Union Pacific Railroad

Nebraska
Transportation

Corprate Bias Ratings

Risk Level:

Rating - Caution
Medium Risk

Union Pacific Railroad (UP) vets vendors according to LGBTQ policies and does not provide its employees with protections against viewpoint discrimination. UP covers the cost of "medically necessary transition-related care” for its employees and their children. However, it has not publicly terminated business relationships based on views or beliefs. Union Pacific also restricts donations to religious organizations but donates to the Progressive Americans for Democracy. Union Pacific is a signatory of the Business Roundtable's 2019 Statement on the Purpose of Corporation, which promotes stakeholder capitalism. For these reasons, Union Pacific Railroad receives a Medium Risk rating.

Criteria
Risk Level
Rationale
Corporate Weaponization
Criteria

Has denied service to customers, suppliers, or vendors due to their political views or religious beliefs OR corporately boycotts, divests, or sanctions regions, people groups, or industries.

Risk Level
Rationale

Union Pacific has not publicly terminated business relationships due to religious beliefs or political views. The company received a score of 100 on the Corporate Equality Index. Among other requirements, Union Pacific has pledged to vet vendors based on LGBTQ policies (1)(2).

Criteria

Charitable giving (including employee matching programs) policies or practices discriminate against charitable organizations based on views or religious beliefs.

Risk Level
Rationale

The Union Pacific Foundation focuses on funding safety, workforce development, community spaces, and local needs. The foundation offers grants to religious organizations only if “they have established a separate 501(c)(3) organization to operate the funded program AND the outreach program is offered to the general population regardless of religious affiliation” (1). Union Pacific’s employee match program does not match donations made to “houses of worship and organizations established for religious purposes,” among other eligibility restrictions (2).

Criteria

Employment policies fail to protect against discrimination based on political affiliation/views and/or religion.

Risk Level
Rationale

Union Pacific protects its employees against viewpoint discrimination (1).

Corporate Governance and Public Policy
Criteria

Uses corporate reputation to support ideological causes and/or organizations hostile to freedom of expression.

Risk Level
Rationale

Union Pacific is an advocate for the Equality Act and transgender participation in women’s and girls’ sports (1)(2). Union Pacific opposed the Florida Parental Rights in Education Act, which prohibits teaching gender identity and sexual orientation in schools to kids in K-3rd grade (3). CEO Lance Fritz is a member of the Business Roundtable and signed its 2019 Statement on the Purpose of Corporation, which promotes stakeholder capitalism over traditional obligations to shareholders and customers (4)(5).

Criteria

Uses corporate funds to advance ideological causes, organizations, or policies hostile to freedom of expression.

Risk Level
Rationale

Union Pacific has a perfect score on the HRC’s 2022 Corporate Equality Index. This score indicates the company covers the cost of “medically necessary transition-related care” for its employees and their children (1)(2).

Criteria

Uses corporate political contributions for ideological, non-business purposes.

Risk Level
Rationale

Union Pacific donates to the Progressive Americans for Democracy (1)(2)(3).

All links were last accessed and all information was updated on:
November 30, 2023

Company reports are intended for educational use only. Full Disclaimer

Voting History

Date
ESG Category
Proponent
Summary of ResolutionMgmt RecTotal Vote % in Favor
5/18/23GovernanceJohn CheveddenIndependent Board ChairAgainst20.50%
5/18/23GovernanceJames McRitchieRequire Shareholder Approval For Certain Advance Notice Bylaw AmendmentsAgainst17.70%
5/18/23GovernanceTrillium Asset ManagementRequesting an Employee Paid Sick Leave PolicyAgainst11.70%
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