(The Associated Press distributed the following article on December 3.)
WEST BURLINGTON, Iowa — The Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad has announced it will cut 89 union jobs at its southeast Iowa locomotive shop.
The affected workers in West Burlington will be offered jobs in Topeka, Kansas in a consolidation of the railroad’s locomotive overhaul work.
The railroad says the move will improve efficiency because large numbers of newer locomotives purchased in recent years require less maintenance.
Last year the railroad considered closing either the Burlington or Topeka shop, but instead cut 248 jobs at both locations.
Burlington Northern Santa Fe is one of the nation’s largest railroads operating in 28 states and two Canadian provinces.
The railroad says its trains haul enough coal to generate about ten percent of the nation’s electricity.