OSHA fines Union Pacific US$612,215 for retaliating against three employees who raised safety concerns, but railroad disputes decision, to appeal

Liling Tan

OMAHA, Nebraska , August 25, 2011 (Associated Press) – Federal authorities say Union Pacific Corp. should pay $612,215 for retaliating against three employees who raised safety concerns, but the railroad disagrees with the finding.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration said Thursday it determined the Omaha-based railroad violated the rights of two conductors based in Kansas City, Mo., and an engineer based in Tucson, Ariz.

Two of the employees were fired and one was suspended five days.

UP will appeal because spokesman Mark Davis says OSHA ignored some facts and details of the railroad's employment contracts.

OSHA says these latest violations seem to be part of a pattern at Union Pacific because two other instances of retaliation were found in 2010 and 2011. So the railroad has been ordered to train its managers and employees on the rights of whistleblowers.

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