United Airlines unveils laughable “Safe to Say It” campaign
Marty Watters, Investigative Reporter
Just three days after United Airlines lead counsel Brett Hart was confronted about threats that he allegedly delivered to whistleblowing employees at United's former World Headquarters (WHQ), Hart had the unmitigated gall to announce the laughable "Safe to Say It at United" campaign.
United Airlines manager to employees: “it would be difficult to prove” United was removing asbestos
Hart reportedly delivered the threats to an attorney representing the employees who were blowing the whistle on criminal asbestos removal at United's former WHQ.
It is clearly not "Safe to Say it at United" because speaking up could result in a threat and that does not make anyone feel safe.
Communications Re: Threats
------------------------------------------
From: Marty Watters
To: Brett Hart
Cc: Oscar Munoz, Richard Leamy, Michelle Booth
Sent: February 9, 2018 at 4:46 PM
Subject: Fwd: United Airlines threatened whistleblowers!
Mr. Brett Hart
Would you care to comment on allegations that [attorney redacted] has made?
Marty Watters
Investigative Reporter
Illinoispaytoplay.com
------ Original Message ------
From: Marty Watters
To: [Attorney redacted]
Cc: [Attorney redacted], [Attorney redacted], [Attorney redacted]
Sent: February 3, 2018 at 6:17 PM
Subject: United Airlines threatened whistleblowers!
Tom
Would you care to comment on the fact that United Airlines had you deliver a threat to your clients?
Marty Watters
Investigative Reporter
Illinoispaytoplay.com
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: [United Airlines whistleblower redacted]
Date: Nov 1, 2017 8:06 AM
Subject: Follow-up Conversation
To: [Attorney redacted]
Tom
From my conversation with [redacted] I understand that Brett Hart instructed Richard Leamy to warn us to stay away and not talk to Marty Waters.
We have some questions:
Did Richard explain what United intends to do to us is we did not listen to Brett's warning?
Has United sent any threats to Marty?
[redacted]
Communications Re: Hart memo
--------------------------------------------
From: Marty Watters
To: Brett Hart
Cc: Oscar Munoz, Scott Kirby, ualboard@united.com
Sent: February 16, 2018 at 3:57 PM
Subject: Fwd: A message from Brett Hart: It’s safe to say it at United
Brett
No it's not safe to say it at United. As you know!
Call me.
Marty Watters
[redacted]
------ Original Message ------
From: Marty Watters
To: hr.communication@united.com
Sent: February 15, 2018 at 10:27 AM
Subject: Re: A message from Brett Hart: It’s safe to say it at United
Please tell Brett Hart to call me, there are few things that United employees would like say to him.
United Airlines asbestos scandal
https://illinoispaytoplay.com/?s=united+airlines
Marty Watters
[redacted]
A message from Brett Hart: It’s safe to say it at United
By Brett Hart
Posted February 12, 2018
Dear United team,
As a company, we've always aimed to have a culture in which employees can share their ideas, questions and concerns with us. And we're now renewing our commitment to reinforcing that culture. As Oscar and I mentioned at our Earnings "Live" event at the end of January, we're introducing a "Safe to Say It" campaign to reaffirm with all of you that you are empowered to speak up. We want you to always feel comfortable voicing your thoughts, especially if you think something isn't right.
Tools like Runway, Org Pulse and United Voices are examples of ways that we've already made it easier, on a tactical level, to share different types of feedback. These tools have allowed us to more reliably gather and act on employee feedback, so you know that, as a company, we're listening. We'll continue to look for new ways to streamline those processes, but now we want to go beyond that and focus on making sure that all employees truly feel that they can share their thoughts without fear.
We've started by asking all leaders to make sure that their employees know it's safe to speak their minds. Each leader holds in his or her hands the power to build employees' trust. And we want all of our employees to trust that their feedback and ideas are valued.
Our promises to you
As leaders, we will take ownership
We promise to work hard to continue building a culture where thoughts and ideas are exchanged freely. And if you find that we're not doing that, we want you to hold us accountable.
Our doors are open
This phrase is used a lot, and sometimes superficially, but it needs to ring true here at United. We as leaders promise you that we will give you the time, space and permission to speak up.
There are no repercussions
If any employee has questions or concerns about a project, a policy, or anything else going on at United, they should feel empowered to say so. And as long as it's done in a way that's respectful and appropriate, that will never bring on negative repercussions.
What's next?
The Ethics and Compliance Office and various other teams across the company will contribute to the "Safe to Say It" campaign, highlighting the importance that speaking up holds in their areas. And you'll hear more in the coming months about all the ways that you can speak up and why it's important to do so.
Questions?
If you have questions or comments about the "Safe to Say It" campaign, please email the HR Communication team at hr.communication@united.com.
Best regards,
Brett
-----------------------------------------
Mr. Hart, after the multiple threats I myself have also received from United, I don't feel "Safe to Say It" to United - and I'm not even an employee!
United employees will be better served by the Brett Hart-inspired "Say it Anyways" campaign.
Details to come...
You won’t believe the latest in the United Airlines asbestos scandal
Marty Watters, Invesigative Reporter
Get a load of this:
A&E Services Inc., the company that United Airlines insists was not removing asbestos from its former World Headquarters in suburban Illinois, now wants United to return its asbestos removal equipment!
United contracted A&E Services to remove asbestos from United's former WHQ. From July of 2014 through May of 2015 A&E Services illegally removed, and then illegally dumped the asbestos in open dumpsters clandestinely placed in a residential driveway in Rolling Meadows IL.
United management and their attorneys swear that this did not happen. They claim that A&E was paid over $1.1 million to remove some fiberglass insulation.
Now why would United remove and replace perfectly fine fiberglass insulation? Answer: they wouldn't. Nobody would!
And why would United pay asbestos removal prices to remove fiberglass insulation? Again, they wouldn't. Nobody would!
The fact is that United only began claiming that A&E was removing fiberglass insulation after A&E was caught red-handed illegally removing and dumping asbestos. But prior to A&E being caught committing these crimes, United told its maintenance mechanics that A&E was there to remove asbestos.
Both claims cannot be correct.
Now A&E is in a fight with United over equipment that was never returned to owner Robert Nykaza after his company was banned from the property.
Unfortunately for United, the list of equipment that Nykaza is demanding United return to him is clearly asbestos removal equipment. It can now be added to the mountain of irrefutable proof that A&E illegally removed asbestos from United's WHQ. Brilliant move, Robert!
I look forward to seeing how United's attorneys will try to spin this one.
As for the mentally unstable Robert Nykaza, he might want to start working on his explanation for why he had asbestos removal equipment at United, and why he hired Rich Hayes, the owner/operator of a little power washing business in Rolling Meadows, to supervise a multimillion dollar asbestos removal project at United.
But the explanation I am most looking forward to is the one from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration explaining why they are still allowing United to willfully expose its employees and anyone else who walks into the former WHQ to deadly airborne asbestos.
OSHA Director Angeline Loftus
United Airlines’ asbestos cover-up: OSHA Director commits perjury
United Airlines’ asbestos house of cards – OSHA falsely claims OIG investigated them
Marty Watters, Investigative Reporter
Kimberly Locey, Director of Administrative Programs, OSHA
In the latest chapter of United Airlines' asbestos house of cards, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is now falsely claiming that an investigation of corruption at OSHA's North Chicago office has been completed by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) in Chicago.
In her attempt to whitewash OSHA's complicity in the criminal cover-up of United's illegal asbestos removal and dumping, OSHA Director Kimberly Locey has made the false claim that the OIG in Chicago has done an investigation.
United Airlines’ asbestos cover-up: OSHA Director commits perjury
Well that was news to James Vanderberg, Special Agent in Charge of the OIG in Chicago, who knew nothing about this alleged investigation.
What Ms. Locey apparently did not know when drafting this letter is that I have been in communication with Special Agent Vanderberg and that I can unequivocally state that at no time did the OIG in Chicago investigate this case of public corruption at OSHA.
Oops! What now, Kim?
Well, now Ms. Locey wants to play hide and seek. Locey refuses to return phone calls from me and the person who made the latest allegations of systemic corruption at the North Chicago office of OSHA.
No surprise there.
However, I am a little surprised that Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA, Loren Sweatt, has not taken the opportunity afforded to her to get out in front of this scandal. She is also not returning phone calls.
As for the OIG, James Vanderberg, call me. It's high time that you really do that investigation that OSHA director Locey falsely claims you have already done
What are you waiting for?
United Airlines: Breathing airborne asbestos fibers is just part of the job!
Marty Watters, Investigative Reporter
If you think the way Oscar Munoz and United Airlines treat their customers is deplorable, wait until you see how they treat their own employees.
United has for years been doing everything in its power to hide the irrefutable fact that employees working at and visiting its former World Headquarters in Elk Grove Village, IL are being exposed to large amounts of airborne asbestos fibers.
In an incredible new development in this saga, United attorneys have just taken the position that being exposed to asbestos is just a work place hazard that employees must endure as part of working for United.
Consider the fact that employees were not being told about the asbestos hazard. And that United did nothing to eliminate the dangerous conditions created by its reckless disregard for the laws governing asbestos removal.
Here's United's latest position concerning the ongoing asbestos hazard: employees can just file a worker's compensation claim after they are exposed to the asbestos hazard United intentionally created and tried to cover up.
Knowing all this, it is painfully clear that the health and well-being of employees at United means absolutely nothing to the airlines' top decision makers.
Wow Oscar, makes me wonder if you underwent a heart transplant or just a removal. Perhaps a brain transplant is in order.
Does United understand that workman's comp covers accidents, not deliberate acts?
Do United attorneys think that they can claim that lying to the EPA and OSHA were accidents as well?
United Airlines manager caught lying to OSHA in asbestos case
Good luck with that strategy, Oscar.
There is no word yet on United's position regarding non-employees who were and are being exposed to airborne asbestos fibers. But I'm sure when they finally come up with one, it will be a gem.
United Airlines also illegally dumped asbestos next to children’s playground!
Fly the friendly skies of United? No thanks, Oscar. If this is how United treats people on the ground, there is no reason at all to think the treatment gets any better in the air.
More to come..
United Airlines also illegally dumped asbestos next to children’s playground!
Marty Watters, Investigative Reporter
Mr. Oscar Munoz, beating up paying customers whose only crime was to choose to fly United Airlines is one thing.
But an airline that illegally dumps asbestos next to a children's playground and then does everything in its considerable power to conceal the crime?
That's going way too far. Even for United!
-----------------------------------------------------------
----- Original Message ------
From: Marty Watters
To: Oscar Munoz
Cc: Christina Landgraf, Megan McCarthy, Brett Hart
Sent: April 12, 2017 at 8:06 AM
Subject: Oscar Munoz "It's never too late to do the right thing"
Oscar
Thank you for that quote. I agree wholeheartedly.
Now when can I expect to hear from you to discuss United's considerable asbestos problem?
Marty Watters
------ Original Message ------
From: Marty Watters
To: Oscar Munoz
Cc: Christina Landgraf, Brett Hart
Sent: April 10, 2017 at 2:38 PM
Subject: Fwd: United Airlines illegally dumped asbestos next to children's park
I have not heard from anyone at United. Today is your deadline.
https://www.yahoo.com/tech/just-kill-united-passenger-says-drools-blood-video-190048492.html
------ Original Message ------
From: Marty Watters
To: Oscar Munoz
Cc: Christina Landgraf, Brett Hart
Sent: April 7, 2017 at 8:34 AM
Subject: United Airlines illegally dumped asbestos next to children's park
Mr. Oscar Munoz
Illegally parking open dumpsters full of asbestos next to a children's park is not the behavior of a company that cares.
http://rmparks.org/locations/waverly_park
Contact me at <redacted>
Marty Watters
Investigative Reporter
Illinoispaytoplay.com
------ Original Message ------
From: Marty Watters
To: Oscar Munoz
Cc: Christina Landgraf, Brett Hart
Sent: March 27, 2017 at 10:21 AM
Subject: United Airlines illegally dumped asbestos in suburban neighborhood
Oscar Munoz
Would you care to comment?
Marty Watters
United Airlines illegally dumped asbestos in suburban neighborhood
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oscar, you have finally expressed your shame and have accepted responsibility for United's thug-like actions that sent 69-year-old Dr. David Dao to the hospital.
Now it's time for you and United to accept the shame and responsibility for exposing untold numbers of men, women and children to airborne asbestos fibers.
They also deserve an apology from you, along with a commitment from United to voluntarily provide them the proper medical attention.
Like you said, Oscar: "It's never too late to do the right thing".
Or was that just lip service?
United Airlines illegally dumped asbestos in suburban neighborhood
Marty Watters, Investigative Reporter
In an effort to conceal its asbestos liabilities from employees and shareholders, United Airlines hired contractor A&E Services Inc. to illegally dump asbestos A&E removed from United's former World Headquarters in Elk Grove Village, Illinois.
To accomplish this act of deception, A&E owner Robert Nykaza convinced his longtime friend, Dan Vessel, to keep open dumpsters in his driveway at 2201 Cedar St. Rolling Meadows IL so that A&E could illegally dump the asbestos without the governing authorities knowing.
What United management and Nykaza did not anticipate was that Vessel would reveal their criminal activity to a whistleblower.
"My buddy is doing a big asbestos removal job at United and he is dumping it in my driveway" Vessel told said whistleblower.
Ouch! That's what we call a "smoking gun".
After the initial article on IP2P came out exposing United's illegal asbestos dumping at his house, Vessel threatened the whistleblower, telling him "you better watch your back" and "you can't beat United Airlines".
Here's the irony, Mr. Vessel. Your testimony may be what ultimately brings United's asbestos house of cards crashing down.
And United knows that.
So perhaps you should follow your own "watch your back" admonition.
Coincidentally, Vessel was not the only person to issue a threat.
Nykaza, United's asbestos contractor, told me that he has friends in Congress and the Environmental Protection Agency, and that "his boys will find me".
During his emotional rant, Nykaza suggested that he could kill me and get away with it.
He also kept stressing that he was mentally unstable.
You'll get no argument from me on that, Bob.
What makes this even more disturbing is that this guy is an elected official from Barrington Township, IL.
Robert Nykaza
The real questions now are:
Do the good folks in Barrington Township know they have a mentally unstable Trustee?
And
Did Robert Nykaza break the law because he is mentally unstable, or is he becoming unhinged because he got caught red-handed breaking the law?
Either way, his troubles are just begining.
Did I mention embezzlement and kickbacks yet? I'll get to that soon.
In the meantime, I highly recommend Nykaza and Vessel seek legal counsel .
More to come...
What United Airlines’ CEO does not want the public to know
Marty Watters, Investigative Reporter
United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz is currently on a PR blitz, busily collecting awards and accolades for being a great communicator who really cares about United's employees and the public.
United's contention is that Munoz's concern for the happiness and well-being of United employees will turn things around at the troubled airlines.
Doesn't that sound wonderful?
Well it might, if it wasn't a fairy tale.
While Munoz has been collecting accolades, United's team of in-house lawyers and multiple outside law firms are doing everything in their considerable power to conceal from his employees and the public United's major asbestos problem at its former World Headquarters.
-------------------------------------------
------ Original Message ------
From: Marty Watters
To: Christina Landgraf
Cc: Oscar Munoz, Brett Hart
Sent: June 8, 2016 at 11:51 AM
Subject: Fwd: Asbestos medical testing (United Airlines)
Ms. Landgraf
As you know, United Airlines has quietly been providing medical testing for employees who are aware that they have been exposed to airborne asbestos fibers at United's former World Headquarters in Elk Grove Village IL. due to the abatements performed by A&E Services Inc.
When is United going to make an official announcement to inform all those who don't realize that they have been exposed?
Marty Watters
[redacted]
-----Original Message-----
From: Marty Watters
To: Geoffrey Celander (UAL)
Sent: June 7, 2016 at 11:50 AM
Subject: Asbestos medical testing (United Airlines)
Mr. Geoffrey Celander
United Airlines is now offering employees medical testing due to the fact that they have been exposed to airborne asbestos fibers at United's former World Headquarters in Elk Grove village IL.
Has United Airlines made an official announcement informing all employees of this new development?
Marty Watters
[redacted]
United Airlines' illegal abatement at former World Headquarters exposing employees to airborne asbestos fibers
----------------------------------------
It's understandable that Oscar does not want to be forced to discuss United's asbestos liabilities at the next shareholders meeting.
As we all know shareholders are never pleased with looming losses.
However, it is reprehensible that Munoz is accepting awards while refusing to inform his employees that United has been knowingly exposing them to a dangerous and potentially fatal carcinogen.
Oscar Munoz, if you really care about your employees, announce the details of United Airlines' considerable asbestos problem and I will be the first to sing your praises and to nominate you for a real award.
Oh, and while you're at it, you might want to make the proper changes to United's SEC filings to accurately reflect your airline's environmental liabilities.
That is, of course, if you and United Airlines have any real intention of obeying the law moving forward.
United Airlines asbestos victims want to be heard
Marty Watters, Investigative Reporter
Victims of United Airlines' illegal asbestos removal write a letter asking to be heard.
Perhaps it's time for Congress to investigate why the Occupational Health and Safety Review Commission is refusing to hear what they have to say?
(Judge okay with perjury and fraud in his court!)
United Airlines manager to employees: “it would be difficult to prove” United was removing asbestos
Marty Watters, Investigative Reporter
In direct response to a recent article published by Illinoispaytoplay.com, United Airline's facilities manager Sylvia Empen recently called a mandatory meeting of employees at the airlines former World Headquarters (WHQ).
During the meeting, Empen told the very same employees who were forced to participate in the removal of asbestos without their knowledge that "it would be difficult to prove" that United has been removing asbestos from that facility.
Difficult to prove? Really?
Aside from those employees who were forced to remove asbestos, many others actually walked into the areas where unskilled day laborers were illegally removing asbestos and got a face and lung full of the known carcinogen.
Wait, it gets even more ridiculous than that.
Empen then went on to explain to these eye witnesses that her belief that "it would be difficult to prove..." was based on the fact that the 68 invoices that authorized payment of over $1.1million to A&E Services, Inc. to remove asbestos at the WHQ say "insulation" and not "asbestos".
Considering that asbestos IS insulation, Ms. Empen apparently thought that the employees did not know that.
However, much to Empen's dismay, the United employees were not about to tolerate her latest batch of lies and were not shy about telling her so.
They also proceeded to remind Empen that everyone at United knew that A&E Services, Inc. had been removing asbestos.
One of those employees, Jane Clifford, who had asbestos fall on her head due to the illegal removal, went as far as to tell Empen that it is "fraud" to claim that A&E was not removing asbestos.
Empen responded "that's between OSHA and A&E" and that is not her concern.
--------------------------------------------------
From: Marty Watters
To: Sukhvir Kaur (OSHA)
Cc: Angie Loftus (OSHA)
Sent: September 7, 2016 at 2:37 PM
Subject: Fwd: United claims no asbestos removal
United Airlines manager caught lying to OSHA in asbestos case
illinoispaytoplay.com/2016/08/31/united-airlines-manager-caught-lying-to-osha-in-asbestos-case/
------ Original Message ------
From: Jane Clifford (United Airlines)
To: Marty Watters
Sent: November 11, 2015 at 8:11 AM
Subject: Re: United claims no asbestos removal
That's a lie
On Nov 10, 2015, at 10:55 AM, Marty Watters wrote:
Jane
United Airlines is now claiming that A&E Services did no asbestos removal from the campus in Elk Grove where you work.
Call me.
Marty Watters
[redacted]
-----Original Message-----
From: Marty Watters
To: Jane Clifford (United Airlines)
Sent: October 7, 2015 at 6:00 PM
Subject: Re: OSHA Investigative Findings Letter and Notification of Citations
Jane
You have a right to see the the asbestos surveys and the records of any work done in that area.
United Airlines must provide that information.
Marty Watters
-----Original Message-----
From: Jane Clifford (United Airlines)
To: Marty Watters
Sent: October 7, 2015 at 4:52 PM
Subject: Re: OSHA Investigative Findings Letter and Notification of Citations
What concerns me is not just this but also in core 5 of south bldg. you know what happened to me as you provided me the log sheet where the event was written. What are my rights? How do I know A&E abated that area properly?
----------------------------------------------------
Something tells me it is likely that United's attorneys will soon be applying duct tape to Sylvia Empen's mouth.
Bit of advice, Ms. Empen: Pull that tape off your mouth in one swift motion when the FEDS come calling.
It will be a lot less painful for you that way.
United Airlines manager caught lying to OSHA in asbestos case
Marty Watters, Investigative Reporter
Sylvia Empen
Occupational Safety and Health Administration officials Sukhvir Kaur and Angeline Loftus recently confirmed that United Airlines facilities maintenance manager Sylvia Empen lied to OSHA officials, and that by doing so Empen broke the law and could face criminal charges.
And as with many federal cases, it could be the cover-up that ultimately lands people in jail.
And for her part in the illegal removal and dumping of asbestos from buildings at United's former World Headquarters (WHQ), jail might be just where Empen is headed.
DOJ Stresses Individual Accountability in New “Yates Memo”
Enhanced Criminal Prosecutions of Worker Safety Violations – Employers Beware
Here are the facts:
Empen contracted A&E Services Inc. to remove asbestos from United's former WHQ.
A&E Services hired Mexican day labor on an ongoing basis to illegally remove and dump the asbestos.
In doing so A&E exposed United employees and the public to vast amounts of airborne asbestos fibers.
United employees then filed an official complaint with OSHA.
Ms. Empen told OSHA officials who were investigating that complaint for the record that A&E Services was removing fiberglass insulation and not asbestos.
Now thanks to whistleblowers at United, OSHA officials have learned that A&E Services was in fact removing large amounts of asbestos - not fiberglass insulation - from United's former WHQ, and that Empen lied to them during the investigation.
Thanks to Empen's lies, OSHA prematurely closed its investigation. As a result, United employees and members of the public are still being exposed to airborne asbestos fibers throughout the entire campus of United's former WHQ.
It has also been established in recent meetings with OSHA officials that during their interviews with United employees, OSHA investigators did not inform the employees of their whistleblower protection rights.
That will be very important moving forward due to the fact that United employees have since endured physical threats and retaliations at work for telling OSHA investigators and United management what they knew about the illegal asbestos removal.
Steps are now being taken to ensure that United employees begin receiving the workplace protections that they are due under the federal whistleblower protection laws.
Furthermore, U.S. Attorney Zachary Fardon has been informed of this situation and has even received a referral from the New Jersey U.S. Attorney's Office to investigate these developments due to concerns that United has violated the Non-Prosecution Agreement it entered into in a public corruption case with that office.
The question now is: How high up the United Airlines management chain does this cover-up go?
Oscar Munoz, does the buck stop with you?
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