SkyWest Shareholders Reelect Directors, Back Pay and Auditor, Reject Labor Rights Review Proposal

Key Points

• Shareholders reelected all seven directors and approved the advisory "say on pay" and ratified Ernst & Young as SkyWest’s independent auditor for 2026.
• Investors rejected a shareholder proposal from As You Sow requesting an independent third‑party assessment of SkyWest’s alignment with international labor rights standards, a proposal that cited union‑related allegations and litigation involving the company.
• Management defended SkyWest’s record on people and culture, emphasizing integrity, transparency and "strong demand" for services as the company focuses on core businesses and long‑term growth.

SkyWest NASDAQ: SKYW shareholders elected all seven director nominees and approved the company’s executive compensation and auditor ratification at the company’s 2026 annual meeting, while voting down a shareholder proposal seeking an independent assessment of the company’s alignment with international labor rights standards.

Annual meeting details and attendees

James Welch, SkyWest’s chairman of the board, opened the virtual meeting and outlined the voting process for shareholders participating via the online portal. Welch said meeting materials, including the notice of annual meeting and proxy statement, were mailed on or about March 25, 2026, and made available to shareholders of record as of March 5, 2026.

Welch reported that, as of the record date, SkyWest had 40,178,237 shares of common stock issued and outstanding. Zions First National Bank served as the inspector of election, represented at the meeting by Shelene Brown. Welch said the inspector confirmed shares present in person (virtually) or by proxy exceeded quorum requirements.

Welch introduced director nominees participating on the call: James Welch, Russell “Chip” Childs, Smita Conjeevaram, Derek Leathers, Meredith Madden, Ronald Mittelstaedt, and Keith Smith. Corporate officers in attendance included Chip Childs, president and chief executive officer; Robert Simmons, chief financial officer; Wade Steel, chief commercial officer; Eric Woodward, chief accounting officer; and Dale Hansen, general counsel and corporate secretary. Welch also noted that Ernst & Young was represented by Chris Okawa as the company’s independent auditor.

Items put to a vote

Welch presented four items for shareholder consideration, each described in the company’s proxy statement:

• Election of directors: Shareholders voted on seven nominees to serve until the next annual meeting and until successors are elected and qualified.
• Advisory “say on pay” vote: Shareholders were asked to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the company’s named executive officers.
• Auditor ratification: Shareholders voted on ratifying Ernst & Young LLP as the company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending Dec. 31, 2026.
• Shareholder proposal: A proposal submitted by As You Sow on behalf of LongView 600 Small Cap Index Fund.

Shareholder proposal focuses on labor rights and union-related allegations

Rachel Lowy, speaking on behalf of As You Sow, formally moved the shareholder proposal requesting that SkyWest commission an independent third party to assess whether the company’s policies and practices align with “internationally supported rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining.” Lowy argued that for a “highly labor-dependent company,” effective human capital management is a core operational and financial risk.

In her remarks, Lowy cited several allegations and referenced litigation involving SkyWest, including claims that the company is anti-union, allegations that employees were restricted from discussing unions in crew rooms, and allegations that airport police were called to remove flight attendants for discussing organizing. Lowy also referenced allegations tied to the SkyWest Inflight Association, stating that in 2023 the Association of Flight Attendants filed a lawsuit against SkyWest alleging violations of the Railway Labor Act, including termination of union activists and unlawful establishment of a company-sponsored union. She further said that in 2024 the U.S. Department of Labor filed a lawsuit against the same company union for interference in its internal elections.

Lowy said the request did not require SkyWest to become “a pro-union company,” but sought an independent assessment to help investors understand potential “legal, operational, and reputational exposure.”

Management response and voting results

Welch invited Childs to respond to the shareholder presentation. Childs said SkyWest’s success over “the past 53 years” has been based on “two primary guiding principles: integrity and transparency.” He added that as the company moves forward in “a challenging industry,” continuing to embrace those principles is “more important than ever.”

Childs said the company’s “people are the key to our success,” and noted that SkyWest’s “four major airline partners recognize the value of SkyWest’s unique culture.” He added that the company appreciates the support of its partners and shareholders and looks forward to continuing to work with employees “to evolve and succeed.”

Welch said the board recommended shareholders vote against the proposal “for the reasons set forth in the proxy statement.” After polls closed, Welch reported the inspector of election’s results:

• All seven director nominees received a majority of votes cast and were elected.
• The advisory proposal to approve executive compensation was approved.
• The proposal to ratify Ernst & Young LLP as independent auditor for 2026 was approved.
• The shareholder proposal was not approved.

Closing comments: strong demand, focus on long-term growth

Following adjournment of the formal meeting, Childs delivered closing remarks, saying, “Demand for SkyWest services has never been stronger,” and that the company is focusing on “the core areas of our business” he believes will position it for long-term growth. He also thanked employees for “their teamwork and dedication to exceptional service,” adding that the company remains focused on long-term success.

The operator said the company did not receive any shareholder questions related to the business matters on the agenda, and the meeting concluded without a question-and-answer session.

About SkyWest NASDAQ: SKYW

SkyWest, Inc NASDAQ: SKYW is a regional airline holding company that provides air transportation services through its primary subsidiary, SkyWest Airlines. The company operates flights under capacity purchase agreements with major carriers such as United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and Alaska Airlines. By specializing in regional connectivity, SkyWest links smaller communities to larger hubs using a fleet of regional jets and turboprop aircraft.

Headquartered in St. George, Utah, SkyWest oversees all aspects of its airline operations, including flight scheduling, crew training and aircraft maintenance.

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