§ 1506. Employee protection
(a)
Discrimination against a reporting employee prohibited
No person shall discharge or in any manner discriminate against an employee because the employee has reported the existence of an unsafe container or reported a violation of this chapter to the Secretary or his agents.
(b)
Complaint alleging discrimination
An employee who believes that he has been discharged or discriminated against in violation of this section may, within 60 days after the violation occurs, file a complaint alleging discrimination with the Secretary of Labor.
(c)
Investigation by Secretary of Labor; judicial relief
The Secretary of Labor may investigate the complaint and, if he determines that this section has been violated, bring an action in an appropriate United States district court. The district court shall have jurisdiction to restrain violations of subsection (a) of this section and to order appropriate relief, including rehiring and reinstatement of the employee to his former position with back pay.
(d)
Notification to complainant of intended action
Within 30 days after the receipt of a complaint filed under this section the Secretary of Labor shall notify the complainant of his intended action regarding the complaint.