DOL orders railroad to pay damages to safety whistleblower

The U.S. Department of Labor Wednesday ordered a Canadian Pacific Kansas City Ltd. unit to pay $200,000 in backpay and damages to a railroad employee who was allegedly terminated after raising safety concerns with a supervisor.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration said it investigated a complaint by an Enderlin, North Dakota-based claims representative at Soo Line Railroad Co.

After reporting an injury, the representative said it was likely related to dust and chemical exposures during indoor work construction and later discussed the safety issue with a supervisor and co-workers, according to an OSHA statement.

OSHA said Soo Line Railroad later suspended and fired the employee in violation of the whistleblower protections under the Federal Railway Safety Act.

OSHA ordered the railroad to reinstate the employee, pay more than $45,000 in back pay and pay $155,000 in damages.

Calgary, Alberta-based Canadian Pacific said in a statement that it disagrees with OSHA’s findings and “will be seeking further review.”