(The following story by Stacie Hamel appeared on the Omaha World-Herald website on February 7.)
OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific Railroad started training 1,200 new conductors and brakemen this month as it pushes to end train crew shortages that have slowed service in some areas.
The Omaha-based railroad announced in October that it planned to hire 1,000 workers by the end of the year, plus another 2,000 to 3,000 workers in 2004. U.P. also added about 1,000 workers to its 46,000-person work force over the summer.
The crew shortages were a result of layoffs early in 2003 followed by more retirements than expected and quicker pickup in the economy, officials have said.
With too few crews, train speeds slowed and the time spent in terminals lengthened.
“We have a good number of people in the pipeline and we’re pleased with the quality of applicants we’ve had so far,” Turner said.
About 75 employees now are graduating each week from training programs.
The railroad still is looking. Promotions range from a radio ad by actor Sam Elliott to inserting fliers in employee’s pay envelopes encouraging them to spread the word about jobs.