The Bureau of Land Management NEWS
News Menu (Graphics) News Menu (Text) Home Page

Last updated: 04/04/03

BLM Evaluates Alyeska Pipeline Service Company's Employee Concerns Program

The Bureau of Land Management today released a management evaluation of the Alyeska Pipeline Service Company's Employee Concerns Program. Alyeska operates the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System which carries one-tenth of the oil produced in the United States from Alaska's North Slope to the port of Valdez. Assistant Secretary of the Interior Bob Armstrong stated "Alyeska has made much progress in the past few years, but more remains to be done in providing a work atmosphere free from fear of retaliation for expressing concerns. This report shows that the Hshoot the messenger' attitude, although more subtle than before, continues in some quarters at Alyeska, particularly in the contract work force." The evaluation contained the following conclusions.

• Alyeska's Employee Concerns Program is not being effectively implemented.
• Better communications are needed to eliminate rumors and misinformation.
• Employees perceive that some managers and supervisors do not "walk the talk," and positive changes in Alyeska's corporate culture are still needed.
• There is a perceived tolerance for retaliation, especially among contractor employees, resulting in a "chilling" effect on employee willingness to be frank about concerns.

BLM Alaska State Director Tom Allen noted, "This evaluation gives us an opportunity to assess the direction of a relatively new program. If Alyeska and its contractors will now accept the report's findings and implement the report recommendations, more progress can be made." Alyeska's Employee Concerns program was started in October 1995.

The report also noted several areas in which the Joint Pipeline Office, a consortium of Federal and State regulatory agencies with authority over the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, could improve its oversight of Employee Concerns. The report authors cited a lack of written policies and procedures and a lack of confidence by concerned employees that the Joint Pipeline Office would properly handle their concerns.

In all, the 48 page report contains 23 findings and recommendations. Copies are available from the Joint Pipeline Office in Anchorage. Phone - (907) 271-5070.

This page was created by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, Office of Public Affairs 1849 C Street, Room 406-LS Washington, DC 20240 Phone: (202) 452-5125 Fax: (202) 452-5124

Please contact us with any questions relating to accessibility of documents. Download Adobe Acrobat Reader

This is a U.S. Government Computer System. Before continuing, please read this disclaimer and privacy statement. Accessibility