NEW ORLEANS — CSX Transportation has been ordered to pay more than $220,000 for violating the Federal Railroad Safety Act for firing a worker for reporting safety concerns.
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration found in an investigation that the railroad had “demonstrated a pattern of retaliation” in firing the worker in December 2019 and ordered it to pay $71,976 in back pay, interest, and damages, as well as $150,000 in punitive damages.
“CSX Transportation’s actions are unacceptable,” Dallas-based OSHA Regional Administrator Eric Harbin said in a press release. “Federal law protects employees who report hazards in the nation’s transportation sector and OSHA is committed to enforcing these rights to keep workers safe.”
The press release notes CSX has been penalized for similar whistleblower incidents in 2010, 2016, and 2020.
News Article referring to CP wreck.
https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/1911368771691
No mention if he would be reinstated with seniority as if he would want to be. If so he would have to walk on egg shells as the hatchet would be poised.
The same issue is brewing at CP following the wreck of a large grain train in British Columbia a couple of years ago. CP is doing all they can to suppress any outside investigation after whistleblowers raised concerns.
Yes indeed it does seem to make one think it’s just a cost of doing business.
Mike Friedman
I totally concur. Those costs are less than one derailment of a few cars. No pain, it will be business as usual.
Those punitive damages need to quickly escalate for repeated violations like this. Otherwise it’s just a cost of doing business and the behavior won’t change.
I find this report quite troubling. But more details than what is provided in this article are in order.