Class I Briefs: CSX, NS, BNSF

Screenshot Courtesy of CSX, via LinkedIn

CSX’s team at Fruit Growers Express reaches 1,000 days incident free. Also, Norfolk Southern (NS) awards more than 100 scholarships to its employee’s children; and BNSF is recognized with the Top 10 Enterprise-Wide ERG Award.

CSX on July 19 announced via a LinkedIn post that its team at Fruit Growers Express in Jacksonville, Fla., recently reached a milestone of 1,000 days incident free.

“With 31 employees performing heavy repairs on freight rail cars, this milestone is a testament to their commitment to a culture of safety and teamwork, ensuring everyone heads home safely at the end of the day,” the Class I stated in the post.

NS on July 19 announced that more than 100 children of the Class I’s employees will receive scholarships through the Thoroughbred Scholars Program, which launched in July 2022.

Each year, the program provides 100 scholarships for up to $10,000 over four years, along with three additional scholarships for distinguished students who will receive rewards of up to $40,000 over four years.

This year’s recipients come from 16 states across the company’s network, with 90 of the scholarships reserved for children of conductors, mechanics, engineers, and other front-line workers who play a critical role in moving the U.S. economy.

The three distinguished scholarships highlight and include:

• Community Scholar: Awarded to a student who has distinguished themselves through community leadership and volunteer work. This year’s recipient is Lynsee Brown of Avella, Pennsylvania who is planning to study psychology and criminology at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania. Brown’s father, John Brown, is a Signalman in Pittsburgh who has worked for Norfolk Southern for 27 years.
  
  
• HBCU Scholar: Awarded annually to a student attending a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). This year’s recipient is Alana Gulley of Atlanta who is planning to study psychology at Howard University. Gulley’s stepfather, Edward Lee, works in Norfolk Southern’s Sourcing Department as Supervisor Purchasing out of the company headquarters in Atlanta.
  
  
• STEM Scholar: Awarded to a student pursuing a degree in a nonmedical science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) field. This year’s recipient is Madeleine Bender of Mentor, Ohio who is planning to study biomedical science and biomedical engineering at Case Western Reserve University. Bender’s father, Thomas Bender, is an Engineer in Conneaut, Ohio who has worked for Norfolk Southern for 18 years.

The Thoroughbred Scholars program is independently administered by Scholarship America. The organization is the nation’s largest manager of scholarship and education support programs for corporations, foundations, associations, and individuals.

This year’s class of Thoroughbred Scholars represent the following states:

“Supporting our people means supporting their families, and this scholarship program is one of the ways we’re doing that,” said NS President and CEO Alan H. Shaw. “It’s part of Norfolk Southern’s commitment to making decisions in the best long-term interests of our colleagues and the communities we serve. Investing in these bright, young minds now, is an investment in our country’s future.”

BNSF announced July 19 that it has been recognized with the Top 10 Enterprise-Wide ERG Award following the release of Talent Dimensions and the Global ERG (Employee Resource Group) Network’s released annual list, recognizing the best in ERGs, BRGs (Business Resource Groups) and Diversity Councils.

The top performing organizations will be honored at The Diversity Impact Awards Ceremony in Washington, DC, during the 2023 Global ERG Network Conference being held from Oct. 11-13.

This award, the railroad says, is a “testament to BNSF’s efforts to create an inclusive environment where all employees feel valued and belong.” BNSF’s recognition among the top 10 in the enterprise-wide category celebrates BNSF’s accomplishments across multiple ERGs within a single organization.

Organizations are scored in key areas that drive success in diversity impact and performance management. The data measured in the application and feedback process allows participating groups to convey their impact to key stakeholders, as well as provide a larger opportunity for continued learning.

“BNSF is honored to receive this award recognizing the work our employee-led Business Resource Groups have done to provide development opportunities and drive greater engagement with our team members,” said BNSF Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer Kalisha Holland. “The BRGs have helped create a more open and collaborative workplace that encourages and supports diversity and inclusion for all.”

“By helping organizations focus on how they can align their DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) strategy to drive business outcomes and cultivate a sense of belonging, they’re able to build the key infrastructure they need to be successful,” said Talent Dimensions Principal and Chief Operations Officer Lynn Cowart.

A full list of recipients is available here.