An OSHA investigation determined the employee was fired in retaliation for refusing to issue locomotive and conductor licenses to an untrained, unqualified candidate
Credit: WPMT
RONKS, Pa. — The Strasburg Railroad Co. in Lancaster County has been ordered to reinstate an employee and pay them back wages and damages after the employee was fired for refusing to give locomotive and conductor licenses to untrained and unqualified candidates, the U.S. Department of Labor announced Friday.
The department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigated a whistleblower complaint by the terminated employee, who claimed they were fired after refusing to issue the licenses due to safety and legal reasons.
OSHA's investigation confirmed the management official lacked the required licensing credentials and determined the company retaliated by firing the worker, a violation of the Federal Railroad Safety Act.
OSHA and the Department of Labor did not identify the affected employee due to their involvement in a whistleblower complaint.
“The OSHA investigation found Strasburg Rail Road Co. wrongfully terminated the employee for exercising their protected right to raise safety concerns,” said OSHA Regional Administrator Michael Rivera in Philadelphia. “This case underscores the critical importance of protecting workers who prioritize safety and comply with federal regulations. Retaliation against employees who stand up for safety will not be tolerated.”
OSHA has ordered the...
The False Claims Act (FCA) is here to stay. That is the collective message conveyed through a series of statements, memoranda, and actions taken by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) under the T...