August 6, 2025

US Department of Labor orders railroad company to reinstate worker, pay over $300K in back wages, damages, attorney’s fees

Union Pacific Railroad Co. violated federal whistleblower protections

DALLAS – A federal whistleblower investigation found that Union Pacific Railroad Co. violated the Federal Railroad Safety Act by terminating a railroad engineer after the employee reported and sought medical care for a work-related injury.

The department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has ordered Union Pacific to reinstate the employee, and pay back wages, interest, compensatory and punitive damages, and attorney's fees, totaling over $300,000.

OSHA's Whistleblower Protection Program enforces 25 whistleblower statutes that protect employees from retaliation for reporting violations of workplace airline, anti-money laundering, commercial motor carrier, consumer product, criminal antitrust, environmental, financial reform, food safety, health insurance reform, maritime, motor vehicle safety, nuclear, pipeline, public transportation agency, railroad, safety and health, securities, and tax laws.

For information on whistleblower protections, visit OSHA's Whistleblower Protection Programs webpage.

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Editor's note: The U.S. Department of Labor does not release the names of employees involved in whistleblower complaints.

Media Contacts:

Juan J. Rodríguez, 972-850-4709, rodriguez.juan@dol.gov
Chauntra Rideaux, 972-850-4710, rideaux.chauntra.d@dol.gov

Release Number: 25-1009-DAL