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Union Pacific Sets Diversity & Inclusion Goal, Announces Top Material Issues in New Sustainability Report
Omaha, Neb., May 28, 2020
Union Pacific today published its 2019 Building America Report, the company's annual sustainability report detailing progress toward its social, economic and environmental initiatives. The report, published on up.com/buildingamericareport, outlines Union Pacific's preliminary materiality assessment results, detailing issues most important to the company's stakeholders: employees, customers, investors and communities. Not surprisingly, customer service and satisfaction, rail safety and maintenance, and employment practices ranked highest. These results provide a roadmap for Union Pacific as it refines its environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals.
"We've taken measurable steps to enhance customer communication, we invest billions annually in our capital program to strengthen our infrastructure, and we are dedicated to engaging employees and cultivating a work environment that celebrates diversity," said Union Pacific's Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Lance Fritz. "These efforts, and others, set us up for long-term success as the safest, most efficient and most reliable railroad in North America."
Among the new goals outlined in the 2019 Building America Report are Union Pacific's commitment to creating a more diverse and inclusive workplace. Women make up approximately 5.5% of the railroad's total workforce. The company is working to double the representation of women to 11% by 2030.
"To have the best employees, we can't overlook any segment of the population," said Union Pacific's Chief Human Resource Officer Beth Whited. "Businesses such as ours face a growing shortfall of skilled trade workers due to fewer people choosing to learn a trade. We're looking at potential barriers for women in this line of work and finding solutions to these roadblocks."
Gender Equality is one of the United Nation's 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), providing a framework to achieve a sustainable future by 2030. The UN Global Compact dubbed 2020 as the launch of "the decade of delivery," and Union Pacific is getting involved. The Building America Report outlines the company’s commitment to seven SDGs, including Gender Equality, where it can make the most difference.
"Union Pacific is proud to move freight in an environmentally responsible way, enabling sustainable economic growth for communities nationwide, but we can and will do more to create a bright future for the next generation," Fritz said.
ABOUT UNION PACIFIC
Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP) delivers the goods families and businesses use every day with safe, reliable and efficient service. Operating in 23 western states, the company connects its customers and communities to the global economy. Trains are the most environmentally responsible way to move freight, helping Union Pacific protect future generations. More information about Union Pacific is available at www.up.com.
Union Pacific Media Contact: Kristen South at 402-544-3435 or kmsouth@up.com
The statements and information contained in the news releases provided by Union Pacific speak only as of the date issued. Such information by its nature may become outdated, and investors should not assume that the statements and information contained in Union Pacific's news releases remain current after the date issued. Union Pacific makes no commitment, and disclaims any duty, to update any of this information.
