(The Associated Press circulated the following article on March 8.)
BURLINGTON, Iowa — Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad has reached an agreement with six unions to transfer former shop workers out of state.
The agreements mean that workers at the railroad’s shops in Burlington can either transfer to Topeka, Kansas or Galesburg.
The railroad announced last December that its repair shops would be consolidated in Topeka. That means 93 jobs in Burlington will be transferred.
That follows the layoff of nearly 260 workers in January 2003.
A representative of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers say he’s pleased with the outcome of the negotiations but wishes they weren’t necessary.
The process of consolidating the shops is scheduled to begin on Monday.