The U.S. Department of Labor announced on March 6 that a federal whistleblower investigation found Union Pacific Railroad Company violated the Federal Railroad Safety Act by terminating a switchman/conductor who reported and sought medical care for a work-related injury.
An investigation by the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) determined that Union Pacific fired the worker after they reported their injury to management and pursued medical treatment. OSHA has ordered Union Pacific to reinstate the employee and pay back wages, interest, compensatory and punitive damages, as well as attorney’s fees totaling over $315,000.
According to OSHA, its Whistleblower Protection Program enforces 25 statutes designed to protect employees from retaliation for reporting violations related to workplace airline safety, anti-money laundering laws, commercial motor carriers, consumer products, criminal antitrust issues, environmental regulations, financial reform measures, food safety standards, health insurance reform initiatives, maritime operations, motor vehicle safety requirements, nuclear industry rules, pipeline regulations, public transportation agencies’ practices, railroad operations such as this case, general safety and health standards, securities laws and tax laws.
For more information on whistleblower protections or related programs at OSHA or the Department of Labor regarding employee rights under federal law or details about this decision against Union Pacific Railroad Company in San Antonio, visit the official roster page.
