National Journal: New FBI Probe of Bomb Plot Highlights Administration’s Tough Stance on Leaks
Summary: The FBI has launched a criminal probe aimed at identifying the officials who leaked details about a foiled al-Qaeda bomb plot, where the plan was to down an airplane with “a sophisticated underwear bomb.” While the Obama administration has been aggressively clamping down on intelligence and national security whistleblowers by charging them under the Espionage Act and labeling them as “leakers,” this action is markedly different, writes GAP National Security & Human Rights Director Jesselyn Radack in a blog post this morning. Radack differentiates this investigation from others, as this reveal of information “appears to have come from the administration for political gain,” not from whistleblowers exposing wrongdoing.
Crosscut (WA): Ring the Alarm – Hanford’s Lack of a Nuclear Safety Culture
Summary: In recent months, two managers at the Hanford nuclear facility have filed complaints with the Department of Labor, alleging safety risks. This is in addition to the suit filed by Walt Tamosaitis, also alleging issues with the safety of the plant. All three have also faced retaliation for coming forward. As evidenced by this, workers are not encouraged to report safety issues and the Hanford safety culture as a whole is hostile to whistleblowers, despite vindication with some issues from the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board.
Farm Workers Don’t Report Sexual Assault for Fear of Reprisal: Protecting Them is a Win-Win
Summary: A recent report reveals that too many farmworkers are scared to report sexual assault and harassment for fear of reprisal. In this blog post, GAP’s Jesselyn Radack says that empowering and protecting these workers would be a win-win for all involved.
Peace Arch News (Canada): White Rock Officials Differ on City-Staff Protection
Summary: A councilperson from White Rock, British Columbia (Canada) wants to enact whistleblower protections for city employees who would reveal wrongdoing. However, the remaining members of the city council declined to bring it up for discussion.
Court Upholds Order to Reinstate Fired Farmworker
Summary: A California court ordered raspberry grower Dutra Farms to reinstate a farmworker it allegedly fired for union organizing. It's the first test case of a new state law that strengthens farmworkers' right to unionize without company retaliation. GAP's Food Integrity Campaign has more.
Summary: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) plans to establish a Whistleblower Protection Advisory Committee, which will advise and make recommendations to the Secretary of Labor on ways to improve efficiency and transparency of OSHA’s whistleblower protections.
Channel 4 News (England): Whistleblower Suspended for Revealing Exam Mark Mistakes
Summary: An exam board supervisor in England has been suspended for exposing problems with the way that last year’s A-level exams were marked, leading, in some cases, to students getting the wrong grade.
Hannah Johnson is Communications Associate for the Government Accountability Project, the nation's leading whistleblower protection and advocacy organization.
