NS Expands Conductor Trainee Incentive Program
Written by Marybeth Luczak, Executive Editor
Norfolk Southern (NS) has expanded its conductor trainee incentive program to three new “priority” locations, where trainees are eligible to receive starting bonuses of $5,000, the Class I railroad reported on April 14. There are now 15 such “priority” locations on the NS network.
Bellevue, Ohio, and Elkhart and Fort Wayne, Ind., are the three newest cities on the “priority” location list, which includes 12 others: Birmingham and Sheffield, Ala.; Louisville, Ky.; Linwood, N.C.; Binghamton and Buffalo, N.Y.; Cincinnati, Ohio; Harrisburg and Conway, Pa.; Chattanooga, Tenn.; and Manassas and Roanoke, Va.
The NS training program spans approximately 10-13 weeks. The first two weeks are spent at the Norfolk Southern Training Center in McDonough, Ga.; the remaining weeks, at or near the hiring location.
When they finish training, NS said conductors are guaranteed minimum annual pay of $52,000. They also participate in the Railroad Retirement System and have a 401(k) savings option and other benefits. Guaranteed minimum earnings increase over their next four years of service to approximately $63,500, according to NS, but with “additional work opportunities, most conductors earn far more than the guaranteed minimum.”
“Our conductors move the goods that power our nation’s economy,” NS Director Talent Acquisition Brad Dodd said. “Norfolk Southern is a great fit for those who want responsibility, autonomy and pride in the work they do. We offer competitive compensation, best-in-class healthcare benefits, technical training, and professional growth opportunities.”
