Union Pacific Railroad retaliated against three workers who reported concerns over workplace safety, and now faces over $615,000 in penalties.

A conductor who worked for the Omaha-based railroad company was fired when the company’s hotline received multiple complaints from the man about safety concerns such as missing and obstructed roadway signs. He also made note of a supervisor who had violated the company’s safety procedures while conducting a field test.

After another conductor complained about rough spots he noticed on the train track, he was suspended for five days without pay. The third worker, a locomotive engineer who had reported a workplace injury, was also fired from the company.

According to David Michaels, chief of the Occupational Safety and Heath Administration (OSHA), Union Pacific is keeping employees from feeling as though they have the right to report work-related injuries and safety concerns without retaliation taking place.

If you have sustained a workplace injury and need to file a Workers’ Compensation claim, contact the New Jersey Workers’ Compensation lawyers of Levinson & Axelrod, P.A., by calling 1-888-389-COMP.