FRA says CSX harassed workers

[Forum Admin]

Federal rail regulators, in a stinging report on safety practices at CSX Transportation, say the officials at the railroad created a "chilling" atmosphere discouraging workers from reporting injuries and that actions by CSX officials likely have violated the law. So reports Traffic World magazine on April 25.

The Federal Railroad Administration said the alleged violations "cannot be treated as proven." But the report said the agency's Office of Safety is recommending 30 civil penalty violation assessments against the railroad and a single assessment of individual liability against a CSX officer.

The FRA said it is issuing warning letters to CSX officials, including warning letters from the FRA's Office of Chief Counsel.

CSX, in a letter by Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Tony Ingram sent to the FRA last October and included in the report, said it has undertaken "remedial actions" in response to the incidents that were investigated and "to prevent such conduct from occurring."

Sent to Congress this week, the report came after an investigation into allegations from rail unions that CSX has harassed and intimidated workers, discouraging workers from reporting on-duty injuries and from receiving proper medical treatment.

"The consensus of the investigative team was that certain CSX officers had created an atmosphere or culture that tends to have a chilling effect on employee injury/illness reporting and that ultimately sends a message to employees that if they report an on-duty injury, they will be subject to adverse consequences," the report said.

The FRA report said investigators found CSX field officers often discuss federal reporting standards with workers who have been injured and "will sometimes 'remind' an injured employee" that a reportable injury would be included in personnel records and "may have an adverse effect on his or her career."

"This behavior violates the law," the report said.

A spokesman for the railroad said Friday the railroad "does not tolerate harassment and intimidation of employees" and "we have taken appropriate action where we have identified isolated instances of that behavior."

Spokesman Gary Sease noted CSX has reduced employee injuries by 46 percent since 2004, saying "we have a culture of safety in this company."

[Backyard]

  I don't want to take advantage of CSX; This is a dedicated, Norfolk Southern, Central Division Forum...

I can't see being treated like a slave, suffering hours of sleep loss, working different shifts, being gone from the Family, as any "culture of Saftey."

I would not work out, on the railroad, because I am not afraid.

They can sue me, kill me, maybe even eat me...

But they will look me in the eye...the dastards(evil, mean, sneeking cowards-Websters Dictionary).

But the cab door shan't hit me in the chaa, chaa, chaa....on the way out!

I wonder how the Vetrans, of the War Agains't Terror are treated?

...after all, you would not hear them complain...

[Backyard]

  ...better yet, what does the Labor Agreement do, in this matter?

[brutis]

That's the Tony Ingram that I knew.