Oil Workers Report Whistle-Blower Harassment

A new survey finds workers at the Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. are experiencing continued intimidation and harassment for reporting safety concerns along the trans-Alaska oil pipeline.

Workers who responded to a survey conducted by the government agency that oversees the pipeline said the alleged harassment came from a couple of executives at Alyeska headquarters.

At least 108 of 900 workers complained of harassment in responding to the survey by the Joint Pipeline Office, a combined state-federal agency. A total of 3,000 questionnaires were distributed to workers.

Alyeska vowed six years ago to end harassment of whistle-blowers after a government audit found lax management, falsified reports and other problems. Many of those problems had been pointed out by workers who then suffered retaliation.