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OSHA News Release
2006 - 02/21/2006 - New York Manufacturer Ordered to Pay Back Wages and Punitive Damages to Two Employees Fired for Filing an OSHA Complaint |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
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Region 2 News Release: 06-288-NEW/BOS 2006-041 Tuesday, February 21, 2006 Contact: Ted Fitzgerald Phone: (617) 565-2074 New York Manufacturer Ordered to Pay Back Wages and Punitive Damages to Two Employees Fired for Filing an OSHA Complaint
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York has ordered a Ransomville, N.Y., tool manufacturer and its president to pay two workers a total of $35,800 in back wages and $10,500 in punitive damages for terminating them from their jobs after the men filed a complaint with the U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The order, signed Feb. 8, by Chief Judge Richard J. Acara, requires defendants V.R.K. Manufacturing and Tools Co. Inc. and company president Roman Klur to make payment within 60 days and permanently prohibits them from violating the anti-retaliation provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act. "No worker should be fired, penalized or discriminated against for voicing workplace safety and health concerns," said Patricia K. Clark, OSHA's regional administrator. "This decision reaffirms that basic right as well as the Labor Department's commitment to taking appropriate and aggressive steps to enforce the law. The awarding of punitive damages is significant, since they can help deter future discrimination by this or other employers." Two employees of V.R.K. Manufacturing and Tools were fired on May 3, 2003, one week after filing a complaint with OSHA about safety and health issues at their workplace. The workers then filed a whistleblower complaint with OSHA, alleging they were discriminated against for exercising the rights granted them under the OSH Act. OSHA's investigation found merit in the complaint and the agency sought reinstatement, back pay and benefits for the workers. When the employer repeatedly refused to settle the matter, the U.S. Labor Department filed suit in federal court to enforce the findings. Information about employees' rights and employers' responsibilities under the whistleblower provisions of the OSH Act and other statutes enforced by OSHA may be found on the agency's Web site at http://www.osha.gov/dep/oia/whistleblower/index.html. Employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to assure the safety and health of America's workers by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships, and encouraging continual improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov. # # # (Chao v. V.R.K. Manufacturing and Tool Co., Inc. and Roman Klur Docket #: 04-CV-266A) Los comunicados de prensa del Departamento del Trabajo de los Estados Unidos están disponibles en Internet en www.dol.gov Bajo pedido, la información de este comunicado puede obtenerse en varios formatos (letra grande, Braille, cinta de audio o disco) de la oficina de COAST. Favor de especificar la nota de prensa deseada al hacer el pedido. Llame al (202) 693-7765 o TTY (202) 693-7755. El Departamento del Trabajo de los Estados Unidos está comprometido en ofrecer a los trabajadores y empleadores de los Estados Unidos fácil acceso a información simple sobre cómo acatar sus normas y leyes. Para mayor información ir a www.dol.gov/compliance |
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OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
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