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Wednesday, November 26, 1997
Judge rules against Pantex whistleblowers
AMARILLO, Texas (AP) -- There's no evidence that Pantex contractor
Mason & Hanger Corp. retaliated against six employees who
reported safety concerns about the plant's nuclear bomb disassembly
program.
The case was the subject of a weeklong hearing in Amarillo
this summer.
Administrative Law Judge C. Richard Avery ruled that Mason
& Hanger acted "promptly and responsibly to correct both
real and perceived safety and personnel problems" associated
with the W-55 nuclear depth charge.
Last year, an Occupational Safety and Health Administration
investigation supported claims of a hostile work environment made
by John R. Williams, Joe McQuay, Norman Olguin, Gilbert Rodriquez,
Tom Byrd and Steven Sottile.
Avery's ruling also recommended no recovery or remedial action
be taken against Mason & Hanger. The Government Accountability
Project, which represented the workers, said it would appeal the
ruling to an administrative board.
"Frankly, on the issue of hostile work environment, Mason
& Hanger itself concluded there is a hostile work environment
at the site," GAP spokesman Tom Carpenter told the Amarillo
Globe-News. "Again, without having the decision, it's just
unbelievable to me that he could have ruled that there wasn't
one or that they weren't victimized by that."
Avery's decision pleased company officials.
"Mason & Hanger places the highest priority on safety,"
plant manager Bill Weinreich said in a statement. "Extensive
and thorough measures are taken to ensure not only worker safety,
but to protect the environment and public health."
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Copyright ©1997,
Abilene Reporter-News / Texnews / E.W. Scripps Publications
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