4495152 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/A-Southwest-Airlines-commercial-aircraft-600x400-1.jpg\" alt=\"A Southwest Airlines commercial aircraft\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" \/><\/noscript><\/figcaption><\/a> A Southwest Airlines aircraft approaches to land at John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, Calif., on Jan. 18, 2022. (Mike Blake\/Reuters)<\/figure>\n<p>In court filings, the airline opposed Carter\u2019s return to work, alleging that there was too much bad blood among Carter, her former coworkers, and the airline. But Carter denies any such issues.<\/p>\n<p>The airline allows flight attendants to request to work together\u2014and Carter said she has already seen quite a few of these \u201cbuddy bids\u201d within a few days of coworkers\u2019 noticing her name appearing in the signup system.<\/p>\n<p>Carter said she intends to approach her job with the love that Southwest\u2019s founder, Herb Kelleher, infused in the organization.<\/p>\n<p>She admits feeling a little gun-shy after everything that has transpired. But Carter said, \u201cYou know, I also have my faith, and I just believe that, you know, God gifted me this,\u201d so she\u2019s approaching the job with a sense of gratitude.<\/p>\n<p>Carter wrote in a public Facebook post: \u201c12-20-22\/New Beginning\/SWA-FA,\u201d referring to the date when the airline took additional steps toward her reinstatement as a flight attendant.<\/p>\n<p>The post received more than 200 comments of encouragement and support within a few hours.<\/p>\n<p>One person wrote: \u201cThank you for fighting not only for yourself, but on behalf of us that would get vilified for standing up for something that is right.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Opposition to Abortion<\/h2>\n<div class=\"page\" title=\"Page 11\">\n<div class=\"layoutArea\">\n<div class=\"column\">\n<p>Carter previously shared <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/the-untold-story-of-the-flight-attendant-fired-for-expressing-pro-life-views_4671438.html?utm_source=share-btn-copylink\">her story<\/a> with The Epoch Times, stating that she regretted terminating a pregnancy when she was 19. That experience left Carter, 57, of Aurora, Colorado, with lasting emotional and physical damage.<\/p>\n<p>As a result, she became a vocal opponent of abortion.<\/p>\n<p>In 2014, Carter took issue with her union\u2019s political activities, so she \u201copted out\u201d of Local 556. But she was still required to pay fees.<\/p>\n<p>In 2017, the union president complained to the company after Carter sent messages\u00a0expressing pro-life views and objecting to the union\u2019s alignment with pro-abortion causes.<\/p>\n<p>That complaint resulted in her being fired.\u00a0Until that happened, Carter\u2019s employment record of nearly 21 years was unblemished.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4883435\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/img.theepochtimes.com\/assets\/uploads\/2022\/11\/24\/GettyImages-1240463983-1200x800.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy wp-image-4883435 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/assets\/themes\/eet\/images\/white.png\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/GettyImages-1240463983-600x400-1.jpg\" alt=\"Epoch Times Photo\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4883435 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/GettyImages-1240463983-600x400-1.jpg\" alt=\"Epoch Times Photo\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" \/><\/noscript><\/figcaption><\/a> A pro-life demonstrator stands in front of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington on May 5, 2022. (Jim Watson\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/figure>\n<p>Carter sued to get her job back.<\/p>\n<p>After a trial this summer in Starr\u2019s Dallas courtroom, a jury voted to award Carter more than $5 million. Jurors were unaware that the amount was higher than the law allows. Therefore, Starr had to figure out how much he could legally award Carter.<\/p>\n<p>In his decision last month, Starr lambasted Southwest and Local 556 for violating Carter\u2019s rights to religious speech and union opposition.<\/p>\n<p>Starr\u2019s order prohibits the union and the company from discriminating against Southwest flight attendants, \u201cfor their religious practices and beliefs,\u201d and requires Southwest and the union to post the jury\u2019s verdict and Starr\u2019s ruling in conspicuous places.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The National Right To Work Foundation says it shouldered nearly $2.3 million in attorneys\u2019 fees and expenses while representing Carter.<\/p>\n<p>In a Dec. 19 court filing, the nonprofit foundation is seeking compensation from Southwest and the union for that amount, plus a \u201c25 percent lodestar enhancement,\u201d which is a fee-calculation method.<\/p>\n<h2>Repairing Corporate Culture<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4935767\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Jeffery-E.-Pizzino-APR-201704-300dpi-ring-fixed.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy  wp-image-4935767\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/assets\/themes\/eet\/images\/white.png\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Jeffery-E.-Pizzino-APR-201704-300dpi-ring-fixed.jpeg\" alt=\"Epoch Times Photo\" width=\"225\" height=\"337\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4935767\" src=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Jeffery-E.-Pizzino-APR-201704-300dpi-ring-fixed.jpeg\" alt=\"Epoch Times Photo\" width=\"225\" height=\"337\" \/><\/noscript><\/figcaption><\/a> Public relations professional Jeff Pizzino in an undated photo provided Dec. 20, 2022. (Mike Gannon\/AuthenticityPR)<\/figure>\n<p>Jeff Pizzino, a Tennessee-based public relations professional who studies corporate culture, told The Epoch Times that he has been a fan of Southwest Airlines for more than 20 years, noting many people considered the airline \u201cthe poster child for corporate culture for a long time.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThey used to hire people that would color outside the lines,\u201d he said. That literally was a test that Southwest would give prospective employees: When handed a picture to color, those who colored \u201coutside the lines\u201d would be hired, Pizzino said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAnd now they have someone that they\u2019re not allowing to speak outside the so-called lines, it appears,\u201d Pizzino said. That seems to contradict Southwest\u2019s signature culture.<\/p>\n<p>Pizzino, whose firm is called <a href=\"https:\/\/authenticitypr.com\">AuthenticityPR,<\/a> said there\u2019s an old adage in his line of work: \u201cIf you mess up, \u2018fess up.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He thinks Southwest needs to follow that advice.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThey need to take an immediate course correction and decide what their real values are going forward,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<div class=\"author_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"one_author_block round\">\n<div class=\"top_row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/author-janice-hisle\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/WEB_JaniceHisle.jpg\" alt=\"Janice Hisle\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p>Janice Hisle writes about a variety of topics, with emphasis on criminal justice news and trends. Before joining The Epoch Times, she worked for more than two decades as a reporter for newspapers in Ohio and authored several books. A graduate of Kent State University&#8217;s journalism program, she embraces &#8220;old-school&#8221; journalism with a modern twist. <\/p>\n<p>You can reach Janice by email by writing to janice.hisle@epochtimes.us<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Southwest Airlines restores Charlene Carter to her former position after lengthy legal battleAfter five years of court battles, Charlene Carter is thrilled that Southwest Airlines has taken steps to return<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1782338,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[547],"tags":[10764,5078,5458,3755,6922,6363,4289,5234,8347,10765,3819],"class_list":["post-1782335","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-bongino-report","tag-attendant","tag-best","tag-bongino","tag-calls","tag-christmas","tag-fired","tag-flight","tag-present","tag-pro-life","tag-reinstatement","tag-report"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1782335","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1782335"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1782335\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1782338"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1782335"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1782335"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1782335"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}