OMAHA, Neb. (AP) -- Federal authorities say Union Pacific Corp. retaliated against three employees who raised safety concerns, so the railroad should pay $615,215 in fines and compensation.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration said Thursday that it found evidence 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 after reporting workplace safety issues or work-related injuries.
Union Pacific officials did not immediately respond to messages Thursday.
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.