Former Spirit Airlines worker sue

(CNN)– A group of former workers for Spirit Airlines is suing the company for back pay and benefits.

Six plaintiffs say the now-defunct carrier fired them illegally because it did not give them proper layoff notices.

They also claim they are still owed money for hours worked and vacation days not taken.

The suit says Spirit misled employees by telling them it planned to continue operations and to ignore media reports it was about to shut down.

The airline abruptly ceased all operations earlier this month.

The lawsuit seeks to become a class-action, where it could represent 17,000 workers who lost their jobs.