DOL Sues USPS Over Alleged Whistleblower Retaliation
The U.S. Department of Labor is suing USPS for alleged whistleblower retaliation after firing a worker who raised safety concerns about loading dock equipment.
- By Robert Yaniz Jr.
- Dec 11, 2024
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) and two of its managers, alleging they illegally fired a contracted worker who raised concerns about unsafe loading dock conditions at a Pennsylvania post office.
According to a recent release, the legal action—filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania—stems from an OSHA investigation involving an employee of Red Diamond Trucking Co. The worker had refused to unload bulk mail at the Charleroi Post Office in Pittsburgh due to a malfunctioning loading dock lift.
OSHA reported that the worker had requested to use smaller hampers to safely transfer mail, but USPS employees accused the individual of refusing to handle the mail. The worker’s badge was then confiscated, effectively barring them from the USPS contract. The worker left the facility humiliated after a confrontation with USPS Police.
“Every worker deserves a safe workplace and the freedom to report unsafe conditions without the threat of retaliation,” OSHA Regional Administrator Michael Rivera in Philadelphia said in a statement. “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 lawsuit seeks to hold USPS accountable for retaliatory actions, demanding back wages, compensation for damages, and assurances that such conduct will not reoccur.
“When employers retaliate against workers who exercise their right to report unsafe workplace conditions, we will pursue all legal remedies to make sure those employees are made whole and ensure that employers do not engage in this conduct in the future,” Regional Solicitor of Labor Samantha Thomas in Philadelphia said.
About the Author
Robert Yaniz Jr. is the Content Editor of Occupational Health & Safety.