BNSF recalls 4,000 furloughed workers

Written by Railway Age Staff
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Improved carload traffic has led BNSF Railway to recall about 4,000 of a total 5,000 workers furloughed in 2016.

The railroad, based in Fort Worth, confirmed it has tracked better industry-wide shipments in coal, grain and intermodal containers and trailers.

The layoffs began in mid-2015 and continued through early 2016 as weaker coal volumes fell and power generators switched to natural gas.

“We have seen an increase in coal due mainly to increased natural gas prices and higher electricity demand driven by seasonal trends,” a BNSF spokesman told Reuters. “Although we anticipate the long-term trend to decline.”

He said fewer employees had been recalled along its core coal routes in the lower Midwest. By cutting two operating divisions, attrition and layoffs, BNSF has reduced total employment from 48,000 in 2014 to 42,000.

Earlier this month Union Pacific said it would cut 500 management jobs and 250 railroad workers by mid-September. CSX has eliminated hundreds of management and rail employees since the beginning of the year.

 

 

 

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