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Railroad employee terrorized co-workers, lawsuit contends

By Kelsey Bray

kbray@wyomingnews.com

CHEYENNE- Working at a Cheyenne railroad shop was a living hell for employees, according to a local man's lawsuit. It says a Union Pacific Railroad manager criticized employees, referred to himself as a "dictator," played German marching songs and caused plaintiff Henry Krening so much stress he now suffers from diabetes.

The lawsuit against the railroad was filed Monday in the U.S. District Court of Wyoming. Krening is seeking an undisclosed amount of damages for intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress and negligent hiring, retention and supervision of the manager.

A representative for the railroad declined to comment on the matter.

The lawsuit says Krening was employed most recently as a foreman general at the UP Steam Locomotive Shop in Cheyenne.

Around 2005, Edgar Dickens started working there. "Not even a week into his employment as a fireman at the steam shop, Dickens started fomenting conflict and unrest among the employees and created a hostile and unsafe work environment," the suit says. "He criticized their work, attacked them personally, started rumors about them, pitted one against the other and disrupted operations."

The lawsuit says numerous informal complaints about Dickens were made to management, along with a complaint to the Equal Employment Opportunity department at the railroad.

Dickens was dismissed from the shop.

Then, in 2010, Dickens was brought in to work as the senior manager of steam operations. "Immediately, Dickens picked up where he left off-criticizing and demeaning the employees at the steam shop," the lawsuit says. Krening was personally attacked or criticized by Dickens almost daily.

He wasn't the only victim. Ten employees were fired, removed, transferred or retired early. "Within two years of Dickens' employment as senior manager, there was nearly 100 percent turnover in personnel," the lawsuit says.

All l0 of the employees were older than 40. Dickens said they were part of an "old regime," and that they weren't "pretty enough" for his program. The lawsuit says Dickens called himself the dictator, and at one point played German marching songs and spoke in German with his new hires in front of Krening.

It says he created unsafe working conditions by requiring employees to work outside their areas of expertise, requiring long hours and sometimes not allowing bathroom breaks.

Several internal claims were filed against Dickens, including a sexual harassment claim.

Then, in May, Krening was hospitalized after he lost consciousness outside his house. The lawsuit says Krening's glucose levels were monitored. They would drop when he was away from work and rise at work. "... It has been determined that plaintiffs emotional distress caused by the work environment at the steam shop led to and continues to lead to uncontrolled glucose levels and electrolyte unbalances,'' the lawsuit says.

It adds that Dickens' behavior caused Krening's onset of diabetes and hyponatremia, which causes low sodium levels in the blood. As a result , he has symptoms such as excessive thirst, dizziness and muscle weakness.

After losing consciousness at work in May or June, Krening took medical leave and never came back.
Dickens’ conduct has caused emotional troubles, such as depression and anxiety, as well as economic losses for Krening, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit says UP knew the harm Dickens was causing and is liable for damages. Krening requested a jury trial in the matter.

From: Wyoming Tribune Eagle
Wednesday, December 18, 2013 - Page A5