OREANDA-NEWS. Union Pacific Railroad has been named a 2013 Best Diversity Company by the readers of Diversity Careers in Engineering and Information Technology for the fifth consecutive year. The magazine honors companies, government agencies and other organizations for their support of minorities and women, attention to work/life balance and supplier diversity commitment.

“We are honored to be recognized for our continued efforts to support a skilled and diverse workforce,” said Roy Schroer, Union Pacific vice president - Human Resources. “Attracting and retaining a diverse team of employees leads to better ideas and solutions, which is crucial to Union Pacific's long-term success.”

Union Pacific supports eight employee resource groups that work to recruit, retain and advance talented and diverse employees. For example, the Lead, Educate, Achieve and Develop (LEAD) group unites women across Union Pacific by providing professional development and networking opportunities, and the Asian Employee Resource Organization (AERO) works to build awareness of this diverse culture through engagement in the company and community. Additional employee resource groups include the Black Employee Network (BEN), Bridges (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender group), the Council of Native American Heritage (CONAH), the Latino Employee Network (LEN), UP Ties (an emerging professionals network), and UP VETS (supporting current and active military veteran employees).

Union Pacific offers minority and women-owned businesses an opportunity to compete with other suppliers and contractors in the marketplace. The railroad's supplier diversity program assists in developing and strengthening these business relationships by maintaining active efforts to seek, identify and encourage their participation in UP's procurement processes. Spending with diverse suppliers grew approximately 7 percent each year from 2007 to 2012, including a 16 percent increase over 2011.