People are scared the carriers will win the lawsuit. Personally, I hope the carriers get what they want. This is America, no one here is guaranteeing anyone else a job. If you don’t agree just think of the big picture, it will benefit more people. Also, it would be wise for the craft union to support the wishes of the carrier on this concession. Because then important parts of the contract can be negotiated instead, like late lunches getting paid. Also, if the carrier wins the lawsuit, and they will, you can finally stop complaining about all the bad things the carrier does.
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NS does not need to cut the operating ratio at all. There are making money and keeping shareholders happy. They just want to be dripping in more money. In a few years when the equipment is breaking down, they will sell or merge and someone will inherit a junkyard. At JLS they are turning down millions of insourcing work. If you look at management numbers there, they have 150 workers laid off, but only one person in management got the axe. They had a shakeup last week. #2 got transferred to Conway, but overall just that one boss never got replaced. How much money is enough??
I just hope NS can reduce the operating ratio while there’s still a chance to permanently get the operating ratio below 60. Maybe selling off previously strategic assets is next? An outright take over, though possible, would eliminate the operating ratio completely. Therefore, maybe a closure of a previously strategic asset or a sale or two will lighten the load. It is obvious management is not where they are able to make any cuts; there is not enough managers at NS as it is. That’s really who NS needs is the management, because in all honesty, how will NS get below 60 or do anything else for that matter. NS management taught me everything I know about life, they practically raised me and everyone I work with would say the same. If anyone deserves this gig, it’s then. So, that’s why NS has to be looking to unload some rail or a yard or resources to a responsible party like a short line or a responsible class 1 like Union Pacific or Canadian pacific. Maybe even csx since they have their operating ratio at 25% now, but definitely not bnsf. I heard their owner has a plan 10x as profitable as psr and will revolutionize the industry. Not sure what it’s called but rest assured it’s coming by 2024.
NS does need to reduce the operating ratio, otherwise it will continue to be above 60%
Might as well realize it, the 2 man crew is all but gone. FRA is allowing it, some states will not fight it plus NS is going to change carmen to utility carmen. Now the carmen will not only be fixing the train, they'll tie it down. Switch tracks for them too. The unions are helpless. Another thing is NS wants our of program work. If you work in that field, IE: Juniata,Roanoke, etc. You might as well look for another job because within a few years as soon as they have a buyer they'll be gone too. They want the operating ratio to .60 and they'll get to it regardless of who stands in the way. You see these trains running 200 plus cars with DP on them. Railroad is changing and quick. The heyday of it is over.
The politicians who created the railroad retirement board were way off. I can’t understand how they even got elected. And Canadians being in a stronger position to strike? What kind of weak government do these Canadians have? I agree once we get rid of the crew members and computers run trains we will be better off. There is really nothing the crafts and unions can do about it. Not needing to pay useless crew members and their mistakes will increase revenue by how much a year? 500 million? 1 billion? Can’t wait!!!
Thank God for deregulation of industry. Really helps the working man.
NS already testing trains in mountainous areas of Colorado with no crew.
In my lifetime they will have no train crews. Probably within the next 10 years.
Just think about how great careers will be not having to work for the railroad anymore.