BNSF Ordered to Pay Mandan Man for Wrongful Firing

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The federal government has ordered BNSF Railway to pay more than $30,000 to a Mandan man after officials found the company fired him in retaliation for reporting a work-related injury.

The Bismarck Tribune reports the U.S. Labor Department said the railroad company would have to pay the man back wages and damages, as well as restore his benefits and seniority in BNSF.

The department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration says BNSF broke the law and failed to prove that the man's firing was "anything other than retaliation." The man had filed a whistleblower complaint saying his rights had been violated.

A BNSF spokeswoman says it is evaluating the determination and will respond accordingly. It has 30 days to file an objection or request a hearing before a judge.