BURLINGTON, Iowa — After more than a century of service in Burlington, a closed-door meeting with Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad became a sales pitch to save jobs — 380 careers are on the line as the company studies consolidation possibilities in Topeka, Kansas, according to television station WQAD.
“This is a pro-railroad state,” said Rep. Jim Leach, (R) Iowa City. “This is a pro-railroad community that’s very, very intensely interested in maintaining and expanding our job base.”
That’s why federal, state and local leaders promoted Iowa’s quality of life and services during the face-to-face session with railroad executives. Governor Tom Vilsack says that Iowa will compete with Kansas and is prepared to offer grants, loans and incentives.
“Not only are we talking about preserving 380 good paying jobs, but the opportunity to expand the good paying jobs at a time in the community that’s certainly needed,” Gov. Vilsack said.
For a community working hard to develop new jobs, protecting jobs already in the city is a priority. That’s one reason for the special session. Like other neighboring communities, Burlington is all too familiar with the strain of the current economy and the pain of losing jobs.
The railroad reports both the Burlington and Topeka shops operating at about half capacity. Rep. Leach says it’s a “no-brainer” that the company should want to consolidate. But he and Gov. Vilsack show bipartisan support in working to keep the jobs in Burlington.
“The men and women provide the community with a hard day’s work, and they’ll continue to do that,” Gov. Vilsack said.
BNSF’s preliminary findings are expected next week, but officials say it will take until January or February for a final decision.