OSHA Orders Southern Air to Pay $400,000 to Airline Whistleblower

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has ordered Southern Air, Inc. to pay more than $400,000 in lost wages, back pay, damages, and attorney fees to a flight crew member who alleged that he was terminated after raising concerns to management about inadequate rest breaks and work hours in excess of those permitted under the Federal Aviation Administration rules.  After its investigation, OSHA determined that Southern Air violated the whistleblower provisions of the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act (AIR21) when it terminated the flight crew member for raising legitimate safety concerns about the working conditions at Southern Air.  OSHA’s order is significant because it reminds employers that there is no tolerance for retaliation against employees who raise legitimate health and safety concerns.  For information about The Employment Law Group® law firm’s Airline Whistleblower Practice, click here.

Tagged: AIR 21, Whistleblower Laws (Federal)