Opinion ID: 3049910
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: the whistleblower protection program

Text: [1] The WPP was enacted as part of the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century, Pub. L. No. 106-181, Title V, § 519(a), 114 Stat. 61, 145-49 (2000). The program was designed to “provide protection for airline employee whistleblowers by prohibiting the discharge or other discrimination against an employee who provides information to its employer or the Federal government about air safety or files or participates in a proceeding related to air safety.” H.R. Rep. No. 106-167, pt. 1, at 100 (1999). [2] Consistent with this goal, the WPP established a detailed administrative scheme for the investigation and resolution of claims brought by airline employees. See 49 U.S.C. § 42121(b); 29 C.F.R. Part 1979. An aggrieved employee may file a complaint with the Secretary of Labor (“Secretary”) within 90 days after the date on which a violation of the WPP occurs. 49 U.S.C. § 42121(b)(1). Once an employee files a complaint and presents a prima facie case pursuant to § 42121(b)(2)(B)(i), the Secretary must conduct an investigation and issue a final order. See id. §§ 42121(b)(2)(A), (b)(3)(A). The statute explicitly provides for review of the Secretary’s final order in the courts of appeal. See id. § 42121(b)(4). In the event of non-compliance with the Secretary’s final order, either the Secretary or the employee may bring a civil action in a federal district court to compel compliance with the Secretary’s order. Id. § 42121(b)(5), (b)(6).