Supporting Diversity
Supporting Diversity - Internally
Raising awareness and providing a nurturing environment where women and minorities can do their best work is critical to successful diversity management. Employee support groups are important to achieving this objective, and they bring to management's attention issues particular to their groups and to the welfare of Union Pacific.
Black Employee Network (BEN)
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The Black Employee Network (BEN) at Union Pacific Railroad began in Omaha in 1979 with four employees. Membership has grown to more than 700, with BEN chapters in St. Louis, North Little Rock, Kansas City, Memphis, Los Angeles, Fort Worth, Houston, Omaha, Chicago and Addis, Louisiana.
The mission of BEN is to increase the recruitment, retention and advancement of African-American employees within Union Pacific, by promoting and facilitating personal and professional growth, and working with UP senior leadership on diversity issues. BEN also provides scholarships, encourages post-secondary education for high school graduates, and supports local African-American communities.
Annually, BEN chapters across the system host a professional development conference. The Company's leadership plays an integral role in this conference and provides on-going support to BEN as well as other affinity groups.
LEAD: A Women's Initiative - Lead Educate Achieve and Develop
To promote an environment where women are successfully recruited and retained, by providing personal and professional support - reaffirming that Union Pacific is a great place to work.
Latino Employee Network
The Latino Employee Network is the latest Union Pacific employee support group. The network was established to act as a liaison with management to promote a better understanding of the issues and concerns among Latino employees. It also shares information and organizes personal, social and cultural objectives and projects within each local area. The organization was chartered in 2004 in Omaha. Additional chapters have been established in Ft. Worth, San Antonio and Houston.
Cultural Celebrations
In addition to the initiatives of the established affinity groups, various informal resource groups (Native Americans, Aisan/Pacific Islanders) may stage events related to celebrating their respective cultures and heritage during the national month honoring them.
From salsa contests and tribal dancing and music, to displays of cultural artifacts and speakers discussing historical perspectives and contributions, Union Pacific employees are provided opportunities to learn, grow and "sample" the many "flavors" of its employee population.
Supporting Diversity - Externally
Community Connections
Union Pacific believes in presenting an important corporate image in the communities we serve. Because the franchise operates in 23 states (three regions) and hundreds of locations – many in communities where there is a strong mix of diverse cultures – our company ensures support to the many local initiatives in those communities as well as others.
Union Pacific serves as a major sponsor of the annual Heartland Latino Leadership Conference held in Omaha. Additionally, UP is represented on the Board of Directors of the sponsoring organization.
One of the major initiatives that connects UP with the many diverse communities it serves is its Principals' Partnership program. The program is a a network of 1,000 public high school principals in 21 states sharing best practices for school improvement. Of the students impacted, 58% are diverse.
Our Operation Lifesaver program and cadre of employees who volunteer thousands of hours annually to teach railroad safety in schools and for other community groups, is another example of the Company's commitment to corporate responsibility and teamwork in diverse communities.