A former employee has filed a lawsuit against a major airline, alleging wrongful termination and discrimination. Shante Gilkie, through her attorney Danielle Pinkston of Pinkston Law Group P.C., filed the complaint on February 14, 2026, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against Southwest Airlines Co. and her supervisor, Shari Buis.
The case revolves around Gilkie’s employment as an Appearance Technician at Chicago Midway International Airport, where she claims to have been wrongfully terminated due to retaliatory and discriminatory practices. Gilkie was hired by Southwest Airlines on January 17, 2022, and alleges that she performed her duties satisfactorily until her termination on September 1, 2022. According to the complaint, she was promoted to Lead Appearance Technician but faced issues such as not being formally trained or consistently paid at the Lead rate. The plaintiff asserts that negative performance evaluations were inaccurately documented by a supervisor who did not regularly work her shift. Furthermore, she claims these evaluations were used as pretextual justifications for her dismissal.
Gilkie accuses Southwest Airlines of violating several laws including the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) for unpaid overtime wages and breach of contract for failing to pay agreed-upon wages. She also claims retaliatory discharge in violation of Illinois public policy after engaging in protected activities like discussing workplace conditions with union representatives and questioning inaccurate evaluations. The lawsuit highlights alleged racial and gender-based animus contributing to her termination just hours before qualifying for union protection.
In seeking justice from the court, Gilkie requests compensatory damages for lost wages and benefits along with punitive damages where applicable. She also seeks restitution for unjust enrichment due to uncompensated labor at higher responsibility levels. Additionally, she demands statutory damages under the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act (IWPCA) for delayed wage payments post-termination.
Representing Gilkie is attorney Danielle Pinkston from Pinkston Law Group P.C., while the case is filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-1701 in front of judges yet to be named.
Source: 126cv01701_Shante_Gilkie_v_Southwest_Airlines_Complaint_Northern_District_of_Illinois.pdf