Derek Blockhus is a former United Airlines Flight Attendant with nearly twenty-four years of service who was wrongfully terminated through a procedurally defective investigation conducted while he was on approved FMLA medical leave and medically unavailable to participate.

Mr. Blockhus contends that United Airlines proceeded with a disciplinary investigation despite management previously agreeing to postpone the matter until his return from treatment. Most significantly, Mr. Blockhus states he was never interviewed prior to termination, despite the seriousness of the allegations and despite this fact later being acknowledged under oath by the lead investigator.

This case raises broader questions involving:

• employee due process,
• FMLA protections,
• union representation (afa),
• investigation standards,
• evidentiary reliability,

and disciplinary fairness under the Railway Labor Act and Collective Bargaining Agreement governing airline employees.

Key Allegations and Procedural Concerns

1. Termination During Approved FMLA Leave

Mr. Blockhus was approved for FMLA leave from February 8, 2021 through April 5, 2021 while undergoing medical treatment.

According to records and testimony, United management acknowledged that he was medically unavailable and reportedly agreed to postpone the investigation until completion of leave. Despite this, the disciplinary process continued during his absence and resulted in termination before his return from treatment.

2. Failure to Interview the Accused Employee

Mr. Blockhus was never interviewed during the investigation process prior to termination.

The lead investigator, John McCormick, later acknowledged under oath that Mr. Blockhus was never interviewed before conclusions were reached and disciplinary action was taken.

Mr. Blockhus contends this deprived him of meaningful participation in the investigation and violated the procedural protections contemplated under the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

3. Disputed and Unauthenticated Evidence

The disciplinary decision allegedly relied upon disputed electronic evidence that Mr. Blockhus contends was never conclusively authenticated.

Mr. Blockhus voluntarily subjected his phone records and SIM data to forensic inspection and maintains no verified evidence conclusively linked him to the disputed messages relied upon during the investigation.

4. Retaliation and Human Resources Complaints

Prior to the complaint made against him, Mr. Blockhus and a co-worker had reportedly been preparing complaints against another employee involving rumor-spreading and workplace harassment concerns.

Mr. Blockhus alleges the timing of the complaint against him raises substantial questions regarding retaliation and motive.

5. Union and Due Process Concerns

Mr. Blockhus further contends that the grievance and disciplinary review processes failed to adequately address:

• procedural irregularities,
• investigation deficiencies,
• FMLA implications,
• and unresolved evidentiary disputes.

He is currently seeking renewed union review and reconsideration of his case.

Why This Case Matters

This matter raises broader labor and workplace questions extending beyond a single employee dispute, including:

• Can a long-tenured airline employee be terminated during approved medical leave without being interviewed?
• What investigative standards should apply before terminating union employees?
• How should disputed electronic evidence be verified in workplace investigations?
• What role should unions play when substantial procedural irregularities are alleged?
• Are contractual due-process protections under airline CBAs being meaningfully enforced?

About Derek Blockhus

• Former United Airlines Flight Attendant
• Nearly 24 years of service
• Union-represented employee under the Railway Labor Act
• Seeking renewed review, reinstatement discussions, and public awareness regarding procedural fairness and employee due-process protections

Website and Documentation

Full case materials, timelines, supporting documentation, deposition excerpts, and investigative concerns are available at:

https://www.blockhus-versus-united-airlines-truth.info

Contact / Media Inquiries

Derek Blockhus
derek@blockhus-versus-united-airlines-truth.info
703-606-1644
 

Disclaimer: References to United Airlines concern only the actions and decisions alleged in connection with this specific matter and are not intended to broadly characterize the company or its employees as a whole.