One of the largest airlines in the United States has been fined after an investigation found to it had retaliated against flight attendants for reporting workplace illnesses, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced recently.
American Airlines Inc. faces penalties of $6,837 after an investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in August determined the airline "retaliated against flight attendants who reported worker illnesses caused by toxic fumes entering aircraft cabins," the DOL states in its Jan. 4 announcement. The flight attendants claim the airline "docked attendance points and discouraged them from reporting work-related injuries and illnesses."
Timothy Minor, OSHA area director in Fort Worth, said the investigation determined the attendants "engaged in protected activities when they reported illnesses related to jet fuel fumes seeping into the aircraft cabin,” the DOL reports. “Workers must feel empowered to inform managers and others about potential hazards that jeopardize workers’ safety and health.”
Minor said federal law protects workers' rights to share concerns over workplace health and safety issues without fear of retaliation.
“When employers punish employees for doing so, they create a chilling effect that may stop workers from reporting future issues," Minor said, "putting their health and well-being, and that of co-workers, at risk.”
Fort Worth-based American Airlines Inc. has approximately 109,016 employees, including approximately 24,000 flight attendants, according to the DOL. The airline has 15 business days from receipt of citations to respond to the charges.
