Most of our locations just got hit with another round of cuts. We had 4 machinist and 3 electricians. Our location isn't using our locomotives. We only have a few actually moving. With this being said, it looks like our yard may be shut down next. I'm 8 months away from gaining my first bit of retirement. This is garbage! I'm now 4th away from the bottom. I doubt I make it 8 months. Where is everyone going? Who's gonna chase the job to keep retirement? We're all in panic mode and those f---ers dont give two sh--s. I thought UP was a great company but, now I see that are just another big corporation always f---ing the tiny Tims.
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I am a former UP manager who left in 2008 when I started to see the writing on the wall. The 11 year span between 2008 and 2019 allowed me to get a strategic advantage in job advancement over folks that got recently let go. My general attitude that "people count", to keep an open ear to comments/sugestions, and focus on good safe production (i.e do it safe, do it right, or don't do it all) didnt jibe with the UP management style. Their loss . Sadly, shortline conglomerates like G&W are moving away from safety to production, yet playing lip service to safety to front line employees in increasing quantities. Glad I started my own shortline railroad to get back to the fundamentals: people: good employees + good reward system + good safety + good customer service + good comminication = sucuccess. Not having to commit to meeting short-term share price/EPS metrics and instead focusing on the long term also helps. You can't spell stUPid without UP. Imagine the profits if UP built a true team instead of destroying it. For safety and productivity bonuses for all front-line employees, there is no reason UP should not be taking 5%-10% of yearly profits and tossing it back to employees.
You sound like you're at Hinkle or Denver since they're going through curtailment. Real shame what's happening to all of you and my best wishes for any of you. Whether or not you chase the job for rrb is up to you in the end, just know whether it's another rail rd or back to the normal job grind there's life after UP.
My location is out west!
heads up? that would be grounds for dismissal! you have to remember these are not good people.