![]() In one recording from 2015, Sanders’ supervisor berates him for calling the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). The pattern of misconduct dates back more than a decade, according to an analysis of hundreds of federal court records. Sanders’ case, and the recordings that came with it, are revealing more about the inner workings of a multi-billion-dollar company that is under growing scrutiny.Īfter a derailment last March in Southwest Minnesota, 5 INVESTIGATES found BNSF had repeatedly been sanctioned or admonished in court for destroying evidence or retaliating against employees. ![]() In a previous statement, a spokesperson said the company “does not retaliate against employees.” BNSF did not respond to requests to comment on the recordings obtained by 5 INVESTIGATES. The railroad is currently appealing a multi-million-dollar verdict. The recordings, which have not been previously reported, are part of a 2017 lawsuit filed in federal court by former track inspector, Don Sanders.Ī jury later found BNSF retaliated against Sanders after he claimed he was fired for reporting “too many defects.” “Why can’t we just fix the (expletive) defects?” an employee is heard saying on one of the calls. A track inspector claimed he was fired for reporting ‘too many defects.’ His secret recordings may cost BNSF millions.Ī series of phone calls secretly recorded by a track inspector-turned-whistleblower at Burlington Northern Santa Fe is raising more questions about the safety culture at Minnesota’s largest railroad.
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