FAA accused of racially-biased hiring practices by Laxalt’s lawsuit, potentially forcing meritocracy across US employers

Former Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalt leads a class action lawsuit accusing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of discriminating against air traffic controller applicants based on race. The suit represents nearly 1,000 individuals who passed the necessary tests before being rejected by the FAA during the Obama administration due to their skin colour. According to Laxalt’s arguments in front of “The Bottom Line” program at FOX Business News Channel (FBNC), companies across America must face repercussions for hiring practices that prioritise race over skill, and this lawsuit could set a new precedent forcing employers to adopt merit-based recruitment. The FAA has responded by stating their emphasis on the “hiring of highly qualified air traffic controllers is a top priority”. Despite the fact that only 75% of US airport control towers are currently staffed, this situation highlights an issue which impacts American travel plans and may never be rectified if suitable candidates continue to face prejudice. The lawsuit is based on Title VII (1964), which makes it unlawful for employers to base hiring decisions solely upon race or gender. Laxalt believes that the Supreme Court’s recent trend towards this stance will result in a positive outcome, as such cases would require organisations and governments alike to recruit candidates according to their abilities rather than ethnicity.