(The following story by Randolph Heaster appeared on The Kansas City Star website on January 19, 2009.)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Recent volume declines prove the railroad industry is not “recession-proof,” though the numbers have been less than that for trucking.
Still, some area railroad workers have been affected by the current economic slowdown, which comes on top of the normally slow winter period for the transportation sector. At BNSF Railway, the number of area layoffs this winter has climbed to 92.
Gus Melonas, a BNSF spokesman, said 38 employees at the railroad’s operations in Kansas City, Kan., and 54 on the Missouri side of the state line have been furloughed.
The total is twice as many as BNSF reported being furloughed last month. The railroad has about 2,400 workers in the area.
Furloughed crew members, who include brakemen, switchmen and engineers, can transfer to other positions based on seniority, bumping junior employees. Furloughed workers are eligible to be called back if the economy improves or volumes pick up in the spring.
Union Pacific Railroad declined to comment on its area employment levels. However, the railroad said in late November that 700 workers were furloughed across its system, although none was in the Kansas City area.
However, reduced volumes prompted the railroad to place about 45 area employees in an auxiliary work and training program, a Union Pacific spokesman said at that time. Those employees were working eight days a month but kept their full medical benefits, according to the railroad.
Union Pacific has about 1,150 area workers.
Trucking safety
Six drivers from YRC Worldwide Inc. have been selected to represent the trucking industry on safety issues by the American Trucking Associations.
The employees — two from Yellow Transportation and four from Roadway — were among the 18 truck drivers selected to be captains of America’s Road Team because of their strong safety records.
The drivers will participate in speaking engagements, media events and drivers’ education classes on behalf of the trucking industry and the national trucking organization. None is from the Kansas City area.
“We are honored to have them represent our company and America’s Road Team,” said Mike Smid, president of YRC National Transportation, in a statement. “They have joined an elite group of dedicated drivers who represent our commitment to safety and professionalism.”