FAA and OSHA Enforcement of Aviation Whistleblower Protection Law (AIR21 Whistleblower Law)
The FAA and OSHA have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to facilitate coordination and cooperation concerning enforcement of the AIR21 whistleblower protection law.
The DOL and FAA both play a critical role in enforcing the whistleblower protection provision of AIR21. FAA has the responsibility to investigate complaints related to air carrier safety and has authority under the FAA’s statute to enforce air safety regulations and issue sanctions to airmen and air carriers for noncompliance with these regulations.
FAA enforcement action may include air carrier and/or airman certificate suspension and/or revocation and/or the imposition of civil penalties. Additionally, FAA may issue civil penalties for violations of 49 U.S.C. § 42121. OSHA has the responsibility to investigate employee complaints of discrimination and may order a violator to take affirmative action to abate the violation, reinstate the complainant to his or her former position with back pay, and award compensatory damages, including attorney fees.
Under the MOU, OSHA will promptly notify FAA of any AIR21 whistleblower retaliation complaints and will provide the FAA with all investigative findings and preliminary orders, investigation reports, and orders associated with any hearing or administrative appeal related to the complaint. And when a whistleblower notifies the FAA of retaliation involving air carrier safety, the FAA will promptly provide OSHA with a copy of the complaint and will advise the whistleblower that an AIR21 complaint must be filed with OSHA within 90 days of the retaliation. And the FAA will provide OSHA with the general results of any investigation conducted, to include whether or not FAA concluded there was a violation of a federal regulation, order, or standard relating to air carrier safety.
AIR21 Whistleblower Protection for Airline Workers
AIR21 Whistleblower Remedies
Experienced Aviation Safety/AIR21 Whistleblower Protection Attorneys
The whistleblower protection lawyers at Zuckerman Law have successfully represented whistleblowers under the AIR21 whistleblower protection law and other whistleblower laws enforced by OSHA. We have obtained substantial relief for AIR21 whistleblowers.
To schedule an initial consultation, call us at 202-262-8959.
Before hiring a lawyer for an AIR21 whistleblower case, assess the lawyer’s reputation, prior experience representing whistleblowers, knowledge of whistleblower laws, and prior results. And consider the experience of other whistleblowers working with that attorney. See our client testimonials by clicking here.
U.S. News and Best Lawyers® have named Zuckerman Law a Tier 1 firm in Litigation – Labor and Employment in the Washington DC metropolitan area.
See our tips to get the maximum damages in your whistleblower retaliation case.
Testimonial from AIR21 Whistleblower
- I couldn’t ask for a better guy than Dallas Hammer to put the airline’s feet to the fire. I had never heard of AIR21 until I had been retaliated against and educated myself with the help of Zuckerman Law website. Dallas correctly anticipated every move they made and we were in a position to have a very strong case. Dallas negotiated a severance that is far above the norm. I am very pleased with the outcome. Now I can move on with my life with plenty of time to find a better employer.
