OCTOBER 23, 2020 — 104 LAYOFFS AT TOPEKA, KANSAS LOCOMOTIVE SHOP
Continuing to respond to a business decline, the company has announced that layoffs are continuing, specifically the layoff of 104 employees at their Topeka Locomotive Shop commencing November 4, 2020.
“We understand the significant impact this has on our employees, their families and the local community. We value our people, and these decisions are not made lightly.”
Original post…
Fort Worth, Texas-based BNSF Railway Company, the largest freight railroad network in North America, is continuing its reorganization, consolidation, and cost-cutting efforts to address the dramatic downturn in the economy, and specifically the reduced shipments or oil, gas, and coal. These actions will affect 344 employees, including 122 Wyoming workers at mechanical maintenance facilities at the company's Donkey Creek Yard (Rozet, Wyoming) and Guernsey Yard (Guernsey, Wyoming), both of which will be permanently closed in June and July 2020.
Additionally, the diesel locomotive maintenance shop in Glendive, Montana will be permanently closed along with other maintenance layoffs in Alliance, Nebraska; Topeka, Kansas; Lincoln, Nebraska Minot, North Dakota, Mandan, North Dakota, and Superior, Wisconsin.
According to a company spokesperson...
"Unfortunately, this is a long-term structural market shift that will have a lasting impact on BNSF and the rail industry. In addition, we've seen declines in crude oil shipments in the Bakken region and a significant reduction in locomotives required to support volumes on the network. We value our scheduled workforce and it is difficult to make changes like these that impact our employees and their families. However, the actions we are taking are essential to ensure a competitive cost structure in the changing business environment."
A second spokesperson noted...
"Similar to the size of our train, yard and engine workforce, our mechanical teams must match the demand for traffic moved by our railroad. With volumes lower than anticipated due to several factors, including changes in the coal and energy sector, the number of rail cars and locomotives moving on our network and thus repairs needed, have decreased." "We understand the significant impact this has on our employees and the communities in which they live. We are working diligently to connect them with available resources, while also offering the option to potentially transfer to a number of open positions at other locations in our network."
Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?
