Chertoff to Review Rail Worker Firings

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday, Feb. 9, 2007, before the House Homeland Security Committee. (AP Photo/Dennis Cook) (Dennis Cook - AP)

WASHINGTON -- Michael Chertoff said Friday he'd look into a claim that railroad workers lost their jobs unfairly because of background checks recommended by the department he heads.

The Homeland Security Department urges railroads to check the backgrounds of employees who have access to critical infrastructure.

At least three dozen workers who said they had good work records were fired after background checks revealed past felony convictions, including drunken driving. Some say they were hired as part of work-release programs.

Tamara Holder, a Chicago attorney who represents the fired workers, said Homeland Security hasn't issued clear standards about what disqualifies a person from working in sensitive areas.

"Railroad workers who have paid their debt to society for crimes unrelated to terrorism were terminated without cause," Holder said.

House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., asked Chertoff at a meeting Friday morning to investigate the matter.

Department spokesman Russ Knocke said Chertoff agreed and said he would revisit the guidelines for background checks by private companies.

Thompson said he hopes private companies "take responsibility for their actions and cease undermining our national security efforts by blaming the government for what are really private personnel decisions."

Next Friday, a House panel will hold a hearing on the impact of background and security clearances on the transportation work force.