U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Chair of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, is looking for answers from the Union Pacific after the Federal Railroad Administration was forced to cancel a safety culture survey at the railroad.
FRA launched the safety audit in April 2024, but was forced to cancel it two weeks later after FRA determined that railroad managers had coached employees to provide specific responses to FRA surveys. Employees were also ordered to report their interactions with FRA inspectors to company supervisors.
In a July 25 letter to Union Pacific President Beth Whited, Senator Cantwell wrote: “I am deeply concerned about these FRA findings and the chilling effect the Union Pacific actions have on employee reporting of safety issues.”
Senator Cantwell is probing the railroad’s attempt to manipulate employees and undermine the safety culture survey. Her July 25 letter outlines nine specific areas of concern, and gives the railroad a deadline of August 25 to respond. A copy of her letter is available here (PDF).