(The Pasadena Star-News posted the following editorial on its website on July 14.)
PASEDENA, Calif. — Railroads have historically been the economic engine of the regional economy.
And now with the industry’s need to replace large numbers of retiring employees, railroads once again will power job growth in Southern California.
Union Pacific Corp. and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp. plan to hire thousands of new employees over the next few years. At least 100 of Union Pacific’s will be stationed at the major rail facility in the San Bernardino County community of Colton.
Indeed, American railroads expect to hire 80,000 over the next six years because of an increase in retirements, since the retirement age changed from 62 to 60 in 2001. The industry also has seen a substantial upturn in business beginning in the last quarter of 2003, as more and more goods are moved intermodally.
Union Pacific plans to hire 125 new employees by the end of the year for its facilities in Colton and Los Angeles.
That’s out of 4,300 new employees the company will hire this year, with at least 2,400 new workers each year for the next four to five years.
Burlington Northern already has added 1,800 employees this year, including at yards in San Bernardino and Barstow, with plans for 1,500 employees nationwide each year for the next five years.
And they’re good-paying jobs. Both companies are looking for conductors, dispatchers, maintenance personnel and passenger operations. Entry-level wages start around $35,000 per year plus benefits. Engineers can earn more than $70,000 a year.
Railroads are coming through for local workers. All aboard!