DOL Union Warns Agency May Retaliate VS. Whistleblowers
COLUMBUS, Ohio (PAI)--The union that represents the Labor Department’s field
offices is warning the GOP Bush government may retaliate against 59
whistleblowers in the Mine Safety and Health Administration who protested MSHA’s
actions--or lack of them--in the Crandall Canyon coal mine explosion a year ago.
Ron Yarman, president of the Columbus, Ohio-based National Council of Field
Labor Locals, an AFGE affiliate, posted the alert after Bush Labor Secretary
Elaine Chao transmitted the names of the 59 along with their investigative
interviews to MSHA Administrator David Stickler. Stickler is a former coal
company executive.
Transmittal of the files is important because DOL’s Inspector General, among
others, sharply criticized MSHA for allowing the mine operator to conduct unsafe
“retreat mining” that led to the fatal blast, and for being too cozy with the
operator.
“Rank and file inspectors expressed concern MSHA higher-ups will try to
retaliate against those who provide evidence of the agency’s willingness to compromise safety,”
Yarman said. The union “is warning any demotions, transfers or negative
performance reports” on the 59 “would be closely monitored.” He said in an
interview that no retaliation has occurred yet, “but this is advance notice. We
were told those interviews would be kept confidential, but then they were turned
over” to Stickler.