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Special Report:

The Case of Railroad Worker Whistleblower
Curtis Rookaird
Goes to Trial Once Again Monday, October 25th

Landmark Railroad Worker Case Goes to Trial Again After a Decade of Fighting for Justice

Curtis Rookaird - former BNSF Conductor - passed away on September 10, 2021, not living to see the end result of his wrongful termination whistleblower landmark case against BNSF Railroad, which originated back in February, 2010. It was revealed at his initial trial that the company had intended to "make an example out of Curtis Rookaird and his crew." Curtis lost his life to cancer caused by the stress. According to court records, Curtis' brother in-law recently has stepped in as the plaintiff for Curtis' grieving wife, Kelly and their two young boys. Kelly has been Curtis' main advocate for nearly 12 years.

The call-in information for this trial - "the damages trial" - has been now added to the Court Calendar website. Rail workers and supporters are encouraged to listen in to the trial.

Date: Monday, October 25th (may continue for 2 more days)
Start Time: 9:00 AM Pacific Time
Dial-In Number: 1-669-254-5252
Meeting ID: 161 663 6159


If any change or update takes place, you can check the website HERE. Scroll halfway down the page until you see the case: C14-176 RAJ, Parker (Estate of Rookaird) vs. BNSF Railway Company

NOTE: There is no other public access - only audio as outlined above..
Timeline of a Railroad Worker Whistleblower Case

Former BNSF conductor Curtis Rookaird and his family have been battling BNSF since February, 2010 as a whistleblower for wrongful termination. He won his initial case before the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) only to have it appealed by the rail carrier. Then in federal court, he won $1.66M in a jury trial, only to have the carrier appeal once again. The case goes to court again next week. For him and his family, this ordeal has been brutal. This is a classic case of a wealthy corporation with deep pockets using the courts, the legal system, and endless appeals in an attempt to destroy any opposition to their power and authority.


July 2010: Rookaird files a complaint with the federal government accusing BNSF of retaliation.

July 2011: Panel rules in favor of the carrier

September 18, 2013: OSHA issues a detailed report supporting Rookaird and ordering BNSF to pay him more than $110,000 in compensatory damages and $25,000 in punitive damages and back pay in addition to rehiring him. This never is implemented by BNSF. Instead, case is appealed to federal court.


May 2016: Rookiard Wins in federal court; BNSF ordered to pay $1.66M

in his local community.

November 2018: Ninth Circuit reverses the district court's grant of partial summary judgment, vacates the judgment against BNSF, and remands the case for further proceedings.

December 22, 2020: Oil train derails in Ferndale, WA, close to the same location where Rookaird insisted on performing an air test a decade earlier that resulted in his being fired. BNSF is accused of failing to properly inspect and test the train prior to movement!

September 10, 2021: Curtis Rookaird dies of cancer after a long battle.

October 25, 2021: The Curtis Rookaird case - now more than 10 years in the making - is set to go to trial once again.
Railroad Workers United
Solidarity -- Unity -- Democracy