Oregon Public Broadcasting

Eleven pipefitters won their case Thursday against a major Hanford Nuclear Reservation contractor.

The men battled in courts for about 10 years. Their prize: $4.8 million.

The workers were laid off because they stood up to their managers and refused to install inadequate valves. Richland correspondent Anna King explains.

Pete Nicacio said he was just thinking about keeping his buddies safe. He was on the original crew that blew the whistle on Fluor, a Hanford contractor.

Nicacio said he knew the valves he and the crew were supposed to install wouldn’t take the pressure they’d be under. And that might have caused problems for keeping radioactive waste safely contained.

Nicacio hopes this case will help other workers face down intimidation.

Pete Nicacio: "I hope that the workers out there, it gives them confidence and courage to do the right thing when something’s not right. And to stand up for someone else -- their fellow employees -- when they are getting mistreated."

Nicacio says he believes there is a better safety culture at Hanford now then when he worked there a decade ago.

Nicacio will get about $30,000. That’s a lot less than some other pipefitters who also filed for back pay, front pay and emotional distress.