Rail union says Union Pacific layoffs of over 1,000 track maintenance workers jeopardizes safety

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-WOWT

Published: Dec. 3, 2023 at 11:05 AM CST|Updated: 6 hours ago

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The head of the union that represents track maintenance workers says Union Pacific is jeopardizing safety by delaying nearly 1,200 planned projects until next year and laying off more than 1,000 workers, but the railroad says the seasonal move shouldn’t be alarming.

The president of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division union has been sending letters to regulators for more than a month raising concerns about the layoffs, but the the Surface Transportation Board hasn’t intervened.

“Chaos and disruption with Union Pacific’s Maintenance of Way forces can only lead to one outcome — deferred maintenance and catastrophic outcomes,” Tony Cardwell, who leads the union, said in his letters. “These furloughs will affect the safety of Union Pacific operations and pose serious safety risks for the general public and the communities surrounding Union Pacific’s infrastructure.”

Union Pacific said the decision to delay these projects is a reflection of the fact that the railroad went over budget after dealing with several unexpected weather events like the tropical storm that hit California this year and last summer’s extreme heat. The railroad said it remains committed to safety and improving its track network across the western U.S.




Read more: https://www.wowt.com/2023/12/03/rail-union-says-union-pacific-layoffs-over-1000-track-maintenance-workers-jeopardizes-safety/

[SWBTATTReg]

1. Whoa. This is a lot of deferred maintenance. Track doesn't repair itself. Either that, or they're going to

subcontract it all out, costing tons of jobs.

[cbabe]

2. Calling Mr. Buttigieg.

[MichMan]

3. This is allowed under the contract that the rank and file were not permitted to vote for, correct?

[Bayard]

4. I'm betting trains derailing and chemical spills aren't in their budget either

[Mopar151]

5. How about they furlough some executives?

Cheap bastids are up to a classic Dick Move! "I'll fire your sorry ass, and hire you back for less!"

[DENVERPOPS]

6. I am guessing

that a large portion of the Voters don't realize that if Trump, (Or any Republican) is elected president in the 2024 Election, that the NLRB as well as any and all unions in the entire United States will VAPORIZE the day after they take power........There are no unions in a:
CORPORATE FASCIST TYRANNY.

The same will also happen with ANY Regulatory Commission and/or Agency in the Federal Government.

Trump and his Republicans have already stated they will remove ALL Federal Employees and replace them with their known followers.


PEOPLE: 2024 will most definitely be unlike any other year in the entire history of the United States.

The only thing that would be enjoyable to watch, will be their destruction of all of their REPUBLICAN voters, the same as all of us, because the Republicans won't need their voters, (or any voters for that matter) ever again...........

[dembotoz]

7. why trains elsewhere are fast but ours are slow

[Ray Bruns]

8. Hospitals will also be laying off doctors and delaying diagnosis and treatments because the hospitals went over budget.

Makes as much sense as the railroad’s reasoning.

[Mysterian]

9. How many towns become toxic waste pits this year? n/t

[elleng]

10. *the railroad went over budget after dealing with several unexpected weather events

like the tropical storm that hit California this year and last summer’s extreme heat.'