Charleroi, PA (WJET/WFXP)– The United States Postal Service (USPS) and two of its managers in western Pennsylvania have been accused in a recent lawsuit of firing a worker for raising concerns about safety.
According to the Department of Labor, the lawsuit was filed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) after they investigated claims of a worker being fired for refusing to unload bulk mail because of a broken loading dock lift at its Pittsburgh sorting facility.
OSHA said the decision to fire the employee violates whistleblower laws calling it illegal retaliation and is seeking back wages and damages.
During OSHA’s investigation, they learned the worker was told no when they asked about using smaller mail hampers when using the broken lift out of concern for their own safety, claiming it had nearly injured them before.
In response, OSHA claims USPS employees accused the employee of refusing to handle the mail, taking their work badge and were verbally accosted by USPS Police and left the facility embarrassed.
“Every worker deserves a safe workplace and the freedom to report unsafe conditions without the threat of retaliation,” said OSHA Regional Administrator Michael Rivera in Philadelphia. “Employers must understand that retaliation or termination for speaking up about hazards is not only unlawful but undermines the protections meant to keep workers safe.”
The worker is an employee of Red Diamond Trucking Co. Inc. in McKees Rocks, PA which was contracted by USPS. No names were given.
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