Rail whistleblowers fired for voicing safety concerns despite efforts to end practice of retaliation

By JOSH FUNK
AP Business Writer

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Lawyers and unions representing rail workers say there is a clear pattern across the industry of railroads retaliating against workers who report safety violations or injuries on the job. Often these workers run afoul of managers who don’t want to jeopardize their bonuses. The examples of retaliation discourage other workers from speaking up, out of fear they also could be disciplined or fired. The railroads say they are trying to eliminate the practice by prohibiting retaliation and creating multiple ways for workers to report safety concerns. The number of cases are down over the past five years, but government statistics show whistleblower cases continue to be filed every year.