Logan Skycaps Lose Tip Money Case In Court Reversal
BOSTON (AP) - A federal appeals court has reversed a lower court's ruling that awarded more than $333,000 to nine skycaps at Boston's Logan International Airport who claimed they were cheated out of tips when American Airlines started charging curbside baggage fees.
The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said in its ruling released Monday that the district court's decision based on Massachusetts law was preempted by federal law regulating airlines, and that American Airlines clearly indicated with signs that the $2 fee started in 2005 was not a tip.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Doug Cope reports.
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Skycaps said in their suit that many passengers thought the fee was a tip, and their income fell dramatically. They said the fee was a violation of Massachusetts law that protects service workers.
Lawyers for the skycaps and the airline did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
