Pan Am Rail Fined $50,000 by Labor Department

WATERVILLE, Maine (AP) -- The U.S. Department of Labor has ordered a Massachusetts-based rail company to pay $50,000 in damages to a worker in a Maine rail yard who said he was subjected to disciplinary action for reporting an injury and unsafe working conditions.

The employee in Waterville filed an OSHA complaint in 2011 against Pan Am Railways in North Billerica saying he was subjected to a hearing and letter of reprimand.

In January 2012, Pan Am held a second hearing. The Labor Department says Pan Am shouldn't have held that hearing.

OSHA found the worker, whom it did not name, engaged in protected activity when filing the complaint, and the railroad took retaliatory action by charging him with lying.

Cynthia Scarano, the railroad's executive vice president, said Pan Am is appealing the decision.


SOURCE: http://www.lowellsun.com/breakingnews/ci_24006466/pan-am-railways-billerica-fined-50-000-by