Union Pacific Ordered to Reinstate Injured Nebraska Worker

Federal regulators have ordered Union Pacific to reinstate an injured Nebraska worker and pay $85,000 in damages.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration said Wednesday the railroad improperly terminated the North Platte employee after he reported an injury.

Union Pacific spokesman Mark Davis said the railroad is reviewing OSHA’s decision and hasn’t decided whether to appeal.

OSHA says the worker hurt his back in Oct. 2012 after a chair he was sitting on collapsed.

After the injury, regulators say the worker was removed from duty and accused of violating several railroad policies, including workplace violence rules.

Regulators say the firing was done in retaliation for reporting the injury.

Few details were released about the employee because regulators consider him a whistleblower.