Jan. 7--The U.S. Department of Labor ruled in favor of two American Airlines pilots who said they faced retaliation after calling in sick before their scheduled flights out of Lambert-St. Louis International Airport.

An investigation by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) found that American erred by rejecting medical documentation provided by the two pilots, and then illegally recouped sick pay that had been paid to them, the agency said Tuesday.

American was ordered to reimburse the pilots for sick time, interest and other related benefits. American also was ordered to provide whistle-blower rights information to employees.

Neither of the pilots' names was released. One pilot called in sick on Dec. 27, 2007, and later received a letter from American seeking additional documentation to substantiate his illness. American held a hearing and on March 31, 2008, ordered the pilot to repay the sick pay he had received.

The other pilot called in sick on Jan. 9, 2008. That pilot, too, was ordered to repay sick pay.

Complaints were filed on the two pilots' behalf by their union, the Allied Pilots Association.