A judge denied a motion to dismiss a defamation suit against the chief operating officer of Southwest Airlines earlier this week.
The judge siding with the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association, the union which represents Southwest Airlines Co. mechanics, means its counterclaim against Southwest’s COO Mike Van de Ven is still alive.
The issue stems from a public statement Van de Ven made Feb. 19, 2019, in which he said, “AMFA has a history of work disruption, and Southwest has two pending lawsuits against the union.”
AMFA took exception to his comment, disputing the fact the union has a history of work disruptions and filed the defamation suit against the longtime Southwest executive. Van de Ven sought to dismiss the union’s suit, a move the court denied Tuesday.
“The Court concludes that the statements concern the conduct and actions specific to AMFA’s ability to perform its duties as a representative body tasked to bargain on behalf of its members,” U.S. District Judge David Godbey wrote in a Tuesday court filing. “Because the Court finds the statements constitute defamation per se, damages are presumed.”
Southwest spokesperson Brandy King said the company maintains the position that the defamation claims have no merit. “We will continue to adamantly defend our position on all fronts,” she said.
AMFA did not respond to a request for comment.
The suit is one component of an ongoing lawsuit pitting Southwest against AMFA. For more, please visit the Dallas Business Journal.