OSHA finds pilot suffered retaliation under AIR 21

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced on Friday that it has found that New Jersey based air carrier Worldwide Jet Charter LLC retaliated against one of its pilots. OSHA has issued a reinstatement order, and this order has immediate effect even if Worldwide chooses to appeal. OSHA made its determination under the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century, which is also called AIR 21. "Pilots and other workers of air carriers have the legal right to report violations of federal aviation regulations," said Robert Kulick, OSHA’s regional administrator in New York. "Air carriers that retaliate against employees for exercising their rights under AIR21 will be held accountable." OSHA did not release the name of the pilot, but it did announce that its determination provided for back pay, compensatory damages, attorney fees, expungement and an order to post a notice to employees about their rights under AIR 21. This announcement follows another OSHA determination in March for a SOX whistleblower, indicating new hope for whistleblowers about the pace and success of OSHA whistleblower cases.