A truck driver in in Gresham, Oregon was awarded $150,000 after being fired from a trucking company for refusing to drive a truck with worn out tires.
The thin tire tread violated acceptable safety standards, and her firing was deemed retaliation for her refusal to drive under unsafe circumstances, which is illegal under the Surface Transportation Act (STAA). The STAA states the following:
1) A person may not discharge an employee, or discipline or discriminate against an employee regarding pay, terms, or privileges of employment, because –
B) the employee refuses to operate a vehicle because –
(i) the operation violates a regulation, standard, or order of the United States related to commercial motor vehicle safety, health, or security; or
(ii) the employee has a reasonable apprehension of serious injury to the employee or the public because of the vehicle’s hazardous safety or security condition;
After being unfairly fired, she filed a complaint with the Department of Labor who ruled in the driver’s favor; awarding her $150,000 and requiring the company to reinstate her job.
Her lawyer says the company, a small 2 man trucking operation, plans to appeal the decision.