(The Associated Press circulated the following article on July 3.)
NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — Union Pacific, the Omaha-based rail giant, has completely banned smoking on company property.
“People can go off the property and smoke,” said U.P. spokesman John Bromley. “There is no employee testing, but we want to provide a healthy environment.
Previous U.P. policy had allowed smoking at mechanical facilities, such as those at the company’s enormous North Plate rail yard, as long as federal, state and local regulations were followed.
The total company ban took effect Friday.
Union Pacific says its HealthTrack health and wellness program includes smoking cessation help.
Last year Union Pacific began rejecting smokers’ job applications.
The company estimates that will save $922 annually for each position it fills with a nonsmoker over one who smokes.