Union Pacific has been ordered to pay more than $300,000 to an Idaho employee who was fired after reporting an on-the-job injury.
Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration said it had investigated the employee's dismissal and determined that the Omaha-based railroad had violated laws that protect whistleblowers.
According to federal authorities, the employee was fired 23 days after notifying the company of the injury. The investigation found that the employee was fired for reporting an injury, rather than for breaking a rule.
As a result, OSHA said U.P. must pay the employee more than $300,000 in damages, back wages and attorney's fees.
The agency noted that the railroad has had four similar cases in other locations since 2009.
U.P. said in a statement that it "strongly disagrees" with OSHA's decision and plans to appeal immediately. The company said the agency's move is an example of conflicting government policies that should be changed. It also noted that a separate government review process under the Railway Labor Act found that the railroad had not acted inappropriately in firing the employee.
Contact the writer:
402-444-1543, erin.golden@owh.com
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