PASSENGER AND FREIGHT RAIL: THE CURRENT STATUS OF THE RAIL NETWORK AND THE TRACK AHEAD
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[Senate Hearing 116-638]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
------
S. Hrg. 116-638
PASSENGER AND FREIGHT RAIL:
THE CURRENT STATUS OF THE RAIL NETWORK AND THE TRACK AHEAD
=======================================================================
HEARING
before the
COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE,
SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION
UNITED STATES SENATE
ONE HUNDRED SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
SECOND SESSION
----------
OCTOBER 21, 2020
----------
Printed for the use of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation
[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
Available online: http://www.govinfo.gov
PASSENGER AND FREIGHT RAIL: THE CURRENT STATUS OF THE RAIL NETWORK AND
THE TRACK AHEAD
S. Hrg. 116-638
PASSENGER AND FREIGHT RAIL:
THE CURRENT STATUS OF THE RAIL NETWORK AND THE TRACK AHEAD
=======================================================================
HEARING
before the
COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE,
SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION
UNITED STATES SENATE
ONE HUNDRED SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
SECOND SESSION
__________
OCTOBER 21, 2020
__________
Printed for the use of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation
[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
Available online: http://www.govinfo.gov
______
U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE
54-130 PDF WASHINGTON : 2023
SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION
ONE HUNDRED SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
SECOND SESSION
ROGER WICKER, Mississippi, Chairman
JOHN THUNE, South Dakota MARIA CANTWELL, Washington,
ROY BLUNT, Missouri Ranking
TED CRUZ, Texas AMY KLOBUCHAR, Minnesota
DEB FISCHER, Nebraska RICHARD BLUMENTHAL, Connecticut
JERRY MORAN, Kansas BRIAN SCHATZ, Hawaii
DAN SULLIVAN, Alaska EDWARD MARKEY, Massachusetts
CORY GARDNER, Colorado TOM UDALL, New Mexico
MARSHA BLACKBURN, Tennessee GARY PETERS, Michigan
SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO, West Virginia TAMMY BALDWIN, Wisconsin
MIKE LEE, Utah TAMMY DUCKWORTH, Illinois
RON JOHNSON, Wisconsin JON TESTER, Montana
TODD YOUNG, Indiana KYRSTEN SINEMA, Arizona
RICK SCOTT, Florida JACKY ROSEN, Nevada
John Keast, Staff Director
Crystal Tully, Deputy Staff Director
Steven Wall, General Counsel
Kim Lipsky, Democratic Staff Director
Chris Day, Democratic Deputy Staff Director
Renae Black, Senior Counsel
C O N T E N T S
----------
Page
Hearing held on October 21, 2020................................. 1
Statement of Senator Wicker...................................... 1
Statement of Senator Cantwell.................................... 3
Statement of Senator Tester...................................... 4
Statement of Senator Fischer..................................... 25
Statement of Senator Moran....................................... 28
Prepared statement from Ross Capon, Consultant and President
Emeritus, Rail Passengers Association.......................... 30
Prepared statement from Jim Matthews, President and Chief
Executive Officer, Rail Passengers Association................. 38
Statement of Senator Udall....................................... 67
Statement of Senator Markey...................................... 69
Statement of Senator Blumenthal.................................. 70
Statement of Senator Duckworth................................... 72
Statement of Senator Rosen....................................... 73
Statement of Senator Thune....................................... 467
Statement of Senator Blackburn................................... 471
Witnesses
Hon. Steve Daines, U.S. Senator from Montana..................... 5
Paul Tuss, Executive Director, Bear Paw Development Corporation,
and Member, Montana Economic Developers Association............ 6
Prepared statement........................................... 8
William Flynn, President and Chief Executive Officer, National
Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak)........................ 9
Prepared statement........................................... 11
Frank Chirumbole, Vice President Global Supply Chain, Olin
Corporation on Behalf of American Chemistry Council............ 75
Prepared statement........................................... 77
Randy Gordon, President and Chief Executive Officer, National
Grain and Feed Association..................................... 81
Prepared statement........................................... 83
Kent Fountain, Chairman, National Cotton Council................. 90
Prepared statement........................................... 91
Ian N. Jefferies, President and Chief Executive Officer,
Association of American Railroads.............................. 93
Prepared statement........................................... 94
Dennis R. Pierce, President, Teamsters Rail Conference,
International Brotherhood of Teamsters......................... 160
Prepared statement........................................... 161
Appendix
Letter dated October 21, 2020 to Hon. Roger Wicker, Hon. Maria
Cantwell, Hon. Deb Fischer and Hon. Tammy Duckworth from Corey
Rosenbusch, President and CEO, The Fertilizer Institute........ 477
Letter dated November 4, 2020 to Hon. Roger Wicker and Hon. Maria
Cantwell from Elizabeth Bartheld, Vice President, Government
and Industry Affairs, American Forest and Paper Association.... 478
Arun Rao, Chair, States for Passenger Rail Coalition, Inc. and
Passenger Rail Manager, Wisconsin Department of Transportation,
Railroads and Harbors Section, prepared statement.............. 480
Larry I. Willis, President, Transportation Trades Department,
AFL-CIO, prepared statement.................................... 481
Response to written questions submitted to Paul Tuss by:
Hon. Amy Klobuchar........................................... 485
Response to written questions submitted to William Flynn by:
Hon. Roger Wicker............................................ 485
Hon. Jerry Moran............................................. 485
Hon. Marsha Blackburn........................................ 487
Hon. Shelley Moore Capito.................................... 488
Hon. Maria Cantwell.......................................... 489
Hon. Amy Klobuchar........................................... 491
Hon. Kyrsten Sinema.......................................... 491
Response to written questions submitted to Frank Chirumbole by:
Hon. Marsha Blackburn........................................ 492
Response to written questions submitted to Randy Gordon by:
Hon. John Thune.............................................. 493
Hon. Amy Klobuchar........................................... 494
Hon. Tammy Duckworth......................................... 495
Response to written questions submitted to Ian N. Jefferies by:
Hon. Shelley Moore Capito.................................... 496
Hon. Maria Cantwell.......................................... 498
Hon. Jacky Rosen............................................. 500
Response to written questions submitted to Dennis Pierce by:
Hon. Maria Cantwell.......................................... 502
PASSENGER AND FREIGHT RAIL:
THE CURRENT STATUS OF THE RAIL
NETWORK AND THE TRACK AHEAD
----------
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2020
U.S. Senate,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
Washington, DC.
The Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10 a.m., in room
SR-253, Russell Senate Office Building, Hon. Roger Wicker,
Chairman of the Committee, presiding.
Present: Senators Wicker [presiding], Thune, Blunt,
Fischer, Moran, Blackburn, Young, Cantwell, Blumenthal, Markey,
Udall, Duckworth, Tester, and Rosen.
OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. ROGER WICKER,
U.S. SENATOR FROM MISSISSIPPI
The Chairman. This hearing will come to order. Thank you
all for being here. Good morning. Today, the Committee convenes
to discuss the status of the national rail network. Our country
has some 140,000 miles of freight rail, seven Class I
railroads, over 600 freight railroads, and thousands of
companies using rail to ship products and raw materials. We
also have an inter-city passenger rail service, Amtrak,
operating on 22,000 miles of that same network and including
over 500 stations.
Today's first panel of witnesses will feature Mr. William
Flynn, President and CEO of Amtrak, and Mr. Paul Tuss,
Executive Director of the Bear Paw Development Corporation and
Member of the Montana Economic Developers Association, who will
testify remotely today. Today's second panel will include: Mr.
Frank Chirumbole, Vice President Global Supply Chain, Olin
Corporation, on behalf of the American Chemistry Council,
testifying remotely; Mr. Randy Gordon, President and CEO,
National Grain and Feed Association; Mr. Ken Fountain,
Chairman, National Cotton Council, testifying remotely; and Mr.
Ian Jefferies, President and CEO of the Association of American
Railroads, and Mr. Dennis Pierce, President, Teamsters Rail
Conference, testifying remotely.
We appreciate everyone, including our remote witnesses, for
accommodating us during this COVID pandemic. In 1970, the Rail
Passenger Service Act was adopted to relieve our railroads of
the common carrier obligation to carry passengers. This statute
created Amtrak and it provided that rail lines can be used by
Amtrak to offer intercity passenger rail service for terms and
compensation that are just and reasonable to the railroads.
Today, Amtrak's service includes the Northeast Corridor, long
distance routes, and State supported routes. Forty-six states
have Amtrak service. The Committee is interested in hearing
about Amtrak's decision to cut certain long distance routes
from daily service to three times per week. We also have an
opportunity to hear more about the impacts of COVID-19 on
passenger rail network and Amtrak's operations.
I hope Mr. Flynn will also provide his perspective on
restoring passenger rail service to the Gulf Coast. This
continues to be my top priority. In 2005, Amtrak service along
the Gulf Coast had to be halted after Hurricane Katrina
severely damaged the route. It has now been 15 years. Members
of Congress have been working ever since to restore the service
and facilitate economic development for affected communities.
In 2016, thousands of people came out at stop after stop
along the Gulf Coast route during an inspection trip to examine
the infrastructure and opportunities that intercity passenger
rail service could provide. I am actively working to reinstate
Amtrak service from New Orleans to Mobile, and I hope to make
substantial progress on that effort in the coming weeks. This
morning, the second panel will focus on the freight rail
network. We will have an opportunity to hear shipper, rail, and
frontline employee perspectives on the state of rail
infrastructure and service. The U.S. freight railroad is vital
to keeping our economy running. For example, in my home State
of Mississippi, there are some 2,600 miles of rail lines with
five Class I railroads and many short lines.
Our freight rail system is the key link between markets
across the country and shipments of chemical, wood and paper
products, and agricultural commodities. The freight rail
network has been critical in delivering supplies to help combat
the pandemic. I hope our second panel of witnesses will share
their insights on ways in which the pandemic has impacted
operations, service, and overall network fluidity.
Finally, I would ask them to share their perspectives on
the regulatory framework for resolving disputes between rail
carriers and shippers. I thank our witnesses for appearing
today. We welcome their testimony on these important topics,
and we also thank them for their cooperation with this
committee in our circumstance of having to reschedule this
hearing from some two weeks ago to today. So thank you, and I
turn to my dear friend and Ranking Member, Senator Cantwell,
for her opening remarks.
STATEMENT OF HON. MARIA CANTWELL,
U.S. SENATOR FROM WASHINGTON
Senator Cantwell. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you
for holding this important hearing. I really do appreciate it.
We have had so much focus on the airline sector and what is
happening with airlines. And we feel like we should be giving
the ample attention to our rail routes and the importance to
our economy. So thank you for both panels today to discuss both
passenger and freight moving through. And I do want to join you
in your prioritization of returning service to the Gulf Coast.
I might not say the names, just like you say them, New
Orleans and Mobile, but I definitely believe that we should
have reestablished throughout service there. As someone who
sees the route service benefits in the Pacific Northwest, I can
tell you it is part of an economy and we need to have it
established. So obviously we have been challenged by the COVID-
19 pandemic, and moving people and goods is what does keep our
economy strong. In the State of Washington, the importance of
passenger and freight infrastructure, of getting people and
products to market, connecting urban and rural is really,
really critical.
In 2019, 14.8 million people worked in transportation and
transportation related jobs, nearly 10 percent of the U.S.
labor force. And throughout this pandemic, workers have
continued to keep food on the table and get medical equipment
to the hospitals and First Responders. They have brought those
First Responders to the loved ones who have been affected by
COVID-19, and they continue to keep our frontline workers in
all sectors going strong with the services and supplies they
need. That is why I think it is so important for the Senate to
take up legislation that would include relief for the
transportation sector, both in help and support of this Amtrak
we are talking about today as well as the airlines. So I look
forward to continuing to work with our colleagues on that.
Workers in rural communities across the country, including
in my home state, will pay the price if we don't see this aid.
Tens of thousands, obviously, we have already talked about
airlines, but Amtrak and transit jobs. And when I think about
these forced cuts to profitable routes or the best routes
leaving Americans stranded in transportation sectors, I want to
make sure that we are doing everything we can to analyze what
support we need, because these restructuring are imminent, and
we need to understand the consequences. So, again, thank you
for the hearing. Our two long distance Amtrak lines, Coast
Starlight and the Empire Builder, serve 15 communities, the
majority of them small and rural communities. And in some
areas, Amtrak is the only means of public transportation,
providing a direct line for economic success in rural
communities and across the state. And I know our colleague,
Senator Tester, and I see our other colleague here, Senator
Daines, that Mr. Tuss is going to testify from Montana.
Well, I remember being in Glacier National Park in the--big
outdoor person and definitely sitting there in our National
Park Hotel there and all of a sudden here comes all these
people. And I am like, where all these people coming from? Oh,
they just got off Amtrak. So if you don't have Amtrak service
to Glacier National Park, you are going to have a problem. And
we obviously are in a pandemic, but we don't want to see what
just the Chairman is talking about. Some incident that
basically sets a course where services curtailed, and then it
takes you 15 years to get it reestablished. We don't want to
see that. So I am anxious to hear what we are going to do. If
you asked me, I would be increasing service to all our national
parks because I think it is such a great concept to get so many
people. If you look at the European models, that is exactly
what they are doing, taking people to the great outdoors in all
sorts of ways and Americans certainly would appreciate that.
More than 30 percent of the Amtrak workforce in Washington
State is already facing furloughs. Thousands more employees
will see their jobs threatened and local economies across the
country will lose billions if we don't get Amtrak support into
one of our bills. It is vital that we get immediate aid to keep
transportation companies afloat, to have them significantly
increase the investment in our national infrastructure. We all
know that we need to do more there, but particularly in light
of the devastating impact on COVID-19 on many State local
economies. I am sure, Mr. Chairman, like my state, there is
lots of discussions at home about what projects are going to
get put on hold if we don't move forward with transportation
dollars. So we need, in my opinion, to continue to invest
heavily in rail crossing improvements that will reduce
congestion and freight bottlenecks and improve efficiencies. We
need to do more on the safety front.
In addition to positive train control technology and strong
safety culture means that we ensure trains and stations have
appropriate staffing and the workforce is not being cut just in
the name of efficiencies. And in the time of COVID, it means
providing workers with personal protective equipment and taking
commonsense measures to reduce the spread of the virus. So I
want to make sure that we are--that the White House or anybody
is not blocking the CDC from implementing measures that would
help us create a stronger safety culture.
My colleague from Florida joined us on a temperature check
bill as it relates to the airline sector, as economies that
greatly depend on transportation like Florida or the Pacific
Northwest, we want to build whatever infrastructure is needed
on guidance from CDC and others to improve the traveling
public's safety during the COVID pandemic and in the future.
So with that, Mr. Chairman, I look forward to hearing from
our colleagues. And again, thank you for holding this very
important hearing. And we look forward to asking the witnesses
on both panels questions, so thank you.
The Chairman. Thank you, Senator Cantwell. There is
bipartisan enthusiasm in Montana for Mr. Paul Tuss's testimony.
Senator Tester, I believe, is cued up to say a word or two
remotely. Senator Tester, are you there?
STATEMENT OF HON. JON TESTER,
U.S. SENATOR FROM MONTANA
Senator Tester. I am, Mr. Chairman, and I want to thank you
for the opportunity to introduce the most honorable Paul Tuss.
I am going to move back a few years and start at the beginning.
Paul Tuss is from Opportunity, Montana. Now, Mr. Chairman, I
know there are many people on this committee that think there
is no opportunity in Montana, but I am here to tell you there
is, it is alive and well, and Tuss is living proof of that. But
there is much more than that. He has been at Havre now for
probably the last 20 years, which, by the way, is in north
central Montana, right in the middle of the Empire Builders
Track. Before that, he was west of Havre, Montana in a little
town called Chester--no, in a little town called Cut Bank doing
economic development there and which is also on the line of the
Empire Builder.
But the fact is, is Paul is much more than that. He has
been Executive Director of the Glacier County Economic
Development Organization. He has been President of the Montana
Economic Developers Association. He has been Chairman of the
Montana State Employees Council. He has served as a Member of
the Board of Directors of Montana Nonprofit Association. He has
served on the Tourism Council. He was recently appointed to
Montana's Climate Solutions Council. And he currently serves as
Vice Chair of the Montana Board of Regents, as well as the
Montana Economic Development Advisory Council and the Board of
Directors of Montana Cooperative Development Center. This guy
has got some stroke, OK? And he understands economic
development.
And he will be the first to tell you that the Empire
Builder is the backbone of the small towns that dot across
Montana's highline. It keeps those rural communities connected.
It brings in tourists, outside money, and it creates jobs. And
the truth of the matter is, our state cannot afford to lose
those critical services that Amtrak provides. I pushed for this
hearing because the Senate and the Trump Administration need to
hear firsthand accounts of just how tone deaf recent Amtrak
policies are when it comes to their effect on rural
communities. And I invited Paul to come and testify because he
has had his boots on the ground literally for decades. I know
he doesn't look that old, but that is a fact. He has been doing
it for decades. And I have no doubt that he is going to offer
compelling testimony that shows this committee just how
important it is that we invest in Amtrak's future. I have been
particularly stunned by the Trump Administration's annual
efforts to gut Amtrak.
This Administration started by calling for an end to
longest service. Let me say that again. The Trump
Administration thought to end long distance service, which
would have meant the end to the Empire Builder in Montana.
Since then, they have attempted to cut the budget in half,
leading to where we are today as Montanans lose service. This
is unacceptable and it is hurting our economy. Some of my
colleagues refuse to hold this Administration accountable.
Instead, there is a bunch of hot air and press releases. I
will tell you press releases don't save the Empire Builder or
the jobs or the economy that it creates. So I hope folks get
serious about this issue before it is too late. This hearing is
a step in the right direction. And I appreciate the Committee
and the Chairman and the Ranking Member making this happen. And
finally, Paul, thank you for taking the time to participate in
this hearing and bringing a Montana/Havre perspective to this
conversation. I look forward to hearing what you have to say.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
The Chairman. Thank you, Senator Tester. Senator Daines.
STATEMENT OF HON. STEVE DAINES,
U.S. SENATOR FROM MONTANA
Senator Daines. Thank you, Chairman Wicker, Ranking Member
Cantwell, for holding this very important hearing and for
giving me an opportunity to introduce a fellow Montanan, the
man, the legend, Paul Tuss. Paul lives in Havre, Montana.
Senator Tester just mentioned Havre is called the heartbeat of
a highline. In fact, I was in Havre literally a week ago today.
In fact it is where our best man in our wedding grew up.
Havre is home to one of the Amtrak stations along with
Shelby, in which I fought successfully to restore ticket agents
to that station. Paul has a very impressive resume, serving as
Executive Director of Bear Paw Development Corporation for 20
years, and holding a number of other positions in both the
public as well as the private sector. Paul clearly understands
just how important Amtrak's long distance routes, and in
particular the Empire Builder, are to rural America. In
Montana, the Empire Builder is essential to the local economy.
It provides folks along the highline their only access to the
National Transportation Network. Like Paul, I am deeply
concerned about the impact of Amtrak's reductions in staff and
service will have across this network. I led a bipartisan
effort opposing those reductions in June, which included a
Democrat member of this committee, and we had strong support
from both labor unions and passenger associations. I also filed
an amendment to prohibit those reductions.
As I noted in a letter to Senate leadership just last
month, daily service on the Empire Builder is essential. The
service provides Montanans access to health care and is
critical to our local economy, as Senator Cantwell articulated,
by bringing thousands each year to visit our communities, our
pristine wilderness and our national parks.
I want to thank you, Paul, for participating in this
hearing today and bringing a very important Montana voice to
this conversation. I remain hopeful that Congress can come
together, pass a bipartisan relief bill, which I will fight to
ensure includes adequate funding for Amtrak and a guarantee on
returning staff and daily service. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
The Chairman. Thank you very much. Well, Mr. Tuss, I think
we better take you first. So, I think you have been adequately
and bipartisanly introduced and endorsed. So are you there, and
locked and loaded?
Mr. Tuss. I am here, Mr. Chairman, I hope you can hear me.
The Chairman. We can hear you. You are recognized, sir.
Your full testimony will be made a part of the record and you
are recognized for 5 minutes to summarize.
STATEMENT OF PAUL TUSS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,
BEAR PAW DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, AND MEMBER,
MONTANA ECONOMIC DEVELOPERS ASSOCIATION
Mr. Tuss. Thank you. Chairman Wicker, Ranking Member
Cantwell and members of the Committee, I am honored to be with
you today, and thank you for this opportunity to discuss with
you the absolute importance of passenger rail service in our
nation, especially as it relates to the Federal Government's
historic investment as critical component in America's
transportation infrastructure. My name is Paul Tuss and I serve
as Executive Director of Bear Paw Development Corporation, a
federally recognized economic development district, rural,
Northern Montana. Our region includes five counties, two Indian
nations supported to the North by the Canadian provinces of
Alberta and Saskatchewan, and to the South by the Missouri
River. It is 17,811 square miles in size and is larger than the
landmass of nine individual states.
Many of the communities we serve are considered not just
rural, but indeed frontier. And running through it all is the
Empire Builder, one of Amtrak's most successful long distance
routes. The Empire Builder in Montana includes stops in 12
communities and has proven to be a lifeline for residents. The
Empire Builder is utilized by Montanans for a variety of
reasons, including access to advanced medical care in more
urban areas such as the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota as well as
facilities in Seattle. This passenger rail service also
delivers people to their place of work and brings families
together who live in different parts of our country.
Importantly, the Empire Builder also brings out-of-state
residents to big sky country for vacations and other purposes
that add significantly to Montana's economy. Whitefish alone,
which is the busiest stop in Montana for the Empire Builder,
more than 55,000 people annually either board or disembark at
that location, adding significantly to a local economy that has
a sizable tourism sector given its proximity to Glacier
National Park, Flathead Lake, and Whitefish Mountain Ski
Resort. In 2019, the 12 Amtrak stations in Montana served
121,429 passengers who either boarded or disembarked on the
Empire Builder. This level of activity is significant,
especially for a rural state. According to the Rail Passengers
Association, the Empire Builder contributes an estimated $327
million to the economies of the states in which it operates,
and the Federal Government pays approximately $57 million a
year to keep it running.
This $270 million net positive is a return on investment
that is noteworthy, significant, and clearly validates the
Federal Government's investment in this route. Unfortunately,
regardless of the significant ROI the Empire Builder has
demonstrated in years past, daily service on this route has
been eliminated as of 2 days ago on October 19. Amtrak has made
the decision to reduce daily service to three times per week.
This move will obviously significantly hamper the ability of
Montana residents to utilize the Empire Builder as they
contemplate travel for personal or professional reasons. While
we know the current global pandemic has adversely impacted
ridership for Amtrak, this significant cut in service will only
make things worse. There is fewer options available for those
individuals and families interested in using America's
passenger rail system. And cuts like this only lead to even
more negative numbers when it comes to ridership, potentially
further justifying even deeper cuts in the future.
We all know it is far more difficult to reestablish a
service, which was talked about earlier, once it has been
eliminated. Our real concern at this juncture is if the current
reduction in service will become permanent and Amtrak in our
state and elsewhere will be a less reliable and more convenient
travel option for Americans. The Federal Government has
historically and smartly invested in our country's public
transportation systems. These systems have kept our Nation
moving quite literally. The economic powerhouse that we are as
a country is directly attributable in many ways to the wise
investments that the Federal Government has always made in
building and maintaining America's transportation systems,
whether it is airports, seaports, our interstate system, or
passenger rail service, our Federal Government has
traditionally recognized the absolute importance of investing
in our transportation systems to keep America strong, our
economy on track, and to assure that people and goods get from
one location to the next.
A safe, reliable passenger rail system in our country is
critically important, especially for rural and frontier
communities. I strongly recommend your continued investment in
Amtrak, including its long distance rounds such as the Empire
Builder. Now is not the time to shrink from commitment this
Nation has historically had to connect our people and places
through a robust passenger rail system. Thank you for allowing
me this opportunity to share these comments with you this
morning.
[The prepared statement of Mr. Tuss follows:]
Prepared Statement of Paul Tuss, Executive Director,
Bear Paw Development Corporation
Chairman Wicker, Ranking Member Cantwell and members of the
Committee--I am honored to be with you today and thank you for this
opportunity to discuss with you the absolute importance of passenger
rail service in our nation, especially as it relates to the Federal
government's historic investment in this critical component of
America's transportation infrastructure. My name is Paul Tuss and I
serve as the Executive Director of Bear Paw Development Corporation, a
federally-recognized Economic Development District in rural northern
Montana. Our region includes five counties, two Indian nations, is
bordered to the north by the Canadian provinces of Alberta and
Saskatchewan and to the south by the Missouri River. It is 17,811
square miles in size and is larger than the combined total of 9
individual states. Many of the communities we serve are considered not
just rural, but indeed frontier. And running through it all is the
Empire Builder, one of Amtrak's most successful long-distance routes.
The Empire Builder in Montana includes stops in twelve communities
and has proven to be a lifeline for our residents. The Empire Builder
is utilized by Montanans for a variety of reasons, including access to
advanced medical care in more urban areas such as the Mayo Clinic in
Minnesota as well as facilities in Seattle. This passenger rail service
also delivers people to their place of work and brings families
together who live in different parts of our country. Importantly, the
Empire Builder also brings out-of-state residents to Big Sky Country
for vacations and other purposes that add significantly to Montana's
economy. In Whitefish alone, which is the busiest stop in Montana for
the Empire Builder, more than 55,000 people either board or disembark
at that location, adding significantly to a local economy that has a
sizable tourism sector, given its proximity to Glacier National Park,
Flathead Lake and Whitefish Mountain ski resort.
In 2019, the twelve Amtrak stations in Montana served 121,429
passengers, who either boarded or disembarked on the Empire Builder.
This level of activity is significant, especially for a rural state.
According to the Rail Passengers Association, the Empire Builder
contributes an estimated $327 million to the economies of the states in
which it operates, and the Federal government pays approximately $57
million a year to keep it running. This $270 million net positive is a
return on investment that is noteworthy, significant and clearly
validates the Federal government's investment in this route.
Unfortunately, regardless of the significant ROI the Empire Builder
has demonstrated in years past, daily service on the route has been
eliminated as of October 19th. Amtrak has made the decision to reduce
daily service to three times per week. This move will obviously
significantly hamper the ability of Montana residents to utilize the
Empire Builder as they contemplate travel for personal or professional
reasons. While we know the current global pandemic has adversely
impacted ridership for Amtrak, this significant cut in service will
only make things worse, with fewer options available for those
individuals and families interested in using America's passenger rail
system. And cuts like this only lead to even more negative numbers when
it comes to ridership, potentially further justifying even deeper cuts
in the future. We all know it is far more difficult to re-establish a
service once it has been eliminated. Our real concern at this juncture
is that the current reduction in service will become permanent and
Amtrak in our state and elsewhere will be a less reliable and more
inconvenient travel option for Americans.
The Federal Government has historically and smartly invested in our
country's public transportation systems. These systems have kept our
Nation moving, quite literally. The economic powerhouse that we are as
a country is directly attributable, in many ways, to the wise
investment that the Federal government has always made in building and
maintaining America's transportation systems. Whether it's airports,
seaports, our interstate system or passenger rail service, our Federal
government has traditionally recognized the absolute importance of
investing in our transportation systems to keep America strong, our
economy on track and to assure that people and goods get from one
location to the next.
A safe, reliable passenger rail system in our country is critically
important, especially for our rural and frontier communities. I
strongly recommend your continued investment in Amtrak, including its
long-distance routes such as the Empire Builder. Now is not the time to
shrink from the commitment this Nation has historically had to connect
our people and places through a robust passenger rail system.
Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to share these comments
with you.
The Chairman. Thank you very much, Mr. Tuss. President
Flynn, you are now recognized. Thank you for being here.
STATEMENT OF WILLIAM FLYNN,
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER,
NATIONAL RAILROAD PASSENGER CORPORATION (AMTRAK)
Mr. Flynn. Good morning, Chairman Wicker, Ranking Member
Cantwell and other members of the Committee. Thank you for the
invitation and the opportunity to appear here today. But before
I make my remarks, I just want to take a moment to recognize
and remember Mr. Allen Boyd. Allen Boyd was Amtrak's third
president and passed away just a few days ago, and he certainly
left Amtrak in a much better position than when he arrived.
And we are forever grateful to him for his long service to
our nation, where, among others, he was our first Secretary of
Transportation. Amtrak delivered record performance in Fiscal
Year 2019, and we were excited to see that Fiscal Year 2020 was
set to be another record year. However, as the pandemic took
hold in March, our ridership plummeted by 97 percent. Just for
some context, we carried more than 80,000 daily passengers in
February. By April, there were less than 4,000 passengers per
day. And by way of example, today or yesterday, we had 17,000
passengers across our network.
Thanks to the CARES Act, we managed to survive Fiscal Year
2020, but our ridership and revenue are still down more than 80
percent. We recently updated our forecast for Fiscal Year 2021,
and we anticipate needing up to $4.9 billion in total funding
to operate and invest in our network, support our partners, and
address various congressional priorities such as employee
furloughs and daily long distance service. Unfortunately,
Congress has not passed an Fiscal Year 2021 appropriations bill
and instead passed a Continuing Resolution through December 11.
This CR, coupled with no COVID emergency funding, is very
concerning to Amtrak, given our dramatic revenue lost during
this pandemic. That being said, we were pleased to see that the
House passed their updated HEROES Act a few weeks ago, which
included $2.4 billion for Amtrak and our partners. We are
hopeful that the Senate will consider providing at least this
level of emergency assistance, if not more, very soon. However,
given that nothing is being enacted, we must be prudent and
address the situation at hand.
Therefore, as we advised this summer, we are now adjusting
service and workforce levels. Failure to implement these
actions, difficult actions, would have resulted in the company
consuming about $250 million each month, given the reduced
level of ridership and the then existing level of operations.
At this rate of cash depletion, Amtrak would be forced to take
even more drastic measures with long lasting impacts on our
company, our employees, and our network. As you know, we
reduced service on both the NEC and State supported routes many
months ago at the beginning of the crisis. And we have recently
implemented temporary frequency adjustments to most of our long
distance trains through the month of October. But I want to be
very clear, these adjustments are temporary. There is no plan
or agenda to make these adjustments permanent.
Many of your states benefit from long distance service, and
we just heard from Mr. Tuss from Montana and the Senators from
Montana, and I have heard the concerns very loud and clear. And
I want you to know, I want the Committee to know that I am and
our Board of Directors are 100 percent committed to our long
distance network and its future.
We have notified our host railroads that these adjustments
are temporary and we ask your help to ensure that we have their
support for the restoration of daily service for our customers
and your constituents as we move forward. In addition, until
our ridership recovers, we must make difficult workforce
adjustments. We cannot continue to indefinitely fund a
workforce that is too large for the number of passengers we now
serve.
I personally know how hard furloughs can be, having grown
up in a railroad labor family and having had my fathers and
uncles furloughed over the years during different economic
crises. But these workforce adjustments are essential given the
lack of funding that we now have. Going forward, we are
committed to return furloughed employees to work as soon as
financially possible and we are currently taking care of these
employees by providing extended no-cost health coverage during
this period. Inner city rail, passenger service remains one of
the safest and most efficient forms of transportation. Once the
pandemic eases, Amtrak stands ready to grow and serve more of
America in large communities and rural communities including
the Gulf Coast.
Unfortunately, we have been working with our host railroads
for 5 years on this service and it is yet to commence. This has
been a long and unpredictable process, and I believe it is
illustrative of our dealing with some of our host railroads.
Unless these challenges can be addressed by Congress, we will
be unable to better serve our country.
We hope this committee will consider these issues when it
develops a surface transportation reauthorization bill as the
House has in its Invest in America Act.
Please know that I am committed to working through this
crisis with you, our State partners, labor leaders and other
stakeholders to manage the near-term challenges while
safeguarding Amtrak's future. Thank you for your time and
support. I look forward to your questions.
[The prepared statement of Mr. Flynn follows:]
Prepared Statement of William Flynn, President and Chief Executive
Officer, National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak)
Amtrak and COVID-19
Introduction
Good morning, Chairman Wicker, Ranking Member Cantwell, and Members
of this Committee. Thank you for calling this hearing today to discuss
Amtrak and COVID-19. My name is William Flynn, and this is my first
opportunity to testify before you as Amtrak's president and chief
executive officer, a position I assumed in April of this year.
Let me start by thanking the thousands of Amtrak employees who have
risen to the challenges associated with COVID-19 and have remained
focused on Amtrak's mission to provide safe, reliable transportation to
our customers and your constituents. Ticket agents, conductors, train
attendants, red caps, cleaners, and dozens of other specialties are
doing their part to keep America moving, and I am very proud of to be a
part of the team.
I come from a railroad family. My father and uncle were locomotive
engineers, and my brother was an Amtrak conductor and local union
chair. My first transportation job during summer break from college was
working on a maintenance-of-way gang that was installing welded rail on
the Northeast Corridor (NEC) in New England. In 43 years in the
transportation industry, I have had the opportunity to serve in a
multitude of roles in ocean shipping, airline, and railroad companies.
These connections deepen the honor I feel to lead Amtrak, and I will do
all I can to further Amtrak's important mission to serve the country.
As Amtrak finished FY 2019 and even through the first five months
of FY 2020, the company was in a stronger position than at any time in
its soon to be fifty-year history. Ridership, revenue, and financial
performance were at record levels. Amtrak was on track to generate
passenger revenues exceeding operating expenses in FY 2020 for the
first time ever. The company was preparing to take delivery of next
generation Acela trainsets for its high-speed NEC service, and had a
bold vision of expanding train service in new and existing corridors
across the country.
Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic then hit this Nation. Amtrak,
like all transportation providers, was hit especially hard. In a matter
of weeks, Amtrak's ridership plummeted by 97 percent and we undertook
immediate actions to protect the health and safety of our customers and
employees and reduce capacity.
Shortly thereafter, Congress passed the CARES Act, which provided
important emergency funding to Amtrak and our state partners in order
to minimize the negative financial impacts of COVID-19 during FY 2020.
Unfortunately, recovery has been slow, and our ridership and revenue
are still down 80 percent compared to a year ago. It has become clear
that the pandemic's impacts will extend through, and almost certainly
beyond, FY 2021 as well, and we, along with our state partners, will
continue to face unprecedented challenges in the new Fiscal Year that
began this month.
What I would like to do today is discuss with you Amtrak's response
to COVID-19 thus far, including how we ensure our customers and
employees are safe and healthy, as well as the steps we have taken to
manage the loss of revenue. I would also like to focus on two issues
that I know are important to this committee: how we are having to
adjust our workforce and our train service for FY 2021 given the
pandemic's impacts on our ridership. Finally, it is important to
understand what happens after we get through this pandemic and the
vision for Amtrak and intercity passenger rail for the future.
Amtrak's Response to COVID-19
To provide more detail about how Amtrak has responded to COVID-19,
let me offer a quick summary of the steps we have taken since the
crisis began to unfold in late winter of this year.
Our number one job is to provide a safe work and travel environment
for our employees and our riders. In January, as concern about the
virus spreading in the U.S. started to emerge, we began reminding
employees about the need to be vigilant about hand washing and
sanitizing. As it became clearer that we were about to face a serious
public health crisis we developed a safety plan, and over the past
several months we have worked to inform and execute our plan with the
best available information.
We have taken many actions to minimize health and safety risks to
our customers and employees. They include:
Requiring masks for passengers and employees on our trains
and in our facilities.
Limiting reservations on trains (other than in private
sleeping room accommodations) to allow social distancing.
Adopting and continuously refining new and enhanced cleaning
procedures on our trains and in our stations.
Instructing all employees whose jobs can be performed
remotely to work from home.
Distributing supplies of Personal Protective Equipment to
employees across the country.
Providing every employee infected by or exposed to COVID-19
with up to two weeks of pay protection to safeguard their
households and ensure that ill employees stay home. (Similarly,
absenteeism due to COVID-19 symptoms has not been subject to
the application of our attendance policy.)
Enhancing our website and mobile application with features
like improved boarding guides and train capacity indicators
that help our customers to make safe traveling decisions.
Installing protective plastic barriers in our cafe cars and
in our stations to support physical distancing, and hand
sanitizer dispensers on all our trains.
Contracting with Quest Diagnostics to make voluntary COVID-
19 testing available to all employees. While our employees
primarily rely upon testing otherwise available at no cost to
them through the CARES Act, this service will provide
additional confidence that we are taking the necessary steps to
mitigate the risk of infection among our workforce.
Creating a research partnership with a leading university to
study airflow, ventilation, and air filtration systems in
passenger railcars to determine if additional measures would
further reduce the possibility of airborne spread of infectious
particles on our equipment.
Working with RB, the makers of Lysol, to strengthen our
comprehensive disinfection protocols for trains, stations, and
lounges. The partnership will launch in NEC stations and on the
Pacific Surfliner route, before expanding across our network.
Partnering with the George Washington University Milken
Institute School of Public Health to secure ongoing technical
expertise and guidance to enhance Amtrak's comprehensive
coronavirus pandemic response.
We have prominently communicated information about our response to
COVID-19 and the changes we have made to address it to our passengers
through Amtrak.com, social and print media and station signage. We have
also communicated openly and frequently with our employees through
employee advisories and companywide town halls. During the townhalls,
we have briefed employees on new developments and answered their
questions, the responses to which are made available to all employees
on our intranet. In addition, our labor relations team has met at least
weekly with representatives of our unions to discuss the pandemic and
the health and safety steps we are taking.
COVID-19's Financial Impact
We, along with our state partners, have seen stunning revenue
losses as a result of the precipitous decline in ticket sales due to
COVID-19. As of early March, Amtrak was on track to generate FY 2020
passenger revenues greater than operating costs for the first time in
our history. Over the next few weeks, ridership on our trains plummeted
by 97 percent, and since then only a small portion of our passengers
have resumed traveling. Our latest projections are that in FY 2020,
Amtrak's revenue from ticket sales will be $1.242 billion, which would
be only 53 percent of what it was in FY 2019. For FY 2021, we are
projecting only 9 million passenger trips and $598 million in revenue,
down from over 32 million and $2.354 billion in FY 2019, respectively,
and these assumptions rely on an effective and widely-distributed
vaccine becoming available by the middle of next calendar year--which
we know is not a guaranteed outcome.
To try to align with the current depressed demand for service,
manage our financial losses, and continue to make investments in
capital projects for future riders, we made several cost-cutting
decisions:
We have reduced service frequency and train capacity on the
NEC, and on our state supported routes in partnership with our
20 state partners.
We deferred and/or restructured $600 million in capital
projects.
We dramatically reduced overtime.
We offered voluntary unpaid time off to our employees.
Several of our unions agreed to defer previously negotiated
wage increases, for which we are grateful.
The reduced number of trains meant that while our agreement
employees have not been furloughed, their earnings have been
impacted by a reduction in hours worked.
The 401k match for our non-agreement employees was
suspended, and their pay was reduced 7-22 percent based on a
tiered system for the remainder of FY 2020. I have not drawn a
salary during this difficult time.
A combination of these cost controls and the FY 2020 CARES Act
funding allowed us to avoid involuntary layoffs and furloughs during
last Fiscal Year.
Adjustments to Train Service
In the immediate aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic's onset, we
reduced service frequency on both the NEC and state supported routes by
approximately 70 percent. On the NEC, Acela service was suspended
entirely, along with all but a few Northeast Regional trains; and in
consultation with our state partners we reduced service on 10 of our 28
state supported routes and suspended all service on 14 others. Some
service has since been restored, including a limited number of Acela
trains that resumed operation on June 1. A complete list of the service
reductions and the restorations made to date is appended to my
testimony.
We have joined with our state partners in urging Congress to
provide additional funding to help offset the lost revenue that our
state partners are experiencing during the pandemic. We are gratified
that Congress included additional funding for FY 2020 in the CARES Act,
and that the House appropriations bill includes such funding for FY
2021. We will continue to work closely with Congress to find the best
way to help our state partners out during these difficult times. We
recently updated our forecast and now anticipate needing up to $4.9
billion in funding to operate and invest in our network, support our
partners, and address various congressional concerns like avoiding
employee furloughs and maintaining daily long distance service. This
request reflects the staggering loss of revenue Amtrak is facing, and
if funded, will enable Amtrak to avoid more drastic impacts on our
infrastructure and national rail system, included an additional
reduction of 2,400 jobs beyond the cuts we have made already.
It was disappointing to see that Congress was unable to pass Fiscal
Year 2021 appropriations bills before October 1 and instead had to pass
a Continuing Resolution (CR), which continued funding at the FY 2020
levels through December 11. Given the low ridership and revenue
projected over the next few months, a CR at this level will put Amtrak
in a precarious position as we await final decisions on our annual
funding levels and our COVID-19 supplemental funding request. Amtrak
will work to adjust its operating and capital spend plans during this
short-term CR, while minimizing impacts on our customers and employees;
however, if this funding level is extended beyond December 11, we will
be unable to avoid more drastic impacts that could have long lasting
effects upon the national rail system.
We are now looking hard at which specific capital projects and
procurements we must defer until we know what funding level Congress
will provide in either a full-year FY 2021 appropriations bill, a
COVID-19 relief bill, or some combination thereof. In particular, we
may need to defer: key aspects of the Gateway Program; early Baltimore
& Potomac Tunnel work and property acquisition; an important refresh of
our aging long distance train equipment; several New York Penn Station
improvements; and various other engineering and mechanical projects on
both the NEC and National Network. Such deferrals might lead to further
employee impacts for our Engineering and Mechanical workforce who
primarily undertake capital projects. While there are no plans to
adjust train service beyond the already announced changes to the long
distance trains, we will reevaluate this in December when the level of
funding available to us for the remainder of the year becomes clear.
In addition to changes in service frequency, we have also adjusted
the number and types of cars operated on individual trains, as well as
on-board food service, ticketing policies, and other aspects of our
customer service. We made these changes to facilitate social
distancing, match capacity to reduced demand, avoid unnecessary
expenditures, and accommodate COVID-19 driven changes in customer
preferences and state partner service change requests on state
supported routes.
As we commence operations in the new Fiscal Year, we are following
a detailed FY 2021 Operating Plan built on the available data and our
best assumptions. This Plan will undoubtedly require frequent
adjustments to reflect both the presently unpredictable progress in the
battle against COVID-19 and the equally unpredictable impact COVID-19
will have on Americans' willingness to travel during the year ahead. We
will constantly evaluate external developments, and changes in Amtrak
ridership, ticket revenue, and customer preferences, as we refine that
Plan, adjust service levels to match demand, and provide state partners
with the changes in services they request. As I mentioned above, the
Operating Plan includes the availability of a vaccine next year as one
of its key assumptions. Should a vaccine not become available, or be
extensively delayed, this will have significant negative consequences
for our projections.
Long Distance Frequency Reductions
Throughout FY 2020, Amtrak operated its long distance trains on
their normal, pre-pandemic service frequency, despite huge ridership
drops and service reductions--or outright service suspensions--on every
other North American intercity passenger service. Airlines, intercity
bus companies and the Alaska Railroad have all made major reductions in
service, as Amtrak has done on the NEC and our state supported routes.
VIA Rail Canada, our Canadian counterpart, had suspended all service on
its long distance routes until at least November 1, but announced on
September 25 that these routes would continue to be suspended
indefinitely.
In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, we hoped that passenger
demand would increase appreciably on long distance routes during what
is normally their peak Summer season. Because of the resurgence in
COVID-19 infections and the continuing reluctance of travelers to take
any trips, particularly long trips on public transportation, that did
not happen. In July and August, ridership and revenues on long distance
routes (excluding the Auto Train) were down by sixty percent compared
to the same months in 2019--even though we had not made the huge
reductions in service implemented on nearly all of our other routes.
The sixty percent reduction in revenues has had a major impact on
long distance financial performance. While long distance trains had
significant operating losses prior to COVID-19 ($475 million in FY
2019), in normal times they cover most of the out-of-pocket costs such
as fuel, commissary supplies, host railroad payments, and wages and
benefits for on-board employees that are incurred by each train that
operates over a route. Therefore, operating service three times a week
rather than daily ordinarily would not produce significant and
immediate cash savings.
However, these are not ordinary times. Since ridership and revenues
on long distance trains (other than the Auto Train) have fallen
precipitously, we are incurring huge, additional operating losses for
each train we operate--for the benefit of just forty percent of the
normal number of passengers. Given that, we felt that it would be
irresponsible to continue spending a much larger share of our limited
funding to provide the same frequency of service for a much smaller
number of remaining passengers, particularly as we entered the Fall/
Winter season when monthly long distance ridership normally declines up
to 40 percent from the Summer peak.
Over the course of this month, we are temporarily reducing service
on most long distance routes from daily to three times per week. The
exceptions are the Auto Train, which will continue to operate daily
because of higher demand levels; the Silver Meteor, which began
operating four days a week in July to provide daily service between New
York City and Miami in combination with the Silver Star, which was
reduced to tri-weekly operation and operates a similar route between
New York City and Miami; and the Cardinal and Sunset Limited, which
already operate three times a week.
Like the more significant service reductions we have made on our
NEC and state supported routes, these long distance frequency
adjustments will be temporary. We are committed to operating our long
distance system and, as ridership returns, we intend to restore service
frequency to previous levels. We have notified our host railroads about
these temporary reductions in service, including notice that we intend
to return service as soon as conditions warrant. We ask that the
committee help ensure that our hosts honor their commitments and allow
us to restore service at that time. Assuming we receive the necessary
Federal funding to continue our planned operations in FY 2o21, we will
evaluate three metrics throughout the year with our initial plan to
decide in February whether to restore daily service on each affected
long distance route for summer and beyond. These metrics are:
(1) Public Health: Is the COVID-19 pandemic under control? Are
COVID-19-related hospitalization rates in the regions through
which a given long distance route operates stable or declining?
(2) Future Demand: Are customers booking trips near the same rate as
in 2020? Is the percentage of available seat-and room-miles
being booked in advance for June 2021 at least 90 percent of
the percentage for June 2020 advance bookings? This will allow
us to understand if demand levels are returning to more typical
levels at our much lower scale of service and also take into
account any caps on ticket sales to promote social distancing
or other relevant measures adopted to minimize COVID-19-related
risks.
(3) Current Performance: Is ridership close to our projections in
our operating plan? Was systemwide ridership in the First
Quarter of FY 2021 (October-December 2020) at least 90 percent
of the projected figure in our FY 2021 operating plan, which
already accounts for reduced ridership due to COVID-19?
If all three conditions are met for a given long distance route, we
will restore daily service along that route between late May and June
2021. If any route is not yet ready to be restored when we conduct our
review, we will continue to analyze these routes to look for
improvements and will apply an updated version of the criteria
described above as part of our FY 2022 planning cycle.
I know that our long distance services are particularly important
to many of the members of this Committee and let me be absolutely clear
that these long distance frequency reductions are temporary, as we
believe that ridership and demand will return with time as we move past
the pandemic. We are committed to continuing to operate our current
long distance network and to improving the service we provide to our
long distance passengers. However, we need two things from Congress to
enable us to provide a viable long distance service when the COVID-19
pandemic is at last behind us. The first is increased funding for
essential long distance capital investments, particularly equipment.
Most of the passenger cars we operate on our long distance trains are
already, or will soon be, more than 40 years old. These cars have
reached the end of their useful lives and must be replaced if we are to
maintain current long distance services.
The second thing we need from Congress is the ability to enforce
our statutory right to dispatching preference over freight trains and
gain reasonable access to our host railroad network. The greatest
threat to the future of our long distance network is not COVID-19, but
rather poor on-time performance that diminishes the value of these
services to our customers and ossified routes that cannot be changed or
expanded because of host railroad resistance. The leading cause of
delays to our long distance trains is the failure of some of our host
railroads to comply with this longstanding legal obligation to provide
Amtrak trains with preference over their tracks. During FY 2019, our
trains incurred over one million minutes of delays due to freight train
interference on host railroads. While freight train interference also
affects some state supported routes, our long distance passengers--who
have the same right to arrive at their destinations on time as
passengers on the Amtrak-dispatched NEC--bear the brunt of these
railroads' inability or refusal to obey the law. As you are likely
aware, the House included a provision in the INVEST in America Act that
gives us the ability to enforce our preference rights and have a
predictable and fair way to access host railroads for use, which is
already required by law. We believe both provisions are critical to our
ability to improve service to your constituents.
Our commitment to the future of our long distance network is
reflected in the many investments we are currently pursuing, despite
funding limitations that the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated, to
modernize our long distance service and enhance its safety.
Capital projects to improve accessibility for customers with
disabilities and the experience of all customers when they use
our stations are under construction at eight stations served
only by long distance trains; projects at 16 more long
distance-only stations are out for bid or in final design.
We are scheduled to take delivery this year of the last 15
of the 130 Viewliner II cars that have replaced the long
distance cars that were the oldest equipment in our fleet; we
are refreshing the interiors of our other long distance
passenger cars with new seat cushions, upholstery, and carpet.
We have ordered 75 new Amtrak Long Distance Charger 4,200
horsepower (ALC-42) diesel locomotives that will begin the
replacement of our long distance locomotive fleet; and we are
planning for the acquisition of the next generation of long
distance passenger equipment.
We continue to invest in track upgrades across multiple long
distance routes, including major upgrades on the Southwest
Chief route and improvements to Chicago-area tracks used by the
Cardinal, and are working to install positive train control
(PTC) technology or make other safety enhancing investments on
portions of eight long distance routes.
Regarding the Southwest Chief, which I know is of particular
interest to some members of this committee, I would like to report some
encouraging news. In late September, the Federal Railroad
Administration (FRA) awarded an up-to-$5.6 million CRISI grant for work
that will be performed on this route between Trinidad, Colorado and a
point south of Lamy, New Mexico. The State of New Mexico will
contribute $1 million, and Amtrak has set aside $4.9 million, which
means this next round of capital work will represent an $11.5 million
investment in this route. As you may recall, what makes this route
unique is that it includes the only significant section of Amtrak's
national network where Amtrak is the only operator over a host
railroad-owned portion of the route and is therefore responsible for
all the capital costs required to maintain and improve the
infrastructure. This recent grant is the fifth round of Federal
investment in the portion of this route between Kansas and New Mexico.
Between 2016 and 2020, Amtrak has committed $15.8 million in direct
funding for the route of the Southwest Chief, and an additional $12.8
million in matching funds to previously awarded Federal grants. Amtrak
has also invested between $4 and $8 million annually in this segment,
outside of any grant programs, including selective installation of
ties, replacing bolted rail in curves, and bridge or culvert repair.
Amtrak values the partnership that has developed between us, the states
and local communities, and with BNSF, and looking ahead, we know we
will need to build on this cooperation to ensure the long-term
viability of this route. In total, Amtrak has invested $23.4 million in
the Southwest Chief since 2016 and we will continue to make prudent
investments and seek Federal grant opportunities as part of our long
term financial plan in conjunction with our partners.
Adjustments to Workforce
From the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, what has been most
important to us other than ensuring the safety of our passengers and
employees is preserving the jobs of our workforce. The aid extended to
Amtrak by the CARES Act allowed us to make it through FY 2020 with no
involuntary furloughs or layoffs.
With the CARES Act funding having mostly run out, and the
increasing recognition by everyone in the travel industry that it will
be years before travel demand returns to normal, we recognize that we
cannot ask Congress and the taxpayers to continue to pay all of the
employees for whom we will not have any work in the foreseeable future.
Likewise, as the state partners who provide funding for our state
supported services struggle with unprecedented fiscal challenges
brought about by COVID-19, many of them have made it clear to us that
they will not be able to continue to pay for those services unless we
reduce our costs to reflect the significant reductions in the number of
trains operating, and the much greater losses in ticket revenues. Other
companies in the travel industry--an industry severely decimated by
COVID-19--are facing the same dilemma. Most major airlines are
significantly reducing their workforces--in some cases, by 20 percent
or more--now that the CARES Act prohibition on airline employee
furloughs has ended.
While we saw no alternative to workforce reductions, we took many
steps to minimize the number of people whose jobs were impacted. As I
mentioned earlier, we offered voluntary unpaid leave to our employees
and implemented other cost-saving measures that enabled us to stretch
out our CARES Act funding. When it became apparent that we would have
to address the size of our company for this period, we implemented a
voluntary separation incentive program in which 521 agreement-covered
and management employees elected to participate. Ultimately, we made
the painful but necessary decision of reducing nearly 100 management
positions and furloughing approximately 1,950 of our agreement
employees. We will continue to communicate with our employees, their
union representatives, and Congress regarding any adjustments to our
workforce. Going forward, we will do all we prudently can to bring our
furloughed employees back to work as soon as possible.
Looking at both the temporary changes to our long distance service
and our recent workforce reductions, I must emphasize that Amtrak
really had no choice but to take these actions, given the uncertainty
in our Federal funding for this Fiscal year. Without these vital cost
saving measures, we will burn through nearly $250 million each month.
This kind of spending, if not offset by additional Federal funding,
would ultimately force us to take drastic measures that would have
wide-ranging impacts on the company, our employees, and our ability to
serve our customers. If this continued long enough, we would eventually
face insolvency.
Capital Commitments
The biggest challenge Amtrak has faced since we began operation in
1971 is the lack of dedicated and reliable capital funding. One of the
most significant accomplishments Amtrak has made in recent years is
that our increased revenues and more efficient operations have enabled
us to set aside money from our annual appropriations, which in years
past were used primarily to subsidize operations, so that we can fund
critically important capital projects. In addition to the long distance
investments I already mentioned, the most urgent investment needs
include replacement of the 45-year-old Amfleet I fleet that provides
most of our NEC and much of our state supported service and major
capital projects such as Portal North Bridge, New York Penn Moynihan
Train Hall, and desperately needed improvements at Chicago Union
Station.
Some have suggested that Amtrak should not alter its services or
workforce to reflect the greatly reduced ridership and financial
changes wrought by COVID-19, but should instead take money out of these
capital commitments and use it to fund regular operations for the
duration of this crisis. I cannot emphasize too strongly that
cannibalizing these capital funds is the wrong approach. Using scarce
capital funding to operate nearly empty trains would not be productive,
nor would it be a prudent use of the American taxpayer's investment in
Amtrak. Rather, it would preclude us from undertaking projects that
will increase safety, enhance reliability, and improve convenience in
ways that will benefit tens of millions of our customers in FY 2021 and
the years ahead. It is also critical that Congress understands that
slashing capital spending would not prevent workforce reductions since
much of this capital spending goes for the wages and benefits of the
Amtrak employees who work on capital projects. Maintaining and
improving infrastructure supports a large, dedicated, skilled
workforce, representing approximately 2,000 full time equivalent
employees. To be clear, cutting capital spending would also result in
workforce reductions.
It is also misleading to call our capital needs discretionary. Some
of our capital dollars are restricted by law from being used for other
purposes, such as the Federal dollars Congress has directed us to set
aside for ADA compliance, upgrades to the Southwest Chief route, and
important safety technology for certain corridor routes. The Northeast
Corridor Commission estimates that the NEC has a more-than-$40 billion
state-of-good-repair backlog. When we delay the replacement of century-
old infrastructure, the Amtrak employees who would perform the work on
those projects bear the immediate cost. But the Amtrak and commuter
train passengers who use the NEC every day also pay the cost, as they
endure the unreliability that comes with depending on infrastructure
never meant for today's demands. We cannot allow the COVID-19 crisis to
cost us projects that are essential to restoring and maintaining normal
operations and will dramatically improve the safety, reliability, and
quality of our services for many decades to come.
Amtrak's Future
2020 has been a hard year for the country and for Amtrak. We will
be grappling with the effects of the pandemic for years to come.
However, it is important to remind ourselves of deeper trends that
still bode well for Amtrak's future, despite the setbacks we are
currently facing. COVID-19 has not changed the fact that intercity
passenger rail is the most efficient and the most environmentally
responsible way to serve the transportation need of the megaregions
throughout the country whose rapid population growth will continue. It
has not changed the need to address highway congestion by steps other
than adding more lanes. In fact, highway congestion is already
returning as travelers resume driving between cities and avoid air and
transit travel due to social distancing concerns. Nor has COVID-19
reduced the requests Amtrak receives from communities and elected
officials across the country for service in corridors and regions we do
not serve today. Finally, the extraordinary increase in unemployment
that COVID-19 has spawned has reinforced the need for many additional
good, living wage jobs for skilled employees of the kind that Amtrak,
and the companies from which we buy equipment, goods, and services,
provide.
As we look towards the future, I want to offer an update about our
ongoing efforts to restore service to the Gulf Coast. Amtrak is
committed to restoring service between New Orleans and Mobile. We have
been working with the Southern Rail Commission (SRC) established by the
States of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama; the FRA; and the two
host railroads over which the service would operate to identify any
necessary infrastructure investments so that we can reach agreements
with the host railroads and secure additional public funding to cover
infrastructure and operating costs. To date, the U.S. DOT and FRA have
awarded grants totaling over $45 million for Gulf Coast Service
investment and operating costs, for which states, localities, and
Amtrak have agreed to provide matches.
Unfortunately, despite nearly five years of joint planning and
negotiations, we are still not providing this passenger service to the
Gulf Coast. We are currently working to complete the second round of
infrastructure capacity modeling that FRA is funding. This process has
been extraordinarily time and resource intensive for all parties and
has required the direct intervention of Senate staff to keep things
moving. The introduction of two daily round trips on this corridor
should not take five years of effort.
Again, this is why we need to reform the process that provides
Amtrak access to host railroad infrastructure. By law, Amtrak has the
right to use all railroads, generally at incremental cost, that are
part of the Nation's interstate system with the presumption that host
railroads must allow Amtrak's desired use, requests for accelerated
speeds or additional frequency with terms set by the STB if the parties
cannot agree. Yet today, most carriers are hostile to permitting Amtrak
to use available capacity and engage in extensive delay tactics,
despite the fact that access to the Nation's freight railroads is
perhaps the singular principal on which Amtrak was created and the
private railroads allowed to be relieved of their obligations to
provide passenger service themselves.
I also want to speak about the Cascades service, which I know is
another important route to this committee. While our trains have not
returned to the Point Defiance Bypass yet, we and WashDOT have been
working closely with Sound Transit as they have the lead role in the
installation of positive train control on that section of track and
determining when service can begin on the route. We will continue to
work with Sound Transit and other stakeholders, and we will make sure
that everyone's safety concerns are addressed before service is resumed
over this segment.
We want to be ready to provide the passenger rail service America
needs as the country returns to normal: along the Northeast Corridor
where the much-anticipated replacement of the Acela fleet will begin
next year; on our state supported routes and new intercity corridors,
where we see our greatest opportunities to help address the climate
crisis and enhance mobility as our population continues to grow; and in
the small towns throughout rural America where our long distance trains
help connect our riders to their family and friends. Looking to the
future, we need Congress to act on a multiyear surface transportation
reauthorization. As you know, earlier this year, the House passed the
INVEST Act, which proposed robust funding levels and addressed some of
the most serious challenges to intercity passenger rail. In particular,
the INVEST Act would authorize, and I ask this Committee to also
include in its version of a reauthorization bill, the following
provisions:
Preference enforcement: Provide Amtrak with the ability to
hold freight host railroads accountable when they disregard the
law by interfering with Amtrak trains and delaying customers,
as unfortunately some of our hosts often do;
Additional trains: Provide an improved process for fairly
and expeditiously providing Amtrak access to the host
railroads, including determining whether investments are
necessary to support new routes or additional trains; and
Corridor growth: Authorize a five-year cost sharing scheme
whereby Amtrak can utilize Federal funds to cover the up-front
costs of starting new service and gradually shift costs to
states consistent with Sec. 209.
These provisions would prove critical for our long-term growth, and
in fact, in the short-and medium-term they would help us finally
provide improved and expanded service to some of the regions that we
have discussed at length with this committee, such as along the Gulf
Coast. In the meantime, I am committed to working through the current
crisis with you, our employees, our state partners, our customers and
other stakeholders to best manage the near-term challenges while
protecting the future we all want for intercity passenger service in
the next 50 years.
Thank you for your time and your support of Amtrak. I look forward
to your questions.
______
COVID-19 SERVICE REDUCTIONS ON NORTHEAST CORRIDOR AND STATE-SUPPORTED
ROUTES
Note that daily totals for some routes may be averages.
Acela: Suspended entirely March 23-June 1. Currently
operating 5 daily round trips.
Northeast Regional: Most service initially suspended
Currently operating 12 round trips Washington-New York City and
8 round trips New York City-Boston on weekdays, and reduced
service on weekends.
Adirondack: Suspended Albany-Montreal since March 17.
Blue Water: Unchanged
Capitol Corridor: Operating 8 daily round trips, down from
12, with reduced weekend service.
Carolinian: Suspended entirely April through June. Now
operating with reduced capacity.
Cascades: Operating 1 round trip Seattle-Portland-Eugene,
down from 4; no service Vancouver, BC-Seattle.
Downeaster: Initially suspended entirely; now operating 4
round trips, down from 5.
Empire Service: Operating 7 weekday round trips, down from
12, with reduced service on weekends.
Empire West/Maple Leaf: Initially reduced to 1 daily round
trip, now 2, down from 3. Service suspended between Niagara
Falls, New York and Toronto, Canada.
Ethan Allen: Suspended north of Albany since March 17.
Heartland Flyer: Unchanged.
Hiawatha: Initially suspended; now operating 4 weekday round
trips, down from 7.
Illini/Saluki: Operating 1 daily round trip, down from 2.
Illinois Zephyr/Carl Sandburg: 1 daily round trip, down from
2.
Keystone: Suspended March 18 to June 1. Full service
recently restored Harrisburg-Philadelphia; Philadelphia-New
York City only operating 3 weekday round trips.
Lincoln Service: Operating 2 daily round trips, down from 4.
Missouri River Runner: 1 daily round trip, down from 2.
New Haven--Springfield/Valley Flyer: Operating 5 daily New
Haven-Springfield round trips, down from 8; 1 round trip north
of Springfield, down from 2.
Pacific Surfliner: 6 daily round trips between Los Angeles
and San Diego, down from 13; 4 of normal 5 round trips north of
Los Angeles.
Pennsylvanian: Suspended March 19; resumed June 1.
Pere Marquette: Suspended March 21; resumed June 29.
Piedmont: Operating 1 daily round, down from 3.
San Joaquins: Operating 4 daily round trips between
Bakersfield-Oakland, down from 5. Bakersfield-Sacramento
service suspended.
Vermonter: Suspended north of New Haven since March 26.
Wolverine: 1 daily round trip, down from 3.
Washington-Roanoke: Unchanged.
Washington-Newport News: Full service recently restored.
Washington-Norfolk: 1 daily round trip, down from 2.
Washington-Richmond: 1 daily round trip suspended.
______
National Railroad Passenger Corporation
Washington, DC, October 8, 2020
Hon. Michael Pence,
President of the Senate,
U.S. Capitol,
Washington, DC.
Hon. Nancy Pelosi,
Speaker of the House of Representatives,
U.S. Capitol,
Washington, DC.
In February of this year, Amtrak transmitted its Fiscal Year 2021
General and Legislative Annual Report to Congress, which included our
base FY 21 grant request for $2.040 billion. Given the dramatic loss in
ridership and revenue that Amtrak experienced due to COVID-19, we
submitted a supplemental request for $1.475 billion in additional
funding on May 25, for a total FY 21 request of $3.515 billion. Since
then, we have seen that our ridership is not returning as quickly or at
the levels that we had hoped for, and over recent months we updated our
forecast for FY 21. This letter is to formalize that we anticipate
needing up to $4.857 billion in FY 21 to support the company and our
employees through this unprecedented situation. Furthermore, as
Congress considers programs for stimulating the economy, Amtrak has
identified $5.193 billion in additional investments we recommend be
included as part of any economic recovery proposal enacted by Congress
before the end of the term to help the Nation recover from the impacts
of the pandemic. Additional detail is provided in Table 1 of the
appendix.
Of the $4.857 billion we are requesting, $3.227 billion is directly
to preserve Amtrak's services and capital program in response to the
dramatic loss of revenue due to the pandemic, with $1.704 billion for
the Northeast Corridor, $413 million for the Amtrak share of State
Supported services, and $1.110 billion for Long Distance service. The
remaining $1.63 billion is to support Amtrak RRIF/debt payments, state
and commuter partner payments that are payable to Amtrak under Sections
209 and 212, the costs of any congressional workforce or service
directives, and added revenue risk beyond our current projection.
When considered in their totality, our FY 21 needs and our economic
recovery proposal equal a total Federal investment of $10.050 billion,
an amount equivalent to the total appropriation for Amtrak included in
the House of Representatives' FY 21 Transportation, Housing and Urban
Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill (H.R. 7616).
These funding needs have been shared in detail with the House and
Senate Appropriations and relevant authorizing committees during recent
months. Such funding could be provided in the annual appropriations
bill, as part of a COVID-19 relief bill, in an economic stimulus bill,
or via any other legislative vehicle.
On September 30, Congress passed a continuing resolution (CR),
which provides funding at the FY 20 rate of $2 billion until December
11. In addition, on October 1, the House passed an updated version of
the HEROES Act, which included $2.4 billion in emergency supplemental
funds for Amtrak. While we were grateful for this sign of support, at
this time, there is no clear path to finalize such supplemental funding
in Congress and the Administration. Therefore, given this uncertainty,
as well as the low levels of ridership and revenue projected over the
next few months, and the limited funding provided under the short-term
continuing resolution (CR), Amtrak is in a very precarious position as
we await final decisions on our funding levels.
To manage this situation, Amtrak will work to adjust its operating
and capital spending plans during this short term CR, with the aim of
minimizing further impacts on our customers and employees. However, if
the FY 20 funding level is extended beyond December 11, 2020, and
supplemental funding has not yet been provided, we will be unable to
avoid more drastic impacts that could have long lasting effects on our
Northeast Corridor infrastructure and the national rail system. For
example, insufficient funding levels could force Amtrak to reduce its
workforce by an additional 2,400 jobs as we scale back capital projects
(approximately 775 jobs) and because our state partners have advised us
that they would likely further reduce their train service
(approximately 1,625 jobs). A more detailed breakdown of potential
impacts on customers, employees and capital projects can be found in
Table 2.
Not only would deferring capital projects and procurement inhibit
our ability to address the reliability and capacity needs of our rail
network and impact the aforementioned corresponding capitalized Amtrak
workforce, but such capital delays would also impact a specialized
domestic supplier network that supports these projects, such as:
Building locomotives and passenger equipment; providing rail, ballast,
communications and signaling equipment, and other materials to maintain
our infrastructure; and providing IT equipment to support our company.
For context, in FY 19 Amtrak purchased materials and other products and
services from companies in all 50 states in the U.S., and we spent more
than $2 billion on these purchases, supporting the national economy and
many thousands of jobs. For illustrative purposes, Table 3 includes
some of the specific capital projects that may be deferred if Amtrak
does not receive sufficient funding in FY 21. This initial list will be
finalized and updated throughout the year based on specific
appropriated levels, service levels, actual revenue, and other factors.
We thank Congress for all of its support in FY 20, and we sincerely
hope that additional funding between $4.9 billion and $10 billion can
be finalized as soon as possible and be provided to Amtrak in order to
avoid the aforementioned negative impacts in FY 21 and also fund
critical capital investments to help the Nation recover from the
pandemic. Thank you again for your trust and support.
Sincerely,
William J. Flynn,
President & Chief Executive Officer.
______
Appendix
Table 1--FY 21 Grant Request and Economic Recovery Proposal
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
FY 2021 Grant Request
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Base Request from February 2020 (pre-COVID-19) $2,040
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Supplemental Request for Amtrak, PRIIA Sec. 209 and Sec. $1,683
212 Payments
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Supplemental Request for RRIF and Other Debt Payments $92
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Potential Congressional Directives (furloughs; long $546
distance)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue Risk $496
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total $4,857
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amtrak's Economic Recovery Proposal
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fleet Replacement (Amfleet and Superliner) $642
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEC Infrastructure (Hudson Tunnel Project, Portal North $1,242
Br., Sawtooth Bridge, East River Tunnel, B&P Tunnel,
Susquehanna River Bridge, Pelham Bay Bridge, Connecticut
River Bridge
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nat'l Network Infrastructure (Southeast Corridor $1,893
Expansion, Gulf Coast, Southwest Chief, Chicago Gateway,
new and expanded routes)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Major Stations (Chicago, Phila., NY Penn, Baltimore Penn, $809
Washington Union, and Others), and ADA compliance/
improvements
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Key Initiatives (PTC and safety improvements; $607
Workforce development and apprenticeship, and RRIF and
other debt payments)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total $5,193
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Combined Total (FY21 Request and Economic Recovery $10,050
Proposal)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 2--Potential Impacts on Customers, Employees and Projects
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amtrak's Sec. 209 state partners have advised Amtrak that they will be forced to reduce service by
up to roughly 65 percent compared to pre-COVID service levels because state payments will increase
to unaffordable levels (for context, Amtrak has 20 partners in 17 states, comprising 28 state
supported routes; in FY 2019, Amtrak had more than 15 million riders in total on our state
supported trains).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Approximately 1,625 transportation, stations and mechanical jobs are at risk (depending on
individual state decisions, TBD) due to potential service cancellation by Sec. 209 state partners.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defer numerous capital projects and procurement critical to the railroad (detail in Table 3).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Approximately 775 capitalized jobs associated with these capital projects are at risk, mostly in
operations, engineering, mechanical, stations, and IT.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 3--Detailed List of Capital Projects at Risk
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Key aspects of the Gateway Program, including New York, New Jersey,
property acquisition, design of tunnels, and Northeast
design of bridge capacity upgrades
------------------------------------------------------------------------
B&P Tunnel replacement Maryland, Northeast,
Southeast
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Refresh of our long distance train equipment Systemwide
(coach, lounge, diner, and sleeper for
Viewliners and Superliners)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NY Penn Station platform improvements and design New York
work
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Various interlocking renewal and SOGR projects Northeast
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bridges replacement and improvements (CT River, Connecticut, Northeast
Shaws Cove)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Engineering and Mechanical Facility Upgrades Illinois, Indiana,
Delaware,
Massachusetts,
Florida, California,
and other locations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Washington Union Station Sub-basement structural D.C., Northeast,
replacement and other improvements Southeast
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Los Angeles yard facility renovations California
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Seattle yard improvements Washington
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Customer onboard Wi-Fi improvements, IT network Systemwide
projects
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stations and facilities signage Systemwide
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Chairman. Thank you very much. Let's just summarize,
President Flynn. At our--during flush times, January and
February of this very year, how many passengers did you have
per month?
Mr. Flynn. Well, 2019, we handled 32.4 million passengers
over those 12 months. So, you know something in the 2.5, 2.7
million passengers a month.
The Chairman. OK. And then February hit. And I think in
your testimony you gave us a figure. Did you not?
Mr. Flynn. Well, the one that is perhaps the most striking
in a month of April after the full impact of the pandemic hit,
we had 120,000 passengers in the month, which would have
compared to 2.7 million or something like that in February. So
the decline was very dramatic during the month of March.
The Chairman. And Congress stepped in on a bipartisan
basis, bicameral basis, in March and provided substantial help.
You are not--here we are in the last part of October, and you
are not anywhere near where you used to be or need to be, are
you?
Mr. Flynn. Correct. So we benefited from the CARES Act,
received just slightly more than $1 billion very early in the
whole process. And so we are very grateful for that. And that
made it obviously huge difference in our operations through
Fiscal Year 2020. Our supplemental request in February was for
$2 billion before. Of course, the pandemic occurred in May.
We updated that and requested about another $1.5 billion
supplemental. But at that time, we were anticipating that we
would have returned to a much higher level of ridership today.
Something closer to 40,000 riders than 17,000. Just the
uncertain times of the pandemic. We have updated that request
from on top of the $2 billion supplemental that we have, for
about another $2.9 billion.
The Chairman. In terms of the CARES Act money, is that
all--has that all been spent?
Mr. Flynn. Virtually all of the CARES Act money has been
spent. I believe this about another $60 million to $70 million.
But that money specifically allocated or identified under 209
to support the states' services and that money will likely be
consumed fully before the end of the year.
The Chairman. OK. Mr. Flynn, are you as committed as I am
to restoring service to the Gulf Coast route from New Orleans
to Mobile as soon as possible?
Mr. Flynn. Yes, I am, sir.
The Chairman. And, you know, we have talked about sparsely
populated areas of the country. In fact, New Orleans is one of
our major American cities. Very populous and so is Mobile,
isn't that correct?
Mr. Flynn. That is correct, sir.
The Chairman. And it is also a fact that the Mississippi
Gulf Coast, including Harrison, Hancock, and Jackson counties,
are among the most populous counties in the State of
Mississippi. So I ask you, do you see this service being a
success for Amtrak and the Gulf Coast?
Mr. Flynn. I do. I think you referenced in your remarks at
the beginning of the hearing the enthusiasm that existed in the
several communities that you had the opportunity and we had the
opportunity to tour. So I think twice daily service between
Mobile and New Orleans will be a success.
The Chairman. Right. And I was glad to hear you say that
these cutbacks, the kind that Mr. Tuss spoke about and the ones
that we are concerned about with our two long distance routes
in Mississippi, are not permanent. And I just want to give you
an opportunity to reiterate that and to make sure I understood
you correctly. What has been done in recent months and recent
days is strictly temporary based on the COVID-19 pandemic?
Mr. Flynn. Yes, Senator, I want to be very clear on that,
and I mentioned that in my oral remarks here just a moment ago.
We at Amtrak, the management team and our Board of Directors
are very clear that these are temporary reductions and we want
to restore them to 7 days a week service and we are in the
business of carrying passengers. And that is obviously very
important to all of us that we were able to do that.
The Chairman. How close are you to full strength on your
Board?
Mr. Flynn. We are not full strength in our Board. We have
six voting members of the Board and I also serve on the Board
as well as a non-voting member.
The Chairman. How many vacancies are there?
Mr. Flynn. That would be five.
The Chairman. OK. All right. Well, thank you very much. And
I will probably take another round. Senator Cantwell has
graciously agreed to let Senator Tester go before her. And so,
John, are you there and----
Senator Tester. I am.
The Chairman.--you are recognized for 5 minutes.
Senator Tester. I am, Mr. Chairman. I want to thank you and
the Ranking Member for the courtesy. I appreciate that a lot.
Look, I don't know really where to start. I am just going to
start by making a request to Mr. Flynn and then I will have
some questions for you in a minute. And that request is, is
that the service is temporary, reductions are temporary, as you
said. Can you give me a list of the metrics that you are going
to use to reestablish that service?
Mr. Flynn. Yes, sir. So we are looking at--we are
evaluating the service on a daily basis. And so, we are looking
at the numbers----
Senator Tester. Yes. So----
Mr. Flynn. I am sorry----
Senator Tester.--as this pandemic goes away, it will go
away over time. I don't think we are close to the end yet, but
hopefully we will get there soon because I think everybody is
sick of it, I want to know the metrics that Amtrak is going to
use to determine whether this service goes back to the way it
was before the 19th of October. That is all I need. All right.
I have a question for Mr. Tuss. And thank you for your
perspective on Amtrak from a Montanan, from a Havre point of
view. Look, we can talk about how Amtrak is truly, allows to be
a gateway to our state and brings in families, business,
tourism into our state. From your perspective as an economic
developer in North Central, Montana, do you expect the cuts to
Amtrak to have an economic impact in a place like Havre, and
how significant do you think that is going to be?
Mr. Tuss. Senator, thank you for that question. Having
served as an economic developer here on the highline, as you
mentioned, along the Empire Builder for the last 25 years, I
know personally how significant this is to Montana's economy. I
think it is going to have a significant and detrimental impact.
Our folks are just not going to be able to use Amtrak as they
have in the past, and once that service becomes less reliable,
it is a self-fulfilling prophecy that they are not going to use
it. If they can't go see their grandkids or their great
grandkids, or if they can't get to Seattle for a doctor's
appointment, they will find some other way to get there. And
unfortunately, the numbers for Amtrak are going to slide
further.
Senator Tester. So let's talk about that for a second. So
in your experience with economic development, as people move to
different modes of transportation, do they tend to stay with
the mode they move to? In other words, if Amtrak doesn't have
the service and they can't depend on that service to get them
to where they need to go, they will either go to airplanes or
buses or cars, and for them to come back is a heavy lift.
Mr. Tuss. Senator, I believe that to be true. Absolutely.
Senator Tester. OK, so--and Mr. Flynn, I just, I want to
give you an opportunity here to talk about the money, because
you talked about reestablishing the routes. How important is
additional dollars to any sort of COVID package that we might
pass here in Congress dedicated to Amtrak? How important is
that to reestablishing these routes?
Mr. Flynn. It is very significant, Senator. It is
essentially, the situation we are in, as I talked about, we
have a very low level of funding. We have a cash burn right now
of about $250 million a month, and absent additional funding to
support long distance services. And I know there is also
discussions about the employees that have been furloughed, and
bringing them back, it is going to be very difficult for us to
do that.
Senator Tester. OK. And I just want to--I have got 1:20
minute left. Very briefly, and thank you for our conversation
yesterday, but I think this is really important for the
consumers to know in the middle of a pandemic. Can you tell me
how safe Amtrak is, say, compared to airline travel as far as
the spread of the pandemic goes? And might I preface this by
saying, the airplane industry has done I think a very good job
talking about how when you are on the airplane, the potential
for spread of COVID-19 is very slim. Can you talk about that
from an Amtrak perspective?
Mr. Flynn. Yes, sir. As we talked yesterday, we have
implemented a number of protocols to ensure the safest
environment that we can for our employees as well as for our
passengers and our communicating the steps that we have taken
to build some level of assurance and confidence so that when
passengers are ready to travel, they select Amtrak. In addition
to mask and social distancing, cleaning protocols, we benefit
from full time medical department and a full time public health
department as well.
We have strengthened our efforts through a partnership that
we have entered into at George Washington University with the
School of Public Health, who continue to advise us on steps we
have taken and additional steps we have taken, we can take,
pardon me, to strengthen the overall safety environment of our
stations and our railway cars. And we are working with
researchers and professors from John Hopkins School of Public
Health to study the airflow within our railway cars.
We exchange our air every four to five--excuse me, every
four to five minutes we fully exchange 100 percent of outside
fresh air in our railcars and air circulating every four to
five minutes within the cars. There really isn't anybody of
science or research on airflow within railway cars the way
there are with airlines, and we expect to be able to
communicate the findings of this research shortly as part of
our overall package to convey to our customers, but also to our
employees, you know, what we have done and what we believe the
environment is in the railcars and the very low likelihood of
contracting COVID while traveling by train.
Senator Tester. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr.
Flynn. Thank you, Paul Tuss.
The Chairman. Mr. Flynn, how soon is shortly? A few weeks?
Mr. Flynn. Well, those studies are going on now and we have
some hypotheses. But with our scientists, we are not we are not
going to be communicating actual findings until we have tested
them. But we have we are testing our railcars by rail car type,
the Amfleets, we have move on to the Acelas----
The Chairman. Well, give us an estimate.
Mr. Flynn. I would really like to get back to you with an
estimate on that because I don't want to get ahead of the
research.
The Chairman. OK, we will let you answer that on the
record. Senator Fischer is next.
STATEMENT OF HON. DEB FISCHER,
U.S. SENATOR FROM NEBRASKA
Senator Fischer. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate you
holding the hearing today. Mr. Flynn, you said in your
testimony that Amtrak will reevaluate long distance service in
December when the level of funding for Amtrak becomes clear.
Have you identified a level of funding that you would consider
make or break for a long distance service?
Mr. Flynn. We have said that the total funding, including
the $2 billion kind of base level of funding, we need $4.5
billion and we have estimated another total, and we have
estimated another $500 million, up to $4.9 billion just because
of the uncertainty on ridership, particularly now as we are
witnessing a dramatic increase in COVID cases again and the
impact that that could have on ridership levels going forward.
Senator Fischer. Could you provide us some clarity on that?
How different are--how different Amtrak operations have been
able to handle the pandemic, how they fared under the pandemic?
For example, since it began, how have the long distance routes
fared compared to the Northeast Corridor and State-sponsored
routes, both in terms number of riders and also revenue?
Mr. Flynn. So during the summer--I will talk about long
distance first. During the summer, our level of ridership in
long distance through the summer peak months was something less
than 50 percent of what we would have expected while still
operating the full 7 day service. As we come into the summer
months, pardon me, the winter months, typically, ridership on
long distance drops by 40 percent.
So 40 percent of 50, and we are looking at a 20 percent
level of ridership anticipated. The ridership declines in the
Northeast Corridor were greater, particularly first in our
Acela service, which typically carries business riders, not
exclusively but largely business travelers, fallen off
dramatically in almost all transportation, certainly in ours as
well. And we're operating at a level of 25 percent-ish or so on
our Northeast Corridor, including our Northeast Regional and
our Acela services. And then in our State services, we have
seen equally dramatic drop off. And of course, we operate State
services on behalf of and at the direction of the several
states for whom we provide service. Some of the services were
canceled in their entirety for a period of time. Others were
run at reduced frequencies. So similar drops in ridership on
the states-supported routes.
Senator Fischer. Mr. Flynn, you also said in your testimony
that the leading cause of delays on long distance routes is due
to freight railroads not providing preference to Amtrak. When
you say that freight railroads are ``leading cause of delays,''
are you saying that freight railroads are responsible for all
delays or are there delays that we can also attribute to Amtrak
as well?
Mr. Flynn. I am not saying that freight railroads are
responsible for all delays, but an essential part of the
legislative body that founded--work that founded Amtrak, was
that Amtrak would have a preference right in dispatch, a
preference right in operation over freight trains. And in
exchange for that, the individual freight railroads were
allowed to seize passenger operations. So in its foundational
document, and in its foundational premise for Amtrak, there are
many--there are several causes for delays in long distance
services.
And some of those causes are Amtrak causes. It could be a
locomotive that doesn't operate when it is supposed to. There
could be issues with the cars. It could be that our workforce
is out of place and we don't have a locomotive engineer or a
conductor at a station to operate. The vast majority, the vast
majority are delays on host railroads. In particular, we do not
obtain our legislative preference for dispatch.
And we would be happy to provide--in fact, I think, I
believe that a broad array of detailed statistics on our Amtrak
website that speaks to delays because we have a requirement, a
statutory requirement to report the delays and causes, so we
would be happy to share those with your office.
Senator Fischer. OK. I would appreciate that. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Flynn. Thank you, Senator.
The Chairman. Thank you very much. Senator Cantwell.
Senator Cantwell. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We refer to the
area east of the Cascades as the Inland Empire. We consider
that going all the way over to Montana. And when I fly home, I
can usually look out the window and kind of see where I am just
by the geography and know and understand the terrain. But I
know this takes a long time to fly over the State of Montana.
It takes about an hour to fly over the State of Montana. Maybe
a little bit more or less, depending on what is happening. So
the reason I am bringing this up is because this cohesive
region, as Mr. Tuss was mentioning, is also a health care
delivery system. There aren't flights--there aren't, in these
rural communities, enough flights, and yet the region has to
cohesively operate economically for health care, for tourism,
all of these issues that allow us to be an agriculture
footprint, to be obviously a home to many of the things that
Mr. Tuss mentioned.
So to follow up on Senator Tester's question, when I look
at this, you released three criteria in evaluating February
2021 to reestablish long distance service. The criteria
includes public health, current performance and future demands.
So the concerns about the latter two criteria intentionally
establishes, in my mind, an elevated bar for fewer scheduling
options and difficulty if you are at this ridership level.
That may not meet that criteria. So if a route fails to
meet that criteria by February next year, basically you said
you will not restore services until 2022 at the earliest. And
obviously, you know, I can't tell you how much I, you know,
taking this position as the Ranking Member, one of the first
things that was clear to me is that the Chairman's point about
Amtrak's surface to the Gulf should be a high priority. But
that is because we value it so much in the Pacific Northwest.
So the Starlight and the Empire Builder both. So, we appreciate
it. So what kind of commitment can you make to us today on
making sure that these services in Montana--as you just heard
Mr. Tuss, people are traveling to hospitals. They are just--the
region is a region and the Amtrak service is the lifeline of
that region.
And so when you cut those services, you are basically
undermining that entire delivery system. So, what can you tell
us about that as it relates to the ridership if it is not
there?
Mr. Flynn. Thank you, Senator. I think certainly Mr. Tuss
made some very compelling points and he made an economic point
that with some level of investment in operating Amtrak, has a
multiple effect on what the impact is in the economy, and as
you point out, in society, ultimately, even in health care
delivery. So the three criteria we are certainly going to be
looking at, you have spoken to them, of course, the state of
the pandemic, and right now we are seeing rising cases again
and it is very hard to predict what that will look like going
forward. The state of Amtrak, and I will come back to that in a
moment.
But I want--but in terms of looking at level of ridership,
we also want to have some perspective on what does demand look
like. So we have said that we will continually evaluate the
service, services pardon me, and that by February we will need
to make a decision for restoration in the late May to June
time-frame because it is going to take that amount of time to
requalify crews, put together the rolling stock equipment, the
consists, et cetera.
And the number that we are looking for is, to just
understand in February and through the months leading up to
February, what the forward bookings look like in June and not
forward bookings for some hypothetical 7 day service, but
forward bookings to the 3-day level of service that we had. It
is not a perfect science. And Senator Tester--.
Senator Cantwell. I guess--sorry to interrupt.
Mr. Flynn. Pardon me.
Senator Cantwell. I just see my clock ticking down here.
The point is, are you saying you are going to make a decision
in February of next year and that that will be a final decision
to an entire next year on whether this service that was just
cut is going to be restored? And so, because if it is, and then
you are going to base that on some ridership while we are still
in the middle of the pandemic, that seems like a pretty hefty
penalty to pay for those communities not to have that
additional service.
Mr. Flynn. We are going to evaluate the services and we do
on an ongoing basis. We pointed to February for a June startup
because as we go to recover, it is probably a 90 day period of
time if we made it in December.
Senator Cantwell. So that wouldn't be a final decision you
would make?
Mr. Flynn. It wouldn't be a final forever decision, I am
sorry----
Senator Cantwell. OK. And it wouldn't be--OK, I just want
to be clear that if you make some decision in February, it is
not going to be for another entire year?
Mr. Flynn. That is not our intention, Senator.
Senator Cantwell. OK. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
The Chairman. Senator Cantwell, I think that is a nice
clarification. I am glad you pursued that line. Our next
Senator is another Senator from the great American heartland,
Senator Moran.
STATEMENT OF HON. JERRY MORAN,
U.S. SENATOR FROM KANSAS
Senator Moran. Chairman, thank you. It is nice to team up
with the Gulf and the Pacific West on a topic of importance to
all of us. Mr. Flynn, thank you for your being here. Thank you
for your leadership at Amtrak. Let me begin by asking a basic
question. What is the obligations of Amtrak to provide long
distance passenger rail service in America?
Mr. Flynn. Amtrak is the intercity passenger rail company
in the United States. We have two elements of our core network
is established by the FAST ACT, our Northeast Corridor and our
national network, and the long distance services is a central
part of our national network.
Senator Moran. So is it fair to say, I mean, I am putting
words in your mouth and I expect you to agree with me, but I
would like to know, I mean, it is a priority, it is an
obligation, it is a requirement that long distance passenger
rail service be provided in this country by Amtrak?
Mr. Flynn. Yes, sir.
Senator Moran. And I suppose where we are now is how is
long distance passenger rail service defined? When you say it
is a priority, it is responsibility, it is an obligation, how
is it defined, particularly in the days of COVID, when
passengers are fewer? How do we make certain that we are
fulfilling--I hope this is your attitude. How do we make
certain we are fulfilling that obligation, requirement, that
mission that Amtrak has?
Mr. Flynn. Those are the--that is the discussion we have
been having here this morning and the discussion that I
presented in my testimony. The levels of ridership are falling
off so dramatically that running a daily service right now
without some financial assistance through supplemental funding
will essentially reduce the company to a very, very precarious
state. It would require taking funds that have been allocated
for capital projects, capital projects that would otherwise go
across our network. It would require transfers from the NEC to
the national network, which is not provided for under current
legislation. It is specifically prohibited. And it is the kind
of management challenge--it is the management challenge that we
have, and it underscores the decisions we have to make to
balance the equities that we are required to meet.
Senator Moran. Mr. Flynn, I am sorry I didn't hear your
opening statement, although I have your written statement in
front of me. I am chairing a committee myself this morning that
meets at the same time as this committee. But your indication
is that because that obligation is so real, that it exists,
that should things continue to be dire in regard to passenger
ridership, Amtrak would take additional steps to keep passenger
rail service long distance running, but there are not good
options, but there are options that you, because of that
obligation, would have to pursue?
Mr. Flynn. There aren't any really good options. Thank you,
Senator. There aren't any good options.
Senator Moran. Well, you mentioned capital improvements.
Mr. Flynn. Pardon me?
Senator Moran. You mentioned capital.
Mr. Flynn. Some of the funds that we have are specifically
directed to specific capital projects. So in terms of our cash
balance, we don't have the freedom to put the cash balance
anywhere we want because there is direction that exists.
Senator Moran. And maybe the point you were making is you
would need Congress to authorize that transfer of money from
capital improvements to maintaining long distance passenger
service?
Mr. Flynn. I wouldn't recommend it though. Congress may
direct it but it is not something we recommend.
Senator Moran. And are you actively engaged in more than
educating Congress? What actions is Amtrak taking to see that
Congress respond to your financial request?
Mr. Flynn. We have an ongoing discussion with Members of
Congress, with the Committee staff itself, and have been
regularly communicating since the pandemic outbroke, outbreak
pardon me, of the conditions that we are experiencing in our
business, the impact on the level of ridership, the actions we
are taking to ensure that we have a safe an environment as we
can have for our employees and for our riders. Senator Tester
was asking me about how are you communicating with riders, for
example? But we are regularly communicating with Congress about
the conditions and the funding levels we require.
Senator Moran. Mr. Flynn, I would offer my services to you,
to Amtrak in trying to embellish, to increase the volume of
your efforts, the magnitude of your efforts to get
Congressional attention to this issue. It matters a lot. And I
want to ally myself with efforts of yours and my colleagues to
see that the attention necessary to solve this problem. I would
ask, is there any data study indications that when the service
is diminished to 3 days a week, that the ridership doesn't
return? People find whatever alternatives they can, they move
on. And are you diminishing the chances of your success, of
Amtrak's success when COVID is behind us?
Mr. Flynn. Well, we touched on that point just a moment ago
and I think that was Senator Tester.
Senator Moran. He is the Ranking Member of the Committee I
chair so he and I are trading positions in this setting. But--.
The Chairman. So reiterate that. Go ahead.
Mr. Flynn. So, I think the question was about whether if we
go to 3 days a week, are we setting up a condition where
ridership is going to go somewhere else and not return? It is
how I generally understood the question.
Senator Moran. Yes, sir.
Mr. Flynn. Amtrak did attempt to go to three-days-a-week
service in 1994. It was part of a fundamental restructuring of
the company and it didn't work. A couple of conditions were
very different then. Our ridership was at a much higher level
and the implied cost savings that was to be secured was far
superseded by the amount of revenue that was lost. That is a
very different situation from where we are now. Our ridership
levels now are not even covering what we call above the rail
costs, which are fuel, the cost of attendance, stations, et
cetera.
At the time we announced our three-days-a-week service
plans back in August, we reached out to all of the passengers
who had reservations with us, and those were about 9,000
individual reservations. We were able to retain 6,000 of those
riders. The three-days-a-week service more often than not
simply changed one day, either their departure day or their
return date and so we were able to retain those 6,000 riders
but not all. We have--also in looking at the schedules that we
are implementing of the services, ensuring that we maintain
connectivity because often long distance train riders are
connecting from one service or one train to another.
We believe that based on our traffic and passenger flows,
we have been able to retain about 75 percent of that
connectivity. So working on all of those ingredients, Senator,
to ensure that we are not pushing riders to other modes, that
they will indeed return. We will need them to return in order
to return ourselves.
Senator Moran. Mr. Chairman, I will wrap up with two
things. I would ask consent that a study by the Rail Passengers
Association Transportation for America regarding the
consequences to community economics be admitted to the record.
The Chairman. Without objection.
[The information referred to follows:]
Prepared Statement of Ross Capon, Consultant and President Emeritus,
Rail Passengers Association
I am an independent consultant and president emeritus of the Rail
Passengers Association (RPA, formerly National Association of Railroad
Passengers) which I led as executive director and then president and
CEO from 1976 to 2014. From 1971-75, I worked for the Massachusetts
Secretary of Transportation & Construction and was responsible for one
of Amtrak's earliest state-supported trains.
I appreciate the strong, bipartisan support this Committee has
provided for Amtrak and especially its national network, including
well-placed expressions of concern about Amtrak's ``tri-weekly
everywhere'' policy. Chairman Wicker's strong commitment to the network
over many years is well known. Massive reductions in long-distance
service are ill-advised and may be irreversible. At your August 6
hearing, Senator Cantwell said, ``I'm very concerned that these cuts
may significantly harm communities and threaten the long-term viability
of the national railroad.'' That concern is shared by many students of
passenger rail including well-informed former Amtrak managers. Senator
Moran's strong defense (joined by Senators Gardner and Udall) of the
Southwest Chief, erstwhile first ``victim'' of Amtrak policies, has
been invaluable, along with the holds he has placed on nominees to the
Amtrak board pending their willingness ``to confirm to us their support
for long-distance passenger service'' and to indicate ``they will
actively pursue their support for maintaining, increasing and improving
that service,'' quoting his comments at your September 16 executive
session.
The long-distance trains are more resistant to COVID-19 than are
Amtrak's short-distance trains. From April through August, long-
distance train revenues represented about 57 percent of Amtrak's total
passenger revenues, thus exceeding the combined revenues of NEC and
State-supported trains. Also, ``tri-weekly everywhere'' worsens the
Nation's economic inequality, since long-distance coach travelers are
Amtrak's lowest income market segment.
Intercity travel now is dominated by three factors--concern about
health, ability to telecommute and availability of alternatives.
Amtrak deserves praise for good work in creating the healthiest
possible environment for staff and passengers, and in promoting that
fact. For some travelers, this likely has tipped the balance from air
to rail. It is ironic that Amtrak has removed so much of the service
that had the healthiest rebound from the spring--August long-distance
revenues down 59 percent from a year earlier, but NEC down 90 percent
and state-supported trains down 81 percent. For a rough comparison with
aviation, TSA airport ``total travel throughput'' numbers for the most
recent seven days, October 13-19, were down 64 percent from ``same
weekday(s) a year ago,'' an improvement from early summer.
Telecommuting has challenged commuter rail and Amtrak's short
corridors. Many former riders, if they can work from home, see no (or
much less) need to travel.
A key reason long-distance travel has returned more strongly than
shorter rail trips is that many longer trips were not work-related
before the pandemic, and for many people the alternatives are less
attractive or--for the car-less--non-existent. Indeed, the
transcontinental trains serve regions where Greyhound over the last
decade has done its heaviest route reductions. Coach demand for short
round-trips is likely to increase and likely is now hard hit by the
service reductions, which Amtrak introduced on different routes October
5, 12, and 19.
Amtrak painted long-distance service reductions as leveling the
playing field with its short corridors where the number of trains per
day was reduced earlier. But, ridership on the short-distance trains
declined more sharply than the number of short-distance departures.
As well, ``less-than-daily'' weakens the network far beyond the
impact of ``three trips per week versus seven.'' There is an
existential difference between providing daily service and telling
people they must wait two to five days for the next train, or that
their trip newly requires one or more overnights at an intermediate
point (see Appendix II).
From the 1990s, Amtrak learned that reducing service to tri-weekly
takes a heavy toll on shorter trips but permits retention of a
significant portion of longer trips if the capacity is provided to
handle them, that is, if increased capacity per train partially offsets
the 57 percent reduction in departures. Accordingly, Amtrak's
announcement for the early (July 6) frequency reductions on the New
York-Carolinas-Florida trains promised that ``both trains [Silver
Meteor and Silver Star] will offer expanded capacity for each
departure.''
But now, with the October cuts, we see that Amtrak has further
exacerbated ``tri-weekly everywhere'' problems by failing to expand
capacity per departure. Thus, the problem of infrequent departures is
compounded by many sell-outs. This likely will deaden demand as
potential travelers find their needs blocked at every turn. Not
surprisingly in the pandemic era, Amtrak is seeing a higher percentage
of bookings for future travel made in the last six days before
departure--in late September this percentage for long-distance was 52
percent of bookings (compared with 38 percent a year ago). So, it is
particularly disconcerting to find sell-outs on these smaller trains.
The explanation that Amtrak offered to Trains magazine is
concerning: ``Operational logistics and cost management prevent us from
making one-off consist changes based on niche cases of sellout
situations.. . .As you know, adding equipment adds costs and we are
conserving funds. Our existing long-distance consists represent our
fall plan that is in effect now through the eve of Thanksgiving.''
Shortly after Amtrak announced ``tri-weekly everywhere,'' President
Flynn said ``these reductions will go into effect in October, which is
right at the time that the long-distance network other than Auto Train,
and one or two other trains perhaps, goes into its lowest level of
ridership.'' This is misleading. Considering four major routes and not
even looking at Florida, last year, the Crescent and Southwest Chief
actually had higher revenues in October than in September; Coast
Starlight only fell 7 percent, California Zephyr 14 percent.
In attempting to convince political leaders and the public that the
service reductions will be temporary and will yield significant
financial savings, Amtrak asks us to ignore the huge costs of making
and reversing these changes. Here are just the sales and marketing
``front end'' costs:
The immediate ``negative marketing'' effect of the May 25
announcement, which led some people and even some legislators
to think service reductions were immediate.
Sales for daily operations were open out 11 months and not
closed until mid-August, after which the reservation bureau had
to contact any passenger whose itinerary completely or partly
involved canceled trains, attempt to rebook, or issue refunds.
Then there are the ongoing costs:
Long talk times for reservation agents attempting to match
days desired with days when trains run and are not sold out.
Some connecting passengers will find their trip impossible or
requiring costly overnight layovers.
Skyrocketing hotel and meal costs of missed connections,
anxiety for passengers, and ``brand risk'' for Amtrak.
Previously, if a late train misconnected, passengers were
accommodated for one night and resumed travel the next day.
Now, the layover is two or three nights (four or five in some
Florida-train cases) and there is doubt whether Amtrak will
cover the resulting hotel and extra-meals tabs. Example: one of
the Empire Builder's last daily trips originated in Seattle on
October 17 and reached Chicago October 19 at 7:53 PM, four
hours late due to delay behind a disabled freight train outside
Wisconsin
Dells. The Capitol Limited departed on time at 6:40 PM, eliminating
connections for Pittsburgh and Florida and forcing a round-
about routing to Washington, DC, assuming space was available
on the 9:30 PM Lake Shore Limited departure. The next
departures East would be Thursday, October 21. An on-line
account (by hippieelmo on trainorders.com) claims a couple was
overheard being rebooked to the Thursday departure and not
offered hotel space. Hopefully, that was bad information or a
one-off mistake by staff.
With ``universal tri-weekly,'' a Monday arrival in Chicago
that misses all connections (or all connections with available
space) leaves passengers connecting East or South waiting until
a Thursday evening departure. Running just four extra Chicago-
East Coast trains per week (perhaps two Capitol Ltds. and two
Lake Shore Ltds.) would have preserved daily Chicago-South
Bend-Toledo-Cleveland service and provided peace of mind to
travelers connecting from transcontinental trains who now worry
about the potential for two-or three-day unplanned layovers in
Chicago. Misconnects result from big delays due to freight
train incidents or weather, and Amtrak mechanical problems--not
from the handful of minutes associated with adding or removing
private cars.
Confusing responses from a reservation system not (yet) up
to the task of handling dramatically reduced service. On
Monday, October 19, when the Southwest Chief does run, requests
for Chicago-Garden City and Chicago-La Junta returned this
message: ``We don't have train service matching your request.''
If the train is sold out, the message should be ``sold out''--
which indeed was the result when one queried ChicagoAlbuquerque
and Chicago-Los Angeles for the same trip.
Amtrak continues health insurance for workers for a year
after they are furloughed.
Will surplus rolling stock be maintained or cannibalized?
Will the cost of restoring it become part of an unacceptably
high level of ``adequate funding'' [Flynn's May 25 letter]
Amtrak will request to restart service? This becomes a bigger
issue since Amtrak's apparent commitment to short trains means
mothballing a larger number of cars.
Finally, the restart costs:
Significant marketing expenses, almost like a new service,
will be incurred to convince travelers that daily service has
returned. How far in advance will service restoration be
announced? The further in advance, the better the load factors
once service begins, but also the more publicity is wasted
because it will reach people who see the promotion but want to
travel before service resumes.
Rehiring and requalifying/retraining skilled personnel--if
they are available.
Amtrak quoted $945 subsidy per long-distance passenger for April
and May when indeed most of the U.S. economy was unsustainable.
Ridership grew significantly since then and likely would have continued
to grow had Amtrak not slashed the service. Whenever Amtrak or the Cato
Institute quotes ``subsidy per long-distance passenger,'' one must ask
how much of that is allocated fixed costs that are permanent or will
not disappear in the short term--certainly not before June 30, 2021
when Amtrak has said it might restart service.
Tri-Weekly History: Amtrak began the Coast Starlight and the
California Zephyr's Denverwest segment in 1971 as tri-weekly trains. In
1973, they were converted to daily as summer experiments which proved
so successful they became permanent.
Amtrak President George Warrington testified to this Committee on
September 26, 2000, that less-than-daily service on select routes in
1995-96 ``ended up costing [Amtrak] more in lost revenue than we were
able to take out in the way of expenses, given the fixed cost nature of
the operation'' p. 99 (computer p. 103).
Short Distance, Long Distance: On June 26, 2019, then-Amtrak
President and CEO Richard Anderson told this committee: ``We should be
looking at breaking up some of those long distance trains and figuring
out how we serve the American consumer to provide high-quality service
in short-haul markets where they're using that service today.'' This
implies new short distance corridors where neither state DOT nor host
railroad circumstances are supportive. For a short corridor service
like Charlotte-Atlanta to thrive, speeds and frequencies would need to
be increased, at huge costs. Prospects for such investments are limited
and include the Colorado Front Range and New Orleans-Mobile which face
challenges; neither are segments of existing long-distance routes.
Certainly, there is a strong case for Amtrak's short-haul markets.
That is reflected in at least 30 years of organic growth in those
markets; now 14 states fund such service. California's June 5, 1990,
election was pivotal. California voters approved Propositions 116, 108
and 111, forcing Caltrans to move towards genuinely balanced
transportation. Props 116 and 108 produced almost $3 billion for rail;
Prop 111 generated major additional funding for transportation,
including transit.
Today, as noted above, short corridors are more vulnerable to
telecommuting--and to the negative impacts of Amtrak's long-distance
reductions. Amtrak's May 25 request said ``the elimination of any of
the state services would result in increased costs to the remaining
services, as common network costs are reallocated, further increasing
the financial pressure on the states that wish to continue their rail
service.'' Similarly, reduction of long-distance service would harm
state services on the cost side and also eliminate revenue from
connecting passengers. The latter effect would be particularly harsh
for the Oklahoma City-Fort Worth Heartland Flyer, about 30 percent of
whose passengers connect to/from the Texas Eagle.
Private cars and charter trains: This statement is pro bono except
for this paragraph. My major client is American Association of Private
Railroad Car Owners (AAPRCO). The Association appreciates that Senate
and House FY19 and FY20 T-HUD bills (and the House FY21 bill) have
included report language supporting policies more friendly to private
cars and charter trains than those Amtrak implemented early in 2018. As
well, AAPRCO appreciated the inclusion of Section 9219 in HR2 (text
here in Appendix I) and believes that the more positive approach to
private cars and charter trains envisioned in that provision would
yield valuable revenue for Amtrak--revenue that is more important now
than ever.
For example, the elimination of key access points such as Tucson,
Arizona; Jacksonville, Florida; Whitefish, Montana, and Huntington,
West Virginia, seem counterproductive, as does the restriction of
charter trains to Amtrak's existing network and to repetitive trips
(minimum of three identical trips regardless of whether the market
exists for same).
As well, Amtrak apparently is charging private cars a rate that
``exceeds both the direct and fully allocated costs of performing that
activity'' and claims that the Inspector General requires this. This
reflects a misunderstanding of basic economics. Charging such a rate
for handling a private car on a train that is going to run anyway seems
more likely to drive off revenues, as reflected in the number of
private cars that have abandoned Amtrak service since new policies took
effect in early 2018. The correct pricing methodology would be to cover
direct costs plus a reasonable profit margin. For a freightrail
analogy, Robert Menzies, owner and board chair of the freight shortline
Aberdeen, Carolina & Western Railway, says, ``We carry sand even though
it might not cover full cost like chemicals and plastics, but sand does
cover variable cost and contribute to our fixed costs.''
Amtrak's approach to pricing also appears to reflect a misreading
of the IG's February 6, 2019, report: OIG-A-2019-003, TRAIN OPERATIONS:
Opportunities Exist to Improve Private Railcar Management and Business
Practices. This report at page 14 says, ``Management stated that
[Amtrak] will use the results of its costing analysis to confirm that
the pricing for each private railcar activity exceeds both the direct
and fully allocated costs of performing that activity.'' The IG took
management to task for ``not identifying any of the costs it incurred
for managing the private railcar program and providing movement and
long-term parking services,'' and said management should ``factor cost
data into decisions on setting or adjusting prices for private railcar
services.'' The IG did not specify exactly how management should do
this.
The IG's report also recommended Amtrak ``adjust its prices based
on changes in demand for private railcar service,'' citing the jazz
festival in New Orleans in late April and the Cherry Blossom Festival
in Washington. Since the market has become so thin due to private cars
leaving because of Amtrak's hostile pricing and access policies, the
only variable pricing that would make sense would be to have the
current rates as ``peak season'' rates (assuming space to park at all
in Washington, which has been problematic in recent years) and have
reduced rates at all other times.
With regard to the jazz festival, the IG's report misrepresented
the economics of private railcar operation. The report stated, ``In one
example, [Amtrak] charged a private railcar owner its regular prices
during the festival, which totaled $17,326. In contrast, the owner
charged customers prices as high as $5,900 per bedroom--potentially
grossing up to $59,900 at full capacity.'' But the report was silent on
the additional costs (non-Amtrak and Amtrak) that must be covered:
food, on board service staff, ground tours, deadhead (positioning)
moves, property and liability insurance, parking at approximately $20K
per year, mechanical service, capital repairs such as $12K wheel sets,
and inspections.
Suspension of Amtrak Package Express: Here again, Amtrak is turning
away revenues. ``Effective October 1, 2020, Express shipping service on
Amtrak's regularly scheduled passenger trains will be suspended until
further notice. The last date for accepting these shipments will be
September 15, 2020 . . . In addition, human remains will not be
accepted.'' https://www.amtrak.com/express-shipping
Perhaps this was yet another casualty of ``universal tri-weekly''
service. It also appears that management neglected the business and was
overcharging for it. As noted in the private car discussion above, when
something is carried on a train that is operating anyway, rates charged
should cover direct costs plus a reasonable profit margin.
Amtrak has a fleet of brand-new baggage cars ideal for handling
express; these and many new, still-under-warranty passenger cars are
parked out of service.
RAILnet-21 https://www.railnet-21.com/ is a legislative proposal
leveraging private funds against a Federal loan. This loan would be
fully secured by a third-party, investment-grade repayment guarantee,
to bring Amtrak-owned infrastructure to a state-of-good-repair. This
proposal recognizes that Amtrak-owned infrastructure, primarily the
Northeast Corridor, constitutes a huge financial drain that threatens
Amtrak's entire network. Under RAILnet-21, Amtrak-owned infrastructure
would be leased to an infrastructure management organization (IMO)
selected on a competitive basis by the Surface Transportation Board.
The IMO would be a railroad subject to FRA, STB, and DOT IG oversight,
and required to comply with the Railway Labor Act, the Federal
Employers Liability Act, the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act, etc.
The IMO would be required to hire all current Amtrak infrastructure
employees; assume their collective bargaining agreements where-is, as-
is; honor their seniority; and recognize their labor representation.
The IMO--in order to make the substantial infrastructure investments
required to achieve its business goals and satisfy its statutory
mandates--would hire additional unionized personnel in the field and in
its offices, both from which Amtrak has been laying off employees.
Amtrak would remain the Nation's rail passenger carrier, owning its
rolling stock, reservation systems, maintenance of equipment bases,
etc., while the IMO would be statutorily proscribed from offering any
form of revenue train service on the NEC or elsewhere.
Not surprisingly, Amtrak leadership is skeptical, having written:
``We don't believe that the RAILnet concept offers value to the company
or to the NEC at this time and we believe that most, if not all, of the
central tenets underlying the proposal have deep flaws or are
practically unworkable'' [Stephen Gardner, August 4 letter to me].
However, given the unfortunate direction Amtrak is now taking, and
Amtrak's funding requirement (per the Northeast Corridor Commission) of
at least $45 billion to achieve state-of-good-repair, Congress should
(a) get Amtrak to explain the ``central tenets underlying [RAILnet's]
deep flaws'' and why RAILnet is ``practically unworkable,'' and (b)
grill Robert Serlin and his colleagues on RAILnet-21. Both
conversations should include discussion of the impact of COVID-19 on
NEC passenger revenues.
Thank you again for the Committee longstanding support for Amtrak
as a whole and its national network in particular.
______
APPENDIX I--Section 9219 of HR 2
SEC. 9219. AMTRAK AND PRIVATE CARS.
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.--It is the sense of Congress that private
cars and charter trains can--
(1) improve Amtrak's financial performance, particularly on the
long-distance routes; (2) have promotional value for Amtrak that
results in future travel on Amtrak trains by passengers made aware of
Amtrak as a result;
(3) support private-sector jobs, including for mechanical work and
on-board services; and (4) provide good-will benefits to Amtrak.
(b) POLICY REVIEW.--Amtrak shall review the policy changes since
January 1, 2018, that have caused significant changes to the
relationship between Amtrak and private car owners and charter train
services and evaluate opportunities to strengthen these services,
including by reinstating some access points and restoring flexibility
to charter-train policies. For charter trains, private cars, and
package express carried on regular Amtrak trains, consistent with sound
business practice, Amtrak should recover direct costs plus a reasonable
profit margin.
APPENDIX II--The outsized, negative impact of ``Less-Than-Daily
Everywhere''
Two of the most problematic results of Amtrak's new timetable:
The southbound Chicago-Arkansas-San Antonio Texas Eagle has
no same-day connections from the East Coast. The Eagle departs
Chicago on the days after the three East Coast trains arrive
there.
Similarly, the Wednesday California Zephyr departure from
Chicago has no connections from the East or South.
Other connection problems can be discerned from the following
tables which show days and times of arrivals and departures at
Portland, Sacramento, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Chicago, and
Washington. The number in parentheses after the time is the Monday of
the October 2020 week when reduced service began on that route.
Connections at Chicago
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Train From At Chicago To
------------------------------------------------------------------------
29 Cap Ltd Wash/Martinsburg/PGH 8:45 (5)
CLE/TOL/South Bend MThSa
------------------------------------------------------------------------
58 City of NOL/Jackson/Mem/Carb 9:15 (5)
N.O. MThSa
------------------------------------------------------------------------
49 Lake Shore BOS/NYP/Alb/Buff/CLE/ 9:50 (12)
Ltd TOL South Bend MThSa
------------------------------------------------------------------------
51 Cardinal NYP/WAS/WSS/CIN/INDY 10:00
MThSa
------------------------------------------------------------------------
21 Texas Eagle 13:45 (12) StL/Little Rock/
TuFSu Texas Tucson/
Maricopa/[LAX]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
22 Texas Eagle [LAX]/Maricopa/ 13:52 (12)
Tucson Texas/Little MWSa
Rock/StL
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 Cal Zep 14:00 (5) Omaha/Denver/SLC/
MWSa Reno/Sac Bay Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 Emp Bldr 14:15 (19) StPaul/Fargo/Havre/
MThSa Whitefish Spokane/
Portland/Seattle
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 SW Chief 14:50 (12) KC/Garden City/La
MThSa Junta Flagstaff/
SanBernardino/LAX
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 SW Chief KC/Garden City/La 14:50 (12)
Junta Flagstaff/ MThSa
SanBernardino/LAX
------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 Cal Zep BayArea/Sac/Reno/SLC/ 14:50 (5)
Denver Omaha MThSa
------------------------------------------------------------------------
8 Emp Bldr Seattle/Portland/ 15:55 (19)
Spokane Whitefish/ MThSa
Havre/Fargo/StPaul
------------------------------------------------------------------------
50 Cardinal 17:45 INDY/CIN/WV/WSS//
TuThSa WAS NYP
------------------------------------------------------------------------
30 Cap Ltd 18:40 (5) South Bend/TOL/CLE/
MThSa PGH/Martinsburg/
Wash
------------------------------------------------------------------------
59 City of 20:05 (5) NOL/Jackson/Mem/
N.O. MThSa Carb
------------------------------------------------------------------------
48 Lake Shore 21:30 (12) South Bend/TOL/CLE/
Ltd MThSa Buff/Alb/NYP/BOS
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Connections at Portland OR
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Train From At Portland To
------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 Builder Chicago/WI MN/ND/ 10:10 (19)
Whitefish/Spokane MWSa
------------------------------------------------------------------------
11 Starlight 14:25 (12) Sacramento/Oakland/
MWSa LAX
------------------------------------------------------------------------
14 Starlight LAX/Oakland/ 15:32 (12)
Sacramento TuThSa
------------------------------------------------------------------------
28 Builder 16:45 (19) Spokane/Whitefish/
TuThSa ND/MN WI/Chicago
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Connections at New Orleans (currently single-overnight for every Sunset
and City of New Orleans trip; the Sunset has been tri-weekly
since before Amtrak's creation)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
At New
Train From Orleans To
------------------------------------------------------------------------
20 Crescent 7:00 (5) Meridian Birmingham/
SuTuTh ATL/Charlotte
Charlottesville/
WAS/NYP
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Sunset 9:00 Houston/San Antonio
MWSa NM/Tucson/Maricopa
------------------------------------------------------------------------
58 City of New 13:45 (5) Jackson/Memphis
Orleans SuWFr Carb./Champaign/
Chicago
------------------------------------------------------------------------
59 City of New Chicago/Champaign/ 15:47 (5)
Orleans Carb. Memphis/ SuTuF
Jackson
------------------------------------------------------------------------
19 Crescent NYP/WAS/ 19:32 (5)
Charlottesville MWSa
Charlotte/ATL/
Birmingham Meridian
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Sunset LAX/Maricopa/Tucson/ 21:40
NM San Antonio/ TuFrSu
Houston
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crescent to Sunset--Monday & Saturday arrivals require 2 nights in New
Orleans; Wednesday arrival 3 nights
Sunset to Crescent--all trips require 2 nights
City of New Orleans to Sunset--all trips 1 night
Sunset to City of New Orleans--Sunday arrival requires three nights;
Tuesday one, and Friday two. (Arriving Sunday connects to the same 58
[Wednesday] as arriving Tuesday.)
Connections at Sacramento
------------------------------------------------------------------------
At New
Train From Orleans To
------------------------------------------------------------------------
11 Coast Seattle/Portland 6:35 (12)
Starlight Eugene/Klamath SuTuTh
Falls
------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 California 11:09 (5) Reno/SLC/Glenwood
Zephyr TuThSa Springs Denver/
Omaha/Chicago
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 California Chicago/Omaha/Denver 14:13 (5)
Zephyr Glenwood Springs SuWF
SLC/Reno
------------------------------------------------------------------------
14 Coast 23:59 (12) Klamath Falls/
Starlight MWF Eugene Portland/
Seattle
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Connections at Los Angeles
------------------------------------------------------------------------
At Los
Train From Angeles To
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Sunset NOL/Houston/San 5:35
Antonio/El Paso/NM/ MWF
Tucson/Maricopa
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 Chief Chicago/IA/KS/CO/ 8:15 (12)
Albuquerque MWSa
Flagstaff/San
Bernardino
------------------------------------------------------------------------
14 Starlight 10:10(12) Bay Area/Sacramento
MWF Portland/Seattle
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 Chief 18:00 (12) San Bernardino/
TuThSa Flagstaff
Albuquerque/CO/KS/
IA/Chicago
------------------------------------------------------------------------
11 Starlight Seattle/Portland 21:00 (12)
Sacramento/Bay Area SuTuTh
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Sunset 22:00 Maricopa/Tucson/NM/
SuWF El Paso San
Antonio/Houston/
NOL
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Starlight arrivals:
Sunday--3 nights to Sunset; 2 nights to Chief
Tuesday--1 night to Sunset; 2 nights to Chief Thursday--1 night to
Sunset; 2 nights to Chief Starlight departures:
Monday and Wednesday same-day connections from Chief; effectively no
connection on Friday. All three Sunset arrivals have same-day
connections.
Connections at Washington DC (Silver Service reductions took effect
July 6, 2020)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Train From At DC To
------------------------------------------------------------------------
98Silver Miami/Orlando/ 7:07
Meteor Jacksonville MTuWTh
Savannah/Charleston/
Richmond
------------------------------------------------------------------------
20 Crescent NOL/Meridian/ 9:53 (5)
Birmingham Atlanta/ MWF
Charlotte/
Charlottesville
------------------------------------------------------------------------
51 Cardinal 11:00 Charlottesville/
SuWF CharlestonWV/
Cincinnati/IND/CHI
------------------------------------------------------------------------
30Capitol Ltd Chicago/South Bend/ 13:05 (5)
Toledo Cleveland/ SuTuF
Pittsburgh
------------------------------------------------------------------------
92Silver Star Miami/Tampa/Orlando/ 14:38
JAX Savannah/ SuMSa
Columbia/Raleigh/
RVR
------------------------------------------------------------------------
91Silver Star 15:05 RVR/Raleigh/
SuFSa Columbia/SAV JAX/
Orlando/Tampa/
Miami
------------------------------------------------------------------------
29Capitol Ltd 16:05 (5) Pittsburgh/
SuWF Cleveland Toledo/
South Bend/Chicago
------------------------------------------------------------------------
50 Cardinal [CHI]/Indianapolis/ 18:19
Cincinnati SuWFr
CharlestonWV/
Charlottesville
------------------------------------------------------------------------
19 Crescent 18:30 (5) Charlottesville/
SuTuFr Charlotte/Atlanta
Birmingham/
Meridian/NOL
------------------------------------------------------------------------
97Silver 19:25 San Bernardino/
Meteor MTuWTh Flagstaff
Albuquerque/CO/KS/
IA/Chicago
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Same-day connections from eastbound Cardinal to southbound Meteor not
sold.
______
Prepared Statement of Jim Mathews, President and Chief Executive
Officer, Rail Passengers Association
Overview
My name is Jim Mathews, and I am President and Chief Executive
Officer of the Rail Passengers Association, the oldest and largest
national organization giving a voice to more than 40 million people who
ride trains and public transportation of all kinds in the U.S. Since
1967, our mission has been to improve and expand conventional intercity
and regional passenger train services, support higher speed rail
initiatives, increase connectivity among all forms of transportation
and ensure safety for our country's trains and passengers.
The Rail Passengers Association would like to thank Chairman
Wicker, Ranking Member Cantwell, and all of the members of this
Committee for holding this hearing to focus attention on our Nation's
intercity rail network at this critical juncture. The situation for
passenger rail in this country today is more dire than it has been in
decades. Our Association firmly believes that what this Congress
decides to do about rail and transit in just the coming weeks will have
important and lasting impact for hundreds of Amtrak-served communities
and millions of Americans for years to come.
To put it directly and bluntly: despite the bi-partisan support
Amtrak has received from this Committee and its members, Amtrak today
faces a crisis to its very existence--a crisis imposed by the
continuing coronavirus pandemic and its knock-off effects on travel and
the larger economy, but made worse by decisions at Amtrak itself.
Moreover, the effects won't be confined to Amtrak. As I testified
before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee's Rail
Subcommittee on September 9th, our Association's economic-modeling
suggests that Amtrak's COVID-coping tactic of dropping daily service
will hurt Heartland America's economies to the tune of at least $2.3
billion while saving Amtrak less than $213 million.
Worse yet, Amtrak may find it harder to restore daily service than
management expects. Furloughs will force skilled employees who run the
trains to re-qualify in their crafts before service can return, and
some employees may not come back. Unless rolling stock is stored with
great care and continuing maintenance, coaches, sleepers and baggage
cars will deteriorate while parked, demanding reconditioning before
return-to-service and potentially permanently removing some assets from
the fleet. Host railroads over which Amtrak operates are free to thumb
their noses at Amtrak's insistence that the service reductions are
temporary, treating them as ``indefinite'' or even permanent
reductions. This would force Amtrak into a lengthy negotiation process
that could even mean a trip to the Surface Transportation Board,
imposing further expense and delaying service restoration for millions
of Americans who rely on that service today. We have already shared
with Committee staff one such host-railroad response, and we believe
more may emerge soon.
Amtrak has also reduced capacity on long-distance trains in order
to avoid paying for an extra crew member for added cars. Trains
magazine recently reported that Amtrak is experiencing near-capacity or
sellout ridership on long-distance trains as it begins its shift to
triweekly operation, but even with sell-outs extending for many weeks
and travelers clamoring for socially-distanced travel options like
Amtrak Sleepers, Amtrak won't add capacity. Management is choosing
instead to forego badly needed revenue. While Amtrak has cut 57 percent
of all long-distance departures, the numbers are actually much worse
for sleeper car capacity. The Lake Shore Limited, for instance, has
gone from 14 sleepers (NYP/CHI) per week to three per week--a 79
percent sleeper inventory reduction. Retired package-tour operator Carl
Fowler, a former member of the Rail Passengers Association Board,
argues that with the revenue generating potential of Sleeper car
fares--a sold-out sleeper in normal times can gross 2-3 times the
revenue of a coach car in normal travel conditions--Amtrak's refusal to
add Sleeper cars to consists is leaving money on the table.
Added to this are persistent technical glitches plaguing Amtrak's
online reservations system, which have the effect of further
discouraging riders from booking trips at a time when Amtrak can use
all the revenue it can.
I must share the growing sense of alarm among rail travelers, my
own members and leaders in Amtrak-served communities over Amtrak's
diminishment of their essential service. Like many other transportation
providers reeling from the coronavirus crisis, Amtrak warned that
without additional Federal support the railroad would have to make
drastic cuts, in this case dropping daily service on its long-distance
National Network in favor of truncated service three times per week.
This once-in-a-generation pandemic poses sobering challenges for
America's rail passengers, including the consequences that inaction by
government pose to the cities, towns, and rural communities connected
by our intercity rail network--more than 500 of them all across
America's Heartland. We understand well that Amtrak faces real and
difficult choices, and that without financial aid there are far greater
risks to the network than thrice-weekly (3x) service for long-distance
routes--we could lose entire corridors, permanently.
We wholeheartedly endorse levels of investment like those we saw in
the Moving Forward Act (HR 2) or the $10 billion in Amtrak grants in
the FY 2021 transportation budget passed out of the House in July. This
the right course for America's passengers and the U.S. economy, and we
continue to believe that this is the best way forward for our
passenger-rail system.
We understand, however, that Amtrak can maintain existing service
levels with a short-term supplemental request of $2.4 billion. We're
heartened to hear that Amtrak is working with Congress to establish a
no-harm supplemental budget request. Our Association continues to
believe that maintaining daily service across the National Network and
preventing massive furloughs and layoffs of Amtrak workers should be
the floor, not the ceiling. As Amtrak Chief Operating Officer Stephen
Gardner noted in a March 22nd article in the Washington Post,
``Eventually this will pass, but none of the bridges or [train] cars or
any of the things we have that are old and need to be replaced will get
younger as a result of this crisis.'' We could not agree more, and we
implore the Congress to make the investments we need so that rail
service can help restore the U.S. economy.
Even with exogenous shocks to travel demand, the fact remains:
Amtrak is an essential service for tens of millions of Americans and
hundreds of communities. We were quite pleased with Amtrak President &
CEO William Flynn's May 25th statement to Congress that the railroad
understands ``how important Amtrak service is to the Nation and,
particularly, small communities across the Nation where we play a
unique role in connecting these communities to the rest of America.''
However, reducing service on the 12 of the 15 long-distance routes--a
vital transportation link to the 40 percent of the Nation's small and
rural communities that it serves--to only three days per week speaks
much louder than words. Whatever the reasons, reducing frequencies
across the National Network will drop a $2.3 billion-dollar bomb on so-
called ``Flyover Country,'' forcing our Heartland communities to bear a
disproportionate share of the damage that will result.
Defining an Essential Service
It's worth taking time to be explicit about what we mean when we
say Amtrak is an ``essential service'' to the communities it connects.
For many, it's easier to understand why a service like the Northeast
Corridor (NEC) is necessary; without the 2,200 daily trains and 260
million annual trips the NEC carries, the regions this corridor links
would grind to a halt. How can a single daily train to a small town
also be accurately described as ``essential'' to the people it serves?
To understand, you have to look at the dearth of transportation
options faced by rural and small-town Americans. Over 62 million people
live in so-called ``Flyover Country,'' a quarter of whom are veterans,
another quarter are senior citizens over the age 65. Intercity rail
plays an outsized role in these communities, with almost one-fifth of
Amtrak's passengers traveling to or from a rural station with no access
to air service.
Think of what this implies for just a single use-case. Long-
distance trains, frequently used by senior citizens and passengers with
mobility impairments, provide access to healthcare facilities that
would otherwise be too expensive or difficult to reach. In an August
letter to the U.S. Senate advocating for daily service, the Station
Host Association of California, an independent volunteer organization
operated in cooperation with Amtrak, shared its frontline experiences
helping passengers navigate our rail system:
``Particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, long distance
trains provide accessible bedrooms ensuring privacy and
cleanliness for any passengers who may need to travel within or
out of state, and for whom the more public setting of an
airplane creates a health risk. The private rooms on the
overnight trains provide an additional level of safety to
travel during a pandemic while minimizing exposure to the
virus. However, if the tri-weekly service intervals do not
match the passengers' needs, then the entire benefit is moot.''
So while travel demand is down broadly, coronavirus has actually
made these passenger rail services more necessary for certain segments
of the population.
These are just a few of the many reasons Amtrak's long-distance
routes have proved to be the most resilient business line in the face
of the pandemic. Amtrak's own ridership numbers back this up. Since the
crisis began through the end of August, NEC revenues are down 90
percent from the same period last year, compared with a 63 percent
decline for the National Network. Ridership has also flatlined across
the NEC, down 87 percent. By contrast, ridership on the long-distance
routes is down only 67 percent during the COVID Period.
Perhaps one of the more significant statistics is that during the
COVID Period, Amtrak's National Network of long-distance intercity
passenger routes has contributed 46 percent of Amtrak's revenues,
compared with 22 percent a year ago. Moreover, the so-called ``money-
losing long-distance routes'' have contributed the largest single share
of revenues in every month since March.
Make no mistake: these trains are essential to the communities they
serve. Congress didn't let the Federal Highway Administration close
highways four days out of seven when gas tax revenues flatlined, and it
shouldn't stand by and allow Amtrak to introduce 3x service to hundreds
of communities across the U.S.
Airlines Eliminating Service to Amtrak-Served Cities
These cuts will fall especially hard on a subset of Amtrak
communities that saw a simultaneous reduction in rail service and air
service on October 1st. Several major airlines announced in August that
they would drop service to dozens of cities upon the expiration of the
CARES Act. Rail Passengers looked at service reduction announcements
released by 11 air carriers and found that of 67 cities seeing air
services cut, 31 would also see cuts to passenger rail service (see:
Appendix B).
Airlines have been walking away from mid-sized markets for decades,
and it is clear that this trend will only accelerate in the wake of
COVID-19 as passengers shy away from a mode of travel they fear is
unsafe. An August survey of consumer sentiment conducted by Boston
Consulting Group found that 60 percent of U.S. consumers worry about
being infected from flying, and 70 percent of respondents expect travel
spending will not return to normal for more than a year. This will
further erode the business model for midsized airports, leaving more
and more Americans disconnected from job opportunities, educational
institutions, and critical health services.
Rail Passengers firmly believes that running daily trains could put
Amtrak in a position to expand its market share in this environment.
Amtrak offers a unique product: a socially distant way to move around
the country. Our government should be increasing access to rail
service, not diminishing it.
Quantifying the Economic Benefits of Daily Service
Too often the public conversation about Amtrak falls into the
framing that Amtrak is supposed to behave like a private company,
seeking profit. Amtrak is not required to make a profit, not in law nor
in fact. The pursuit of profit leads to inevitable, and misguided,
conversations about eliminating ``unprofitable long-distance routes.''
It is abundantly clear that Amtrak trains make money. The question
is not about if trains make money, it's about who trains make money
for. Rail corridors generate value by acting as economic engines in the
communities they serve--through jobs, retail, mobility, tourism and
real-estate development. The ``profit'' does not go to Amtrak, but to
the communities served, often to the tune of billions of dollars. Taken
as a whole, Amtrak's Northeast Corridor, state-supported services and
long-distance National Network together create, our Association
estimates, between $7 billion and $8 billion in value for the U.S.
economy without even counting the $2 billion of direct spending in
which Amtrak engages.
We decided it's not enough to say it, we've got to put our money
where our mouth is. That's why I invested our association's resources
in 2018 to co-develop a rigorous economic model with the University of
Southern Mississippi's Trent Lott Center. We've used that model to
quantify the economic return on passenger rail corridors in a way that
hasn't been done previously.
Our Association modeled a preliminary, high-level analysis of the
economic consequences of Amtrak's decision to cut its daily intercity
passenger services back to only three runs per week.
Unfortunately, even the most conservative assessment is dire: to
save $213 million, Amtrak's nine months of daily service cuts could
drop at least a $2.3 billion bomb on Flyover Country, a figure that
could rise above $3 billion if the cuts remain in place for the full
year.
This is tied directly to passenger-rail's role as an economic
engine in the communities it serves. The existence of Amtrak buoys the
economies of hundreds of towns and cities all across America. Degrading
that service means withdrawing those benefits from millions of
Americans, even those who don't necessarily ride the trains themselves,
because in many cases lives and livelihoods depend on the routes'
operation.
We examined six National Network services--the City of New Orleans,
the Empire Builder, the combined Silver services, the Southwest Chief,
the Texas Eagle and the Crescent. Together, these six intercity
passenger rail routes serve 30 states plus the District of Columbia,
and Rail Passengers estimates that they produce $2.4 billion every year
in economic benefit. In fact, Amtrak's existing group of daily long-
distance trains (excluding the Auto Train) collectively produce nearly
$5 billion in economic benefits which are widely distributed throughout
America's heartland.
These benefits take many forms, which our model attempts to
capture. Whether traveling for vacation, personal reasons or business,
visitors spend money at their destinations, paying for hotels or other
lodging, patronizing restaurants, shopping or buying local items. By
doing this they support the hotel workers, the restaurant waiters and
cooks, retail and entertainment outlets, and they generate sales tax
revenues for the communities they visit. The local workers also
contribute to the local tax base, further spreading the economic
benefit. Meanwhile, because those visitors have left their cars behind,
they're not imposing wear and tear on highways and roads, and they're
avoiding the risk and cost of injuries or even death from car crashes.
Cutting service reduces these benefits. Rail Passengers' model
estimates that Amtrak's plans would slash the $2.4 billion produced by
the six services we examined down to just a little more than $800
million--a more than $1 billion hit on just those routes alone during
the proposed nine-month period of reduced service, or $1.5 billion on
an annualized basis. Systemwide on an annualized basis, Heartland
communities served by long-distance trains could absorb a $3.1 billion
body-blow. This after already reeling from the effects of a deep
economic recession.
Some of the poorer states will be among those hit hardest. In the
case of the Silver services, Amtrak decided to degrade service months
ahead of the October 1st plan outlined for the rest of the system,
leaving some of the South's poorest communities to absorb an even
harsher punishment than the rest of the country. Combining the Silver
Star and Silver Meteor into a single route and then cutting back daily
service means many Star-served stations have already seen a 50 percent
reduction in service--communities like Southern Pines and Hamlet, N.C.,
or Camden, Columbia and Denmark in South Carolina. Those stations
account for 13 percent of the Star's ridership. The Census Bureau
reports that more than two-thirds of Southern Pines' population is non-
white, and some 14 percent of the town's residents are estimated to
live below the poverty line. So, too, Denmark, SC, is majority non-
white, and 15 percent of residents are below the poverty line.
But make no mistake. The damage is not confined to a handful of
towns or just one region of the country. Amtrak's National Network
touches nearly every corner of our country, and the economic pain will
be felt in 30 states and the District of Columbia. Communities in eight
states served by the popular Empire Builder route from Illinois to
Washington State (with a portion of the train split to Oregon) will
absorb a $391 million annualized economic loss. The seven states
traversed by the Texas Eagle will lose $318 million, and states from
New York to Florida and in between will feel the hit twice, from losses
of service on the Crescent ($153 million) and the Silver services ($251
million).
The annual losses for states will be steep. Mississippi, for
example, can expect to suffer a $24.2 million economic blow driven by
the loss of nearly 81,000 riders. Washington state's losses could top
$100 million. Louisiana could see $27.7 million in losses, Colorado
nearly $73 million. Illinois, the hub of Amtrak's long-distance
operation, could see losses of more than $403 million. We have included
a state-by-state breakdown of the estimated impacts in Appendix C of
this statement.
The problem will be exacerbated by missed connections. The
devilishly tricky math of ensuring that one set of trains that only
runs three days a week can connect reasonably to another set of trains
also running three days a week guarantees that many thousands of
journeys simply won't be taken. This is because a passenger planning on
a connection would have to work backwards from her planned arrival date
while taking into account not only that her original train is running
only three out of seven days, but that so, too, is her connecting
train. And in many instances, those trains will not mesh.
Some $39 million of connecting revenue flows through Amtrak's
Chicago Union Station alone, and the 3x schedule disrupts all of these
connection patterns.
The California Zephyr and the Texas Eagle are particularly hurt.
For example, travelers taking the Eagle to Chicago hoping to connect
for a further eastbound trip on the Capitol Limited or the Lake Shore
Limited can only make a same-day connection on Mondays and Saturdays.
Going westbound it's even worse--with the exception of a single
connection from the Cardinal on Tuesdays, not a single Amtrak long-
distance train will offer a same-day connection in Chicago to the
westbound Eagle. All passengers will have to assume a hotel stay in
Chicago, perhaps even a multi-day stay. That will be enough to lead
most passengers to forego the trip. Eagle connections from other routes
accounted for nearly 12 percent of connecting travel through Chicago in
Fiscal 2019, and this plan would largely eliminate those connections.
On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays, westbound
passengers hoping to connect to the California Zephyr would be out of
luck. The Cardinal will only have a same-day Zephyr connection on one
day each week, Saturdays, and passengers from the Capitol, Lake Shore
and City of New Orleans will only get a same-day connection on
Saturdays and Mondays.
If this seems complicated in written testimony, think of how
complicated it will be for the average passenger trying to work out the
best departure day to take a journey connecting to another train. The
utility of a schedule like this to the traveling public quickly
approaches zero for all but the most leisurely of trips. And as we
know, despite a popular narrative, pure leisure trips are not the
majority of trips on Amtrak.
The drastically reduced utility of a nationwide network of trains
operating only three days a week on schedules that make connections
difficult or impossible helps to explain why ridership will plummet
even more than many observers would expect, driving catastrophic
economic losses to the communities served. The estimated loss of as
much as $3.1 billion to the U.S. economy dwarfs the $150 million in
savings from 3x service Amtrak has identified.
(Rail Passengers would like to acknowledge our volunteer members
and our partners at Transportation 4 America, who participated in the
preliminary research we needed for this rapid-response study and helped
to gather and collate the state-level tourism data we needed for our
modeling exercise.)
A Better Route Forward
Even if we are to analyze 3x service proposal narrowly, we still
can't support it as an operating plan based on its merits. The U.S. has
been down this path before, and it didn't work.
In the mid-1990s, Mercer Consulting advised Amtrak leaders to
eliminate several long-distance routes, shorten others, and take 11
routes down from daily to three and four times per week. In Fiscal Year
1995, the first year of diminished operations, Amtrak's network saw a
decrease of 13 percent in total route miles and saved $54 million.
However, the General Accounting Office (the government watchdog now
known as the Government Accountability Office) reported to Congress
that the very next year Amtrak lost 1.1 million riders--a 5 percent
drop in ridership--and never saw the savings they had projected for the
11 routes with less-than-daily service. A functioning passenger
transportation service requires reliable and frequent connections. And
there is nothing to suggest that the buying and traveling habits of
today's riders are much different from those in 1994.
One of our members, former BNSF Railroad train dispatcher Mark
Meyers, performed an analysis of 3x on the present-day network. He
found that three-times weekly service--a 57 percent cut in overall
service--only cuts the number of on-board crew starts by 38 percent and
engineer-crew starts by 36 percent, while producing large compensable
layovers for some of the affected crews. Equipment use is only cut 40
percent. Staffing at stations would be cut only minimally because even
3x weekly trains arrive over the course of more than five days, which
would require a second station staff position to continue to be filled.
Lost revenue and missed connections will drive lower ridership and
revenue while crew layovers will grow.
Amtrak has acknowledged this fact in the construction of its 3x
schedule, with railroad management explaining that the decision to run
the Star/Meteor on successive days ``was made to allow for more
efficient use of operating crews while assuring availability of crew
resources for all journey segments. . .While from a marketing
standpoint alternating days may have had some utility for some
customers, our overall demand patterns by day of week do not differ
materially and do not justify the operational risk.''
We've already seen the negative effect this has on ridership.
Before the 3x change, the Silvers were holding their own in the Age of
COVID, both in revenue and ridership. In fact, when ranked by the
degree to which monthly ridership fell compared with prior years, the
Silvers were in the top half of the table. As ridership began to
recover from the April troughs, some routes recovered more than others,
and their declines versus the same month in 2019 were smaller.
Using that yardstick, for the month of June, out of 14 National
Network services the Star was in third place, behind only the Auto
Train and the Texas Eagle. The Star actually edged out the very popular
Empire Builder, and the Meteor wasn't far behind in sixth place. In
other words, when compared with the same period a year earlier, the
Silvers' ridership declines were better than those experienced on the
Lake Shore, the Sunset, the Coast Starlight, the Crescent, the Zephyr,
the Palmetto, the Chief, the City of New Orleans and the Cardinal.
By the end of August, when the Silvers had spent two months
operating on an inconvenient 3x schedule, the Star and the Meteor
quickly fell to dead last, losing a greater percentage of year over
year ridership than any other National Network route.
We understand that Amtrak leadership sincerely believes that this
is the only choice available to the railroad. But the facts we've just
outlined demonstrate that this choice is bad public policy for the
country. Amtrak will throw away a little more than half the daily
frequencies but will lose two-thirds of the ridership and save only 38
percent of the crew costs, squeezing out at most $213 million of
savings while hurting the taxpayers in 30 states to the tune of as much
as $3 billion.
The decision will also hobble the railroad's ability to restore
service even if it believes the time is right to do so. Requalifying
crews, restoring deteriorated rolling stock and--most challenging--
getting back the operating slots Amtrak walked away from on October 1
all could extend the economic damage from lost service by many billions
of dollars.
Rail Passengers instead proposed an alternative: run daily long-
distance trains with shorter equipment consists for the duration of the
pandemic. This has been the compromise in place since the crisis began
in March, and until this month it had served Amtrak well. As we've
noted above, operating every day with shorter consists the 12 daily
intercity passenger trains Amtrak plans to cut back have contributed
the largest single share of Amtrak's revenues in every month this year
since the pandemic began. Slashing daily frequencies to three times per
week would only ensure that the long-distance trains would sink to
levels similar to those being seen in Amtrak's other business lines. By
contrast, running shorter consists but maintaining daily frequencies
would preserve connections and jobs and allow Amtrak's National Network
ridership to return to previous levels organically, all while still
lowering some operating costs.
Conclusion
Amtrak is a taxpayer-supported public service. Its object is not
profit, but to serve the Nation. It cannot fulfill its mandate by
cutting service for half the country during one of the most severe
economic crises our Nation has experienced and during a pandemic that
has made air travel a perilous gamble for millions of Americans. Our
Association, our 28,000 members and the millions of American passengers
call upon Congress to provide Amtrak with the necessary financial
relief to operate a full network in this pandemic, and to include
safeguards for all Amtrak-served communities and Amtrak's workers
facing cutbacks and furloughs.
Appendix A--Economic Analysis of Long-Distance Route Service Cuts
______
Appendix B--Announced Airline Service Cuts to Cities
Cities highlighted in yellow are projected to see cuts to both air
service and Amtrak service (long-distance and/or State-supported
trains) on October 1st following the expiration of CARES Act service
protections.
______
Appendix C: State-by-State Economic Impacts from Three-Times Weekly
Service Cuts
Senator Moran. And finally, Mr. Chairman, I would indicate
to Mr. Flynn, part of the--I appreciate what he had to say
today. Part of the skepticism that occurs, at least with me and
maybe my colleagues, is that at least previous CEOs of Amtrak
were less committed to long distance passenger service.
That is not that long ago, and so when the 3-day arrives,
it raises concerns that this is another circumstance in which
we are just being played, that this is the continued effort to
eliminate or significantly diminish the service. Part of that
comes from the Southwest Chief and the desire by one of your
predecessors, at least the suggestion, that we replace a
significant number of train miles with bus service. It just
sends signals that there is not a commitment at Amtrak. I don't
have that feeling with you, and I appreciate that.
Mr. Flynn. Thank you, Senator. And I will just state and I
touched on it earlier, but our Board of Directors has also
asked me to convey very clearly to this committee their
commitment as well.
Senator Moran. They have conveyed that to me as well. Thank
you.
Mr. Flynn. And their direction to me. Thank you.
The Chairman. Thank you, Senator Moran. We have intruded on
Senator Udall's time to a great extent. But let me see if I can
nail down one thing that--to follow up on Senator Moran's
question about capital improvements. To what--can you can you
just briefly tell us what the interplay is between your capital
improvement budget and the capital improvement because
actually, you travel on 22,000 miles of rail owned by the
freight companies. So where does their capital improvement
obligation pick up and where does yours leave off and vice
versa?
Mr. Flynn. Well, in part, we are making our contribution
overall to the host railroads as we pay access fees to use
their railroads. But for example, in the Gulf Coast, we
understand that there may need to be additional capital
improvements on the Gulf Coast to ensure that there is not
interference at some level to the freight passenger----
The Chairman. So your capital improvement budget is over
and above your access fees?
Mr. Flynn. We would have to make in the Gulf Coast
contributions to, capital contributions to improve
infrastructure, to provide the service at an 80 percent on time
reliability standard, as well as minimizing interference for
freight rail operations.
The Chairman. And that is the bulk of, and I am speaking
system wide, that is the bulk of the type of capital
improvement budget that you----
Mr. Flynn. No, the bulk of our capital improvements are on
our Northeast Corridor, and our contributions on the Northeast
Corridor for infrastructure capital improvements.
The Chairman. OK, I understand. OK, thank you so much. And
Tom, I am just--somehow I have to make this up to you some day
for making you wait for 5 minutes. But you are recognized, sir.
STATEMENT OF HON. TOM UDALL,
U.S. SENATOR FROM NEW MEXICO
Senator Udall. It is no problem, Mr. Chairman. Always good
to hear you and also to hear Senator Moran talk about capital
improvements on Amtrak and hear Senator Moran's tough questions
of Mr. Flynn and identifying the fact that there is a very
strong bipartisan group who is interested in seeing this
passenger rail continue. So, and I would associate myself with
Senator Moran's comments regarding Amtrak and the possible
threats to its existence. As many of you are aware, the
Southwest Chief is vitally important to many of the Senators on
this dais and to the communities we represent.
I am grateful for the work of my friends on this committee
and others. A bipartisan coalition of Senators proves that we
can work together on issues of common interest to our
constituents. However, rail service in New Mexico and passenger
rail across the country is facing unprecedented challenges due
to COVID-19. This committee must rise to meet that challenge.
Mr. Flynn, thank you for your willingness to work with us on
the Southwest Chief. Amtrak's customers between Dodge City,
Kansas; and Albuquerque, New Mexico, are grateful for Amtrak's
commitment to Congressional mandates on capital improvements to
this line. However, I am concerned about its future, and I want
to underscore what you mentioned in your testimony. Does Amtrak
currently have the capability to maintain service on the
Southwest Chief and other long haul routes across the country?
Mr. Flynn.
Mr. Flynn. We have the capability to maintain the three
times a week service that we are--have just begun operations of
through the month of October. We will need additional funding
to restore the 7-day frequency routes that we have temporarily
adjusted. And that was all part of the capital and supplemental
funding request we have submitted.
Senator Udall. And Mr. Flynn, does--so you, let me be clear
here, you have submitted requests so that you can do capital
improvements on that part of the line, the Southwest Chief
between Kansas and New Mexico?
Mr. Flynn. So we have submitted a total funding request,
supplemental funding over and above our $2 billion that we are
operating under now under our continuing, under the continuing
resolution. That includes a capital work across our network and
would include capital work ongoing on the routes that serves
the Southwest Chief.
Senator Udall. Mr. Flynn, does Amtrak have the resources to
maintain its current staff, or will you be forced to make
additional layoffs in the near future?
Mr. Flynn. So furloughing and laying off management staff
is very difficult for us to do. We have had a force reduction
over the last several months. About slightly over 500 people,
management and union did take a voluntary--participated in our
voluntary separation plan. Another 100 management employees
were laid off over the last several months. And we are in the
process of, unfortunately, furloughing just about 2,000 of our
agreement employees. What we have gone on to say is that
without further capital funding, there is the risk of about
another 2,400 furloughs.
And we have discussed this with labor leadership. That
2,400, slightly north of 700, would be engineering employees
because we would have lack of capital funding to work on
infrastructure and engineering projects. So there won't be
funding for their work. The other 1,600 or so would be people
who would be furloughed, unfortunately, because our states have
advised us that absent funding their portion of the funding
that we have asked for, they would have to curtail State
services by about 65 percent. So, yes, there is about another
2,400 people who could be affected.
Senator Udall. Mr. Flynn, are you aware of legislation in
Congress that will give you the resources you need to maintain
long distance service for the Southwest Chief, rehire the
employees you have laid off to date, and prevent further
layoffs?
Mr. Flynn. Well, certainly in the House we're aware of the
Invest in America Act and also of the House Appropriations Act,
which went over and above and provides additional $5 billion
for longer term infrastructure projects and investment in
Amtrak overall.
But I think beyond that, beyond that, I believe that
Senator Blumenthal has legislation that would establish a trust
fund, passenger rail, Amtrak, passenger rail is perhaps the
only means of surface transportation that does not have the
certainty of a trust fund, does not have the ability to have
well, or at least the certainty of long term funding for these
long term capital projects. And so that would be vitally
important to Amtrak as well.
Senator Udall. Thank you. And just to note, the House
passed HEROES Act included $2.4 billion for passenger rail. So,
I think you are talking about that. That is a significant step.
And I think you have a bipartisan majority on this committee
that want to work with you to get that done. So thank you, Mr.
Chairman. So thank you for your courtesies. I ran a little bit
over here.
Mr. Flynn. Thank you, Senator.
The Chairman. Thank you, Senator Udall. Senator Markey.
STATEMENT OF HON. EDWARD MARKEY,
U.S. SENATOR FROM MASSACHUSETTS
Senator Markey. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, very much. And my
belief is that we absolutely have to pass significant
additional financial help for Amtrak as soon as possible.
Obviously, we are in a crisis. It is not a crisis that is
created by Amtrak. But it is incredibly important that we keep
it sustainable for the duration of this crisis. And it is just
imperative that we construct a package that works for them
right now. So let me turn to the Amtrak ticket change fee
issue. Just before the Amtrak ticket issue was beginning to
percolate, we wound up with the pandemic hitting us.
Just as it was about to begin, Senator Blumenthal and
Senator Warren and I wrote to Amtrak and it was right after
Amtrak introduced new change and cancellation fees for its two
most affordable classes of tickets. We expressed concern that
this decision reflected a disturbing move toward the same kind
of anti-consumer business practices that are all too common in
the airline industry, where unfair fees have historically been
sky high. Although Amtrak, like the airlines, subsequently
waived these fees during the pandemic, I believe that a
temporary waiver is insufficient.
Instead, Amtrak should actually take another, more recent
page from the airline playbook, and I don't say that often, but
by permanently eliminating change fees. I am proud that an
increasing number of airlines, including Delta, United, and
American, are finally listening to my advocacy against these
fees. These airlines have begun to recognize that eliminating
change fees is a pro consumer policy, and that helps both
travelers and businesses. It generates goodwill. It increases
bookings by giving consumers the flexibility they need to feel
confident buying tickets.
So, Mr. Flynn, I ask you now, will you commit to be
permanently eliminating all of Amtrak's change fees?
Mr. Flynn. Thank you, Senator. We certainly did temporarily
suspend the change fee. That is something that we are
considering to make permanent and evaluating. Now, we haven't
reached that decision. I would just offer that. Overall and
more broadly, our terms and conditions and fee structure for
our riders or our customers are much more generous, much more
forgiving than what we have seen in the rail industry. But your
point is taken, and that is something we will evaluate.
Senator Markey. Yes. People don't know when it will be safe
to travel again, so eliminating change fees should increase
your bookings by allowing consumers to buy tickets worry free,
and I would recommend that to you. It is a pro-consumer policy
that even the airlines now recognize as good for business. Now,
the other issue I would like to raise with you is a piece of
legislation which I introduced, which I call the ``BRAIN
TRAIN''. It calls for a massive investment in infrastructure
that can jumpstart our economic well-being in the COVID-19 era.
I believe the passenger rail must be at the center of any such
package. It is an essential ingredient for a healthy economy.
So what I have done is I have introduced legislation with
Congressman Richie Neal from Massachusetts, and it is called
the BRAIN TRAIN Act or the Building Rail Across Intercity
Networks To Ride Around the Interior of the Nation Act, and it
authorizes $5 billion of annual investment and high performance
of city rail projects for a total of $25 billion over 5 years,
and the money will be accessible to cities, to states, to
Amtrak, to public agencies responsible for transportation
across the country. Mr. Flynn, do you agree that we need to
pass legislation like my BRAIN TRAIN Act, like Congressman
Neale's BRAIN TRAIN Act, which will massively expand passenger
rail in America?
Mr. Flynn. Well, thank you for introducing that bill,
Senator Markey. I absolutely believe that we do need
legislation to invest in Amtrak, to invest in the growth of
intercity passenger rail. The industry has the NEC future, the
Northeast Corridor future plan in place, which is indeed
actionable upon a level of funding. And also Senator
Blumenthal's bill that would establish a trust fund combined
with the other, the Invest in America Act, for example. So
there are a number of legislative, a number of bills out there.
I think all point to one end, which is the need to invest in
Amtrak and grow intercity passenger rail on a significant scale
in our country. And so we thank you for your leadership on
that.
Senator Markey. I thank you. And again, I do believe that
it has to be part of any big infrastructure bill that we put
together. And I look forward to working with you and with you,
Mr. Chairman. Thank you.
The Chairman. Thank you, Senator Markey.
Senator Blumenthal.
STATEMENT OF HON. RICHARD BLUMENTHAL,
U.S. SENATOR FROM CONNECTICUT
Senator Blumenthal. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Flynn,
welcome to the Committee. Thank you for mentioning just now the
Intercity Passenger Rail Trust Fund Act, which my colleague,
Senator Udall, and I have championed, S. 4187, which would
establish a trust fund, as you observed, and provide
approximately $5.4 billion to that fund annually in grants for
repairs, trip time, optimizing investments, improving service,
modernizing the fleet and other needs that are so dire across
Amtrak's network. And I welcome you before the Committee for
your committed advocacy to the cause of Amtrak, your background
in transportation, your family's service in railroading, and
hope that we can work together toward that kind of massive
investment in our infrastructure that has to be done regardless
of the outcome of this election by the next Administration.
I want to ask more specifically about some of the key
aspects of the Gateway program. I am very concerned about
replacements of the Connecticut River and Shaw's Cove Bridges.
I have serious concerns that without additional Federal
support, Amtrak's capital program to the NEC is in jeopardy. As
you know, Amtrak and the NEC states have been working for years
to reserve funding to address the significant backlog of
projects along this rail Corridor. It is the busiest in North
America. And I would like to know from you what the outlook is
for the Gateway program and what is the current status of the
Connecticut River and Shaw's Cove Bridge replacement.
Mr. Flynn. Thank you, Senator. Well, I am not only from a
real family, but I am from Bridgeport, Connecticut, and my
father worked on the New Haven Railroad and I did too, on
summer jobs up in New England. And, in fact, was in Connecticut
last week. Had the opportunity to meet with Commissioner
Gelati. And I am very familiar with the rail routes that we are
talking about. And Gateway is absolutely essential to intercity
rail passenger services going forward. And the replacement of
the bridges in Connecticut, the Connecticut River Bridge, the
Shaws Bridge, the Walk Bridge in Norwalk as well, a hundred or
more year old structures are vital, but there is certainly a
potential for delay in moving forward with these long needed
projects, you know, absent a level of funding to support those
capital investments.
And if we are continuing for some period of time to operate
under that Continuing Resolution, the $2 billion level, for
example, they will be delayed. And I would be happy to work
with your offices and go through kind of a bridge and or
project by point and just give you a better perspective and
more detail.
Senator Blumenthal. I would appreciate that, because as you
know from your personal experience and thank you for mentioning
your Bridgeport roots, those bridges are choke points for the
entire Corridor. When the Walk Bridge or any of those bridges
is out of commission, rail traffic is disrupted throughout the
Corridor, up and down the whole system.
So it affects not only people who are traveling through
Connecticut, but really everyone who wants to use that busiest
in the Nation rail Corridor. So I think there has to be a
priority here. I think that the commitment has to be complete,
and I would appreciate your focusing on it and giving me the
benefit of your additional views and facts, because I think we
have a common cause here, not just because we share combined
roots in Connecticut, but also because I believe strongly that
there is a national interest in those potential choke points in
those bridges and those areas of concern. So I appreciate your
offer and I will take you up on it. Thank you.
Mr. Flynn. To your point, Senator, about 55 million people
live on that Corridor between Washington and Boston. And it
certainly goes straight through Connecticut. And as we think
about the future of railroading, there are 28, 29 Corridors
like the Washington, Boston, across our country. Many of them
exist on our long distance routes, city pairs on our long
distance routes. And that is indeed points of the future where
Amtrak growth can lie, how we can expand and better serve our
country going forward, presumably have the investment. Thank
you, sir.
Senator Blumenthal. Thank you, Mr. Flynn.
Senator Cantwell [presiding]. Thank you. Senator Duckworth.
STATEMENT OF HON. TAMMY DUCKWORTH,
U.S. SENATOR FROM ILLINOIS
Senator Duckworth. Thank you, madam, Ranking Member and Mr.
Chairman, also thank you for having this very important
meeting. Mr. Flynn, due to the pandemic, I think this is our
first high office encounter, so welcome. We have heard talk
about this a little bit in this hearing today but I just want
to emphasize the tremendous distress that the COVID-19 pandemic
continues to cause for every sector of our economy, including
Amtrak, its workforce and every other mode of transportation.
You know, Amtrak enjoyed record ridership in 2019. In fact, it
was on track for another stellar year in 2020 before the
pandemic broke. And as Amtrak closed its first ever annual
reporting profit, the pandemic cost 97 percent of its ridership
to evaporate in a matter of weeks. And unfortunately, Amtrak is
not alone in this.
Transit agencies like the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra
and Pace also experienced similar drops in ridership and
revenues. Airports, airlines, motorcoach industry, State and
local highway departments, freight rail. Some are hurting more
than others, but no one has been spared the devastating impact
of COVID-19. Mr. Flynn, Amtrak has acknowledged that it is
likely to furlough roughly 2,000 employees and you were talking
about that already today due to the lost revenues during the
pandemic and inaction by Congress to provide workforce
stabilization relief. Is the 2,000 employee number correct?
Mr. Flynn. Yes, Senator, that is correct.
Senator Duckworth. Thank you. And 6 months ago, the House
passed the HEROES Act that included $4.8 billion to assist
Amtrak and its workforce. Three weeks ago, the House tried
again by passing an updated HEROES Act that included roughly $3
billion for operating assistance and State supported routes. Is
that correct?
Mr. Flynn. Yes, Senator. I am certainly aware of the
funding in the HEROES Act II.
Senator Duckworth. OK. Thank you. So if either one of these
bills became law, would they allow Amtrak to prevent service
cuts and avoid furloughing the 2,000 employees?
Mr. Flynn. Yes, Senator. We have unfortunately begun the
furloughing. It is a difficult decision that is underway and we
have implemented the service frequency reductions, but funding
at that level would allow us to recall furloughed employees and
restore the services.
Senator Duckworth. Thank you. So let's compare that with
the Senate Republicans' skinny proposals, the first of which we
considered in September and the second of which we have been
considering this week. Mr. Flynn, how much funding was included
to protect Amtrak's workforce of operations in the Republicans'
skinny proposal?
Mr. Flynn. There wasn't any funding.
Senator Duckworth. Thank you. Just to be clear, is it
accurate to say that if either of the Republicans' skinny bills
were to become law as drafted, Amtrak would still be forced to
furlough employees and reduce services?
Mr. Flynn. That is correct, Senator.
Senator Duckworth. Thank you. Do you happen to know how
much these skinny proposals included to protect other critical
transportation workers like pilots, flight attendants,
mechanics, bus drivers and transit operators?
Mr. Flynn. I am not intimately familiar with the bills, but
I am not aware of any other transportation funding.
Senator Duckworth. Thank you. I think you are correct. The
answer is zero. It is unfortunate that Leader McConnell and his
Republican colleagues continue to play games with the
livelihoods of so many workers and their families. And I am
hopeful that they will reconsider their extreme position and
begin negotiating in good faith with Speaker Pelosi and
Secretary Mnuchin. Mr. Flynn, in the time that I have left, I
want to talk a little bit about Amtrak's commitment to
disability and accessibility for their passengers.
As this is our first time meeting, I am hoping you will
reaffirm previous commitments made by Amtrak on a number of
critical disability and accessibility issues. As you may know,
Mr. Anderson committed to establishing a position on his senior
executive team that would report directly to the CEO and focus
on systemwide accessibility enhancements. Who is that person on
your team?
Mr. Flynn. That person is Ms. L.D. Atchison. She reports
directly to me. And just to your to your point, Richard and I
had a long discussion as we were transitioning the roles here
about his meeting with you and his commitments to our ADA
obligations overall. So I believe I am very aware of them. And
in addition to Ms. Atchison, a gentleman, Mr. David Handera
specifically focused on our station and platform enhancements
and our commitments and obligations under ADA as well.
Senator Duckworth. Thank you, I am very pleased to hear
that. And thank you for maintaining that commitment and I hope
that you will institute new accessibility policies that go
above and beyond the absolute minimum Federal requirements. And
that will help establish Amtrak as a premier transportation
option for all travelers. Thank you for being here today. I
yield back.
Mr. Flynn. I look forward to meeting with you, Senator, and
I can discuss our enhanced policies in more detail.
Senator Duckworth. Thank you.
Senator Cantwell. Thank you, Senator. Senator Rosen.
STATEMENT OF HON. JACKY ROSEN,
U.S. SENATOR FROM NEVADA
Senator Rosen. Thank you, Ranking Member Cantwell, I want
to thank the Chairman and of course, the witnesses for being
here today. I want to talk a little bit about Northern Nevada.
Northern Nevada's vibrant rural communities rely on Amtrak's
California Zephyr line, which is a long distance route that
travels through Reno, Winnemucca, and Elko. For many
hardworking Nevadans, Amtrak passenger rail is the only
affordable, accessible means of transportation to get from
rural parts of our state to the Reno's metro areas where many
of our Northern Nevadans jobs are, where hospitals and medical
services are located, and it is really important that they get
there.
Before the pandemic, an average of 84,000 Nevadans annually
rode the long distance passenger rail through the state, using
it to get to a VA Sierra Nevada health care system. So on June
24, 2020, I sent you a letter along with Senators Cortez Masto,
Tester and Manchin that expressed concerns with Amtrak's
proposal to significantly reduce long distance service because
of the devastating impact it would have on rural communities
including, of course, those in Nevada. Not only would Nevadans
lose reliable transportation during an unreliable time, but
thousands of jobs could disappear.
Unemployment in Nevada is at an all-time high, over 30
percent in April. Still close to 13 percent today, the highest
in the Nation. And now is not the time to economically isolate
our state's rural communities. So despite our concerns, at the
beginning of this month, Amtrak announced a long distance
California Zephyr line will only run three days a week, down
from the seven days per week. In fact, 12 of the 15 long
distance passenger lines across the country will only run three
days a week.
So, Mr. Flynn, I really can appreciate the financial
difficulties that Amtrak faces during the pandemic, but if
Congress is going to support Amtrak by providing funding at
historic levels, I want to make sure that you have a path
forward that ensures passenger rail service for places like
Winnemacca, Elko, and Reno. And so, I know Senator Tester asked
earlier about data you are going to use to restart those lines
going back.
But I want to know one, what data did you use to support
your decision to reduce the long distance service to three
days? And number two, can you commit to prioritizing rural
service working, and working to ensure that the long distance
service is restored as soon as possible in Nevada?
Mr. Flynn. Thank you, Senator. So we used the variety of
data and financial analysis regarding the long distance
service. And essentially we started with simply ridership. The
ridership level, the decline in ridership across our network,
across all of our services was dramatic and was certainly
dramatic in our long distance services as well. From a
financial perspective, the ridership level has deteriorated
such that the revenues that we receive through fares from our
passengers does not even cover what we would call above rail
costs, did not cover the cost of fuel, did not cover the cost
of crew, did not cover the cost of other services.
And so a substantial degradation in financial performance.
And that largely informed our decision, given the absence of
funding that we had no certainty on beyond the CARES Act and
the level of funding that we have communicated to the various
committees and to the staff that Amtrak's going to need to
restore 7 days service and to recall furloughed employees as
part of that restoration and furloughed employees in other
areas of our network.
But I hope I am clear that it is indeed our intention to
restore long distance service, when financially possible, to
its 7 day week operation. I mentioned that we, in furloughing,
we have provided extended health care to our furloughed
employees. We did that in part to--all the concerns one would
have while being furloughed, we did not want our employees to
have the concerns about health care.
We wanted them to be interested in coming back to Amtrak
when we were able to recall them. And we hope that, for
example, health care, the continuation of no cost health care
would be part of, would be part of that decisionmaking process
on their part.
Senator Rosen. Thank you. I want to follow just quickly on
Senator Duckworth saying, if we were to fund our colleagues
would take up funding for transportation and Amtrak, you would
not have to furloughed employees. You could possibly restore
these important services to our rural, frontier communities
across this Nation that would help connect them to the vital
services they so desperately need during this pandemic. Is that
correct?
Mr. Flynn. Yes, Senator, I have tried to be clear on that
throughout the hearing today. But, yes.
Senator Rosen. Thank you. I appreciate it. I yield back my
time.
Mr. Flynn. Thank you.
Senator Cantwell. Thank you. I don't know--do we have any
other members for this panel? OK. So if not, I want to thank
both Mr. Flynn and Mr. Tuss for testifying. That concludes the
first panel. And again, obviously appreciate you following up
with any members on the questions from today. I know some
members asked you for further information, but look forward to
working with you and obviously getting support for this sector
of transportation. So thank you very much.
Mr. Flynn. Thank you, Senator.
Senator Cantwell. We are next going to go to the second
panel with Mr. Frank Chirumbole, Randy Gordon, Kent Fountain,
Ian Jefferies, and Dennis Pierce. And I guess we are going to
start with you, Mr. Frank Chirumbole. Hopefully I am saying
that correctly. Oh, some of these witnesses are here.
So, yes, please, if you are in the room, please step up.
Otherwise, we will call on people remotely. So it looks like
Mr. Chirumbole, you are being--a remote testimony. Is that
correct?
Mr. Chirumbole. Here we go. Thank you very much. Thank you,
Senator.
Senator Cantwell. Thank you.
STATEMENT OF FRANK CHIRUMBOLE, VICE PRESIDENT,
GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN, OLIN CORPORATION
ON BEHALF OF AMERICAN CHEMISTRY COUNCIL
Mr. Chirumbole. Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee,
my name is Frank Chirumbole. I am the Vice President of Global
Supply Chain for Olin Corporation and I am also appearing here
today on behalf of the American Chemistry Council, a trade
association representing America's leading chemical company.
Olin and the ACC thank the Committee for holding this important
hearing and for the invitation to appear today. Olin is the
world's largest Chlor-alkali manufacturer, producing chlorine,
bleach, and other derivatives used in thousands of
applications, including water treatment, surface disinfection,
pharmaceuticals and many others. Olin ships more than 47,000
railcars annually from its various North American manufacturing
locations.
Each facility is captive to a single rail carrier, giving
railroads substantial market power over our service. I am going
to speak briefly on three topics. Rail service, Olin's concerns
related to current surface transportation board procedures, and
our support for continued forward progress on reforms at the
STB. First on service, the railroads and shippers have faced
unprecedented challenges during the COVID pandemic. Olin is
pleased that private and public stakeholders have generally
worked cooperatively to balance public safety while ensuring
continued production and delivery of essential products.
Specifically, Olin has found the railroads to be very
collaborative and responsive in maintaining rail service during
this challenging period. As the country moves to reopen, it is
critical that this cooperation continues. Olin supports
continued close oversight to ensure that the railroads common
carrier obligation to serve the public is fully protected.
Second, the need for meaningful protections for captive
shippers against unreasonable railroad practices and rates is
fundamental and paramount. Olin, like 70 percent of ACC member
companies, is a captive real shipper, meaning it has no
effective market competition for its railroad service. While
Congress has mandated that rates for captive shippers be
reasonable, that directive has been unrealized for carload
shippers, such as Olin, who do not move their commodities in
unit trains. In fact, in the forty years since the Staggers
Act, no carload shipper has succeeded in a major rate challenge
against the railroads. Again, that is zero for 40 years.
Olin has first-hand experience with this process through a
multi-million dollar, multiyear stand alone cost rate case
known as SAC, which STB narrowly decided against Olin in 2014.
In that decision, however, all three Board members expressed
significant concern about the substantial scope, complexity and
difficulty of cases, the extreme burdens placed on shippers in
such cases, and that alternate rate relief remedies need to be
implemented. Third, what needs to be done. Olin has long
supported efforts to develop simple, practical, and effective
constraints on unreasonable railroad pricing.
We currently experience instances of chlorine car rates of
over $30,000 and revenue to variable cost ratios of 1,000
percent. That is not reasonable. In September 2019, STB
initiated a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to bring about a new
streamlined final offer rate review test to help provide
effective regulatory protections for captive shippers. This
streamlined process calls for a decision within 135 days. The
final offered procedure follows the recommendations of the
USDA, the Transportation Research Board, and the STB's Rate
Reform Task Force. Olin supports the Board's proposed final
offer rate review rules.
These new rules are one of the most important reforms the
STB can make in the near term for resolving rate disputes and
to help create a more level playing field for negotiations with
the railroads. Olin firmly believes that this proposed rate
review procedure and other modest regulatory changes would
benefit the long-term health of the rail industry, as well as
rail reliant U.S. manufacturer. Finally, Olin supports a full
complement of Board members and a fully funded agency. Thank
you again for the opportunity to appear before the Committee
today.
[The prepared statement of Mr. Chirumbole follows:]
Prepared Statement of Frank Chirumbole, Vice President,
Global Supply Chain, Olin Corporation
Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee, my name is Frank
Chirumbole. I am the Vice President, Global Supply Chain for Olin
Corporation (``Olin''). I am also appearing here today on behalf of the
American Chemistry Council (``ACC''). I appreciate the invitation to
appear and the opportunity to participate in this hearing to discuss
the status of the railroad industry and railroad service.
Identity and Interest
Headquartered in Clayton, Missouri, Olin is a publicly traded
company listed on the New York Stock Exchange with 8,200 employees at
70 locations worldwide. Olin has three business segments: Winchester
Ammunition, a leader in small caliber ammunition production and a
supplier to U.S. law enforcement and military; Epoxy, a leading
producer of epoxy and industry-leading epoxy technology; and Chlor
Alkali Products & Vinyls, a leading producer of bulk chlorine, caustic
soda, bleach, and other chemicals in North America. Olin was the first
commercial supplier of chlorine in the United States and has been
involved in the chlor alkali industry for over a century. Chlorine is
an essential chemical building block for numerous materials and
products used by the public, beyond the well-known uses in water
treatment. Olin is the Nation's largest manufacturer of bleach, and our
products are also used in the manufacturing process for both
pharmaceuticals and an array of medical supplies. Olin currently ships
over 47,000 rail cars annually from its various North American
manufacturing locations, each of which is captive to a single railroad.
Because of Olin's dependency on railroad service, rail transportation
is one of the single largest costs of its production and distribution
process, and the need for efficient, cost-effective service is
essential for Olin.
Olin is a member of the ACC. ACC is an industry association that
represents America's leading chemical companies. Its members produce
and manufacture a wide variety of chemicals, polymers, and related
products that make our lives and our world healthier, safer, more
sustainable, and more productive. ACC members depend on the Nation's
railroads for the safe, efficient, and secure transportation of their
products, and they also depend on the availability of reasonable rates
to move those products.
A. Railroad Service During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Olin recognizes that during this national emergency period, the
railroads have sought to work cooperatively with their customers to
manage the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and to ensure that that
critical chemical products, including chlorine, are timely shipped,
while protecting the safety of the railroad workforce.
The railroads and shippers have faced unprecedented challenges, but
still have been able to protect their service due to stakeholder
cooperation and the assistance of Federal and state authorities. For
example, the Department of Homeland Security issued guidance in March
2020 that transportation and the chemical and industrial supply chains,
including chlorine and alkali manufacturing, are deemed essential
critical infrastructure services and functions. The Federal Railroad
Administration (``FRA'') issued emergency relief from limited
compliance rules where necessary to ensure continued service and the
delivery of vital commodities essential to the health, safety, and
security of the Nation.
Since the onset of COVID-19, the Surface Transportation Board
(``STB'' or ``Board'') and the FRA have maintained communication with
the railroads and engaged in efforts to ensure continuity of service.
State and local officials have cooperated and generally worked to
ensure that critical railroad and shipper workers be allowed to have
access to their workplaces, including locomotives/trains, while
maintaining appropriate safety protections. This Committee has sent
letters to the surface transportation sector soliciting insights and
experiences in responding to and learning from COVID-19, and it held a
hearing in June 2020 to examine the impacts and responses to the
pandemic, and how stakeholders have continued to provide critical
services during this period.
These collective efforts have greatly assisted Olin in maintaining
rail system fluidity during this challenging period. While certainly
service has not been perfect, Olin is grateful that private and public
stakeholders have generally worked cooperatively in good faith to
balance public safety, while ensuring continued production and delivery
of essential products.
As the country moves to reopen in a phased approach, it is critical
that this cooperation continue. This includes continued regulatory
oversight to ensure that the railroads' common carrier obligation to
serve the public is fully protected. In this respect, Olin is aware
that the STB and FRA have been in communications with the Class I
railroads in recent weeks over service disruptions. As referenced, Olin
has faced periodic service challenges with its railroad partners, and
many stakeholders have expressed concerns about service problems
arising as a result of the railroads adoption of major operational
changes and cost-cutting to implement Precision Scheduled Railroading.
We must ensure that the U.S. freight rail network is safe, reliable,
and resilient. Communications and transparency are critical to resolve
service issues as they arise and prevent more widespread issues. Olin
supports continued close oversight and pledges to work with all
stakeholders, private and public, to help ensure railroad service
reliability.
B. The Need for Meaningful Competitive Protections for Captive Shippers
The need for meaningful protections for captive shippers against
unreasonable railroad practices and rates is fundamental and paramount.
The Interstate Commerce Commission Termination Act of 1995 created the
STB and tasked it with carrying out the national rail transportation
policy ``to maintain reasonable rates where there is an absence of
effective competition.'' 49 U.S.C. Sec. 10101(6). That obligation is
not discretionary. Absent effective competition, rates on market
dominant rail traffic ``must be reasonable.'' Id.
Sec. Sec. 10701(d)(1), 10702(1).
Olin is a classic captive shipper. Olin's captivity at each of its
chlor alkali production facilities means it has no effective market
competition for its railroad service and must rely on the Board to
fulfill its statutory obligation to establish and maintain meaningful
regulatory rate relief protection.
While Congress has mandated that rates for captive shippers be
reasonable, that directive has been completely unrealized for carload
shippers such as Olin. In the 40 years since the Staggers Rail Act of
1980, no carload shipper has succeeded in a major rate challenge
against a railroad, and only a few have succeeded in ``small'' rate
cases. The reason is fairly obvious. Under the current test, railroads
are able to unilaterally impose rate increases on customers without
providing any justification for the new rates; customers must file a
complaint and spend millions of dollars and several years to challenge
the new rates in an attempt to block the new rates; customers must pay
the railroads rate demands during the pendency of cases; and customers
have all of the burdens of proof to show that the challenged rates are
unreasonable. Olin respectfully submits that this model is not fair and
makes little sense.
The STB's principal ``large'' rate case standard, the stand-alone
cost test (``SAC'') was designed and works only, if at all, for unit-
train shippers, principally coal shippers. While unit train coal
shippers with movements in single origin-to-destination pairs have had
some modest, mixed success using SAC, carload shippers have
unfortunately failed miserably. No carload shipper has succeeded in a
SAC case in the 34 years since SAC was adopted.
Olin has first-hand experience with this process. In the early
2000s, Olin challenged rates for one of its major shipment lanes for
chlorine. SunBelt Chlor Alkali P'ship v. Norfolk S. Ry., Docket No. NOR
42130. In the proceeding, Olin's subsidiary SunBelt Chlor Alkali
Partnership (``SunBelt''), looked to the STB as the last line of
defense against monopoly pricing, and to SAC as the only viable
regulatory remedy available for it to challenge the defendant carrier's
rates.
SunBelt utilized four in-house witnesses and retained 18 expert
witnesses to design and build the hypothetical railroad, model it, and
present testimony. SunBelt submitted over 1,400 pages of hard copy
evidence and substantial gigabytes of electronic evidence, train
modeling, and spreadsheets. The Board's 215-page decision found that NS
had market dominance over the involved traffic, but that the challenged
rates were not unreasonably high until year 2021, and the Board
declined to prescribe rates or order damages and reparations. SunBelt
Chlor Alkali P'ship v. Norfolk S. Ry., Docket No. NOR 42130 (STB served
June 20, 2014).
In a spirited dissent, then Board Member (now Chairman) Begeman
amented about the ``hundreds, if not thousands, of calls [that] are
made at the Board that lead up to its determination of whether a rate
is unreasonable,'' and the subjective approach utilized by the majority
to deny rate relief to SunBelt. Id. at 32. Commissioner Begeman
concluded, ``[n]ow, the Board should ask whether the SAC process can
provide a meaningful gauge of rate reasonableness for carload traffic
shippers. I stand ready to work with my colleagues and Board
stakeholders to improve our rate processes.'' Id. All three Board
Members expressed significant concerns about the substantial scope,
complexity, and difficulty of SAC cases, the extreme burdens placed on
shippers in bringing and succeeding in such cases, and the need for the
Board to evaluate and implement alternative rate reasonableness
standards to ensure shippers have a viable method and meaningful
opportunity to challenging rates.
C. Improvements Brought About by the STB Reauthorization Act of 2015
Olin believes that a central role of Congress in the railroad
regulatory arena is to provide effective oversight of the STB, and in
particular, to ensure that the agency administers the law in an
efficient, open, and evenhanded manner and implements appropriate and
reasonable standards consistent with its statutory directives. Olin
also believes that Congress' duty is to provide transportation policies
that help ensure that free enterprise, commerce, and competition are
allowed to flourish while protecting those consumers who are
``captive'' to a single railroad from economic abuses by the highly
concentrated railroad industry.
However, Olin believes that the STB and its predecessor, the
Interstate Commerce Committee for many years interpreted its regulatory
authority in a manner that emphasized the railroad industry's financial
needs at the expense of allowing competitive forces to operate as
Congress intended when it enacted the Staggers and ICC Termination
Acts. The Agency simply has not done enough over time to ensure that
shippers are protected from the loss of competition resulting from the
wave of mergers and consolidations in the railroad industry.
Congress, through the leadership of this Committee, correctly
recognized and responded to stakeholder concerns about the STB's
administration of its statutory authority over rail rates and rail
practices with the enactment of STB Reauthorization Act (``STB
Reauthorization Act'' or ``Act'') of 2015. A few of its pertinent
provisions are discussed below.
First, stakeholders expressed concerns about delays in the
processing of regulatory proceedings. Congress addressed these concerns
in the Act by, among other things, requiring the STB to provide a
quarterly report to this Committee, and to the House Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure, that ``describes the [STB's]
progress toward addressing the issues in each unfinished regulatory
proceeding.'' Act, Sec. 15(b). Following the enactment of the STB
Reauthorization Act, then Chairman Thune requested that the STB include
in its Sec. 15(b) quarterly pending case reports specific target dates
for future actions, including completion. This reporting, including the
listing of target deadlines, has proved helpful in better informing
stakeholders of case status matters and generally spurring more timely
processing of proceedings before the Board.
Second, many stakeholders expressed concerns that the Board's
methodologies for setting maximum reasonable rates afforded them no
practical means to obtain rate relief. Congress responded in the Act
by, among other things, directing the STB to submit a report to the
House and Senate a report that ``indicates whether current large case
methodologies are sufficient, not unduly complex, and cost effective''
and ``indicates whether alternative methodologies exist, or could be
developed, to streamline, expedite, and address the complexity of large
rate cases.'' Act, Sec. 15(a). Congress also revised the text of the
Act so to read: ``[t]he Board shall maintain 1 or more simplified and
expedited methods for determining the reasonableness of challenged
rates in those cases in which a full [SAC] presentation is too costly,
given the value of the case.'' 49 U.S.C. Sec. 10701(d)(3) (emphasis
added). In addition, section 11 of the STB Reauthorization Act modified
49 U.S.C. Sec. 10704(d) to require that the Board ``maintain procedures
to ensure the expeditious handling of challenges to the reasonableness
of railroad rates.''
In response, in September 2019, in Docket No. EP 755, Final Offer
Rate Review, the STB initiated a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
(``NPRM'') to bring about a new streamlined final offer rate
reasonableness methodology to help provide effective backstop
regulatory protections for captive shippers. Streamlined discovery,
evidentiary procedures, and decisional timelines call for a final Board
decision in 135 days.
Olin commends the Board for recognizing that something more must be
done to prevent railroad pricing abuses that are causing considerable
economic harm to the public. The final offer procedure follows the
recommendations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a blue-ribbon
committee of the Transportation Research Board, and the STB's Rate
Reform Task Force Report issued on April 25, 2019. The approach is not
novel. It is very similar to that currently used by Canadian regulators
in the Canadian Transportation Agency's final offer arbitration rules,
but without an arbitrator as the case would be decided by the Board,
and the approach is similar to what the Board already uses as part of
its Three-Benchmark methodology. The railroads also use a similar
mechanism as part of their car hire dispute resolution process.
Additionally, final offer procedures are used in many commercial
disputes, including resolution of substantial wage disputes in Major
League Baseball (so-called ``baseball arbitration'').
Olin supports the Board's proposed final offer rate review rules.
The Board's proposed final offer rate review could provide a meaningful
and efficient rate relief mechanism for carload shippers and promote
reasonable commercial resolution of disputes.
Third, stakeholders expressed concerns that Federal sunshine laws
prohibited a quorum of the STB (then, any two members of the three-
member Board) from discussing pending matters with each other except in
public meetings. Congress responded by enacting Sections 4 and 5 of the
Act. Section 4 ``expanded membership of the STB from three members to
five in order to address inefficient quorum requirements,'' and Section
5 ``allow[s] for limited instances in which a majority of Board members
can communicate without requiring a full public meeting.'' Section 5
``appl[ies] for any number of STB board members, with or without the
expansion to five members.''
The STB is an independent agency, and new Board members are
appointed by the President, subject to the advice and consent of the
Senate. Since the Reauthorization Act was passed, the Board has
remained a three-member Board. Olin supports a full complement of Board
Members, and a fully funded agency. As this Committee is aware,
President Trump nominated Michelle Schultz (R) and Robert E. Primus (D)
to serve on the Board, their nominations have been approved by this
Committee, and they now await full Senate confirmation.
While the Board has remained at three members, the members now have
the authority under Sec. 5 of the Act to meet and talk about pending
matters privately, and they have exercised that authority on numerous
occasions. In addition, the Board revised its rules in 2018 to allow
Board Members to engage in limited ex parte communications with
stakeholders in informal rulemaking proceedings. 49 C.F.R. Sec. 1102.
The Board has also used these new rules over the last few years to
engage in meaningful discussions with stakeholders in several major
proceedings. Olin has participated in such meetings and believes that
they have proven helpful in bringing about a better understanding of
issues that can lead to more effective decisions that benefit both
shippers and the railroads.
D. STB Initiatives That Can Help Address the Captive Shipper Problem
Olin has long supported efforts to develop simple, practical, and
effective constraints on unreasonable railroad pricing. We have seen
rail rates continually escalate at levels far above inflation with
negligible improvements in performance and customer service.
Unfortunately, the incentives created by the highly concentrated
railroad marketplace and the current state of rail regulation encourage
monopolistic behavior that has ramifications for Olin and our customers
working in competitive markets.
Olin is pleased that the Board has stepped forward to develop some
modest new procedures to help restore balance between railroads and
shippers in determining the lawfulness of rates. As mentioned, Olin
supports the final adoption of Final Offer Rate Review (EP 755) which
is one of the most important reforms the STB can make in the near term;
it will help create a more level playing field for negotiations with
the railroads. Also, the Board has recently approved new streamlined
``market dominance'' determinations (EP 756) in rate cases, designed to
help remove some unnecessary complexities from the process. Olin
supports these new rules and expects the Board to further refine the
test to make it more responsive to stakeholder needs in a follow-up
rulemaking.
Additionally, the Board has considered the implementation of the
revenue adequacy constraint for some time, and Olin has urged the Board
to use its hearings on the subject as a springboard to swiftly develop
and implement a final proposal for heightened constraints on revenue
adequate railroads. Further, Olin has asked the Board to address the
fact that many lanes are bundled in private agreements and the
railroads make it essentially impossible to challenge a single lane.
This is because the railroads require that all the lanes under a
bundled private contract be taken to tariff in order for a shipper to
bring any case before the STB. Railroad-imposed, anti-competitive
bundling arrangements with respect to the provision of rates create a
significant barrier to access to the Board's rate relief process.
Olin firmly believes that these and other modest regulatory changes
will benefit the long-term health of the rail industry, as well as
rail-reliant U.S. manufacturing. Such initiatives are important to
further the national transportation policy goals of providing for the
expeditious handling and resolution of proceedings, as well as
maintaining reasonable rates where there is an absence of effective
competition.
Olin supports a robust and highly functioning rail network, and we
genuinely want the rail industry to be successful. That said, there
must be some reasonable limits. Chlorine car rates of more than $30,000
per railcar, and revenue-to-variable cost ratios of over 1,000 percent
are not reasonable. We remain hopeful that the Board can and will
implement meaningful constraints, and we are confident that it can
reach a fair equilibrium in doing so. We respectfully urge this
Committee to support the Board in the above initiatives.
* * *
Olin greatly appreciates this opportunity to present our views to
the Committee and will be pleased to provide it with any additional
information it may need on any of the matters discussed in this
testimony.
Respectfully submitted,
Frank Chirumbole,
Vice President, Global Supply Chain,
Olin Corporation.
Senator Cantwell. Thank you very much. Next, we will hear
from Mr. Gordon. Thank you for joining us.
STATEMENT OF RANDY GORDON, PRESIDENT
AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER,
NATIONAL GRAIN AND FEED ASSOCIATION
Mr. Gordon. Ranking Member Cantwell and members of the
Committee, I am Randy Gordon, President and Chief Executive
Officer of the National Grain and Feed Association, known as an
NGFA. Thank you for the invitation to testify at this important
hearing. Ours is the Nation's largest and most broad based
agri-business trade association.
Founded in 1896, NGFA consists of more than 1,000 grain
feed processing, exporting and other grain-related companies
that operate more than 7,000 facilities nationwide and handle
more than 75 percent of the U.S. grain and oilseed crop. This
hearing's topics are essential for an essential industry. With
respect to the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Department of
Homeland Security in March issued extremely useful guidance
designating workers in the food, agricultural and
transportation sectors as essential to the continued
functioning of the U.S. economy.
Except for ethanol plants, which reduced capacity given
reduced fuel demand, the sectors of U.S. agriculture that
constitute NGFA's members have largely remained open and
operational throughout the pandemic. NGFA too wants to take
this opportunity to commend the rail industry for continuing to
provide service and communicating with its agricultural
customers during the pandemic. But with harvest underway, there
is nervous apprehension within our industry about whether
railroads will keep pace with what we all hope will be a very
robust demand for rail service given strong agricultural
exports and the rebounding economy cited in my written
testimony. This apprehension stems from two major factors.
First, will carriers be able to redeploy quickly the furloughed
rail crews and stored locomotives idled during the COVID-19
economic downturn? The second is the impact of the so-called
precision scheduled railroad, or PSR, operating model adopted
by most Class I railroads.
For many Ag customers, PSR has resulted in arbitrary,
sudden and disruptive changes to rail service schedules and the
type of service being offered. Further, by reducing crews and
customer service personnel and idling locomotives both more
quickly and sharply than previously, PSR has raised questions
about whether railroads have enough surge capacity to respond
quickly to increased demand for service. Our members already
report an increasing number of trains not meeting their
scheduled trip plans or having loaded trains not being pulled
from their facilities in a timely manner. Looking ahead, while
NGFA believes rail will remain an essential mode for the Ag
sector, our members believe we are at a bit of a tipping point
concerning the extent to which rail service is reliable, cost-
effective and reflective of true competition.
With rail duopolies in the east and west, there is limited
rail-to-rail competition. Many landlock agricultural facilities
are captive to a single railroad. NGFA recognizes railroads
need to earn sufficient revenues to invest in their networks
and obtain reasonable profits. But we are concerned whether PSR
may drive down operating ratios to perhaps unsustainably low
levels at the expense of service. In addition, the current rail
environment raises growing questions about whether freight
railroads are providing transportation service upon reasonable
request.
As the Committee perceptively examines the regulatory
framework, NGFA believes there is a need for the STB to define
basic service standards for what constitutes the statutory rail
common carrier obligation in the 21st century. That need also
has been cited by several recent studies, including the
landmark one done in 2015 by the Transportation Research Board.
Philosophically, NGFA's strong preference is to resolve rail
commercial disputes through private sector mechanisms rather
than through Government intervention.
That is epitomized by our own rail arbitration and
mediation service, to which all seven Class I railroads and the
Association of American Railroads are parties and whose value
has been shown in resolving certain types of rail disputes.
Rail carriers thus far have not agreed to arbitrate rate
disputes through NGFA's system. That is one reason NGFA
commends the STB for making major strides under the leadership
of Chairman Begeman in attempting to create a more workable
regulatory framework for resolving rate disputes.
Specifically, the STB has proposed a new final offer rate
review process to provide shippers with a potentially more cost
effective and timely approach for challenging unreasonable
rates. NGFA also believes it would be helpful to a future
regulatory framework for Congress to give a higher priority to
the importance of encouraging meaningful rail-to-rail
competition in the Staggers Act's rail transportation policy.
Finally, there is an additional factor that needs to be
acknowledged, and that is the inherent reluctance of most rail
customers to formally challenge the behavior of their rail
carriers, even when justified, because they have no competitive
transportation alternative, want to maintain a good working
relationship with their railroad, and have a fear of potential
retaliation from their carrier.
This, again, we think, underscores the need for more
competition as part of an effectively functioning regulatory
framework. Thank you for the opportunity to testify and I look
forward to your questions.
[The prepared statement of Mr. Gordon follows:]
Written Testimony of Randy Gordon, President and Chief Executive
Officer, National Grain and Feed Association
Chairman Wicker, Ranking Member Cantwell and members of the
Committee, I am Randy Gordon, President and Chief Executive Officer of
the National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA).
NGFA greatly appreciates the leadership of this committee and its
staff to organize and conduct this hearing to examine the current
status of the freight rail network, as well as the regulatory framework
for addressing and resolving disputes between railroads and their
customers, and for the invitation to appear here today.
NGFA is the Nation's largest and most broad-based agribusiness
trade association. It consists of more than 1,000 grain, feed,
processing, exporting and other grain-related companies that operate
more than 7,000 facilities nationwide and handle more than 75 percent
of the U.S. grain and oilseed crop. A majority of NGFA's member
companies are small businesses. NGFA also has 33 affiliated state and
regional agribusiness associations, as well as strategic partnerships
with the North American Export Grain Association and Pet Food
Institute.
Importance of Rail to Agriculture
In the agricultural market, about 24 percent of grains and oilseeds
now move by rail, down from 50 percent when the Staggers Rail Act was
enacted in 1980. Of remaining agricultural tonnage, 62 percent
typically moves by truck and 14 percent by barge.
Rail shipments remain particularly important to certain
agricultural commodities and regions. For instance, 54 percent of U.S.
wheat and barley, 21 percent of soybeans and 19 percent of corn
typically move by rail at some point before reaching their ultimate
domestic or export destination. Further, nearly all grains and oilseeds
produced in Montana, more than 70 percent of grains and oilseeds
produced in North Dakota and more than half of agricultural commodities
produced in Arizona, Oklahoma and South Dakota typically are
transported by rail.
Another major change since enactment of the Staggers Rail Act is
that most railcars used to haul agricultural and other commodities no
longer are owned by railroads. For example, more than 80 percent of the
grain rail hopper car fleet now is owned or leased by shippers and
receivers--not by railroads--as are virtually 100 percent of the tank
cars used to ship processed ag products. This largely transferred the
risk of car ownership from railroads to their customers, which now
incur the costs previously shouldered by the rail industry when demand
or rail operations slow and the utilization rate for this equipment
declines while costs for maintaining the fleet increase. This dramatic
shift led to billions of dollars of investment made by rail customers
that previously had been made by railroads. So, railroads are far from
the only ones investing in the rail network.
The grain and oilseed industry also functions in a globally
competitive market that makes it very difficult to pass transportation
costs forward. Consequently, most railroad freight costs typically are
reflected in the price paid to farmers for their commodities.
In addition, it is important to note that agricultural demand for
rail service is more diverse and variable than some non-agricultural
products, such as coal, ores and chemicals. First, grain, feed and
processing facilities are dispersed geographically, given the
widespread production of agricultural commodities across multiple
states and regions. Second, variabilities in weather and crop growing
conditions (such as drought, excess moisture, and other weather-induced
aberrations) alter yields and quality, thereby affecting grain surplus
and deficit areas, supply/demand fundamentals and commodity prices in
ways that can and do significantly change and realign grain movements
and origin-destinations pairs, often within the same crop year. Third,
as has been demonstrated multiple times in recent years, changes in
global trade and agricultural policies influence trade flows and
producer planting decisions. Fourth, agricultural commodities on a per-
unit basis are of comparatively lower value than most non-agricultural
products. And finally, the uniqueness and fundamental difference of
agricultural rail shipments--particularly the fluctuating demand for
rail service--are explicitly exhibited and underscored by the existence
of auctions and a secondary market for railcars. These factors combine
to make the need for responsive, predictable and cost-competitive rail
service particularly important for agricultural shippers and receivers.
Further, grain is the largest commodity group that relies upon
common-carrier railroad service, accounting for about one-third of all
ton-miles by tariff. This means that the rates and service terms are
subject to the jurisdiction of the Surface Transportation Board (STB),
rather than governed by a private contract. Given the major role that
transportation costs play in determining whether U.S. grains and
oilseeds are competitively priced in domestic and export markets, it is
critical that the STB have standards and procedures to efficiently
determine reasonable freight rail rates and establish guidance and
precedent regarding what constitutes acceptable rail service. The STB
commendably has made numerous attempts in recent years to improve its
current processes and standards, and NGFA has participated actively in
these efforts.
NGFA's Approach to Resolving Rail Issues
Philosophically, NGFA's strong preference, whenever possible, is to
resolve railroad-rail customer issues through private-sector
mechanisms, rather than through government regulations, mandates or
intervention.
As such, NGFA and its member companies place tremendous value on
having access to effective and workable mechanisms to resolve business-
related disputes. That is evidenced by the existence of its Arbitration
System for resolving commercial disputes involving grain, feed and
grain products that has been operated by NGFA since shortly after its
founding in 1896. NGFA's system also includes Rail Arbitration and
Mediation Rules crafted in partnership with the Association of American
Railroads in a process that involved each of the Class I railroads and
several shortline carriers. Those rules took effect in 1998 and are
perceived widely by both rail carriers and rail users to be working
well. Indeed, all seven Class I railroads, as well as most of the
principal regional and shortline railroads, are parties to NGFA's Rail
Arbitration and Mediation Program. These rules created an accessible,
cost-effective forum for resolving certain types of disputes, including
application of demurrage rules and terms; misrouting of cars; rail
contracts; special car or equipment program rules; application of a
railroad's general car distribution rules; the mishandling of private
cars or locomotives; property damage claims pertaining to sidetrack
agreements; and disputes involving bills of lading, such as loss-and-
damage claims. But importantly, rail carriers thus far have not agreed
to compulsory arbitration of rate disputes through NGFA's Rail
Arbitration System.
NGFA's experience has been that merely providing access to
efficient, workable, timely and cost-effective dispute-resolution
processes--whether they be regulatory-or private-sector-based--promotes
business-to-business discussions that frequently lead to successful
resolution of disputes between carriers and their customers.
Impacts of COVID-19
The sectors of U.S. agriculture that constitute NGFA's membership
largely remained open and operational throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
The one significant exception was the ethanol sector, which idled
capacity significantly in response to the precipitous decline in fuel
consumption resulting from shelter-in-place rules issued by states and
localities. That, in turn, disrupted the availability of distillers
grains, a co-product of ethanol, as a feed ingredient for livestock and
poultry producers.
The continuity of business operations within the remainder of the
grain, feed and processing industry was facilitated by the issuance of
useful guidance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency designating workers in
the food and agricultural sector, as well as the transportation sector,
as essential to the continued functioning of the U.S. economy and to
meeting consumer needs. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA)
Federal Grain Inspection Service also did a good job keeping official
grain inspectors on duty, which allowed for the continued export of
U.S. grains and oilseeds.
The domestic and export marketing of U.S. grains, oilseeds and
grain products continued to occur, albeit with some minor disruptions
attributable to what largely were short-term restrictions on truck
movements across state or municipal boundaries, temporary interruptions
in discharging at foreign ports and a shortage of containers returning
from China that are used to ship some identity-preserved and high-value
U.S. agricultural products.
NGFA also wants to commend publicly the actions of the rail
industry in continuing to provide service and communicating with its
agricultural customers during the pandemic. Our member companies
generally have been pleased with both aspects--service and
communications -from their rail carriers during this challenging time.
Freight Rail Service
In surveying NGFA's 31-member Rail Shipper/Receiver Committee in
preparation for this hearing, members reported that rail service to the
agricultural sector generally appears to be acceptable at this time,
although several trouble spots are beginning to emerge as harvest gets
underway in earnest, which is when demand for rail service typically
begins to increase.
Several members noted that oilseed processing facilities in the
Midwest last month curtailed production because of a lack of inbound
soybeans by rail, although that situation has improved recently. More
recently, NGFA members report an increasing number of trains not
meeting their trip plan schedules or having loaded trains not being
pulled from facilities in a timely manner because of a lack of
locomotives and crews--both in the East and West. NGFA also has
received reports of significant service problems with one Class I
carrier serving mills in the Southeast attributable to both a lack of
crews and locomotives. An increasing number of missed switches by
carriers also have been reported by NGFA member companies operating in
the West.
For this fall and winter, there is nervous apprehension within our
industry about whether railroads will be able to keep pace with the
combination of what NGFA anticipates will be a very robust demand for
rail service and the vagaries of winter weather. This apprehension is
fueled by two major factors. First, whether carriers will be able to
redeploy quickly enough rail crews that were furloughed and locomotives
that were stored during the COVID-19 transportation downturn. And
second, the ongoing implementation of the so-called ``precision
scheduled railroad'' operating model by six of the seven Class I
carriers, which is discussed in more detail subsequently in this
statement.
While rail movements of coal and other energy-related products are
lagging, there is surging demand from industrial products, grain and
intermodal. In fact, the investment bank Jefferies on Oct. 1 reported
that import flows of containers destined for intermodal rail movements
should remain heavy through 2021, as companies engage in what the
bank's chief economist termed ``what is likely to be one of the biggest
restocking cycles--if not the biggest--in U.S. history.'' The bank's
report noted that the demand for consumer goods now is 6 percent
greater than it was prior to the pandemic, and that manufacturers
increasingly will target much higher levels of ``precautionary
inventory as they shift from a `just-in-time' to `just-in-case' ''
strategy.
For the agricultural sector, largely because of increased purchases
of soybeans, corn and other agricultural products under the Phase One
trade agreement with China, U.S. exports are projected to be
significantly higher in the current marketing year that began Sept. 1,
2020. Accumulated corn exports to date already are 76 percent greater
than at this time in 2019/20, with China accounting for 38 percent of
total U.S. corn export commitments to date. Likewise, total outstanding
U.S. corn export sales are more than double those of the same time last
year.
Meanwhile, for U.S. soybeans, total export sales commitments thus
far are running nearly 20 percent greater than at this point in 2019,
attributable largely to increased purchases from China. As noted in
USDA's Oct. 1 Grain Transportation Report, year-to-date outstanding
sales to China ``reflect possible increased future demand across all
modes of transportation,'' with year-to-date average barge grain
shipments on the Mississippi River running 30 percent greater than at
the same time last year. USDA data show that from Aug. 27 to Oct. 8, an
average of 60 ocean-going grain vessels were expected to load within
the next 10 days at the U.S. Gulf, compared to an average of only 39
vessels per 10 days during the previous 10 weeks.
While U.S. corn and soybeans account for about 70 percent of total
U.S. grain and oilseed exports, U.S. wheat exports also are projected
to increase--with sales commitments thus far running 8 percent greater
than at this time last marketing year.
As demonstrated in the chart below, USDA's export sales data
indicate that U.S. exports for all three major grains are projected to
increase during the 2020/21 marketing year--and dramatically so in the
case of corn and soybeans. The robust grain export data is a strong
leading indicator of increased rail demand this fall and winter.
Reliable and competitively priced rail service will be important in
enabling the United States to achieve these sales commitments.
Concerns with Current Rail Environment
While NGFA believes rail will remain an essential transportation
mode for the agricultural sector, many of our member companies believe
agriculture is at a ``tipping point'' concerning the extent to which
rail service is reliable, cost-effective and reflects true competition
as that term generally is defined in other markets.
There are several factors at work in this regard:
First, there is limited rail-to-rail competition, with
duopolies existing in the East and West. Four Class I railroads
now haul 80 percent of grain and oilseed traffic. Many
landlocked agricultural facilities are captive to a single
railroad and are charged rates often exceeding the 180 percent
revenue-to-variable cost threshold mandated in the Staggers Act
as the point where a rate can be challenged as unreasonable.
However, the STB's current procedures and standards for
determining maximum reasonable rates are not accessible to most
ag shippers because of their complexity and inherent cost
compared to the potential recovery of damages. No case has been
brought by an ag shipper in more than 30 years.
A second major factor, as alluded to previously, is the
adoption of PSR. NGFA recognizes the need for carriers to
efficiently utilize equipment and human assets to earn
sufficient revenues to invest in their networks, cover capital
costs and obtain reasonable profits. But the concern with PSR
among rail customers is the practice of carriers to drive their
operating ratios--the cost actually spent running the
railroad--to perhaps unsustainably low levels to impress Wall
Street investors and reward shareholders at the expense of
customers. Some have characterized PSR as ``doing less with
less.''
For the sectors of agriculture comprising NGFA's membership, PSR
has resulted in increasingly arbitrary, abrupt and disruptive
changes to operating plans, service schedules and the type of
rail service offered. In some cases, these changes also have
negated tens of millions of dollars of individual rail
customers' investments in rail cars, facilities, track space
and other infrastructure that their serving railroads
themselves previously had encouraged or demanded be made as a
condition for receiving service.
For instance, soybean meal and feed ingredients that previously
were shipped by unit train now are required by some carriers to
move in long general merchandise (manifest) trains that
transport freight other than bulk commodities. These manifest
shipments often entail circuitous routes that can take twice as
long and cost twice as much as the unit train service
previously provided by the carrier.
PSR also has resulted in railroad crews and customer service
personnel being reduced more quickly and sharply, and
locomotives being placed in long-term storage, both of which
hamper rail carriers' ability to respond when demand for
service returns. Both factors have raised concern within our
industry about the potential lack of surge capacity in the rail
industry to meet what often are fast-developing upticks in
demand for service.
NGFA members also have experienced increasing instances of
``demarketing'' of traffic by rail carriers for movements they
no longer want to handle. This is accomplished either through
significant increases in freight rates or reductions in the
frequency of service provided to facilities that ultimately
make rail either infeasible or uncompetitive for the affected
movements.
Regulatory Framework for Addressing and Resolving Rail Disputes
and STB's Policy Initiatives
NGFA commends the STB for being extremely active and making
considerable strides under the leadership of Chairman Ann Begeman in
implementing the STB Reauthorization Act of 2015 and attempting to
create a more workable regulatory framework within the agency for
addressing and resolving disputes between railroads and their
customers, as necessary.
Three STB actions are particularly important to NGFA's membership.
The first involves rail rate reform. Chairman Begeman's
establishment of a Rate Reform Task Force in January 2018 enabled the
agency to take a fresh look and critically evaluate its existing rail
rate challenge methodologies. The Task Force produced a thoughtful and
impactful report that accurately portrayed the systemic problems and
flaws with each of the STB's existing rate-challenge methodologies and
procedures, which for the most part create often insurmountable
barriers in terms of complexity, cost and time that effectively
preclude rail customers, particularly small and agricultural shippers,
from exercising their legal right under the Staggers Act to challenge
rates they believe are unreasonably high.
One of the outcomes of this process is a proposed new, streamlined
methodology building on a concept identified by STB's task force--the
Final Offer Rate Review (FORR) process--that would provide agricultural
and other rail customers with a potentially more workable, timelier and
more cost-effective approach for testing rail rate reasonableness. If
this turns out to be the case, FORR also has potential merit in
providing a necessary regulatory backstop to encourage railroads to set
rates at reasonable levels in the first place.
In addition, the proposal itself prompted five Class I railroads to
initiate discussions with NGFA to explore whether a comparable approach
could be developed within the STB's current voluntary arbitration
system, preferably, in NGFA's view, operating side-by-side with the
FORR regulatory approach. While there may be additional discussions on
the arbitration approach, two potentially insurmountable hurdles have
emerged, namely: (1) the rail carriers' demand that they be exempt from
rate challenges under FORR for as long as they participate in an
arbitration program; and (2) rail carriers' demand that arbitration
decisions be kept confidential to the maximum extent possible.
NGFA believes it is imperative that the STB proceed to issue a
final rule on FORR this fall, and we have every expectation that the
agency will do so.
A second, related STB rulemaking is the agency's development of a
streamlined approach that rail customers could use to demonstrate that
a rail carrier has market dominance over the traffic at issue, which is
a required showing for the STB to have jurisdiction over a rate
complaint. We commend the agency for issuing a final rule on July 31,
2020 on this matter. Further, we appreciate the STB's announcement when
doing so that it will initiate a new proceeding to examine further its
adoption of a 500-mile movement threshold for presuming whether truck
transportation provides a competitive alternative to rail. NGFA
believes that market dominance can be present where rail movements are
much less than 500 miles in length.
Third, the STB initiated an extensive set of public hearings in
April 2019 on egregious demurrage and accessorial practices and charges
implemented by rail carriers. Those hearings and the evidence presented
by shipper groups like NGFA shed light on these practices and
ultimately resulted in the STB issuing a policy statement on April 30,
2020 that provides guideposts the agency signaled it would observe when
deciding demurrage and accessorial cases brought to the agency. The STB
did not go as far as we wanted. NGFA urged the agency to rule
presumptively that certain rail demurrage and accessorial practices are
inherently unreasonable and direct carriers to rectify them, rather
than to require rail customers to file cases in each instance. But NGFA
commends the agency for directing attention to this still-festering
issue, and for better defining what types of practices and charges the
STB likely would find unreasonable.
NGFA-member companies continue to report egregious demurrage and
accessorial practices by rail carriers, including charges assessed
against rail customers when carriers unpredictably ``bunch'' railcars
on days that do not comport with the train's trip schedule. Railroads
also have reduced or eliminated altogether the amount of ``free time''
that customers are given to load or unload cars. Further, there remains
a disparity in how railroads treat private or leased cars owned or
controlled by shippers versus their own equipment when it comes to
assessing demurrage and accessorial charges. In addition, there is a
lack of reciprocity in that rail customers have no comparable recourse
to assess charges against a railroad when privately owned rail cars are
not returned in a timely manner, train arrivals are delayed, or loaded
trains sit for days waiting to be pulled from facilities because of a
lack of rail crews or locomotive power. Given that the stated purpose
of demurrage is to promote the efficient utilization of rail assets--
not to serve as a revenue-generator for railroads--NGFA believes these
flaws still need to be addressed.
NGFA Rail Policy Priorities
NGFA commends Congress for making several substantive improvements
when enacting the STB Reauthorization Act of 2015. These include
authorizing the agency to initiate investigations of issues that have
national or regional significance; requiring that the STB maintain one
or more streamlined processes to challenge freight rates; allowing the
STB commissioners to conduct non-public collaborative discussions under
prudently prescribed rules and transparency; requiring the agency to
provide quarterly reports describing the agency's progress in
addressing issues raised in uncompleted regulatory proceedings; and
directing the STB to establish a voluntary and binding arbitration
process to resolve rate and rail practice issues. NGFA commends the STB
for promptly implementing these and other mandates contained in the
2015 reauthorization.
Regarding the new investigatory authority power granted by
Congress, it is NGFA's understanding that it has not been utilized by
the STB thus far in part because the agency would be required to close
off discussions with outside parties for an undeterminable time while
the investigation is conducted. Alternatively, the STB commendably has
launched a very active and transparent set of proceedings and public
hearings on issues--like railroads' demurrage rules and practices--that
otherwise might have been prime candidates for investigation. In so
doing, the STB likely accomplished in a shorter, more informed and more
transparent manner the same objective as a formal investigation. But
NGFA believes the investigative authority continues to be a valuable
tool in providing the STB with necessary leverage with carriers in its
oversight of railroad practices.
To conclude, NGFA wishes to raise two specific policy matters the
Committee may wish to explore with the STB with respect to its future
rail regulatory framework:
Clarify Common-Carrier Obligation of Railroads: First, we
believe there is a pressing need to clarify what the railroads'
common-carrier service obligation means in the current rail
environment that is characterized by reduced rail competition
and PSR-related operational changes that raise serious concerns
about whether carriers are indeed providing ``transportation
service upon reasonable request.'' In its landmark 2015 study
\1\, the National Academies of Science's Transportation
Research Board (TRB) found that ``more than 30 years after the
Staggers Rail Act, the common carrier obligation remains poorly
defined. . . . Absent clear service standards,'' the TRB study
continued, ``shippers contend a railroad has no reason to
maintain a consistent common-carrier service and that
consequently, it will unilaterally revise service terms and
conditions.'' As an example of this occurring, NGFA cited
previously in this testimony the practice of carriers using
various means to ``demarket'' traffic they no longer wish to
haul.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Modernizing Freight Rail Regulation. National Academies of
Science Transportation Research Board. Special Report 318, 2015.
This TRB finding was reinforced by another report, entitled
Railroads' Common Carrier Obligation: Its Legal and Economic
Context,\2\ conducted for USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service
that was published in April 2020. That report, which was
prepared following interviews with numerous railroads,
shippers, public officials and transportation professionals,
stated that its ``principal takeaway is that the common carrier
obligation must be preserved, but there needs to be a better
definition of the concept and clarification of its meaning and
applicability in today's transportation environment.'' The
report noted that the common carrier obligation has been
retained from English common law, but has never been defined by
Congress, the STB or its predecessor, the Interstate Commerce
Commission.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ Railroads' Common Carrier Obligation: Its Legal and Economic
Context. Dr. Francis P. Mulvey and Michael F. McBride. April 2020.
Bringing more clarity to the common-carrier obligation will be a
complex and difficult undertaking, but NGFA believes it needs
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
to be done given the current and prospective rail environment.
Reprioritizing the Importance of Rail-to-Rail Competition in
U.S. Rail Transportation Policy: A second topic that NGFA
believes Congress should consider is to give higher priority to
the importance of rail-to-rail competition within the Staggers
Rail Act's Rail Transportation Policy. As the Committee knows,
the STB rightfully looks to the Rail Transportation Policy for
direction. The current policy statement references competition
three times, but only once regarding the importance of
``effective competition among rail carriers and with other
modes, to meet the needs of the public and the national
defense.'' [Emphasis added.]
Forty years after enactment of the Staggers Act, NGFA believes it
is important to better enshrine the importance of promoting
rail-to-rail competition principles as being on a par with
``allowing carriers to earn adequate revenues'' within the Rail
Transportation Policy so as to encourage competitive switching
and other pro-competitive policies. That is needed particularly
given the previously referenced consolidation within the rail
industry and the vastly different economic circumstances under
which five of the Class I railroads now are deemed to be
revenue adequate by the STB even under what many economists
believe are overly conservative metrics that understate
railroads' true profitability.
Finally, there is one more significant factor that needs to be
acknowledged. And that is the reluctance of most rail customers to
formally challenge the behavior of their rail carriers at the STB, a
court or in private-sector arbitration, even when justified, because
they have no alternative competitive transportation mode and,
therefore, don't want to strain the working relationship with their
railroad. Plus, there is a fear the carrier will retaliate against
them. Retaliation is real and can take many forms, such as reducing
service frequency, threatening to or actually raising rates, and/or
failing to be responsive to issues raised by the customer. NGFA
believes this is a major reason more cases have not been filed at the
STB challenging rail rates, demurrage and accessorial practices, poor
service, and unreasonable rail practices. NGFA does not purport to have
a solution to resolve this concern other than the establishment of more
rail-to-rail competition so rail customers are not dependent upon a
single railroad for service. But NGFA does believe this is an issue
that needs to be considered by Congress and the STB if the regulatory
framework ultimately is to be functional and effective.
Conclusion
Mr. Chairman, that concludes my testimony. NGFA appreciates this
opportunity to provide its thoughts on this important matter, and I
would be pleased to respond to any questions the Committee may have.
The Chairman [presiding]. Thank you so much, Mr. Gordon.
And now testifying remotely, Mr. Kent Fountain, Chairman of the
National Cotton Council. You are recognized, sir.
STATEMENT OF KENT FOUNTAIN, CHAIRMAN,
NATIONAL COTTON COUNCIL
Mr. Fountain. Chairman Wicker, Ranking Member Cantwell and
members of the Committee, I am Kent Fountain--a cotton grower
and ginner from Surrency, Georgia, and I thank you for the
opportunity to testify today on behalf of the National Cotton
Council. I currently serve as the elected Chairman of the
Council and represent the seven segments of the cotton
industry, from farmers to textile mills. I would be remiss if I
did not give you an update on the catastrophic effects the
COVID-19 pandemic is having on the cotton industry.
We have all seen the headlines of iconic American brands
like Brooks Brothers, J Crew and J.C. Penny filing for
bankruptcy, and the effect is being felt throughout the cotton
industry. Cotton textile mills have seen orders drop upwards of
90 percent since retail stores were shuttered and cotton
merchants have had additional interest and carrying costs as
mills around the world slowed production or closed due to a
lack of orders, and in some cases canceling purchases of U.S.
cotton. At the grower level, the financial situation has
worsened as prices have fallen since the beginning of the year.
I urge the Senate to pass a COVID-19 relief bill that not only
addresses the needs of producer but also includes explicit
direction to USDA to assist the cotton textile mills and
merchants who have been devastated by this pandemic to ensure
that this critical industry remains in America.
Rail transportation is vitally important to the U.S. cotton
industry. Within our industry there are two distinct
commodities produced from the cotton crop: cotton lint and
cottonseed. The cotton lint, which we are all familiar with, is
formed into 500 pound bale at the gin, and is ultimately
consumed by textile mills in the U.S. or around the world, with
roughly three out of four bales entering the export market.
Moving those bales from a cotton warehouse to a domestic mill
or port facility is a key component to the U.S. cotton
industry's competitiveness.
Following the ginning process, cottonseed is stored,
usually at the gin, until entering the marketing channel. Whole
cottonseed is either sold as a feed ingredient for dairy cattle
or is crushed at a cottonseed oil mill to produce both oil and
meal. For example, transporting cottonseed from a loading
facility in Mississippi to a dairy in Washington State requires
reliable and cost-effective freight rail. To provide a
perspective on the scale of the interconnection of the
cottonseed and dairy markets, one of our members estimated the
railroad shipped 1.7 million tons of seed or equal to 17,000
railcars to the dairy market last year.
In addition to cotton lint and whole cottonseed, cottonseed
oil is also primarily shipped via rail. Chairman Wicker,
specifically we would like to thank you for your support of the
Memphis Supply Chain Innovation Team and broader work to
improve supply chain velocity and efficiency in critical
intermodal systems that are used to ship cotton. The Memphis
Supply Chain is a major intermodal freight hub and is home to
five Class I railroads, the largest cargo airport in North
America, and the country's fourth busiest inland port. Our
challenges within the supply chain included grounding of
equipment at our railroads, detention and demurrage charges,
chassis shortages, chassis quality issues and trucking
shortages that slowed down and then brought freight movement to
a halt in the first quarters of 2018 and 2019, and appearing to
be reoccurring now, proving that the issues are indeed systemic
and not one-off occurrences.
The most actionable problem is a deeper look at the chassis
shortage. We request continued support from the rail industry
to resolve critical disruptions to supply chains in these
important markets. For rail serviced cotton warehouse
locations, cotton shippers need the railroads to provide
consistent and sufficient information to prevent railcar
bunching on delivery at the destination warehouse, mill, or
intermodal facility.
While the industry has worked amicably with the railroads,
there have been instances where a rail customer felt that the
rail rate increase was unjustified. Unfortunately, when
researching how to pursue a formal challenge of the rate
increase with the Surface Transportation Board, it was found
that the cost to a small company could exceed $100,000.
We encourage Congress to find the right balance of
discouraging frivolous challenges whole providing a more
realistic path for freight rail customers to have their
concerns heard and fairly addressed. Thank you for the
opportunity to present these views of the U.S. cotton industry
and I look forward to answering any of your questions.
[The prepared statement of Mr. Fountain follows:]
Prepared Statement of Kent Fountain, Chairman, National Cotton Council
Chairman Wicker, Ranking Member Cantwell and Members of the
Committee, I am Kent Fountain--a cotton grower and ginner from
Surrency, Georgia, and I thank you for the opportunity to testify today
on behalf of the National Cotton Council (NCC). I currently serve as
the elected Chairman of the Council.
The NCC is the central organization of the United States cotton
industry. Its members include producers, ginners, cottonseed processors
and merchandizers, merchants, cooperatives, warehousers and textile
manufacturers. A majority of the industry is concentrated in 17 cotton-
producing states stretching from California to Virginia. U.S. cotton
producers cultivate between 10 and 14 million acres of cotton with
production averaging 12 to 20 million 480-lb bales annually. The
downstream manufacturers of cotton apparel and home furnishings are
located in virtually every state. Farms and businesses directly
involved in the production, distribution and processing of cotton
employ more than 115,000 workers and produce direct business revenue of
more than $22 billion. Annual cotton production is valued at more than
$5.5 billion at the farm gate, the point at which the producer markets
the crop. Accounting for the ripple effect of cotton through the
broader economy, direct and indirect employment surpasses 280,000
workers with economic activity of almost $75 billion. In addition to
the cotton fiber, cottonseed products are used for livestock feed and
cottonseed oil is used as an ingredient in food products as well as
being a premium cooking oil.
I would be remiss if I did not give you an update on the
catastrophic effect the COVID-19 pandemic is having on the cotton
industry. We have all seen the headlines of iconic American brands like
Brooks Brothers, J Crew and J.C. Penny filing for bankruptcy, and the
effect is being felt throughout the cotton industry. Cotton textile
mills have seen orders drop upwards of 90 percent since retail stores
were shuttered and cotton merchants have had additional interest and
carrying costs as mills around the world slowed production or closed
due to a lack of orders, and in some cases cancelling their purchases
of U.S. cotton. At the grower level, the financial situation has
worsened as prices have fallen since the beginning of the year. I urge
the Senate to pass a COVID relief bill that not only addresses the
needs of producers but also includes explicit direction to USDA to
assist cotton textile mills and merchants who have been devastated by
this pandemic to ensure that this critical industry remains in America.
Rail transportation is vitally important to the U.S. cotton
industry. Within our industry there are two distinct commodities
produced from the cotton crop: cotton lint and cottonseed. The cotton
harvest includes removing the cotton fiber from the plant and then
separating the cotton lint and the cottonseed in the ginning process.
The cotton lint that we are all familiar with is formed into 500-pound
bales and is ultimately consumed by textile mills in the U.S. or around
the world, with roughly three out of every four bales entering the
export market. Moving those bales from a cotton warehouse to a domestic
mill or port facility is a key component of the U.S. cotton industry's
competitiveness.
Following the ginning process, cottonseed is stored, usually at the
gin, until entering the marketing channel. Whole cottonseed is either
sold as a feed ingredient for dairy cattle or is crushed at a
cottonseed oil mill to produce both oil and meal. For example,
transporting cottonseed from a loading facility in Mississippi to a
dairy in Washington requires reliable and cost-effective freight rail.
To provide a perspective on the scale of the interconnection of the
cottonseed and dairy markets, one of our members estimated the railroad
shipped 1.7 million tons of seed (17,000 railcars) to the dairy market
in 2019-20. In addition to cotton lint and whole cottonseed, cottonseed
oil is also primarily shipped via rail.
Through the years our industry has generally worked amicably with
Class 1 railroads to address any challenges. However, there have been
instances where a rail customer felt that a rate increase was
unjustified. Unfortunately, when researching how to pursue a formal
challenge of the rate increase with the Surface Transportation Board,
it was found that costs to a small company could exceed $100,000. We
encourage Congress to find the right balance of discouraging frivolous
challenges while providing a more realistic path for freight rail
customers to have their concerns heard and fairly addressed.
Chairman Wicker, specifically we would like to thank you for your
support of the Memphis Supply Chain Innovation Team and broader work to
improve supply chain velocity and efficiency in critical intermodal
systems that are used to ship cotton.
U.S. cotton shippers are dependent upon all links in the intermodal
supply chain and utilize the Memphis market and other similar interior
concentration points as critical hubs for shipping cotton. The Memphis
Supply Chain is a major intermodal freight hub and is home to five
Class I railroads, the largest cargo airport in North America, and the
country's fourth busiest inland port. Collectively, market participants
in Memphis converged and formed the Memphis Supply Chain Innovation
Team. This team is comprised of shippers, ocean carriers, railroads,
chassis pool contributors and motor carriers who volunteered to address
the collective challenges we have faced in the Mid-South area in search
of a better and more efficient supply chain process for all.
Our collective challenges included grounding of equipment at our
railroads, detention and demurrage charges, chassis shortages, chassis
quality issues and trucking shortages that slowed down and then brought
freight movement to a halt in the first quarter of 2018. It is
important to note that these same issues plagued Memphis again in the
first quarter of 2019 and appear to be re-occurring now, proving that
the issues are indeed systemic and not one-off occurrences. The team
agreed that the most actionable problem was a deeper look at the
chassis shortage. We request continued support from the rail industry
to resolve critical disruptions to supply chains in these important
markets.
As I noted earlier, international trade is extremely important to
the U.S. cotton industry. International intermodal rail carriers must
maintain the integrity of containers moving together from interior ramp
of receipt to port of loading, in order to reduce shipment splits and
rolls that directly impact foreign mill customers' production cycles.
Once on the water, split and rolled shipments create costs, risks, and
complexity for cotton shippers. We request that international
intermodal rail carriers work with ocean carriers to implement uniform
and consistent standards on inland, vessel, and documentation cutoffs.
For rail serviced cotton warehouse locations, cotton shippers need
the railroads to provide consistent and sufficient information to
prevent railcar ``bunching'' on delivery at the destination warehouse,
mill, or intermodal facility.
Finally, the U.S. cotton industry supports the principles raised in
the Federal Maritime Commission's Interpretive Rule regarding cargo
availability and reasonableness when determining the validity of fees
like demurrage and detention. We request broader consideration of these
themes throughout interior intermodal shipping systems. In particular,
there is a serious need to address the contractual models that deny
shippers choice in intermodal equipment utility, while also subjecting
them to associated fees.
Thank you for the opportunity to present the views of the U.S.
cotton industry and I look forward to answering any questions you may
have.
The Chairman. Thank you very much, Mr. Fountain. And now we
will hear from Mr. Ian Jefferies of the Association of American
Railroads. Sir, you are recognized.
STATEMENT OF IAN N. JEFFERIES,
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER,
ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN RAILROADS
Mr. Jefferies. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman Wicker,
Ranking Member Cantwell, members of the Committee, thank you
for the opportunity to be here today on behalf of America's
freight railroads. As the Nation navigates the COVID-19
pandemic, railroads continue to deliver essential goods to
businesses and communities across the U.S. Every day, the
Nation's railroads are providing reliable and efficient service
to their customers and doing so safely. Let me be clear,
safety, and specifically employees safety, is the greatest
priority for railroads in their operations. Since confronted
with the COVID-19 pandemic, railroads have taken extensive
steps, often exceeding CDC and other experts recommendations to
protect their employees from the coronavirus.
Because railroading is a business requiring employees on
the job site, PPE uses pervasive, strict social distancing
policies are required and rigorous cleaning procedures are in
place. Our industry is blessed with an employee base whose
strict adherence to safety measures is a daily fact of life and
they should be commended for their dedicated performance to
this challenging time. Broader safety measures are also
encouraging with the overall employee injury rate down 14
percent year to date over 2019 and while the train accident
rate is down 8 percent. I should also point out that Class I
railroads are operating positive train control on 100 percent
of required route miles. Turning to customers, service is
predicated--excuse me, service predicated on reliable, flexible
and efficient operations is as strong as it has been. And while
not perfect, several railroads are at or near record service
levels.
In fact, the Federal Railroad Administration and Surface
Transportation Board recently think Class I carriers are
providing, ``reliable service and enhanced communication to
rail shippers.'' And during a recent meeting of the STB's Rail
Energy Transportation Advisory Committee, which includes
representatives from the coal, utility, bio-fuel and other
related industries, shippers noted that rail service was
running well with railroads adding sufficient power and crews
to meet demand.
These positive service trends remain strong as rail traffic
has continued to rebound from this spring's dramatic downturn.
Shipments of agricultural products and time sensitive
intermodal movements have been a bright spot, most recently,
with recent year over year increases for both in the month of
September. The fact that America's freight railroads are
running at high levels is no accident. Freight railroads
continue to collaborate with their customers to provide a
flexible, high quality product that meets shippers needs,
nimble operations and network planning paired with decades of
robust private investment, roughly $26 billion per year, has
been the bedrock and facilitating a network where shippers can
count on quality, infrastructure, and capacity to get goods to
market. Smart Government policy has played a helpful role in
the continuity of robust rail operations, but no better example
than the continued relevance and criticality of the Staggers
Rail Act.
Staggers empowered railroads to compete in markets and earn
sufficient revenues to invest back into their networks while
also providing a regulatory backstop. Partial rail economic
deregulation remains one of the most successful bipartisan
policy reforms in history, and that was reaffirmed just last
week when more than 1,000 individuals, Democrats and
Republicans, including eight former secretaries of
transportation, wrote in support of the current economic
framework.
In closing, freight railroads are well-positioned to drive
the Nation's economic recovery. Our country can rise to the
occasion to meet challenges before us, whether addressing the
COVID-19 pandemic, infrastructure investment needs, or
environmental concerns. Railroads are and will play a key role
in addressing these challenges and appreciate having the seat
at the table. Thank you for your time and I am happy to answer
your questions.
[The prepared statement of Mr. Jefferies follows:]
Prepared Statement of Ian N. Jefferies, President and Chief Executive
Officer, Association of American Railroads
Introduction
On behalf of the members of the Association of American Railroads
(AAR), thank you for the opportunity to testify about the freight rail
industry's relationship with its customers and passenger railroads, as
well as our vision for the future of the industry. AAR's freight
railroad members account for the vast majority of U.S. freight rail
mileage, employees, and traffic. Additionally, Amtrak and various
commuter railroads are also members of AAR and in aggregate account for
more than 80 percent of U.S. passenger railroad trips.
The freight transportation market in the United States today is
intensely competitive. Shippers choose to transport freight on
railroads because of the superior value railroads offer in terms of
cost and service. Railroads know they must continue to earn their
customers' business and are constantly working to further increase
productivity, reduce costs, invest in their networks, and improve
service for their customers. For railroads, furthering the industry's
competitiveness takes many forms, including:
Keeping a focus on safety. The past decade has been the
safest in rail history, and railroads continue to work
diligently, in cooperation with policymakers, their employees,
suppliers, and customers, to identify new technologies,
operational enhancements, trainings, and other ways to further
improve their safety record.
Recognizing that capacity is key. The freight rail network
is in its best condition ever. Railroads have invested more
than $710 billion on capital expenditures and maintenance on
their networks since 1980 and more than $26 billion annually
over the previous five years. These extensive investments will
ensure our Nation's freight rail infrastructure remains world-
class and that adequate freight rail capacity exists to meet
America's current and future freight transportation needs.
Focusing on customer service. Railroads know their customers
face intensely competitive global markets that increasingly
demand faster, more reliable, and more cost-effective service.
In response, railroads are continually launching new customer
service initiatives and working together with rail suppliers,
trucking companies, and other businesses to improve their
service offerings.
Enhancing sustainability. Freight rail is well ahead of
other modes of transportation when it comes to limiting
greenhouse gas emissions, increasing fuel efficiency, and
reducing its carbon footprint. Freight railroads today account
for only 2.1 percent of the transportation-related greenhouse
gas emissions, while accounting for 40 percent or more of long-
distance freight volume. Today's railroads continue to leverage
technology and modernize their operations to meet tomorrow's
challenges, including improvements that increase efficiency and
benefit the environment.
Advocating for sound public policy. The rail industry has
identified several key policies that are essential for
maintaining and enhancing the safe, reliable service they
provide to their customers, including:
1. Maintaining the existing balanced regulatory structure covering
rail rates and service;
2. Replacing the outdated regulatory framework for the development
and incorporation of emerging technologies with one that
fosters innovation, continues to protect the public, and
does not unnecessarily ``lock in'' existing technologies
and processes;
3. Maintaining regulatory modal equity, so that the marketplace--
not the government--picks winners and losers among
transportation modes;
4. Ameliorating other modal inequities related to infrastructure
financing; and
5. Undertaking more rail-related public-private partnerships.
Freight and Passenger Rail Partnerships
Today, freight railroads provide the infrastructure for much of our
Nation's passenger rail. The vast majority of the nearly 22,000 miles
on which Amtrak operates are on track owned by freight railroads. In
addition, hundreds of millions of trips occur each year on commuter
rail systems that operate at least partially over tracks or right-of-
way owned by freight railroads. Freight railroads want passenger
railroads to succeed, but projects involving passenger and freight
railroads have a better chance of success if four overarching
principles are followed.
First and foremost, safety must always come first. Railroads are an
extremely safe way to move people and freight, and we must keep it that
way.
Second, passenger rail use of freight rail corridors must be
balanced with freight railroads' need to provide safe, reliable service
to present and future customers. Current as well as future capacity
needs of freight railroads must be protected.
Third, policymakers should provide passenger railroads with the
dedicated funding they need to operate safely and effectively, and to
pay for expanded capacity when required.
Finally, all parties must recognize that preference for Amtrak's
trains does not mean there will never be delays to Amtrak trains. Just
as when we set out on the interstate or buy our tickets for an airline
flight, we all recognize that congestion on the highways, in the air,
and on rail lines happen. AAR, on behalf of its freight railroad
members, is participating in the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)
rulemaking which is developing metrics and standards for measuring the
on-time performance (OTP) of Amtrak trains in part with the goal of
managing passenger rail travel so that the traveling public gets a
reasonably reliable service. But for any measurement and standard to be
effective, all parties must ensure that it is based on updated
schedules that reflect current and variable conditions on the rail
network.
Ever since Amtrak's creation, host freight railroads have worked
with Amtrak to establish rules and procedures governing their
interactions, including schedules, and have ultimately formalized those
agreements in bilateral operating agreements. However, some of Amtrak's
schedules are now decades old and have not been updated to reflect
current network conditions. Additionally, Amtrak's schedules were not
designed, as FRA recognized in its notice of proposed rulemaking, with
the proposed new measurement and standard in mind. As a result, using
existing schedules could cause misleading measurements of on-time
performance and unrealistic expectations for all stakeholders,
including, most importantly, for the traveling public.
Freight railroads agree that a sensible OTP metric and standard
would create certainty for Amtrak, host railroads, and, of course, the
traveling public. Freight railroads will continue to work cooperatively
with FRA, Amtrak, and others to ensure that the new metrics and
standards are appropriate, realistic, and fair to all parties.
Regulating Rail Rates and Service
The more than 600 freight railroads operating in the United States
form the best freight rail network in the world. The freight rail
industry accounts for roughly 40 percent of our Nation's long-distance
freight ton-miles--more than any other mode--and serves nearly every
agricultural, industrial, wholesale, retail, and resource-based sector
of our economy. By safely and reliably connecting producers and
consumers across the country and overseas, railroads support economic
growth and enhance our quality of life.
The global superiority of U.S. freight railroads is the direct
result of a balanced regulatory system that emanates from the Staggers
Act, a bill passed with overwhelming bipartisan support by Congress and
signed by President Carter 40 years ago in October 1980. Today, thanks
to the Staggers Act, railroads are able to base nearly all of their
rates and service offerings on the dictates of the market and are far
more responsive to customer needs than they were previously permitted
to be. Importantly, the Staggers Act did not completely deregulate
railroads. In addition to retaining authority over a variety of non-
rate-related areas, the Surface Transportation Board (STB) also has the
authority to set maximum rates if a railroad is found to have ``market
dominance'' over a particular movement and the rate is determined to be
unreasonable. The STB also retains the ability to take other actions if
a railroad engages in anticompetitive behavior.
Today's balanced regulation has allowed railroads to improve their
financial performance from the anemic levels found prior to the passage
of the Staggers Act to much healthier levels today. This financial
stability has in turn allowed the railroads to invest more than $710
billion of their own funds, not taxpayer funds, since 1980, and more
than $26 billion annually over the last five years, into improving and
modernizing their infrastructure and equipment. The benefits of these
investments to railroad customers and to our Nation at large are
incalculable. Railroads are also much safer, much more productive, and
moving much higher volumes than they were when the Staggers Act was
passed, all while average rail rates (measured by inflation-adjusted
revenue per ton-mile) are now 43 percent lower than in 1981. These
improvements in safety, capacity, and service are exactly the results
that Congress intended for the Staggers Act to generate and are
outcomes that are in the best interest of our Nation. Additionally, the
success of the Staggers Act was reaffirmed just last week when more
than 1,000 individuals--Democrats and Republicans--wrote in support of
protecting the current balanced regulatory framework.\1\ Signatories to
this letter include eight former U.S. Secretaries of Transportation,
more than 550 state and local officials, more than 200 business
leaders, nearly 90 think tanks, and 25 former administration officials
and congressional leaders.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The full text of this letter is attached to this written
testimony as Appendix A.
The freight rail industry is not complacent though. Looking ahead,
our Nation's recovery from this pandemic in the short term and our
economic prosperity in the long term will depend upon the viability and
effectiveness of our freight railroads. To accomplish these things,
railroads must be able to maintain their existing infrastructure and
equipment, build new capacity required to handle traffic they will be
called upon to haul, operate flexibly, and incorporate innovative new
technologies without unnecessary or counterproductive restrictions.
Transportation policymakers in this Congress and future Congresses
have a critical role to play. I respectfully suggest that policymakers
should take steps that make it easier--and, just as importantly,
refrain from taking steps that make it harder--for railroads to meet
our Nation's current and future freight transportation needs.
Railroads also commend this Committee for recently advancing the
nomination of Robert Primus to be a member of the STB. Railroads look
forward to working with Mr. Primus, Ms. Shultz, and the other current
STB members to support and strengthen the freight rail industry's
ability to serve its customers and reinvest for the future.
Railroads and COVID-19
In testimony to this Committee on June 3, 2020, I stated that
freight railroads established three main goals in their response to the
COVID-19 pandemic.
First and foremost, railroads want to keep their employees safe.
Teleworking is now available for those employees who are able to work
remotely, and social distancing, rigorous cleaning protocols, and the
use of protective devices are now ubiquitous on railroads to protect
those employees that must be on-site as part of ongoing operations.
Access by visitors to rail facilities has also been sharply curtailed,
and railroads are communicating regularly with their employees about
health and safety protocols. My understanding is that the number of
COVID-19 cases among rail employees has remained relatively low.
The railroads' second imperative is to continue to provide high
levels of safe, reliable service to their customers. I am aware of no
instances in which Class I railroads have had meaningful business
interruptions due to pandemic-related crew shortages. Virtually every
railroad customer has adjusted its operations because of the pandemic,
and freight railroads have partnered with them every step of the way.
Thanks in part to this cooperation, America's freight railroads today
are, by and large, running more fluidly than ever before.
Railroads are also making special efforts to expedite shipments of
goods that are in short supply or urgently needed, and these efforts
have not gone unnoticed by our customers and our regulators. In a joint
letter in August from the FRA and STB to each Class I railroad, those
agencies noted that ``[w]e . . . appreciate efforts to provide reliable
service and enhanced communication to rail shippers and note that,
during formal and informal interactions with stakeholders since the
onset of COVID-19, we have received many positive reports from across
the country.'' \2\ Separately, in May, the Chairman of the STB in a
letter to each Class I railroad expressed her and shippers'
appreciation for the railroads' efforts in maintaining service: ``Many
rail shippers have shared their appreciation for the freight railroads'
responsive and reliable service, and the Board commends the industry
for its efforts.'' \3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ Letter from The Hon. Ronald Batory, Administrator, Federal
Railroad Administration, et al., to Jean-Jacques Ruest, President and
Chief Executive Officer, Canadian National Railway Company, at 1 (Aug.
24, 2020) (the same letter was sent to each Class I railroad).
\3\ Letter from The Hon. Ann Begeman, Chairman, Surface
Transportation Board, to Carl Ice, President and Chief Executive
Officer, BNSF Railway Company, at 1 (May 7, 2020) (the same letter was
sent to each Class I railroad).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Similarly, at the STB's recent National Grain Car Council, a
representative of Archer Daniels Midland expressed their appreciation
for the railroads' response to the pandemic: ``I'd like to echo the
comments that Vice Chairman Oberman made . . . about thanking the
railroads for helping us get through the pandemic. . . . When the
pandemic first started, we went through . . . a lot of scenarios
planning on what were the risks for our organization and one that we
quickly identified was rail service and what that would mean for our
company. . . . Quickly we learned that the railroads had it under
control, and not only were they keeping their own employees safe, they
were keeping our employees safe as well. So, we really appreciate
that.'' \4\ Another grain shipper representative from Ag Processing
Inc. stated at that meeting: ``Through this process [of responding to
market changes from the pandemic], I think the railroads performed
well. . . . From what we've seen so far, service has been good.'' \5\
Additionally, at the STB's recent biennial meeting of the Rail Energy
Transportation Advisory Committee (RETAC), representatives from energy
shippers, including Cargill, noted that their rail service was
``running well'' and that railroads were adding sufficient amounts of
power and crews to meet demand, including near-record corn production
this year.\6\ Finally, a group of four shipper associations wrote the
STB, noting: ``Our members, like all sectors of the economy, including
the freight railroads, have had their operations severely disrupted by
the COVID-19 pandemic. Our members thus deeply appreciate . . . the
railroads' efforts to preserve and restore freight service. . . .'' \7\
Railroads take great pride in providing safe, reliable service to our
customers, especially in these unprecedented times, and appreciate the
recognition from shippers and regulators alike.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ Chris Boerm, Archer Daniels Midland, National Grain Car Council
Meeting: Grain Shipper Update, Sept. 10, 2020, Zoom, 0:51:22, https://
zoom.us/rec/play/J1vkzLqgG1LOn-8RAJO8WH
7Y_UtpDm3sZzSdA9PPehMjpmdgK9TqJFbjFmfm008E3S9_hfJqdQ5VJYvt.fDkDNE0jEQPUi
QVf (passcode available upon request).
\5\ Greg Twist, Ag Processing Inc., National Grain Car Council
Meeting: Grain Shipper Update, Sept. 10, 2020, Zoom, 1:02:42, https://
zoom.us/rec/play/J1vkzLqgG1LOn-8RAJO8WH7Y_Utp
Dm3sZzSdA9PPehMjpmdgK9TqJFbjFmfm008E3S9_hfJqdQ5VJYvt.fDkDNE0jEQPUiQVf
(passcode available upon request).
\6\ Joanna Marsh, ``Freight railroads meeting harvest season needs,
say shippers on STB advisory panel,'' FreightWaves, Oct. 7, 2020,
https://www.freightwaves.com/news/freight-railroads-meeting-harvest-
season-needs-shippers-tell-stb-advisory-panel.
\7\ Letter from Ann Warner, Spokesperson, Freight Rail Customer
Alliance, et al., to The Honorable Ann D. Begeman, Chairman, United
States Surface Transportation Board, at 2 (Aug. 31, 2020).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Railroads' third and final imperative is to continue to preserve
their financial stability so that they will be able to meet our
Nation's freight transportation demands into the future. As discussed
above, this is not a new focus but an ongoing effort to become the most
efficient freight transportation provider. One way that railroads have
done this, starting before the pandemic, is by re-examining and
continually focusing on improving their operating practices, and the
result has been a more resilient rail network that is better able to
adapt to market changes. As a result of this financial stability, Class
I freight railroads have neither requested, nor received, pandemic-
related financial assistance from Congress.
When much of the economy shut down during the second half of March
2020, U.S. GDP, consumer spending, and industrial output all plunged.
U.S. rail volumes followed suit. Total U.S. rail carloads fell 25
percent in the second quarter of 2020 as compared to the same quarter
in 2019, the biggest quarterly decline on record. Intermodal volume
also fell 13 percent.
The good news is that rail volumes have been improving in recent
months as the economy has slowly reopened. On the intermodal side,
volumes are now, at times, above pre-pandemic levels, thanks to surging
activity at ports and robust consumer spending on goods. On the carload
side, rail shipments in most categories have significantly improved as
compared to levels in April and May of this year. Most categories,
though, remain well below where they were prior to the pandemic.
The course of rail traffic volumes for the remainder of 2020 will
depend upon how quickly the economy recovers, which in turn will depend
on how quickly COVID-19 is brought fully under control.
Like firms in every other industry, railroads must manage their
resources, including locomotives, freight cars, and employees based on
business needs. Railroads are hopeful that freight transportation
demand will continue to grow and will make every effort to ensure they
have sufficient assets in place to meet that demand.
Looking Ahead to Surface Transportation Reauthorization
The recently-passed one-year extension of the FAST Act provides
Congress with additional time to forge a longer-term reauthorization
addressing critical transportation issues. Some of the priorities of
the freight rail industry are discussed in more detail below.
Restore the Highway Trust Fund to a User-Pays System
The United States has historically relied upon a user-pays system
to fund investments in public road and bridge infrastructure.
Unfortunately, revenues into the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) have failed
to keep pace with investment needs, requiring general fund transfers to
cover the shortfall. According to the Congressional Budget Office
(CBO), general fund transfers into the HTF have totaled almost $157
billion since 2008, including the $13 billion provided by the just-
signed continuing resolution, and an additional $203 billion could be
required to cover expected deficits through 2030.\8\ Revenues into the
HTF during 2020 have also been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and
its associated reduction in driving. While traffic volumes are
recovering, and CBO noted that HTF revenues in July 2020 were slightly
less than average spending in July 2018 and 2019, future economic
recovery, employment trends, and the elimination of COVID-19 will all
influence how HTF revenues continue to recover.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\8\ Congressional Budget Office, The Outlook for Major Federal
Trust Funds: 2020 to 2030, September 2020, page 3.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
These general fund transfers distort the freight transportation
market in favor of the commercial trucking industry and put other modes
at an unfair competitive disadvantage. This is especially problematic
for railroads which build, maintain, and pay for their own private
infrastructure. Congress should ameliorate this modal inequity by
reaffirming the user-pays system and increasing the fuel tax or
imposing a vehicle-miles traveled (``VMT'') fee or a weight-distance
fee. Additionally, Congress should reject proposals calling for
increases to Federal truck size and weight limitations on our Nation's
roads and bridges until, at a minimum, the commercial trucking industry
pays the full cost of the damage they already cause to this publicly-
provided infrastructure.
Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety
The freight rail industry urges Congress to recognize the call from
communities across the country to maintain or increase funding for the
Section 130 program, which allocates funding to states for grade
crossing improvement projects. Without this set-aside, the public
benefits of such projects are unlikely to be realized, given such
projects tend to fare poorly in competition for limited funding with
more traditional highway projects.
Congress should also take other actions to improve grade crossing
safety, including: increasing the current cap for incentive payments
for grade crossing closures from $7,500 to $100,000; eliminating the
arbitrary 50 percent cap on spending for hazard elimination projects;
allowing Section 130 funds to be used to replace functionally obsolete
warning devices at crossings; and incentivizing states to bundle grade
crossing projects under discretionary grant programs.
Public Partnerships with Freight Railroads
Policymakers should further the efficiency and fluidity of our
Nation's freight transportation system by supporting programs that
improve ``first'' and ``last'' mile connections. Improving these
connections will forge a stronger, more effective freight
transportation system and benefit customers and the economy alike.
Freight railroads support funding for discretionary grant programs,
such as the INFRA, BUILD, CRISI, and SOGR grant programs, as well as
for Amtrak. These programs enable the public sector, including state
and local governments and passenger railroads, to partner with freight
railroads to advance projects of mutual interest, including projects to
reduce road and port congestion, enhance safety at grade crossings,
facilitate intercity passenger and commuter rail service, and improve
quality of life for communities.
Additionally, public-private partnerships can help solve critical
transportation challenges by combining public and private resources for
specific projects. Without these partnerships, many projects that
promise substantial public benefits (such as reduced highway congestion
or increased rail capacity for use by passenger trains) in addition to
private benefits (such as enabling faster freight trains) are likely to
be delayed or never started because neither party can justify the full
investment needed to complete them. We urge members of this Committee
to support such innovative solutions.
Short Line Infrastructure Tax Credit
The short line infrastructure tax credit--known as ``45G''--
provides incentives for non-Class I railroads to invest in freight
railroad track rehabilitation. This tax credit has been successful in
preserving the first and last mile of rail connectivity and led to more
than $4 billion in new investments in short line operations since 2005.
Thanks to the members of this Committee, this tax credit is currently
in effect through the end of 2022. We respectfully urge your continued
support to make it permanent.
Technology and Innovation
Emerging technologies promise to significantly enhance rail safety
and operations. For example, automated track inspection can improve
detection of defects and response time leading to fewer track-related
accidents, and safety data collected from the automated track
inspection programs clearly support further deployment of this
important technology. Unfortunately, due to the existing regulatory
framework, new rail technologies can often only be used in conjunction
with, rather than as a replacement for, manual inspections required by
existing FRA regulations. As a result, this framework creates
disincentives for the development and use of emerging technologies that
would ultimately enhance the safety and efficiency of rail operations.
In formulating a mode neutral regulatory framework that encourages
the realization of the benefits of emerging technologies, railroads
urge Congress to adhere to several principles.
First, regulatory barriers must be overcome in ways that are more
enduring than waivers. Congress should direct DOT to make permanent
long-standing waivers whose value has been proven through successful
implementation or to issue final rules if equivalent or improved safety
has been demonstrated. Limited short-term waivers from existing
regulations do not give industry sufficient confidence to invest in new
technologies.
Second, to the greatest extent possible, railroads and equipment
manufacturers should be permitted to continue to create voluntary
standards for safety technology. No one has a greater stake in the
success of new safety technologies than railroads and their suppliers,
and market pressures already incentivize them to create and implement
safety technologies that work.
Third, new regulations governing automated operations in the
transportation sector should be performance-based, rather than
prescriptive. Performance-based standards would give industry
discretion to experiment with new ways to improve safety, while the FRA
would still oversee goal-setting, ensure that measures and data are
accurate, and impose sanctions if railroads failed to meet their safety
targets. Rail employees, customers, and the public-at-large would still
be fully protected.
Fourth, regulation of automated operations and other technologies
should occur at the Federal level to avoid a patchwork of state and
local rules that would create confusion, inhibit the deployment of new
innovations, and undercut the efficient functioning of the national
rail network.
Finally, public fear of the unknown is often unfounded but can
prove to be a major obstacle to the implementation of new technologies.
Railroads urge policymakers to speak out in support of innovation and
help explain the realization of the benefits of new technologies.
Positive Train Control (PTC) Update
To close, I want to provide this Committee with an update on
railroads' implementation of PTC. All Class I railroads have 100
percent of required PTC route-miles in operation, including: 100
percent of their required PTC-related hardware installed, 100 percent
of their PTC-related spectrum in place, and 100 percent of their
required employee training completed. The seven Class I freight
railroads will continue to work to ensure full interoperability by the
end of this year.
Conclusion
America's freight railroads are a tremendous national resource and
look forward to working cooperatively with you, other policymakers, our
employees, our customers, and all other interested parties to advance
our shared interests in moving our Nation forward.
______
Appendix A
The Chairman. Thank you very much, Mr. Jefferies. And Mr.
Dennis Pierce, President, Teamsters Rail Conference of
Washington, D.C. Are you with us remotely, sir?
Mr. Pierce. Yes, I am. Can you hear me?
The Chairman. I sure can. You are now recognized.
STATEMENT OF DENNIS R. PIERCE, PRESIDENT, TEAMSTERS RAIL
CONFERENCE, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF TEAMSTERS
Mr. Pierce. Good morning, Chairman Wicker, Ranking Member
Cantwell, and the Committee members. The 70,000 members of the
Teamsters Rail Conference and its Brotherhood of Locomotive
Engineers and Trainmen and Brotherhood of Maintenance Subway
employees divisions appreciate the opportunity to provide our
views on the state of the Nation's rail network, the impacts of
COVID-19, and necessary legislative considerations for surface
transportation reauthorization. For The past 7 months, the
COVID pandemic has turned life upside down for our nation,
including the railroad industry and the men and women who move
the Nation's goods and people.
I am pleased to report that the industry's essential
employees have answered the call and worked tirelessly to serve
our economy. But our members have paid a heavy price. Record
numbers of freight workers were furloughed and traffic cratered
on top of historic furloughs that occurred prior to the
pandemic. Despite sharply rebounding traffic, recalls have been
insufficient to meet demand in many locations, and rail
conference members lucky enough to avoid furlough, many of whom
work or lay over far away from home, have had to deal with
unprecedented health and safety concerns. The provisions of the
PPE and safe and sanitary lodging in meal facilities have been
inconsistent at best. Sadly, the Executive Branch agencies
responsible for workplace safety still haven't stepped up to
the plate.
So we urge the Senate to pass S. 3884, the Essential
Transportation Employee Safety Act and S. 3677, the COVID-19
Every Worker Protection Act. Passenger ridership decline was
even more dramatic. I know this panel, it is not the Amtrak
panel but I have to make a comment. Thanks to the CARES Act,
Amtrak and the commuter railroad stabilized workforce levels
through the end of the last Fiscal Year. Today, however, Amtrak
and the commuters are on the brink of another crisis because
ridership largely hasn't returned, although we are certain that
it will. In spite of that, as you have heard, Amtrak is
implementing tri-weekly service and is about to furlough 25
percent of its locomotive engineers. Commuter agencies are also
looking at further service reductions and furloughs. As you
have heard, the House has teed up additional emergency relief
in bills like the HEROES Act, which if passed by the Senate,
would provide railroads and their workers with this much needed
help.
Even without COVID, the railroad industry today is in a
turmoil in ways that threaten to destabilize labor management
relations in a way not seen in over 50 years. One reason is the
industry's attempt to use safety technologies beyond their
capabilities. The other is Precision Scheduled Railroading, a
business model that rewards Wall Street at the expense of
everyone else, in our opinion. My written testimony discusses
both problems in detail, but I will focus here on PSR as my
time is limited. America needs a railroad industry that
balances rail operations, shipper needs, effective maintenance,
safety, employee and manpower concerns, and the industry's long
term help. The PSR has transformed the industry, so it is now
one that went from a customer service model to a customer
service to railroad model.
In our opinion, went from a safety first model to a profits
first model, from an employee added value model to employees
are a cost to be reduced model, and permanent reinvestment in
assets model to an extraction of value model. PSRs across the
board and ruthless cost cutting has produced historically high
unemployment rates in our industry. Between 2014 and 2019, long
before COVID, employment on the four Class I railroads, the
largest Class I railroads, was cut by 17 percent. Nearly 30,000
jobs lost.
PSR has led to deferred maintenance, the closing of many
rail yards and repair shops, and a constant state of chaos is
operating. Crew bases are relocated to reduce the number of
crews needed to long distance trains, and two to three mile
long trains have become the norm. Trains are routinely operated
that exceed the capacity of the infrastructure to accommodate
them without significant operational delays all at the
shipper's expense. And trains are being operated with links
that exceed the capacity of FRA regulated safety technology.
Suffice to say that PSR has cut much deeper than just
eliminating fat in the industry. It has cut into muscle and
bone required to maintain the Nation's railroad infrastructure.
PSR may be good for the bottom line, but in our view, it is bad
for the Nation's shippers, America's customers, and the workers
who move the Nation's freight. These problems should be
addressed in the reauthorization process.
We urge the Committee to investigate whether the public
interest, as envisioned by Staggers in the 1990s merger and
control decisions, is being served by PSR. GAO should be tasked
with studying changes in operating and scheduling practices, a
result of PSR, including the metrics detailed in my written
testimony.
We also believe that the reauthorization bill should
include S. 1979, the Safe Freight Act, which would put a halt
to the industry's attempts to eliminate jobs with technology
that cannot and is not designed to replace safety critical
train crew members. Thank you for the opportunity to testify
and I would be happy to try to answer any questions that you
have.
[The prepared statement of Mr. Pierce follows:]
Prepared Statement of Dennis R. Pierce, President, Teamsters Rail
Conference, International Brotherhood of Teamsters
Good morning Chairman Wicker and Ranking Member Cantwell, and good
morning as well to Chairman Fischer and Ranking Member Duckworth of the
Transportation and Safety Subcommittee. I thank you for holding today's
hearing on the current status of the passenger and freight rail network
and the track ahead. I look forward to providing you with important
information on the current state of the Nation's rail network,
including the impacts of COVID-19, and to addressing legislative
considerations for surface transportation reauthorization.
My name is Dennis Pierce, and I am proud to serve as President of
the Teamsters Rail Conference, which represents over 70,000 working men
and women who are members of the Rail Conference's two divisions. One
is the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen--or BLET--which
represents the locomotive engineers who operate freight, passenger and
commuter trains across the land, and we also represent conductors,
trainmen and other railroad workers on smaller railroads. The BLET is
the oldest union in North America, and I am honored to also serve as
BLET National President.
The Teamsters Rail Conference also includes the Brotherhood of
Maintenance of Way Employes Division, which has represented the workers
who build and maintain the tracks, bridges, buildings and other
structures on the railroads of the United States for over 130 years. On
behalf of our 70,000 plus members, we truly appreciate the opportunity
to address the Committee today.
My testimony will address three areas of concern to Rail Conference
members and all railroad workers. I will first provide the Committee
with a track-level report of how the industry is coping with the COVID-
19 Pandemic, which is a subject that remains of critical interest to
all of America. Next, I will provide our view on recent developments in
the industry, where we are today, and the challenges that the industry
faces tomorrow. And, finally, I will address the subjects we believe
the Committee needs to include in surface transportation
reauthorization.
When the COVID Pandemic was declared this past Spring, life turned
upside down for our Nation, including the railroad industry and the men
and women who move America's goods and people. A new term was coined--
the ``essential employee''--and Teamsters Rail Conference members,
along with their Brothers and Sisters comprising the other railroad
crafts, certainly fit into that category. I am pleased to report to the
Committee that the railroad industry's essential employees have
answered the call and worked tirelessly to fulfill their responsibility
to the economy.
But it is important to understand that this success has come in the
face of unprecedented challenges. On the freight side, traffic
plummeted as significant portions of the country--and the world--shut
down to manage the explosion of COVID cases in the early months. Record
numbers of Rail Conference members and their co-workers were furloughed
in response to the cratering of demand. This was on top of historic
furloughs that occurred prior to the Pandemic, which were a function of
the industry's current business model, which I'll discuss in detail
shortly. In recent months, traffic has rebounded sharply--evidence of a
V-shaped recovery--but recalls from furlough have been minimal and
continue to lag. Thus, while railroad employment levels were a leading
indicator of the COVID-related recession, they are a trailing indicator
of the recovery.
Those Rail Conference members lucky enough to avoid a furlough have
had to deal with other concerns for their personal health and safety. A
large proportion of BLET members and their crewmates work in road
service, where they must lay over at the other end of the road before
returning home, and many BMWED members work in what are called
traveling gangs, which cover vast territories. Because of the nature of
their work, tens of thousands of Rail Conference members spend
significant time on the road, away from their families.
The nature of COVID has placed increased importance of personal
protective equipment--or PPE--as well as the need for safe and sanitary
lodging and meal facilities. Some railroads have been diligent about
providing appropriate PPE, but others have been less successful. We
believe the root of the problem lies in the fact that the appropriate
Executive Branch agencies have not yet established mandatory PPE
guidelines. This failure continues to place our members and their
families at risk.
In order to address these PPE concerns, we urge the Senate to pass
S. 3884, the Essential Transportation Employee Safety Act, which was
introduced by Senators Blumenthal, Cantwell and Markey and currently is
assigned to the Committee. We also urge passage of S. 3677--the COVID-
19 Every Worker Protection Act--introduced by Senators Baldwin and
Duckworth, which would direct OSHA to address COVID protection in the
workplace. This bill has 35 additional co-sponsors, and has been
referred to the HELP Committee.
On the passenger rail side, the decline in ridership was even more
precipitous than the plunge in freight rail traffic. Thanks to your
support in the CARES Act, Amtrak and the commuter rail carriers were
able to stabilize workforce levels through the end of the Fiscal Year.
Today, however, these passenger and commuter railroads are on the brink
of another crisis and find themselves in the opposite position than the
freight railroads.
Ridership levels have shown only a very small uptick, as millions
of Americans continue to work from home and few vacationing Americans
are opting to take public transportation as the Pandemic continues.
Amtrak has made plans to cut long-distance service by half or more, and
projects furloughing about 10 percent of its workforce, including
nearly one-fourth of its Passenger Engineers corps, including all
Student Engineers. Commuter agencies also are looking at reductions in
service, and in employment.
That combined is why there is an urgent need for additional
emergency funding. On October 1st, the House passed the CARES 2 Act,
which includes 2.2 billion dollars in additional emergency funding so
that Amtrak can maintain service at Fiscal Year 2019 levels and prevent
these furloughs. It is only a matter of time until ridership returns in
a significant way, and we believe it is imperative that this temporary
emergency support be provided because not doing so risks Amtrak and
commuter agencies losing thousands of furloughed workers, and then
being un-able to provide service at levels needed to meet the increased
demand that is anticipated next year.
Even in the absence of the COVID Pandemic, the railroad industry
today is in turmoil. Finally, and several decades after the National
Transportation Safety Board first recommended the implementation of
anti-collision technology, the industry is approaching full compliance
with your mandate that key routes have a working Positive Train Control
system. However, instead of using this technology as a safety
complement to crews, the railroads want to use it to replace
crewmembers, even though the technology cannot, and is not designed to,
do many of the things the second crewmember does.
BMWED members of the Teamsters Rail Conference face a similar
challenge. Railroads are actively testing and deploying various track
inspection technologies, in several cases aided by waivers from
existing track safety standards that have been granted by the Federal
Railroad Administration (FRA). Once again, however, instead of using
these technologies to assist the expert track inspectors represented by
BMWED, the railroads are trying to eliminate their jobs.
On top of this, over the few years the Class I railroads have begun
implementing a new business model--called ``Precision Scheduled
Railroading'' or PSR--that has turned the industry upside down. The
focus of PSR is to reduce a railroad's operating ratio, which is the
proportion of operating expenses to operating income.
America needs a railroad industry in which rail operations, shipper
needs, effective maintenance, safety, employee and manpower concerns,
and the long-term health of the railroads are equitably balanced. In
our view, PSR has transformed the industry from a customer service
model to a model where the customer serves the railroad . . . from a
safety first model to a profits first model . . . from an employees
added-value model to an employees are a cost-to-be-reduced model . . .
and from a reinvestment-in-assets model to an extraction-of-value
model.
While PSR's across-the-board and ruthless cost-cutting has produced
historically low operating ratios, it also has produced historically
high unemployment rates in the industry. Between 2014 and 2019, before
COVID had any impact, railroad employment on the four largest Class I
railroads was reduced by 17 percent, with nearly 30,000 jobs being
lost. And, because of additional furloughs blamed on COVID's impact on
the economy, PSR enabled two of those railroads to further cut
operating ratios during the same quarter that the Nation's GDP
plummeted by 31.7 percent, year over year.
PSR has led to deferred maintenance and the closing of many repair
shops. It has created a constant state of chaos as operating crew bases
are relocated to reduce the number of crews needed to operate long-
distance trains, and 2- to 3-mile-long trains are becoming far too
prevalent. Railroads routinely operate trains that are so long the
physical infrastructure cannot accommodate them without significant
operational delays, because passing sidings simply cannot hold them.
Trains also are being operated with lengths that exceed the
capacity of FRA-required safety technology. On October 4, 2018 there
was a rear-end collision involving two Union Pacific Railroad trains
near Granite Canyon, Wyoming, which occurred on a 13-mile-long, steep
downhill grade of 1.58 percent. Attached to my testimony as Exhibit 1
is the National Transportation Safety Board's Safety Recommendation
Report that discusses this accident.
As the NTSB explains, the accident occurred because the striking
train's engineer lost the ability to control the speed of his train,
even though he initiated an emergency brake application as soon as it
became apparent that normal braking was insufficient. NTSB determined
that this problem was likely caused by an obstruction in the train's
air brake pipe.
FRA regulations require a back-up safety measure--a train's end-of-
train device must be in communication with the locomotives via a radio
telemetry link. The engineer can use this link to initiate an emergency
brake application from the rear of the train in conjunction with
initiating one from the head end of the train. However, the engineer
was unable to do that because the length of the train exceeded the
range of the telemetry link. Both crewmembers of the striking train
were killed in the accident.
This NTSB Report also discusses a similar braking incident, which
occurred on the same railroad west of Cheyenne about seven weeks later.
In this second case, the problem with the braking system was caused by
a kinked air hose in the middle of the train, which prevented a brake
pipe reduction from being transmitted to the rear of the train. When
the engineer initiated an emergency brake application on the
locomotives, he was unable to trigger one on the rear and, again
because the length of the train exceeded the range of the telemetry
link.
A second tragedy was averted only because the crew on this train
resourcefully kept toggling the emergency switch until the interrupted
telemetry link was restored. Fortunately, this crew had the time
necessary to implement this workaround, which the Granite Canyon was
denied.
A daunting number of other safety risks have been identified as a
result of the slash-and-burn application of PSR. This past winter, the
Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division of the Teamsters
Rail Conference published a detailed Report of the results of an
extensive Survey of its membership detailing how PSR has affected them.
It was presented to Federal Railroad Administrator Batory on February
19th of this year, and is attached to my testimony as Exhibit 2 for
inclusion in the record of this Hearing.
The Survey Report shows that, between 2016 and 2019, the jobs of 14
percent of the Nation's BMWED-represented maintenance of way workforce
were eliminated as a result of PSR, reducing the headcount from 35,440
to 30,742. At the beginning of the Report is a 4-page summary that
includes 10 comments that are representative of the responses submitted
by the nearly 10,000 Survey respondents. They portray a shocking
abandonment of safety, reduced maintenance standards and disregard for
customer service, all in the name of slashing costs.
We also have received reports of:
Carmen told to inspect rail cars in under 60 seconds when
they can't even walk around a car in 60 seconds.
Locomotive Mechanics assigned ``blue cards'' for inspection
and maintenance are being told to stop work on the inspections
before the cards are completed, and managers are signing the
cards in order to get the locomotives out to fit the schedule.
Rail brake checks are being performed while trains are in
motion instead of while cars are standing still.
Signal inspection and repair territories have been expanded
beyond what can reasonably be handled, forcing Signalmen to
triage by dealing only with most serious issues and not
necessarily handling all issues that need to be fixed.
Because of reductions, Signalmen on one of the four largest
Class I railroads are unable to make all 30-day inspections;
when they report this to the railroad, they are told to ``get
to them when they can,'' and some tests are being performed as
much as five days later than required.
PSR also has led to some bizarre operational results that have been
reported to my fellow Rail Chiefs from the field, such as:
We have been made aware of situations in which rail cars
were sent past their destinations by 200-300 miles and then
brought back because the railroad did not want to stop and
switch the cars out of consist, in order to keep to the
schedule.
We have also been told of rail cars being run past their
destination multiple times for similar reasons.
Problems getting trains out of yards have been reported,
which were caused by the elimination of Yardmaster jobs,
requiring Train Dispatchers to manage movements out of train
yards remotely by using yard video feeds.
Further, PSR has led to the abolishment or absorption of the
jobs of those who manage train line-ups. This has greatly
reduced the work predictability that is so important to
operating crew members who are on call 24/7, 365 days a year.
Changes like this also undermine the fatigue mitigations
efforts for road crews that this body implemented in the RSIA
in 2008.
And there have been published reports of stopped trains
blocking road crossings for hours at a time when its crew can
no longer work because of hours of service laws, but the
precision scheduling of PSR has not put a new crew on the
train.
We have even heard of situations in which railroads are either
refusing to serve shippers or making it cost prohibitive to use rail.
And I have read of instances where railroads have hit shippers with
demurrage fees for some delays that were plainly the railroad's fault.
But the other witnesses on this panel can testify to these problems
much better than I can.
In a nutshell, the push for PSR has cut much deeper than just
eliminating fat; it has cut into the muscle and bone needed to most
safely and efficiently manage the Nation's rail network. PSR may be
good for the bottom line, but it has been bad for the Nation's
shippers, American consumers, and the employees that move the Nation's
freight day in and day out.
Now, many of the above examples are anecdotal, and I expect the
railroads would make that point as loudly and as long as they could.
But my response to that would be to say ``This is why we have a
Congress.'' And that leads me to the subjects the Teamsters Rail
Conference believes the Committee needs to include in surface
transportation reauthorization.
First, we believe the Committee--and the Transportation and Safety
Subcommittee--needs to closely examine the state of the freight
railroad industry. Forty years ago, the industry, which was in dire
straits, was largely deregulated when the Staggers Act became the law
of the land. While that was a tough and bitter pill for railroad
workers to swallow, the industry was able to reinvent itself. Then, the
1990s brought a wave of mega-mergers, which reduced the number of Class
I railroads to seven.
But with the advent of PSR, we now are confronted with an industry
that can, and far too often does, say--in the words attributed to
Robber Baron William H. Vanderbilt--``The public be damned.'' We urge
the Committee to investigate whether the public interest is being
served, as envisioned by the Staggers Act and the 1990s merger and
control decisions by the carriers' new PSR operating model.
A good start to this process would be the inclusion in upcoming
surface transportation reauthorization of a requirement that the
Government Accountability Office conduct an investigation and produce a
report like the one envisioned in Section 9502 of the TRAIN Act portion
of H.R. 2. Specifically, the GAO should study changes in freight
railroad operating and scheduling practices as a result of the
implementation of the PSR model, including, at minimum:
the impacts of the operation of longer trains;
the safety impacts of reduction in workforce, including
occupational injury rates, impacts to inspection frequencies
and repair quality, and changes in workforce demands;
the elimination or downsizing of yards, repair facilities,
and other operational facilities;
increases in demurrage or accessorial charges or other costs
to shippers;
capital expenditures for rail infrastructure; and
the effect of changes to dispatching practices and locations
of dispatching centers on the on-time performance of passenger
trains, and the quality and reliability of service to freight
shippers.
There are two additional provisions, which have already been
introduced in the Senate, that we believe also should be included in
the surface transportation reauthorization bill. One is Senator
Markey's ``Safe Freight Act'', S. 1979, which lies with this Committee
and has fifteen co-sponsors. This bill would put a halt to the
industry's attempt to eliminate jobs with a technology that cannot--and
is not designed to--replace safety-critical train crew members, and in
a manner that is wholly consistent with current crewing practices.
The other is the bipartisan S. 2652, the ``Protection of American
Jobs in Cross-Border Rail Operations with Mexico Act'', which also lies
with this Committee. As you know, earlier this year the United States-
Mexico-Canada Agreement entered into force. But the USMCA, or NAFTA-2,
is fundamentally unfair to American railroad workers.
For decades, there has been cross-border passenger and freight rail
traffic between the U.S. and Canada with crews crossing the border for
a short distance into the non-resident country. These operations have
been facilitated by largely shared regulatory, safety and labor
cultures between the United States and our neighbor to the north.
To the South, however, freight crews have historically changed at
the border because, under Mexican law, only Mexican nationals can
perform railroad work in that country. When the USMCA was being
negotiated, the Teamsters Rail Conference fought long and hard for
reciprocal treatment. This effort was supported by the Teamsters Canada
Rail Conference and by the Union that represents Mexico's railroad
workers.
However, we were unsuccessful in obtaining reciprocity in the
NAFTA-2 Agreement, and today Mexican crews are operating the vast
majority of trains on the Kansas City Southern Railway's affiliate--the
Texas Mexican Railway--between the International Bridge in Laredo and
Laredo Yard. Inclusion of S. 2652 in the surface transportation
reauthorization bill would be an important first step toward remedying
this inequity.
I thank you for the opportunity to testify today, and I would be
happy to try to answer any questions that you may have.
______
Exhibit 1
National Transportation Safety Board
Safety Recommendation Report RSR-1902
September 16, 2019
Train Emergency Brake Communication
Ongoing Investigation
On October 4, 2018, at 7:40 p.m. mountain daylight time, eastbound
Union Pacific (UP) freight train MGRCY04 (striking train) collided with
the rear of stationary UP freight train MPCNP03 (stationary train)
after cresting a hill and traveling down a descending grade of up to
1.58 percent for about 13 miles.\1\ The striking train consisted of 3
leading locomotives and 105 railcars. The engineer and conductor of the
striking train were killed, and 3 locomotives and 57 railcars of the
striking train derailed while 9 railcars of the stationary train
derailed. Prior to the accident, the crew of the striking UP freight
train reported problems with the train's air brake system and radioed
the UP Harriman Dispatch Center to advise them they had accelerated to
50 mph and were unable to stop.\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ For additional details on this accident, please review the
preliminary report for this accident, RRD19FR001, at http://
www.ntsb.gov.
\2\ Train air brakes are controlled by an air brake pipe that spans
the length of the train. Brakes are applied by reducing the air
pressure in the air brake pipe. Emergency brakes are applied by rapid
venting of the air brake pipe to atmosphere.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Event recorder data from the striking train's lead locomotive
showed changes in the air flow from the locomotive to the air brake
pipe at specific locations earlier in the trip. When the train was
stretched (when the locomotives pulled the train uphill), the air flow
was steady at about 27 cubic feet per minute (CFM), but when the train
was bunched (compressed when the locomotives slowed the train going
downhill) the recorded air flow dropped to 0 CFM.
The air flow meter shows how much air the locomotive is providing
to the air brake pipe to compensate for leakage and to maintain the
pressure needed for the brakes to operate correctly. Initial
information obtained during the National Transportation Safety Board
(NTSB) investigation indicated that the air flow did not display on the
engineer's console when it was below 20 CFM, and the recorded air flow
dropped to 0 CFM. Air flow dropping to a low level can be an indication
of an obstruction in the air brake pipe.
When the engineer of the striking train bunched the train using
locomotive-only electric brakes (dynamic braking) to go down the hill,
the recorded data indicated that the air flow dropped below 20 CFM.
Dynamic braking alone was insufficient to slow the train on the long
descending grade. The train started to accelerate down the hill and the
engineer tried to compensate for the increase in speed by applying air
brakes. Despite the air brake application, the train continued to
accelerate. Before the train reached the railroad's 30-mph speed limit,
the engineer made an emergency brake application. The air brake
application would have reduced the pressure in the air brake pipe at
the lead locomotive, and the reduction in pressure in the air brake
pipe should have propagated from the front of the train to the rear,
causing the air brakes to be applied along the entire train. The
emergency brake application would have rapidly vented the air brake
pipe to atmosphere, again propagating from the front of the train to
the rear. Air brakes applied along the entire train would have been
enough to slow and then stop the train. NTSB investigators are
examining the failure of the reduction in air brake pipe pressure to
propagate to the rear of the train when the engineer applied the air
brakes.
Normally when emergency brakes are applied, in addition to venting
the air brake pipe at the lead locomotive, the head-of-train device
(HTD) in the lead locomotive transmits a radio message to the end-of-
train device (ETD) at the rear of the train to initiate an emergency
brake application and vent the air brake pipe to atmosphere at the rear
of the train at the same time the air brake pipe is vented at the front
of the train. According to the event recorder, the ETD did not initiate
an emergency application of the brakes by venting the air brake pipe to
atmosphere from the rear of the train. Instead, the train continued to
accelerate. NTSB investigators are researching the reason for the
communication failure between the HTD and ETD.
Communicating Train Emergency Brake Signals
There are two methods of communicating an emergency brake signal
from the front to the rear of a train: an air pressure reduction that
propagates along the train's brake pipe and radio communication between
the train's HTD and ETD, which will vent the air brake pipe from the
rear of the train as well. The HTD communication with the ETD should be
automatically synchronized with the application of emergency brakes
using the brake handle, but the HTD can also be triggered to
communicate an emergency braking signal to the ETD independently by
toggling a switch on the HTD. These two communication channels provide
redundancy, but there are occasions where both methods fail to operate
as intended.
Problems Initiating Braking through Air Pressure Reductions
NTSB investigators relied on data from the locomotive's event
recorder, evidence found while on scene, and accepted principles of
train air brake systems to ascertain what happened in this accident.
The air flow recorded by the event recorder showed there was steady air
flow when the train was stretched. The event recorder showed that the
air flow dropped when the train was bunched. This was likely caused by
an obstruction in the air brake pipe, which spans the length of the
train. The air hoses used to maintain brake pipe continuity between
railcars are the components most likely affected when the train is
changed from stretched to bunched. In addition, investigators
identified wheels from the train that exhibited discoloration due to
overheating associated with an emergency brake application only on
railcars on the front end of the train. There was no evidence of
braking behind these cars.
The location of discolored wheels and the event recorder data led
investigators to the conclusion that the probable air hose obstruction
occurred within the 19 railcars that were added to the front of the
train at Laramie, which was about 38 miles from the accident site.
Evidence from another incident shows how this failure can occur. On
November 23, 2018, another UP train crew working west of Cheyenne,
Wyoming, experienced similar issues while descending in heavy grade
territory. After applying the brakes (reducing the air brake pipe
pressure) to slow the train, the crew realized that the pressure
reduction was not propagated to the rear of the train. The crew made
several attempts to initiate an emergency brake application by toggling
the emergency brake function on the HTD. The first two attempts were
unsuccessful. On the third attempt, the train went into emergency
braking. Upon inspection, railroad employees discovered a kinked air
hose, as seen in figure 1. When emergency braking was applied, the
kinked hose prevented the venting of the air brake pipe to atmosphere
to propagate from the front of the train to the rear of the train. The
third emergency brake application on the HTD led to successful
communication with the ETD, which vented the air brake pipe from the
rear of the train.
Figure 1. Kinked end-of-railcar air hose on railcar brake rigging
of train involved in the November 23, 2018, incident west of Cheyenne,
Wyoming. (Photograph provided by UP.)
On December 20, 2018, a UP mechanical employee discovered a similar
kink in an air hose on a railcar on an outbound train that had recently
received end-of-railcar hose repairs from a railcar repair shop. The
end-of-railcar hose was configured incorrectly which kinked the hose,
as seen in figure 2.
Figure 2. Kinked intermediate end-of-railcar air hose that was
discovered during an inspection after an end-of-railcar air hose
configuration was incorrectly applied. (Photograph provided by UP.)
Although the NTSB is still investigating the Granite Canyon
accident, data from the event recorder indicates that air flow was
obstructed in the air brake hose when the train bunched as it traveled
downhill. Some of the railcars that were picked up by the accident
train in Laramie would have had similar end-of-railcar air hose
arrangements as the subject cars in the November 23, 2018, incident and
the December 20, 2018, inspection. UP had procedures in place prior to
the accident regarding the inspection of air hoses and air hose
assemblies. After the accident and after the subsequent fouled air
hoses were found, UP issued guidance to focus attention on inspecting
cars with these air hose arrangements. The NTSB concludes that
incorrectly configured air brake hoses could result in the inability to
slow or stop a train. Therefore, the NTSB recommends that the Class I
railroads review and issue guidance as necessary for the inspection of
end-of-railcar air hose configurations to ensure the air hose
configuration matches the intended design.
Problems Initiating Braking with Radio Communication
Emergency braking is enhanced with communication between the HTD
and ETD because braking by venting the air brake pipe can be
concurrently activated from both the front and the rear of the train,
resulting in the rapid reduction of pressurized air from two opposite
directions. If there is an obstruction in the air brake pipe, the
brakes on all railcars would engage, up to and including the point of
obstruction from both ends of the train. The emergency braking action
initiated from a locomotive without the aid of an ETD would only be
effective up to the point that air flow is obstructed. Under such
circumstances, the amount of effective braking would be dependent upon
where the restriction occurred in the air brake pipe; the closer the
obstruction was to the front of the train, the less braking effort
would be available. Inadequate or nonexistent airflow at the blockage
point would preclude the activation of emergency brakes on all railcars
behind the blockage. ETDs are proven critical hardware components that
provide a quicker application of emergency brakes and provide a
redundant path to induce braking in the event of an air brake pipe
obstruction.
Radio telemetry between ETDs and HTDs can be interrupted by natural
obstructions, changes in track grade, and track curvature during normal
operations. Notifications to the train crew of such communication
interruptions do not initiate until there has been a loss of
communication for a minimum of 16 minutes and 30 seconds. Therefore,
train crews may not be aware of communication interruptions between the
HTD and ETD in a timely manner.
When an emergency brake application is initiated, the HTD transmits
an emergency command signal to the ETD for 2 minutes or until the HTD
receives an acknowledgement signal from the ETD. After 2 minutes with
no reply from the ETD, the HTD emergency command transmission ends and
the HTD will not start transmitting another emergency command signal
unless the train crew initiates another emergency brake application.
The NTSB is continuing to investigate these communication issues and
they will be addressed further in the final report on this accident.
Class I railroads have air brake and train handling rules, and
system special instructions (SSI) that stipulate operating procedures
when ascending and descending graded territory. SSI typically contain
information that tells the engineer and conductor where and when to
check the braking performance of the train. In addition, the SSI
includes special instructions on operating the device and what to do if
there is an HTD/ETD communication failure. In this accident, these
procedures did not prevent the brake failure on a grade, leading to the
accident.
The NTSB concludes that the interruption of radio telemetry between
an HTD and ETD could result in a lack of redundancy for emergency
braking. Therefore, the NTSB recommends that the Class I railroads
review and revise their air brake and train handling instructions and
two-way ETD instructions to include: monitoring locomotive air flow
meters for unexpected fluctuations, checking the status of
communication between HTDs and ETDs before cresting a grade, and
actions to take if the air pressure at the rear of the train does not
respond to an air brake application. Furthermore, the NTSB recommends
that the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association alert
its member carriers to (1) inspect the end-of-railcar air hose
configurations and ensure the hose configurations match the intended
design and (2) review and revise their air brake and train handling
instructions for grade operations and two-way ETD instructions to
include: monitoring locomotive air flow meters, checking the status of
communication between HTDs and ETDs before cresting a grade, and
actions to take if the air pressure at the rear of the train does not
respond to an air brake application.
Recomendations
As a result of this investigation, the National Transportation
Safety Board makes the following safety recommendations:
To the Class I Railroads:
Review and issue guidance as necessary for the inspection of
end-of-railcar air hose configurations to ensure the air hose
configuration matches the intended design. (R-19-41)
Review and revise your air brake and train handling
instructions for grade operations and two-way end-of-train
device instructions to include: monitoring locomotive air flow
meters, checking the status of communication between the head-
of-train and end-of train devices before cresting a grade, and
the actions to take if the air pressure at the rear of the
train does not respond to an air brake application. (R-19-42)
To the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association:
Alert your member carriers to (1) inspect the end-of-railcar
air hose configurations to ensure the hose configurations match
the intended design and (2) review and revise their air brake
and train handling instructions for grade operations and two-
way end-of-train device instructions to include: monitoring
locomotive air flow meters, checking the status of
communication between the head-of-train and end-of-train
devices before cresting a grade, and the actions to take if the
air pressure from the rear of the train does not respond to an
air brake application. (R-19-43)
BY THE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD
ROBERT L. SUMWALT, III JENNIFER HOMENDY
Chairman Member
BRUCE LANDSBERG
Vice Chairman
Date: September 16, 2019
______
Exhibit 2
Precision Scheduled Railroading Membership Survey
Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division
Teamsters Rail Conference
February 2020
United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Dear Chairman Wicker, Ranking Member Cantwell, and Honorable Committee
members.
How The Railroads' Cost-Cutting Business Model, Including PSR, Has
Affected The Maintenance of Way Work Force,
So-called Precision Scheduled Railroading is not so much a train
operations practice as it is part of a business model that emphasizes
cost-cutting to reduce operating ratios (ratio of expenses to revenues)
and maximize profits, and de-emphasizes service and maintenance. The
business model is not to grow the business but to reduce it to only
work that yields a profit margin desired by finance interests. Prior to
the implementation of PSR BMWED maintenance workers where already
undergoing dangerous cutbacks in manpower as well as tools and
materials to do their jobs safely. This problem has been drastically
exacerbated with the implementation of the new business model Over the
last few years there has been a a 13.25 percent reduction in
maintenance of way workers maintaining this vital transportation
lifeline (from 35,440 in 2016 to 30,742 in 2019) It is self-evident
that a 13 percent reduction in maintenance of way forces over three
years, when forces had already been reduced, would adversely impact
inspection, maintenance and repair of rail infrastructure. Details
about how that impact has been experienced by maintenance workers and
its effect on rail safety are described below.
There is nothing about the PSR theory\1\ that would require any
cuts to maintenance forces. Moving trains on an inflexible schedule
should not impact maintenance of the infrastructure. The cuts in
maintenance of way forces are simply about the desire to reduce the
operating ratio and thus increasing profits to the shareholders. PSR
has brought the idea of do more with less to a whole new level.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Created by the late Hunter Harrison, PSR designed to transport
of freight, with fewer rail cars and locomotives, and this fewer crews
using a more simplified, direct line of transport in accordance with a
fixed schedule across their network. But it is also a way of reducing
operating ratios by cutting costs, and to thereby satisfy the demands
of Wall Street. A major element of this operating method is that all
stakeholders must adjust to the inflexible schedule set by the
railroad. Another is that customers that are not easily served, or who
don't yield the same level of profits are not accommodated.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
In October of 2019 FRA Administrator Ronald Batory inquired about
Precision Scheduled Railroading and its effect on BMWED membership. In
an effort to accurately convey the working conditions under the ever-
growing PSR operation strategy industry-wide, an online survey\2\ was
made available to all of the roughly 30,000 BMWED members.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ Attachment A, you will find the complete unfiltered responses
provided by the survey respondents. Any typos or expletives are exactly
as the respondent provided. Please take this as an opportunity to look
into the current working conditions of America's hard-working
railroaders.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
We asked for a candid and earnest response so that we could convey
to FRA officials exactly how PSR is shaping the railroad workplace This
was a chance for workers to speak directly to the top railroad
regulatory officials. Here is a representative sample of the almost
10,000 troubling responses we received.
Page 10, Comment number 196, 12/22/2019 12:52 AM
No brakes, OSHA laws ignored, safety rules are not as tight so
the company can bend them. The FRA doesn't really hold the
company responsible and rather the employee. Even though
reprise is present and the employee is treated poorly if the
task is completed regardless of rules
Page 14, Comment number 278, 12/19/2019 6:32 PM
The Core Values and concept of ``It starts with the customer''
and ``People make the Difference'' are now no longer visible at
any level of discussion in the overall outlook of how this
company operates. The adoption of PSR and the forced acceptance
of these ideals forced far too many experienced railroaders and
people who understood how our network operated out of their
jobs and thusly destroyed any of the vital interdepartmental
relationships that allowed members of our collective teams work
together to get projects and maintenance completed. The sense
of urgency has shifted to strictly move freight cars regardless
of any maintenance to track or structures needed. The overall
atmosphere has changed to a sense that no one wants to be
charged for any type of train delay in fear of retribution of
their jobs.
Page 17, Comment number 353 12/19/2019 1:59 AM
Working conditions seem to be worse. We are expected to do more
with less. The railroad I work for has cut back on manned
inspections, and with less frequency. We have found multiple
defects like stripped joints, broken insulated joints, parts of
the ball of the rail missing that trains have ran on without
being caught for days until the 2 inspections a week are
preformed. We have been lucky so far, but I'm afraid one of
these days our luck is going to run out. The railroad I work
for have also increased speeds faster and with less trains for
compaction after work has been preformed to the tracks.
Page 101, Comment number 8, 1/3/2020 11:56 PM
Everything is in a rush mode and if you a defect the bosses try
to write you up for delay yet my job is safe trains right ? The
pressure we face is extreme from both FRA and the company
stance (and they are on opposite sides of they want from the
Railroaders who are caught in the middle
Page 102, Comment number 41, 12/25/2019 7:14 AM
PSR has thrown safety out the window. Jobs that require 2 or
more workers are being assigned, in lists, to individuals.
There is constant harassment, mis-use of manpower, funding,
vacant positions left unfilled, abolishment of vitally
important positions, labors are non-existing or overwhelmed,
machine operators running multiples of equipment, during a
shift, to keep up with required work. It is rare to actually
finish an assigned job before you reassigned to another, and
another. The work is poorly done, seldom complete and materials
left on the ground to rot or be overgrown with weeds. Walkways
are hazardous, rights of way left un-maintained, sings missing.
Ballast lines, ditch lines, drainage and culverts left
unmaintained. OTE has to be trammed for miles upon miles, just
to get to work location because any and all non-essential,
storage tracks are removed. We are being ``Made Ineffective ''
purposely with constant rule changes, standards changes, log
in/log out, on duty, not on duty, ORM, job briefings, job
briefing forms, start up forms, awareness forms, audits,
observations, territory changes, vehicle and equipment down
time, shop time, out of date eyewash, fire extinguishers,
replacement tools, replacement managers, approved hotels 50
miles from work,. Trying to ``Work'' is a nightmare.
Page 103, Comment number 62, 12/23/2019 7:27 PM
Saftey? There is no Saftey on the railroad anymore. There is no
Saftey briefing on jobs, just do what it takes to get the job
done. All in the name of the shareholders. Supervisors and
senior project engineers actually tell you to break the rules,
than turn around so they don't see rules being broken.
Page 105, Comment number 114, 12/23/2019 12:54 AM
As mentioned above in question one safety has taken a back seat
to service. As maintenance employees we get less time to
perform regular maintenance and often feel pressured to
expedite testing and maintenance procedures. It is unsafe for
the employee and also the general public to work under the
current work atmosphere.
Page 110, Comment number 225, 12/20/2019 4:10 PM
PSR is all about stock share value. When you focus on that a
lot of stuff fall to the Wayside. Safety is one of them. We
used to have safety team members on regions and teams, but now
we don't. When you cut people and jobs the workload doesn't
change it actually increases. So we are constantly behind and
with that comes stress, and loss of focus. People want to do a
good job when they go to work they want to do a better job than
it did yesterday but hard to do that when you're constantly
behind.
Page 120, Comment number 502, 12/18/2019 9:19 PM
We are no longer equipped with the necessary manpower or tools
to make sure the job is done thoroughly with safety being the
priority. The powers that be would just as soon turn a blind
eye to the needs of the crew just as long as they can get you
turning wheels! Speaking of wheels, there are more on a train
now than ever before. The demand to run train lengths to 12,000
and 14,000 feet is absurd! A 7,500 foot coal train running at
50mph and 18,000 gross tons will take a mile to stop in an
emergency application. How long would it take a 14,000 foot
28,000 gross ton train to stop? In the same sentence, when it
is 26 degrees outside and your train is 10,000+ feet long with
only 2 lead motors, do you know how negatively that effects the
air brakes!!?? How safe is it to have a Conductor walk and
inspect a 14,000 foot train in the dead of summer? How much
comm loss occurs on a 10,000 foot train? All serious and
legitimate questions, but they clearly fall on deaf ears at the
FRA.
Page 150, Comment number 1261, 12/17/2019 4:54 AM
The equipment and infrastructure are not maintained to the
standards Norfolk Southern had even just five years ago let
alone 17 years ago when I hired out. The railroad is more
concerned with trains departing on time and fuel savings than
maintenance and rule compliance. As a result in the past two
years I have had to stop more trains on the line of road
because of detector alarms than ever before in my career.
Railroads have cut so deep and so fast that workers are afraid not
to do whatever is necessary to keep trains moving under the new PSR
model. Local maintenance forces often consist of just two people
desperately trying to keep up 80-100 miles of track infrastructure.
Understanding the incredible lack of resources track inspectors attempt
to work with these confines set by their railroad employers instead of
using safety standards to guide their judgment; they are pressured to
report only what the railroad is staffed to fix. And within the tight
time frames for train movements under PSR, maintenance of way gangs
have smaller track windows for them to be on the tracks to accomplish
their work. With the longer and heavier trains becoming the new normal
this is not the time to cut back on track maintenance. PSR railroads
are dangerously understaffed. For example, Union Pacific is over 1
million ties and 39 miles of rail behind where they need to be in order
for the railroad to be truly safe--by their own admission. Yet, they
have refused to fill positions left open due to retirements, and are
currently furloughing MOW workers across the system.
In summary the BMWED maintenance workforce is vital to the health
and well-being of this great nation. These workers want nothing more
than to be provided sufficient time and resources to make sure the job
of maintaining the Railroad infrastructure is done safely. The American
Railroads owe them and our Nation these basic fundamental principles.
Sincerely,
Roy L. Morrison, III,
Director of Safety,
Brotherhood of Maintenance of way Employes.
______
Q1 Generally speaking, how do work conditions compare to 5 years ago?
If applicable, 10 to 20 years ago?
Answered: 2,425 Skipped: 41
------------------------------------------------------------------------
# RESPONSES DATE
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 I have only been working for 12 years, but 1/6/2020 3:33 AM
my feeling is our company expects the
same workload to be accomplished with
less manpower. They do preach safety, and
most often it is sincere, yet without
enough help there is more strain on
workers to complete a task within a
reasonable timeframe.
2 Working conditions has decreased over all 1/6/2020 1:15 AM
in the last 11 years I have worked for
Union Pacific. Precision Scheduled
Railroading has put an emphasis on the
movement of trains no matter how poorly
the locomotives are or the safety
appliances on the cars are. Union Pacific
expects trains to be moved in a timely
manner and that safety will be sacrificed
to move these cars.
3 Bosses treat us like we're a 3rd world 1/5/2020 4:42 PM
country, compared to 10-20 years ago.
Nothing matters but how shareholders
feel. Employees, safety, are disregarded
4 Roughly similar. 1/5/2020 2:43 AM
5 Much worse 1/4/2020 12:18 PM
6 Very less organized and feel much more 1/4/2020 1:15 AM
like a number
7 Not as good as it was 1/4/2020 1:10 AM
8 Been with the rail industry for 20+ years 1/3/2020 11:56 PM
I feel more unsafe than ever in my
career. The pressure from management to
hurry up and then you're written up for
delays?
9 Definitely more strenuous. The carrier 1/2/2020 9:42 AM
wants us to do more with less personnel
and materials.
10 Worse 1/2/2020 6:18 AM
11 Working conditions have been negatively 1/1/2020 10:38 PM
impacted in comparison to the past 5-10
years. Our workforce has been reduced by
%75 at our depot in an effort to increase
profits. Despite the reduction of
manpower, management manpower has stayed
the same. We had a supervisor and an
assistant supervisor for 4 employees.
Despite the massive decrease in manpower
the workload has stayed the same.
Management has used tactics of
threatening jobs and non stop harassment
to try to accomplish the work. This has
created a hostile work environment with
very low employee morale.
12 Worse than ever. Lack of manpower 1/1/2020 10:17 PM
13 Getting worse everyday 1/1/2020 7:43 PM
14 We are being forced to run longer and more 1/1/2020 5:01 AM
dangerous trains without the proper
equipment. Trains are not being inspected
properly and are being sent out of the
yard with falsified documentation.
15 you actually feel more rushed now compared 12/31/2019 7:33 PM
to the past it's so subtle how they push
you and manipulate you
16 They are much worse, customers are not 12/31/2019 7:33 AM
getting their products on a timely basis,
it affects all businesses donto delayed
deliveries. Train line ups are very
unpredictable making adequate rest
difficult at best, and causing extreme
fatigue, which makes very dangerous
working conditions for everyone. 20 years
ago, this was a good career. That could
support your family. Today. It is a
gotcha situation, where longevity makes
you a target. Guys with 20+ years who
have a medical problem are not being
allowed to return to work even though
they are cleared by their doctor. The pat
is no longer enough to fully support a
family in many areas of the country.
17 As far as job security . . . I feel and 12/30/2019 6:36 PM
hear other employees mention that its
unsettling and uneasy to see a long term
future here. Cuts in employees makes work
hard for us left here now. Bodies are
only made to do so much for so long. If
retirement comes I pray that I'm able to
enjoy my time left being healthy and
financially secured. Employees and senior
management at times are strenuous and
makes a day or week, month hard to deal
with.
18 Understaffed and always being rushed to 12/29/2019 1:04 PM
get numbers, not having enough time to do
the job properly.
19 No, they are taking away manpower, tools, 12/29/2019 5:37 AM
and expecting to do the same job with
less people and in 1/3 of the time
20 More work expected 12/29/2019 4:42 AM
21 way more tasks that need completing with 12/29/2019 2:42 AM
not enough payroll to complete
22 Conditions are awful and unsafe. 12/29/2019 1:34 AM
Management has no regard for employee
safety or morale. Omaha treats its
workers as if they are an enemy and
nothing else.
23 I have been railroading as a Mechanical 12/28/2019 11:40 PM
employee, supervisor or manager over the
past 25 years. Management culture has
become more and more unhealthy and
dysfunctional. That was until UP
implemented PSR. The work environment is
now toxic. As in lethal, to the mental
health and physical safety of employees
and to a lesser degree, management.
24 ok 12/28/2019 11:31 PM
25 More work is done with big RSG gangs now. 12/28/2019 5:49 PM
Sections and other local forces have been
cut to the point that it's difficult to
adequately respond to service
interruptions and rail test defects, etc.
26 More work with less people, safety first 12/28/2019 4:41 AM
is a slogan, not a reality. Production
first everything else last. Applies to 5
and 10 years ago.
27 More work with less guys. Management 12/27/2019 4:29 PM
expects the same amount done with less
28 Morale is as low as I have seen in years! 12/27/2019 3:36 PM
People feel the most important thing to
the UP is the bottom line. They don't
care about anything else, not our safety,
not our families, not even us.
29 Much worse, less people knocking off 12/27/2019 2:56 PM
anchors with no help, just waiting to get
hurt, management does not care, just want
more for less
30 the FRA seems to let the railroad get away 12/27/2019 1:27 PM
with anything and fail to enforce statues
on them
31 Worse as far as overall. Some things are 12/26/2019 5:55 PM
better but others are worse. The demands
and time expectations to do certain tasks
are far worse than when I first started 8
years ago.
32 The workforce keeps getting smaller and 12/26/2019 8:53 AM
smaller, yet the rules, regulations, and
workload only increases
33 it's not the same as 10 yrs ago. ten years 12/26/2019 2:39 AM
ago we would do our job. now we spend
less time at home, work night which is
very dangerous
34 Steadily degrading safety and ignorant 12/26/2019 12:32 AM
harassment from management
35 Limited manpower makes for a stressful 12/25/2019 5:11 PM
work environment.
36 Getting worse. Seems like the railroads 12/25/2019 4:49 PM
are trying to cut costs at the expense of
safety and at the same time their
policies are a lot more strict. Morale
among my coworkers are pretty bad right
now and has a lot to do with company
policies and the way management is ran.
37 Better 12/25/2019 2:14 PM
38 The conditions are getting worse by the 12/25/2019 12:17 PM
day. The workforce cuts plus the lack of
management knowing anything about
railroading
39 We do more work with less manpower and 12/25/2019 7:44 AM
machinery.
40 Far less stability. 1st line supervision 12/25/2019 7:14 AM
has been stripped of resources, manpower,
equipment and the expectations for track
mile inspections and serviceability has
doubled, the territories for maintenance
has more than doubled.
41 Have gotten worse 12/25/2019 5:52 AM
42 Less safe, more focus on speed or 12/25/2019 5:12 AM
production than quality or safety
43 It stinks now. Everything is hurry, hurry, 12/25/2019 5:09 AM
hurry. You're asked to do other crafts'
work. Work you were never trained to do.
It is very unsafe and stressful now. I
hate going to work now. It's a total mess
now. Not enough people to do the work
safely.
44 It's terrible. New technology with 12/25/2019 4:17 AM
nonexistent training. Longer hours.
Unfamiliar territory. Can't mark off
without accruing ``attendance debt
points''.
45 Much more stressful. There are many more 12/25/2019 2:50 AM
distractions while using PTC, LEADER,
Trip Optimizer, and Smart Consist. This,
in addition to mandatory adherence to the
fuel saving programs, trainmasters
rushing us to get out of their yards,
poor dispatching by unqualified
dispatchers, poor scheduling of trains,
makes for an unsettled state of mind that
makes it difficult at best to get quality
rest. Safety is now fourth on our list of
priorities while on the job. Morale is so
low it can't be measured.
46 Work conditions are worse and higher 12/24/2019 10:45 PM
stress. More intimidation to get work
done faster. Which in effect makes less
safe.
47 Even 12/24/2019 7:32 PM
48 No time to job brief just get paper work 12/24/2019 6:33 PM
and go. No time to talk about job related
issues. Short staffed called out more on
rest. More crew fatigue no off days. When
rules change no trainmasters to job brief
with us so we are all on the same page.
Rules changing to much always state of
confusion on what's going on. No one to
ask a question to when you don't know
short on staff. No face to face meetings
any longer. So when people don't
understand the rule changes more
accidents happen. The company doesn't
care about our well being or safety
anymore. Done away with safety days and
work boots. No time to mark off for
training pods.
49 Much worse 12/24/2019 6:00 PM
50 Longer trains, more chance of walking in 12/24/2019 5:04 PM
the elements. Greater slips, trips,
falls.
51 More hectic. Every job (even if it's a 12/24/2019 4:00 PM
minor issue on a yard track) turns into a
major issue. It is an environment where
supervisors are breathing down our necks
to get jobs done as fast as possible
52 Horrible!!! We use to have so many of our 12/24/2019 3:57 PM
own employees to do our own work now they
have cut us so deep we have no help
hiring outside contractors to do OUR
WORK!!!! Working conditions are horrible
so is moral
53 In our terminal work conditions have 12/24/2019 3:11 AM
deteriorated immensely. I can only speak
for my department. Trains are receiving
sub par inspections. The cars we do bad
order and send to our repair track only
have the defect written on the card
repaired instead of getting a full AAR
inspection. This is due to management not
wanting a high car dwell. Basically, the
more defects and repairs on a car the
higher the dwell time is. We are expected
to achieve higher numbers than when we
were fully staffed. We had over 40 carmen
before PSR. Now we have 24. Our foreman
each had their own responsibility to
carry out. All the foreman jobs were
abolished and now those responsibilities
are mainly forgotten about, that is until
we experience difficulties. I'm talking
about parts getting ordered, important
information being communicated throughout
out terminal.
54 Better than 20 years ago; not so much, 5 12/24/2019 3:00 AM
years ago.
55 Safety is a thing of the past like one 12/24/2019 1:44 AM
road master said it's not what have done
in the past it's what u can do k now
56 Far more hostile. There is little to no 12/24/2019 12:06 AM
respect for employees lately.
57 Gotten worse 12/23/2019 10:54 PM
58 Less time to get more expected done. 12/23/2019 8:48 PM
Morale at an all time low.
59 Poorly More with less 12/23/2019 8:43 PM
60 20 years ago we had enough employees to 12/23/2019 7:49 PM
get a job done right. Today we just patch
things and hope it holds for a while
longer.
61 5 years ago we were able to get tools and 12/23/2019 7:27 PM
supplies we needed to do our job right.
Today we have to make due with what we
can find. Supplies are NOT being ordered
for jobs to be worked correctly. Vehicles
are being used in UNSAFE conditions to
get jobs completed on the company's
schedule. Foreman's are pressured to use
``FREE TA's'' if a train is on the
circuit vs using a box 8. There is NO
Appreciation For jobs being worked
anymore since PSR has been in the
picture.
62 More hostile environment. Safety has taken 12/23/2019 7:23 PM
a back seat to the movement of trains.
63 Far more worry about minor rule 12/23/2019 5:57 PM
infractions and not enough focus on
safety of the railroad. Supervisors are
becoming increasingly sneaky.
64 Worse. 5 years ago I actually thought the 12/23/2019 5:51 PM
Company cared for my safety. Not now. Not
at all!
65 Less time and less manpower to get the 12/23/2019 4:21 PM
same amount of work done. Always feel
rushed to do the job.
66 They want more work done with less people, 12/23/2019 4:00 PM
and most of the time, it just isn't
getting done at all.
67 Unsafe and rushed compared to 5 years ago 12/23/2019 3:23 PM
68 Totally different, everywhere there are 12/23/2019 2:58 PM
just skeleton crews
69 Slowly declined in quality and man power 12/23/2019 2:33 PM
70 10 years of service in July or 2020. I've 12/23/2019 2:25 PM
noticed big change in upper management
from concerns of employee safety has
decreased huge to poor employee
appreciation. Used to get turkey and hams
for holidays, a thank you for going the
extra mile to help out, etc. . . .
71 Worse I believe safety has taken a back 12/23/2019 2:15 PM
seat to production and the company is
starting to take shortcuts not good
72 Seems you've got to worry about your job 12/23/2019 2:05 PM
and getting into trouble more than
worrying about the job you need to do.
73 Much worse now then ever before. 12/23/2019 1:59 PM
74 Less manpower = more risk to safety. 12/23/2019 1:31 PM
75 Working conditions are a lot better then 12/23/2019 1:20 PM
years ago. We have better and safer
machines for the work and longer track
time for a safer work environment.
76 Not enough track time to get maintenance 12/23/2019 1:04 PM
done.
77 Morale is terrible and they have sucked 12/23/2019 1:02 PM
the life out of the workers. People just
don't care anymore.
78 Basically, you do more with less. Less 12/23/2019 12:33 PM
people, less time, less materials. You
band-aid a lot.
79 WORSE 12/23/2019 12:20 PM
80 Not good, more work less men. 12/23/2019 10:58 AM
81 Slightly worse 12/23/2019 10:51 AM
82 Worse 12/23/2019 10:50 AM
83 In my career PSR has changed my 12/23/2019 8:57 AM
environment mostly making my work
reactive instead of proactive. Don't fix
it now there is no time, keep the trains
moving, has become the new norm.
84 Before you could have you morning job 12/23/2019 6:22 AM
briefing, do your job and wouldn't have
to worry about being micromanaged all day
long. I'll get 3-4 phone calls a day now
from 2 different bosses telling me to do
different things. Nobody seems to be on
the same page
85 My seniority is shrinking with the new 12/23/2019 6:05 AM
found profit building PSR
86 Cuts, cuts, cuts. Understaffed and 12/23/2019 5:30 AM
overworked.
87 They are very bad now the company wants us 12/23/2019 3:55 AM
to do way more with way less people
putting us in unsafe conditions to try
and get our work and testing done on time
88 Worse. Definitely. Push to get more done, 12/23/2019 3:40 AM
quicker, and do extra work like projects.
More injuries. And more discipline
89 Drastically worse. 12/23/2019 3:39 AM
90 Work conditions could always improve, but 12/23/2019 3:20 AM
the way if feels lately is the only thing
that matters is keeping the shareholders
fat and happy
91 Substantially different. Far more 12/23/2019 3:16 AM
concerned about getting the work done
``no matter what'' than getting it done
safely. Less tools and less people to
perform safety sensitive jobs. With far
greater work loads than remotely
reasonable
92 Work conditions are hostile 12/23/2019 2:53 AM
93 Worker safety is no longer priority. Also 12/23/2019 2:53 AM
it's hard to work efficiently when we
must keep watching our back constantly to
avoid harassment by supervision
94 I have worked for Norfolk Southern for 9 12/23/2019 2:36 AM
years. In the two years since the
implementation of PSR the working
environment has become toxic. The threat
of disciplinary action for minor
infractions or the removal from service
for minor medical conditions has become a
real fear for many. If you have high
blood pressure or sleep apnea, as many of
our workers do, even if it is properly
being treated, there is the constant
threat of removal from service. There are
employees who have received disciplinary
letters in their files for things that
are not even rule violations. If a
supervisor does not agree with someone,
they are likely to become targeted for
discipline very quickly. While in the
field, working, the extra load that the
dispatchers are covering is affecting
their response time and the ability to be
able to successfully complete your daily
tasks. The mobile track authorities are a
help with this, but mobile cannot
currently be used inside of a control
point. All of these things that I have
mentioned did not happen prior to PSR.
95 5 years ago things were safer and a much 12/23/2019 2:35 AM
better working atmosphere
96 Absolutely horrible. 12/23/2019 2:22 AM
97 Worse . . . taking away positions and 12/23/2019 2:18 AM
putting more work on the men
98 I think that it has changed because you 12/23/2019 2:12 AM
can't take care of the same amount of
track and add more things with less
people and keep it safe
99 Everything is a hurry up and walking on 12/23/2019 2:05 AM
pins and nails
100 I'll leave it simple. I loved coming to 12/23/2019 2:04 AM
work. We had supervisors that cared, and
respected the safe work we are doing.
101 When I first started almost 8 years ago, 12/23/2019 2:01 AM
safety was always the main concern. Every
supervisor and co-worker went out of
their way to preach the importance of
safety and wanted everyone to understand
why we do things a certain way. Now, it
seems that safety has taken a backseat to
trying to make as much money as possible
regardless of what negative impacts will
be made to doing things safely. Its sad
to see a company that I have always been
proud to work for, follow in the
footsteps of other railroads while all of
us craft employees suffer the
consequences.
102 Horrible compared to 8 years ago. They 12/23/2019 1:50 AM
don't care about safety, only profit.
103 Bad, in comparison to 10 years conditions 12/23/2019 1:46 AM
are terrible
104 I've been with the railroad for 14 years 12/23/2019 1:43 AM
and 11 months . . . I enjoyed coming to
work and went out of my way for the
railroad . . . ever since we have went to
this PSR it's a hazardous work place we
worry about our jobs..we've seen guys
lose there jobs with 2 years to go until
retirement . . . they put a target on
your back and make it have out here . . .
people ask me how to get on with the
railroad and I tell them this is the last
place you want to work right now . . . I
can only hope to make it until
retirement.
105 I believe the companies are looking for 12/23/2019 1:40 AM
ways to fire people of dumb reasons
106 Worse 12/23/2019 1:39 AM
107 They're awful, we as workers are not 12/23/2019 1:36 AM
appreciated, we're used and abused to the
company and shareholders full benefit.
108 Less money more bullshit 12/23/2019 1:32 AM
109 More dangerous and with less employees to 12/23/2019 1:20 AM
perform safety critical jobs.
110 They are much much worse. All the railroad 12/23/2019 1:19 AM
cares about is the bottom line. Work
ethics and sense of values have been
thrown out the door.
111 It is a completely different place to 12/23/2019 1:10 AM
work. Emphasis on profits and nothing
else.
112 Working conditions have steadily gotten 12/23/2019 12:58 AM
worse in the last 5-6 years and really
declined in the last 2.
113 Work conditions are much more dangerous. 12/23/2019 12:54 AM
The carrier is too concerned with on time
freight, which puts pressure on the
workforce to perform at an unsafe pace. 5-
10 years ago the focus was safety and
service. Now the focus is strictly on
service.
114 Work conditions are okay as long as we are 12/23/2019 12:49 AM
working.
115 Serious decline in last few years, 12/23/2019 12:47 AM
drastically different than 10 yrs ago.
116 More strenuous now because of every thing 12/23/2019 12:46 AM
shifting to performance based instead of
safety based.
117 Working conditions are extremely poor. 12/23/2019 12:34 AM
Moral is at an all time low. Parts to
complete or repair issues are scarce and
very often hard to get.
118 Not as good 12/23/2019 12:24 AM
119 Safety is no where not even close to the 12/23/2019 12:15 AM
top of the list as it should be! Compared
to 5, 10 and even 20 years ago.
120 There is no comparison, the railroad of 12/23/2019 12:13 AM
today is a vastly more hostile place to
work. As little as 5 years ago it felt
like a partnership between management and
craft employees, it's much more
adversarial now. 28 years ago when I
started my railroad career I was told it
was a job for life, I would hesitate to
encourage anyone today to begin a
railroad career.
121 Worse 12/23/2019 12:08 AM
122 Terrible! I haven't seen them this low 12/22/2019 11:57 PM
since starting back in 2015. Safely no
longer matters.
123 Terrible 12/22/2019 11:45 PM
124 Morale is down . . . safety is put to the 12/22/2019 11:21 PM
side by Union Pacific to drive profits.
Monster trains 1500 ft 40000 tons
125 not a noticeable change. minor changes to 12/22/2019 11:05 PM
how dispatcher operate, which make
getting time to work on tracks harder and
more stressful to accomplish.
126 They don't compare at all. I've been on 12/22/2019 10:53 PM
system gangs for about 16-17 years of my
20 years on the railroad, with the last 3-
5 years being by far the worst. The
people who are in charge at this moment,
and who have been in charge for the last
4-5 years seem to not have a clue as to
how to run our gangs anymore. Use to, we
would no where we were going and how long
we would be there at start up class. Now,
it seems to be a week to week schedule.
This is no good to any of the workers
when it comes to trying to get hotel
rooms in advance. Especially for a gang
of 50 people. All our new bosses are
concerned about is where they are going
to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner it
seems like. They have no worries when it
comes to finding a room cause they have a
card for that. But that comes with being
a boss, no big deal. But our old bosses
just seemed to care about the employees
more and did their best to let us no if
anything was changing with our schedule,
and they did with plenty of time for us
to find other accommodations for our
people. Our new bosses have made many
changes out here that do not benefit us,
and the changes they made have been going
on out here for 20 years or more, and
every change has been to their benefit,
not ours. They have made our vacation
damn near hard to take. They have taken
away the amount of money we get for some
mileage. Anything that was to our
benefit, it's gone. And it's only getting
worse. They talk about safety, but that's
all it is if you ask me. Going to a 5-2
schedule, with the way we travel, is in
my mind no where near caring about
safety. People will still try and go
home, no matter how far they are, for
what, 1 day at home for most? But what
happens when that one person doesn't make
it cause he is tired from a full day of
work and tries to drive home 7-10 hours
away and doesn't make it because he has
an accident? I bet you won't hear a word
about safety then. They will just say he
shouldn't have tried to go home that day.
If not that day, then when? We have
family also that we like to see. Working
a 5-2 schedule is not only stupid with
the way we work, but not good for any
system gang on any railroad. I could go
on, but if this is as serious as you say
it is, and I agree, I think I've said
enough for now. Let's see where thus gets
me.
127 Cancerous 12/22/2019 10:49 PM
128 We are just Fire fighters these days we do 12/22/2019 10:07 PM
nothing but run to the next fire to put
it out and safety goes out the window.
129 Sucks always looking over your shoulder 12/22/2019 9:09 PM
130 They want us to work more with less man 12/22/2019 7:37 PM
power an still get it done with no
overtime. They have cut are man power by
half over the last 10 to 15 years
131 Same turn of the century switch 12/22/2019 7:21 PM
components, deteriorating Bridges and
walkways. Power track tools are of very
low quality craftsmanship along with
vehicles we work with.
132 Safety has slipped from number one 12/22/2019 6:37 PM
priority to number 4 by their own
admission. They are also quick to fire
employees for very minor violations
133 Good 12/22/2019 6:24 PM
134 The company is bringing in more 12/22/2019 6:23 PM
contractors and when on the property they
are being asked to do more than what was
agreed on because we are short handed and
guys aren't saying enough their actually
becoming buddies with them. Did
135 Trying to do more work with less people is 12/22/2019 6:21 PM
making for some unsafe situation. Also
technology is making it sometime unsafe
like they wanting us to us tablets to get
track time. I believe talking to
dispatcher is safer
136 Today everything is gloom and doom. And as 12/22/2019 6:18 PM
long as your off work on time and not
working any overtime the railroad doesn't
care what you do. If you get close to
being on overtime supervisors are pushing
and rushing so that we don't get overtime
137 More safety 12/22/2019 6:16 PM
138 No comparison had everyone doing their bid 12/22/2019 5:40 PM
in jobs and now they have everyone doing
different jobs every day that they are
not used to setting people up for risk of
injury
139 We have gone from servicing engines in a 12/22/2019 5:35 PM
shop with a water catchment and treatment
plant to servicing engines line of road.
We are lead by fear tactics and
Intimidation.
140 They have gone down hill used to 8 men on 12/22/2019 5:22 PM
the section all you have now is maybe 2
or 3 guys to take care of 100 miles of
track and expecting them keep up everyone
is wore down.
141 5 years ago safety was a concern. 12/22/2019 5:21 PM
142 More and more over the past few years 12/22/2019 5:13 PM
Norfolk Southern has thrown safety out
the window both employees safety as well
as the on track safety of its equipment.
i.e. . . . 1. Timing the employees while
standing over them during maintenance and
repairs using unattainable, and unsafe
demands of time. 2. Demanding short cuts
in repairs, wanting and demanding
releases of incomplete repairs of
vehicles. 3. Using unreasonable and
improper discipline to enforce their
unsafe practices they are demanding
employees perform.
143 We hardly get any maintenance done because 12/22/2019 5:12 PM
of less men and material then we are
pushed when things fall apart
144 We have fewer men and more work 12/22/2019 5:02 PM
145 They have increased the workload of each 12/22/2019 4:54 PM
employee to the point that it is a safety
concern!
146 Less people, and less money for 12/22/2019 4:43 PM
maintenance
147 We are asked to do the same amount of work 12/22/2019 4:03 PM
in shorter windows.
148 No longer have a job at the railroad due 12/22/2019 3:41 PM
to what some people call PSR. I call it
corporate greed.
149 Work conditions have rapidly declined. 12/22/2019 2:49 PM
Maintenance on tracks, cars, and
locomotives have steadily gone down hill.
150 There is no comparison. Threats and 12/22/2019 2:31 PM
bullying is the way the railroads are
working now days
151 The way you guys are running this railroad 12/22/2019 2:29 PM
stinks
152 Supervisors don't care about safety or if 12/22/2019 2:06 PM
they are breaking rules as long as trains
get out and the company is making money.
153 There are not enough people to get the 12/22/2019 1:57 PM
work done. Track maintenance is being
deferred at shop areas. Locomotives are
being routed around shops to other shops
to be tested and repaired. This is
inefficient. Safety has dropped in
importance.
154 BAD safety is out. 12/22/2019 1:50 PM
155 Very different. Safety has gone to the 12/22/2019 1:23 PM
bottom of the list and productivity to
the top. The average worker is not cared
about, just making the shareholders
richer.
156 They rush us so the trains don't stop. 12/22/2019 12:59 PM
Also it is almost like pulling teeth to
get track time sometimes to fix defects
that we know are there.
157 Very bad 12/22/2019 10:54 AM
158 Well 10 years ago safety and morale were 12/22/2019 10:49 AM
top priority. Now there's not enough time
for safety. So stretches are out, job
briefings are gone, and 1 person road
trips are in. All the supervisors care
about is getting a release. Not having a
relationship with the employees anymore.
It's all about the Benjamins.
159 Going on what I hear from people who are 12/22/2019 10:38 AM
still working. Some are working alone in
craft for shifts. They feel it to be
unsafe conditions. Say managers are
rushing even though it's one person.
160 The company's (CSX) disregard for 12/22/2019 7:53 AM
employees safety and overall well being
is overridden for going faster doing more
with no off time allowed if RSIA days are
near they reset that employee so they can
keep using them never before have we been
subject to such overwhelming pressure and
harassment
161 Unsafe. 12/22/2019 7:36 AM
162 Work conditions are horrible, less 12/22/2019 7:22 AM
manpower, do more with less is the new
normal.
163 Terrible and dangerous too few men 12/22/2019 7:10 AM
operating longer and more abused power.
Defects are being ignored locomotives
being run with safety appliances not
working. Bad wheels on ever train that
goes by. Just blatant disregard for
safety in the name of money its
disgusting.
164 Stressful. Getting disciplined literally 12/22/2019 7:02 AM
for just doing your job. Getting handled
for locomotive failures just because you
were the last one to sign a trouble off
and it failed because it is pushed by the
AVP. Feel like could get out off work
confirmed at any. Moment just because
they feel like it. A lot of bullying.
Forced overtime has been an issue. I have
watched workers leave the railroads at a
record pace for new jobs. Safety has gone
out the window even though they act like
they preach it the expectations put on
supervisors and workers is unbearable for
long periods of time. PSR has already
been tried and stopped by several
railroads that were basically in
shambles. It needs to end. There is
clearly no care for their workers or
public safety because people are pushing
out locomotives and cars because of time
constraints being out on them called
dwell time. They think every troinke is
basically the same. To many leaders in
charge who only care about numbers and
money and don't know how a railroad
really works.
165 Worse 12/22/2019 5:41 AM
166 Safety has been put on the back burner. Of 12/22/2019 4:57 AM
course they still say it's there but
their actions speak otherwise. We are
expected to do more with less. They have
cut back on getting material and safety
items (PPE) to do our job efficiently and
safely. We no longer are having quarterly
safety meetings but rather now are some
short videos that are sent via web.
Constantly having to worry about cutbacks
as far as layoffs and not being able to
support our families. Showing up everyday
to not knowing if you will have a job.
The overall morale of coworkers decreased
due to the poor conditions. We don't feel
like we are important rather then just
numbers. Doesn't feel like we are working
for the customer anymore rather then
doing what is best for the pockets of the
shareholders. 8 years ago when I started,
I was proud to be working for the
railroad and not just any railroad but
for the best railroad, Norfolk Southern.
Anymore I don't have that same pride
because of all the things I have seen
changed in the years since Wick Morman
left and then PSR was implemented.
167 Worst I have seen. 12/22/2019 4:54 AM
168 We are now working almost on a piece work 12/22/2019 4:47 AM
type system where you're expected to get
so much done in a certain time frame.
It's like they have a quota on you
169 Worst. There is no money being spent on 12/22/2019 4:46 AM
infrastructure and the man power is
getting less and less
170 I'm furloughed, and conditions before 12/22/2019 4:44 AM
being laid off had drastically declined
in my 5 years
171 More focus on just moving freight. Dwell 12/22/2019 4:44 AM
time on bad order cars drives the
mechanical dept. Get it going, don't care
how.
172 Work conditions have gotten worse, forced 12/22/2019 4:37 AM
to do more with less employees
173 Company has cut employees and doubled the 12/22/2019 4:22 AM
work load. Push unsafe practices then
puts blame on employee when a injury
happens. Nothing like the railroad was 20
years ago.
174 There are no more corners that can be cut, 12/22/2019 2:49 AM
since there are no corners left
175 Terrible, Management is punishing 12/22/2019 2:48 AM
employees over engine failures they have
no control over
176 Safety has gone to the wayside. All they 12/22/2019 2:38 AM
care about is the numbers. I've been
working for ns for over 20 yrs
177 Supervisor doesn't care about safety just 12/22/2019 2:37 AM
get the job done.
178 Way worse. There are way less people that 12/22/2019 2:22 AM
are expected to do the same amount of
work we had with more. The bare bones
locomotive fleet puts unnecessary
pressure to hastily repair locomotives
because all of them must be pulling
freight all the time in order to make
shareholders more money.
179 Safety is pushed to the wayside 12/22/2019 2:18 AM
180 Night and day difference. The push to get 12/22/2019 2:14 AM
the job done and get it done now no
matter what it takes is the new
mentality. Safety is the last thing on
the company's list.
181 Much worse 12/22/2019 2:14 AM
182 I long for yesterday 12/22/2019 2:10 AM
183 Terrible! Not one concern for employees, 12/22/2019 2:07 AM
not to mention safety.
184 night and day. 5 years ago much better. 10 12/22/2019 2:05 AM
years ago even better.
185 Worse in all ways especially safety. 12/22/2019 1:53 AM
186 With certain safety rules being done away 12/22/2019 1:43 AM
with i.e., lifting limits--the
possibilities of injuries will increase
and I don't think it will stop there.
187 Work load has doubled while available 12/22/2019 1:39 AM
manpower has been cut in half. Mandatory
overtime is required in lots of cases!
188 Safety And quality has taken a back seat 12/22/2019 1:35 AM
to ``get it out the door'' and ``If it
meets FRA requirements it's fine''
189 The locomotives aren't as well maintained. 12/22/2019 1:34 AM
Resources spread so thin causing crews to
sit well past their hours of service
because the company lacks the resources
to pick up or drop off employees in a
timely manor. Driving customers away so
that they can cut jobs and raise stock
prices. The railroad is no longer a
career but a job.
190 Worse, anything goes if it means keeping 12/22/2019 1:31 AM
the train schedule.
191 Way worse. Way more unsafe and way more 12/22/2019 1:17 AM
uncertain.
192 Safety is no longer a concern 12/22/2019 1:07 AM
193 Safer, less micro managing, more 12/22/2019 1:05 AM
accountability.
194 Worse. 12/22/2019 1:03 AM
195 I felt safer 5 yrs ago were rushed from 12/22/2019 12:55 AM
the time we get the track now. Trains are
running nonstop around us. We're doing
major work under 704 protection now 5 yrs
ago we actually made sure 707 protection
was in place
196 No brakes, OSHA laws ignored, safety rules 12/22/2019 12:52 AM
are not as tight so the company can bend
them. The FRA doesn't really hold the
company responsible and rather the
employee. Even though reprise is present
and the employee is treated poorly if the
task is completed regardless of rules
197 Railroad always showed interest in safety 12/22/2019 12:41 AM
and work conditions . . . It appears to
be safe but I always work as if I'm not
told the whole truth from the company.
198 Safety has evaporated and the current 12/22/2019 12:26 AM
company direction is that of employee
harassment instead of cultivating a safe
and productive work environment.
199 Conditions are much worse than 5 years 12/21/2019 11:05 PM
ago. I left Norfolk Southern in September
due to how awful PSR has made the
railroad. I started in 2011. In 2011 the
railroad was a good place to work but
conditions have deteriorated to a point
where working there was unbearable. They
preach safety as being their number one
priority but in reality safety is just
another bump in the road in preventing
them from lining the pockets of major
shareholders.
200 Terrible. 12/21/2019 10:53 PM
201 More stressful for both Craft and 12/21/2019 10:52 PM
management employees.
202 Way more hostile and more pushy than it 12/21/2019 10:37 PM
used to be. Definitely less safe. When I
hired in safety was a requirement of the
job anymore, it seems with management,
that it is a forethought at best.
203 They suck. Everyone is worried about their 12/21/2019 9:18 PM
jobs. Moral is low.
204 Horrible 12/21/2019 7:33 PM
205 Have drastically declined in safety 12/21/2019 6:56 PM
206 We work with a lot less safety regards to 12/21/2019 3:21 PM
maintaining equipment and cars. Worse by
far safety and efficiency.
207 Times now are terrible. More work with 12/21/2019 3:00 PM
less workforce.
208 The locomotives are falling apart. We 12/21/2019 2:01 PM
brake down far more than in the past.
209 The company ONLY cares about production! 12/21/2019 9:24 AM
Safety is an absolute afterthought. All
you have to do to see this for yourself
is look at training. When I hired on 8
years ago we were constantly in classes
being educated on all the new rules,
regulations, and safety standards. I
haven't been in a class since PSR
started. Now they are telling us we have
to take classes at home on our own!!! If
they cared, they would show it in this
step alone. I won't even get into the
conditions of our vehicles/yards.
210 Working conditions are far worse now. Now 12/21/2019 8:56 AM
they will circumvent safety rules in
order to get the job done.
211 They are worse, I hired 1998 and it's the 12/21/2019 4:26 AM
worst I've seen
212 Less derailments. More materials and tools 12/21/2019 3:21 AM
to do the job. Better organization.
Overall improvement.
213 They've gone down hill. More work with 12/21/2019 2:24 AM
less help. Less people and less time to
do work. Feel rushed.
214 A lot more work with fewer people. Much 12/21/2019 1:14 AM
much much more change in start and stop
times per project. We are in some cases
seeing newer machines, however the work
time vs. down time more often than not
caused more failures per machine. All in
all though the work is not so bad as to
gripe about. Having said that, the
continuing hiring and displacement of new
employees because of this process the
carrier has implemented has made the
workplace much more inhospitable to much
of the workforce.
215 worse because they micro manage every 12/20/2019 11:28 PM
decision made.
216 Horrible. Stuck on trains longer than 12 12/20/2019 11:11 PM
hours and forced to violate agreements in
fear of being ``insubordinate''.
Hazardous weather conditions while
walking broken trains that are in excess
of 14,000 feet long.
217 Management is worse overall 12/20/2019 11:06 PM
218 Absolutely miserable comparatively 12/20/2019 10:27 PM
speaking. This place used to be a decent
place to work. I now dread the phone
ringing anymore
219 Better in general. 12/20/2019 10:26 PM
220 Worse 12/20/2019 9:50 PM
221 Worse not family anymore 12/20/2019 5:16 PM
222 Do more with less 12/20/2019 5:07 PM
223 The conditions seem to be better for us! 12/20/2019 4:57 PM
224 I feel like 5 years ago it was more of a 12/20/2019 4:10 PM
team, carrier and Union working together.
Helping customers and maintaining the
rail road. But now it seems It's All
About the profit margin. In my territory
we've seen a lot of customers leave the
railroad industry and go to trucking.
They just don't want to deal with the
railroad.
225 Rail conditions are markedly improved over 12/20/2019 4:09 PM
the past w0 years. However, inspection
methods have declined with the advent of
the PSR systems in place currently. While
data collection is vital the loss of
hands on human resources will be a
detrimental catastrophe as machines,
despite what we are told, cannot spot the
beginnings of some failures. i.e.:
thawing mud hole locations in early
spring, minute cracks in angle bars or
insulated joint bars, etc. Human
experience will override high speed
photos or geo measurements made prior to
daytime and radiational heating causing
rapid thaws. Even with the pilot programs
now going on, for the past year,
dispatchers are telling track inspectors
that they cannot have track time because
they have already met their required
rides. This is the mentality that will
eventually become a catastrophe for the
railway industry.
226 Less people, same amount of work. Doing 12/20/2019 4:01 PM
more with less.
227 Our production crews have been reduced to 12/20/2019 3:39 PM
such a low number of employees and blocks
on the track cut but ate still expected
to achieve nearly the same production we
did 5, 10,15 years ago. Managers and
supervisors and directors have very
little knowledge in what we're doing.
Little to no experience. Working hours
are terrible. We use to start between 5am
and 8am and could still live pretty
normal on the road. Now we basically
start at 11am and work till at least 9pm
making it very difficult to eat healthy
and when living out of a hotel.
228 A lot worse not as safe, no maintenance at 12/20/2019 3:32 PM
all on anything, shareholder value that's
it
229 The work environment is much more 12/20/2019 3:14 PM
stressful, workers get less time at home.
We do the job to support our families,
part of the support is spending time with
them.
230 Work conditions in the past few years have 12/20/2019 2:53 PM
drastically changed. It appears that the
Railroads have put more of its focus on
stockholders instead of the employees who
keep things running. The shortage of
workers makes for a stressful
environment, especially when your
expected to do the same amount of work.
231 N/A 12/20/2019 2:26 PM
232 A lot less manpower. 12/20/2019 12:49 PM
233 O They have thrown safety out the window, 12/20/2019 12:32 PM
just rush with a handful of people and
get it done
234 Safety is no longer the number one 12/20/2019 12:29 PM
concern. Management is expecting more
work to be done in less time with less
workers. Seniority districts don't seem
to matter either as they are sending b
and b gangs all over.
235 Wanting to do more with less people 12/20/2019 11:47 AM
236 Boards are always exhausted now! Corporate 12/20/2019 10:59 AM
greed is keeping crews on duty longer and
more often. Lack of board regulation and
proper rest is gonna eventually lead to
an accident!
237 Same 12/20/2019 10:56 AM
238 More work events on train because of block 12/20/2019 10:36 AM
swapping, air brake tests are falsified,
lack of reliable locomotives, more
pressure from railroads to cut corners
when doing work I/e set out and pick ups.
Rules in place by contract agreement are
not followed. Track maintenance is almost
non existent. Surprisingly something bad
hasn't happened
239 Worse it's all about cutting costs and 12/20/2019 9:48 AM
raising profits
240 Much worse 12/20/2019 6:07 AM
241 More with less. safety, proper rest, being 12/20/2019 5:34 AM
forced unto unknown territory aren't a
concern at all with railroad now
242 better 12/20/2019 3:57 AM
243 Much worse than 10 years ago 12/20/2019 3:47 AM
244 We have less people and more work 12/20/2019 3:39 AM
245 Consistently rushed to get jobs done no 12/20/2019 3:37 AM
matter work conditions or tool and
equipment conditions throwing safety out
the window
246 There is little concern for safety 12/20/2019 3:08 AM
compared to 10 or 20 years ago.
Maintenance of equipment is now
considered a liability and workers are no
longer assets.
247 They y'all the same talk safety first but 12/20/2019 2:44 AM
that's not what happens, 9 years ago it
was different they cared about us the
employees but now it seems they don't
care, they y'all the talk but don't walk
the walk!
248 In the last 5 years, steadily gone 12/20/2019 2:37 AM
downhill. Do more with less. Safety is
just a word. It has no real value.
249 I have worked on System Gangs for 41 12/20/2019 2:31 AM
Years. I have seen common sense rules
disappear and more knee jerk Actions
occur. Snow boots on and then they are
outlawed, Then they are a must again
250 It seemed more like a family back in the 12/20/2019 2:19 AM
day. There was a sense of loyalty between
us and the carrier and vice versa.
251 Do more with less 12/20/2019 2:01 AM
252 I only worked for UP for 5 years. In that 12/20/2019 1:33 AM
time their focus has been on nothing but
production. Safety is as far from their
minds as they can get. They push us to go
faster, force us to use equipment that is
mechanically unsafe and take safety steps
out of the SOP to trim off as much time
as they can.
253 really worse 12/20/2019 12:42 AM
254 Worse. We are forced to perform other task 12/20/2019 12:37 AM
at the end of our tour or be threatened
with insubordination. Often times with no
additional compensation.
255 We do not have the people to do our work 12/19/2019 11:44 PM
safely. Nor do we have the time due to
overtime lacking which leads to
inadequate work being done as needed.
256 Horrible 12/19/2019 11:40 PM
257 Deplorable! Morale is at an all-time LOW! 12/19/2019 11:19 PM
We are being worked to exhaustion w/no
extra time off. We are making more single
or few car setouts and pickups than ever!
258 It seems as if we are short handed. And 12/19/2019 11:11 PM
rules really don't allow us to do some
work. I understand the safety of it.
People don't take pride in their work
like before without worrying about a
piece of paper. Leaders with bad people
skills. Why talk about good things when
something negative always seems to
follow. It seems pointless at times. Why
can't we just do a job right and safe.
Regardless how we do it as long if it's
done right and safe. We feel like a
number other than feeling appreciated of
good work. Management always need to
audit. Instead of auditing why not
instruct good behavior or how to do a
particular job. I realize some have the
education. Without the work experience
along with that. How can you tell someone
there doing it wrong if some situations
warrant it and it still gets done right
and safe. To have the proper tools to do
a job you have to spend the money but yet
the managers have there hands tied with a
small budget to. So I can't blame them.
To me it seems like pencil pusher need to
get their hands dirty to. Then they might
understand the job better. Just saying.
Past years the money not the same.
Getting smaller then better every year.
Yes we get raises but in reality nothing
has gotten better. Dues and insurance
goes up along with deductibles. Which
makes our wages smaller to the economy.
259 average 12/19/2019 10:53 PM
260 Well when I hire out in 2011 I remember 12/19/2019 10:30 PM
train were no longer than about 7000 ft.
My last trip my train was 12,700 ft long
and my train went into emergency 3 times.
That is over 2 miles one way (each time
it went into emergency) if I would have
to walk a train back in 2011 I may have
walked 2 miles but that was to the end of
the train and back. Now the railroads are
pushing for PSR to make a quick buck by
cutting maintenance on the tracks cutting
train crews (skeleton crews). The track
maintenance is the worst I have ever seen
it. One of our subdivision that is
supposed to be 60 mph max speed sub but
do to the last of maintenance due to
trying to save money it is now 25 mph
almost the whole way across it now.
261 Enjoyed, less rules and didn't have to 12/19/2019 10:15 PM
look at while work
262 Worse in the last 3 years than ever 12/19/2019 10:07 PM
263 They're more stringent and conditions are 12/19/2019 10:00 PM
unsanitary. Very toxic but not as bad as
2 years ago.
264 It's all about production, safety only 12/19/2019 9:53 PM
matters when it is cost effective. We are
now doing 2 to 3 times the work with half
the people.
265 NOTHING COMPARED TO 5 YEARS AGO, 5 YEARS 12/19/2019 9:52 PM
AGO THE RAILROAD WAS AMAZING TO WORK FOR.
NOW PEOPLE ARE STRUGGLING & STARVING TO
PROVIDE FOR THEIR FAMILIES!
266 A lot less people. Track conditions are 12/19/2019 9:40 PM
nowhere near as good as 10 years ago
267 It has gotten worse. It's all about speed, 12/19/2019 9:09 PM
the railroad, has sacrificed safety for
profits. The carrier expects more work
than I can safely handle, the cars and
motors are in need of repair, and
customers are not happy with our service.
268 More dangerous. Maintenance crews leaving 12/19/2019 8:15 PM
ties and all types of material laying
beside the track after working because
they are just as short crewed and
everyone else. With all this material
laying beside the track it's a tripping
hazard for train crews when having to
walk trains especially at night
269 Six days off instead of seven, less time 12/19/2019 8:11 PM
at home
270 It's not the same the work environment has 12/19/2019 8:04 PM
become a place where guys are to scared
to move in fear of getting fired
271 It causes a lot of holdups, congestion 12/19/2019 7:43 PM
272 I don't like working with. Red Block 12/19/2019 7:40 PM
employees
273 I've been out here 13 yrs . . . one main 12/19/2019 7:30 PM
line . . . you barely can walk down main
line to check your train . . . they never
move anything now . . . 10 yrs ago . . .
you could
274 More work being contracted out than in 12/19/2019 7:16 PM
house.
275 More work being contradicted out then in 12/19/2019 7:16 PM
house
276 Work conditions are a lot worse less 12/19/2019 6:59 PM
manpower same work 2 guys have to cover
80+ miles of track for maintenance
277 Seems more rushed. Safety is less of a 12/19/2019 6:40 PM
concern. Less planning goes into projects
And craft employees are held accountable
for things beyond their control
278 The Core Values and concept of ``It starts 12/19/2019 6:32 PM
with the customer'' and ``People make the
Difference'' are now no longer visible at
any level of discussion in the overall
outlook of how this company operates. The
adoption of PSR and the forced acceptance
of these ideals forced far too many
experienced railroaders and people who
understood how our network operated out
of their jobs and thusly destroyed any of
the vital interdepartmental relationships
that allowed members of our collective
teams work together to get projects and
maintenance completed. The sense of
urgency has shifted to strictly move
freight cars regardless of any
maintenance to track or structures
needed. The overall atmosphere has
changed to a sense that no one wants to
be charged for any type of train delay in
fear of retribution of their jobs.
279 Compared to when I hired (12 years ago) 12/19/2019 6:12 PM
much has changed. The conditions are much
worse because we are expected to do the
same amount of work with less manpower.
The schedule change has lowered morale
worse than it already was and we feel
more unappreciated than ever.
280 They are worse! Due to the Carrier trying 12/19/2019 6:06 PM
to make record profits every year to
please the shareholders. We as employees
are constantly being forced to do more
with less!
281 Doing more with less. Manpower numbers are 12/19/2019 5:57 PM
down with no intent to replace retired
men. Safety is better but injuries occur
often. A lot go unreported.
282 They have gotten worse, they expect more 12/19/2019 5:37 PM
with less employees
283 Conditions are worse. Longer, heavier 12/19/2019 5:00 PM
trains are not as safe as shorter ones
284 In my 9 years of railroad career in 12/19/2019 4:56 PM
maintenance of way between 2 class 1
railroads I've noticed a huge decrease in
man power and work being put into the
infrastructure. Tracks are being let go
to bare minimum of FRA standards.
285 Less pay for more hazard work. 12/19/2019 4:47 PM
286 Worse. Workforce was cut drastically. To 12/19/2019 4:37 PM
much work for the amount of employees.
Track conditions are suffering/breaking
down. Dispatchers don't understand how to
work M&W between trains.
287 Work safety standards are still there but 12/19/2019 4:34 PM
fixing a problem that exists in the track
to its entirety so we don't have to go
back and fix the problem over and over
again does not. We don't have enough
people to do the job the right way. All
management wants us to do is enough work
to remove a slow order then patch up the
next problem. It's the wrong way to teach
a new crop of men to do track work.
288 I started on the railroad in 2008. I 12/19/2019 4:21 PM
started in Allentown, PA where there was
two section gangs, surfacing gang, tie
gang, and a ditching gang. Fast forward
to 2019 there's a yard inspector track
patrol foreman and one section gang. (The
surfacing gang is split between Bethlehem
and Easton) and the tie gang is non
existent.
289 Better 12/19/2019 4:16 PM
290 Become more strenuous do to less men and 12/19/2019 4:10 PM
capabilities. NS officers not wanting
work done. Watching closely and micro
managed
291 Work conditions are definitely more 12/19/2019 4:08 PM
dangerous as The nations largest railroad
puts profits before safety. The
management is more hostile,
infrastructure is NOT maintained
292 They have become a lot more unsafe in my 12/19/2019 4:01 PM
opinion due to supervisors rushing
everyone. In the past they would want it
done but no rushing us they would pay
overtime
293 More work with less employees makes for 12/19/2019 3:57 PM
unsafe conditions.
294 More rules. But managements' expectations 12/19/2019 3:26 PM
to meet work goals with less people has
not made it safer.
295 Past 5 years has been rough 12/19/2019 3:23 PM
296 Very poor 12/19/2019 3:22 PM
297 Less men, more work, they want the same 12/19/2019 3:03 PM
production that they had with 30 men with
10 men. Production first than safety
298 I think with the man count down from where 12/19/2019 3:00 PM
it use to be has a huge impact on
everyone's safety. Do more with less
seems to be the new motto. It was not
that way when I hired in almost 10 years
ago.
299 Worse. Work force cut substantially 12/19/2019 2:56 PM
creating extra duty which increases
fatigue and increases wear and tear on
the body. Management does not care.
300 Well I started 4 years ago but when I 12/19/2019 2:55 PM
first started we did quality railroading
with 4 people in a truck to do the job
nowadays we have a supervisor blowing our
phone up while trying to work trying to
get us to go to another location when the
first one isn't even done yet and we have
3 people a truck right now
301 Morale is awful. Employees get there jobs 12/19/2019 2:53 PM
threatened. Love my coworkers but hate
coming to work.
302 No change, status quo. we as a whole have 12/19/2019 2:50 PM
not benefited one bit from our unions
representation
303 it us all about the stockholder not jobs. 12/19/2019 2:37 PM
jobs cut off machines in storage trucks
cut off
304 Lot less mancount more work to be done not 12/19/2019 2:27 PM
enough people making it not as safe as it
should be
305 Call times for crews are much worse 12/19/2019 2:27 PM
because of these massive train lengths.
And because of the massive train lengths
it's hard on my 53 yr old body. Walking
14000 ft trains is no joke. My body is
breaking down rapidly. Walking conditions
are horrible.
306 I've been with UPRR 12 years and the last 12/19/2019 2:16 PM
3-4 years have been tough. It's all about
more production with smaller workforce's.
Managers are forced to require more and
more with less because of upper
management shoving it down their throats
and threatening their pay of results
aren't shown and the job isn't fulfilled
so I'm a sense their hands are tied if
they want to keep their job. Safety even
though it's not spoken has flown out the
window. It's all about making sure record
profits are given wether it be from us in
the field doing our best or they cut more
jobs to make it look like it's working.
I've seen morale go to the worse ever.
Before guys that may get furloughed would
try their best to stay and keep their
job, but now it's almost a relief for
people to get furloughed so they can quit
and move on to a better job where they're
respected by upper management and don't
feel this gloomy cloud looming over their
head day to day
307 more of a hostile work environment 12/19/2019 1:50 PM
308 It's harder to work dispatch won't give 12/19/2019 1:44 PM
you much time so your in a hurry not
there fault there chief is standing
behind them telling them run trains
309 Lot less safe, lots better 5 years ago 12/19/2019 1:34 PM
310 Same amount of work, but less people, and 12/19/2019 1:10 PM
No overtime
311 Seem better 12/19/2019 12:53 PM
312 We are much more understaffed and the 12/19/2019 12:46 PM
emphasis on safety has diminished
greatly.
313 We are having to cover the same amount of 12/19/2019 12:33 PM
territory with less people. We're also
having to travel long distances to our
reporting head quarters
314 Worse 12/19/2019 12:31 PM
315 Serious decline in working conditions 12/19/2019 11:50 AM
316 Deplorable. There is no teamwork. It's all 12/19/2019 11:37 AM
about managers trying to get the next
level. No one takes ride in their
terminals and we are micromanaged at the
VP levels.
317 I would say worse as in less man power and 12/19/2019 11:27 AM
more of a rush to get jobs done
318 Less material less PPE 12/19/2019 11:12 AM
319 Much worse 12/19/2019 7:31 AM
320 Safety is out the window. 12/19/2019 6:36 AM
321 Different environment as probably expected 12/19/2019 5:09 AM
of any company that redefines itself
322 Worse then when I started 12/19/2019 4:34 AM
323 Planning is terrible 12/19/2019 4:32 AM
324 Less people to do more work. More 12/19/2019 4:18 AM
contractors doing our jobs and no morale
between the ranks
325 No rest, little to no safety inspections. 12/19/2019 4:15 AM
Things over looked. Class 1 railroads
bullying customers and employees
326 I am in constant worry about losing my job 12/19/2019 4:12 AM
as a result in the changes and policies
implemented by CSX and handed down to
managers
327 less MOW employees doing twice the work, 12/19/2019 4:08 AM
longer hours forced to work hours and
scheduled rest days for snow storms that
haven't even happened yet basically being
on call the company is not following DOT
Re set protocol
328 5 12/19/2019 4:06 AM
329 We have less people to do more work. The 12/19/2019 3:49 AM
company seems to get its way with
everything and the union just goes along
with it. Conditions have gotten much
worse.
330 Better 12/19/2019 3:46 AM
331 Some are better, some the same, it varies 12/19/2019 3:42 AM
with which managers you're working for
and what the conditions are
332 More safety minded but not always safety 12/19/2019 3:21 AM
actioned.
333 Less inclined to find reasons to fire 12/19/2019 3:18 AM
people, especially over gray area issues.
Safety is definitely on a do as I say,
not as I do basis. All that matters is
moving cars fast and the red zone is
ignored hundreds of times a day.
334 No increase in men and more territory to 12/19/2019 3:18 AM
cover
335 Conditions seem to be worse. They added 12/19/2019 3:17 AM
more workload and cut positions down to
where we run slim on all gangs. I don't
believe they want safety before
production
336 Much more stressful. Much less enjoyable 12/19/2019 3:13 AM
337 The managers were not as hard about 12/19/2019 3:13 AM
getting something done as they are now
rush feeling now
338 I think things are much safer 12/19/2019 3:11 AM
339 What is happening now is very stupid 12/19/2019 3:10 AM
compared to 5-years ago
340 With added seniority you work more. The 12/19/2019 3:03 AM
schedule the union agreed upon worsen
work conditions more than PSR
341 Working conditions are much worse 12/19/2019 3:02 AM
342 Safety is put on the back burner to move 12/19/2019 3:00 AM
trains
343 Poor less workers more work 12/19/2019 2:49 AM
344 Fewer people with more working hours. 12/19/2019 2:45 AM
345 They don't compare. Complete disregard for 12/19/2019 2:36 AM
safety.
346 U.P. Today versus 20 years ago workers are 12/19/2019 2:36 AM
Stifled now more than ever. Gang sizes
and district head count are lower than
I've ever seen. Derailments occur
seemingly more often and contractors seem
to be called out before the local
district. I'm approaching 22 years of
service and have never seen the Morale
this low! PSR (2020 plan) has the junior
Employees fearing their job security and
seeking a more stable line of work.
347 OK 12/19/2019 2:36 AM
348 Work conditions for the most part are 12/19/2019 2:35 AM
better, some times they do get stupid,
349 Move the freight, at all cost, Is the new 12/19/2019 2:34 AM
norm. More on safety, but less on
actually fixing anything
350 Short handed and expected to do more with 12/19/2019 2:20 AM
less men and resources. Contractors are
all over the property
351 Work duties are the same expectations. 12/19/2019 2:14 AM
However there is a severe manpower
shortage, trucks are old and broken down,
and other mow equipment is lacking.
352 Better than before 12/19/2019 2:05 AM
353 Working conditions seem to be worse. We 12/19/2019 1:59 AM
are expected to do more with less. The
railroad I work for has cut back on
manned inspections, and with less
frequency. We have found multiple defects
like stripped joints, broken insulated
joints, parts of the ball of the rail
missing that trains have ran on without
being caught for days until the 2
inspections a week are preformed. We have
been lucky so far, but I'm afraid one of
these days our luck is going to run out.
The railroad I work for have also
increased speeds faster and with less
trains for compaction after work has been
preformed to the tracks.
354 It seem like we have been pushing the 12/19/2019 1:57 AM
limits of both our equipment and our
employees jeopardizing both safety and
employee health recently. This may work
short term but is bound to catch up with
us if something is not done to change
this.
355 I feel like safety has taken a back seat 12/19/2019 1:56 AM
to building and moving trains faster
356 Dangerous, do to company greed 12/19/2019 1:46 AM
357 I've see many changes since starting with 12/19/2019 1:36 AM
the SCL in 1976. All the mergers post ACL/
SAL. I'd rank the working conditions
under Pete Carpenter and Michael Ward as
the beat and Carl Taylor and HH and
residue as the worst. I worked 23 years
in the craft and have served the last 20
years as a full time representative of
signal employees. Seen a lot.
358 Poor 12/19/2019 1:34 AM
359 More work is expected from less employees, 12/19/2019 1:34 AM
unreasonable goals are set daily. And
safety is an afterthought.
360 Good 12/19/2019 1:27 AM
361 Not know if you have a job doing what you 12/19/2019 1:25 AM
love doing, makes it really hard to
focus.
362 It depends on your manager, if the manager 12/19/2019 1:23 AM
is all about production most of the time
the WORKING conditions are horrible,
basically safety is out the window etc.
I'VE seen WORKING conditions get worse
compared to 5yrs ago, it seems to me
something is going on inside the company
that is a mystery how it is being
managed.
363 It's all about discipline and dismissal 12/19/2019 1:22 AM
trying to take employee head count down.
You went from wanting to go to work to
not going in for fear of getting
disciplined.
364 Always rushed disregarding safety at every 12/19/2019 1:21 AM
level. Managers are demanding unsafe
behaviors to complete unrealistic work.
365 Worst conditions. Working nights can't 12/19/2019 1:17 AM
tell what track looks like. We work more
odd hours
366 5 12/19/2019 1:16 AM
367 Not Good 10 to 20 years ago we had better 12/19/2019 1:10 AM
leadership in the company and our
brotherhood. Some of our brothers have
turn on our union just to stay working.
There's no more solidarity in our union.
368 I feel like they have become worse, train 12/19/2019 1:05 AM
lineup means nothing and it's only
getting worse. The New hires are coming
out knowing less than they did before and
there is a push get more done with less
and it's starting to show.
369 Horrible stress levels! Because they have 12/19/2019 12:56 AM
to make bigger trains, the threat of
getting fired because of mechanical
failure are nightmares I have.
370 About the same really 12/19/2019 12:50 AM
371 PSR cuts the pools and extra board so slim 12/19/2019 12:49 AM
employees can't get enough rest a home,
or have no quality of life at home.
Fatigue is of little concern to PSR as it
treats people like robots. 10-20 years
ago, employees could claim additional
rest. An additional 4 hours of rest could
mean the difference in a safe trip or a
catastrophic one.
372 Worse 12/19/2019 12:47 AM
373 Better 12/19/2019 12:45 AM
374 It really sucks now compared to 5 years 12/19/2019 12:44 AM
ago, management wants more work with less
manpower and shitty tools, budget. Cut
hrs with scheduling less money overall
375 More rules but safer and slower pace. Lots 12/19/2019 12:38 AM
of walking in dangerous conditions now
that there's only 1 worker per train.
376 It's not as comfortable of a work place as 12/19/2019 12:33 AM
in you can't go to work everyday an feel
like your career is safe
377 About the same seems as though they look 12/19/2019 12:26 AM
for extra reasons to get rid of people
sometimes
378 More rules, more workers scared of getting 12/19/2019 12:26 AM
fired.
379 Too many contractors. Same work less 12/19/2019 12:25 AM
people
380 Not good 12/19/2019 12:25 AM
381 Work conditions have continually decrease 12/19/2019 12:23 AM
for the last 10 years along with moral.
382 Worse 12/19/2019 12:21 AM
383 Our equipment is not as well maintained, 12/19/2019 12:20 AM
air brake inspections are rushed and we
are being pressured to take trains even
if a defect is present.
384 Same 12/19/2019 12:19 AM
385 More production and less safety 12/19/2019 12:14 AM
386 Working conditions are getting 12/19/2019 12:13 AM
increasingly worse. We are being asked to
do the same work we did in the past with
half the employees we had 5-10 years ago
387 Horrible not enough employees. And we 12/19/2019 12:12 AM
never do enough
388 Terrible no one cares about us and knowing 12/19/2019 12:11 AM
I have almost 10 years for a COMPANY and
telling my family I may not have a job
cause this company doesn't care about the
employees
389 Doing more work with less people. Puts a 12/19/2019 12:11 AM
strain on workers making them exhausted
and impacting Saftey, regardless of what
the Saftey numbers say.
390 Worse. Forced to violate mandatory rules 12/19/2019 12:10 AM
and regulations.
Some different 12/19/2019 12:06 AM
392 Smaller crews, shorter windows, outdated 12/19/2019 12:05 AM
equipment, unrealistic time expectations,
extreme inconsideration to personal/
family life, rule inconsistencies, Miss
managed money, very missed managed
scheduling especially when it comes to
work location and time of year, no
overtime and less time at home with
family. BUT the worst part is the fact
that management is out to fire us! They
are looking for reasons to write us up or
worse! The morale has gotten SO
INCREDIBLY BAD in the last 5 years
because of this! It starts with their
INSANE knee jerk reaction to any and all
kinds of accidents or injury or what have
you. I'm sorry but human error is and
always will be unavoidable (no matter how
many safety stand downs and BS rules they
come up with. You would think by now they
would understand the simple fact of when
you focus on the negative you create more
negative the more time they spend
dwelling on a mistake The more time they
spend creating the next mistake! They
have taken any and all fun and enjoy
ability out of the workplace are used to
like my job now I can't stand it. It is
very obvious that all of the management
at union pacific railroad care way more
about a dollar then they do about the
livelihood of their employees! Hell the
only reason they care if an employee gets
hurt is because they don't want to be
sued
393 Less workforce. 12/19/2019 12:05 AM
394 Insufficient. Cannot attain PPE on a 12/19/2019 12:02 AM
timely basis. Quality is inferior. Safety
is not at the forefront. Training is
nonexistent.
395 Not the same you go to fix something and 12/18/2019 11:59 PM
you don't have the part or Materials to
fix it and the manager tell you they
don't care make it work so you cobble
fuck it together or half ass it
396 Tools are better. Less manpower. Employee 12/18/2019 11:59 PM
attitudes are horrible.
397 In the last 15 years the work conditions 12/18/2019 11:56 PM
have become gradually more stressful and
heavier loads on each employee. Steady
audits and worry of supervisors watching
from the woods causes less attention on
safety and work and more on what could be
considered in their determination of what
would classify as a rule infraction.
Threats of losing your job if you don't
go against an agreement in union contract
or standing up for yourself when told to
do Something that is against the rules.
398 Way more contractors and a lot less train 12/18/2019 11:51 PM
traffic
399 1 12/18/2019 11:49 PM
400 Compared to 10 and 20 years ago safety 12/18/2019 11:47 PM
improved. This was done in part by drug
screening as well as employees
contributing to safety at a group level
all the way down to an individual level.
Drug screening weeded out many that would
have put others at risk. And when
coworkers feel they are NOT being
burdened with more work and more travel
at the expense of the company for profit
those safety standards will be
maintained. However, if we look at the
company from the time PSR was
implemented, we see from the safety
numbers we can not maintain levels from
last year. I as an example can no longer
work on the district nearest me as I am
only qualified as a machine operator of
many types including those utilized at
district levels as little as 10 years
ago. With 24 years of safe service on the
railroad I now find myself traveling just
to work but the issue now is the
distances and the burden of MORE work on
each individual due to smaller gang size
and the hunger to maintain same amounts
of production because of PSR that amounts
to a decline in safety. It is bad enough
the stress of working over 1000 miles
from home, less days off, and a much
greater work burden that even I lose
focus. Supervisors have been downsized,
and try to burden each individual with
jobs a foreman at the very least should
be doing. Foreman are now doing
observations a supervisor should be
doing. Even though these observations are
in theory not able to lead to discipline
it is certainly done in an effort to
maximize supervising because of the
limited numbers available. Point is that
even foreman are burdened with more work
to make up for the lack of supervising
because of PSR and maximizing profit.
401 Wash a career, now it's just a job. 12/18/2019 11:47 PM
402 More responsibility. Have not had any 12/18/2019 11:43 PM
compensation.
403 Worse. Main concern is running trains. Not 12/18/2019 11:41 PM
safety
404 N/A 12/18/2019 11:39 PM
405 Getting away from safety focused job and 12/18/2019 11:35 PM
instead more focused on profits.
406 Work conditions are horrible. You have 12/18/2019 11:35 PM
dead lines for derailments, pushing the
human body further than what it needs to
on jobs that it shouldn't, every time you
round a corner it feels like someone is
looking to find the wrong you're doing
instead of the right.
407 In my twenty years, safety steady got 12/18/2019 11:34 PM
better, until about 3 years ago. Then
it's began to regress
408 Not the same at all use to like coming to 12/18/2019 11:34 PM
work and enjoying my job. Now it's a job
and it's a shame
409 Worse 12/18/2019 11:34 PM
410 Better each year for the last 20 12/18/2019 11:33 PM
411 About the same 12/18/2019 11:33 PM
412 Far less manpower now but still having the 12/18/2019 11:30 PM
same amount of repairs and track
conditions making it difficult to
complete a job 100 percent and on time
413 A lot more pressure and less time to get 12/18/2019 11:30 PM
things done
414 Worse they make us cross crafts and 12/18/2019 11:29 PM
threaten us with making us work through
holidays when they screw up and don't fix
problems that have be pointed out and
documented
415 Worse, everyone is expected to do more & 12/18/2019 11:29 PM
more work with less people. You are
expected to jump from position to
position with out having a 19a. Anything
to get the job done is expected.
416 Morale has dramatically declined. A fair 12/18/2019 11:29 PM
number of employees are sitting at home
due to cut offs. Management has been more
than difficult to deal with and turnover
has become expected.
417 Better because of safety audits and 12/18/2019 11:27 PM
implementation of TSC.
418 Safety is not as big of a priority as it 12/18/2019 11:27 PM
used to be
419 10 years ago when I hired out with NS on 12/18/2019 11:25 PM
the Pittsburgh division, it seemed as if
the future of the railroad was bright and
promising, we worked many projects and
the morale was high, nobody had to worry
about who or what department was getting
cut next. Fast forward 5 years. We
started to see different cuts and layoffs
and were hearing threats from the higher
paids that cuts and job abolishments were
coming to the M&W side. Between those
days and now, the morale from brother to
brother and even between supervisors and
brothers has drastically changed, with
all of these newly implemented and abrupt
saving procedures, everyone is beginning
to worry just how we are going to have a
job. I personally have friends and family
in the T&E side that have been furloughed
and left on the street. And friends in
the engine house at Conway that we're
furloughed without warning. Nobody comes
to work with a good outlook anymore, I
don't care what department you are in, we
all have families to feed and bills to
pay, we have all built a life based
around this railroad. And for what, to be
working fine one day and the next being
sent home by furlough. Attitudes and
tensions are high among everybody because
of the unknowns that lie ahead for our
careers. How can we come to work everyday
with a ``let's get it done'' attitude
when the actions of our employers have
been so untrustworthy? All for a buck!
They don't care about the people. They
care about the stockholders. Corporate
greed!
420 Being audit 2/3 times a month getting/ 12/18/2019 11:24 PM
doubting my work. Not concentrating on
work . . . it's more production then
safety.
421 Worse 12/18/2019 11:22 PM
422 Seems like they don't care about track 12/18/2019 11:21 PM
conditions there all about cutting cost
423 Less manpower, Jobs have been taken away 12/18/2019 11:19 PM
on division, more work being done by
contractors, 5-8s, 9 and 5 should not
even be on the table. If you work away
home you should be twb hour days! Morale
is down systemwide as a whole!
424 From 2005 to now there is less help. For 12/18/2019 11:19 PM
an example there used to be 4 guys on a
section truck to now 2 and maybe 3 if
you're lucky.
425 Worse. Lack of manpower affects every 12/18/2019 11:19 PM
aspect of the railroad
426 Less safety, more production 12/18/2019 11:18 PM
427 Better tools to work with 12/18/2019 11:18 PM
428 According to the numbers, we are safer. 12/18/2019 11:17 PM
429 They suck, it's more about production and 12/18/2019 11:16 PM
less on safety, making about the same as
10 yrs ago as the last 5 yrs
430 Same 12/18/2019 11:14 PM
431 Conditions have went down by 10 fold, 12/18/2019 11:13 PM
compared to 5 years ago. Moral amongst
the members is bad. I have seen many who
were working find other employment and
leave because of the new conditions under
the P.S.R way of business
432 More pressure to get things done faster 12/18/2019 11:11 PM
with less manpower
433 Same 12/18/2019 11:11 PM
434 Better than it was then 12/18/2019 11:11 PM
435 I'm in my 17th year and have never seen it 12/18/2019 11:11 PM
as bad as it is right now, there is a
serious shortage of man power
436 Not good at all 12/18/2019 11:10 PM
437 Five years ago work was great. It was a 12/18/2019 11:09 PM
company that you were proud to work for
now it feels like a company that does not
care about their workers
438 A lot less guys. Trying to do the work in 12/18/2019 11:09 PM
a much more squeezed time frame.
439 Worse 12/18/2019 11:09 PM
440 Same pay more work load required 12/18/2019 11:09 PM
441 The work environment is more hostile with 12/18/2019 11:08 PM
a do more with less attitude from
management.
442 Terrible 12/18/2019 11:08 PM
443 Amount of track time has gone down greatly 12/18/2019 11:08 PM
maintenance has suffered greatly to make
time for more trains. Saftey is all talk
no show when push come to shove safety is
not cared about. So much worse.
444 Better 12/18/2019 11:08 PM
445 was better, but in the last 2 years has 12/18/2019 11:07 PM
gotten worse
446 Asked to do much more with less. Bad 12/18/2019 11:07 PM
equipment now on these smaller gangs. The
company needs to invest in New equipment.
I miss my 2 days off a month that they
took away.
447 We're losing jobs to contractors because 12/18/2019 11:06 PM
the railroad doesn't want to add more
people to gangs
448 Same work less guys but they want us to 12/18/2019 11:06 PM
get more done with less
449 I find it more difficult to have the 12/18/2019 11:06 PM
ability to do our work. The scheduling of
the work widows are not very well
coordinated
450 Morale is in the tank and management is 12/18/2019 11:04 PM
out to get anybody they can
451 We are expected to do more work with less 12/18/2019 11:04 PM
people and in less time
452 I enjoyed my job a lot more 10 years ago. 12/18/2019 11:02 PM
One because there were more job options
available before cuts were being made.
Two the fear of getting fired or put of
service for minor infractions was far
less of a concern. Three I feel as if we
were treated more fairly and with more
respect than we are now. I feel as if
this trickles down from the shareholders
down to management.
453 They want you to do more with less 12/18/2019 11:02 PM
manpower
454 Terrible, 12 years ago when I hired out 12/18/2019 11:01 PM
this was an awesome job, now if you look
the wrong way, someone wants to write you
up, or send you home.
455 More is expected from less employees on a 12/18/2019 11:01 PM
gang. Once a 7 man gang is now 5 or even
4 or less, yet the same or more
production is expected
456 They push safety until shit hits the fan 12/18/2019 11:00 PM
then they don't care it's get it done
457 Home life is none exciting and pay is not 12/18/2019 11:00 PM
worth the travel.
458 Better 12/18/2019 10:59 PM
459 It was better 5 years ago 12/18/2019 10:58 PM
460 Work conditions are good. Moral is awful 12/18/2019 10:58 PM
461 Undereducated management pushing velocity 12/18/2019 10:57 PM
over safety
462 They are much more hostile. There is a 12/18/2019 10:56 PM
much worse divide between craft and
management. The rush affect is horrible
and the undertone of the no one cares
just don't stop a train is the worst I've
ever seen
463 The conditions suck. There aren't any 12/18/2019 10:54 PM
words to describe. How about you come do
what we do for a week and see for your
self.
464 Better 12/18/2019 10:54 PM
465 Trying to get same amount of work done 12/18/2019 10:54 PM
with less people. Care less about the
people that work for them also.
466 Less man power. 5 years ago gang sizes 12/18/2019 10:53 PM
were bigger and workers were tasked with
more specific duties ensuring duties were
done correctly. Now a days with less man
power we take care of the same amount of
track miles and it seems like their are
more derailments and less quality repairs
to track because of it.
467 More rushed less man power. 12/18/2019 10:52 PM
468 Worse. Everyone scared 12/18/2019 10:52 PM
469 We are rushed and that's not as safe. 12/18/2019 10:49 PM
470 Unsafe 12/18/2019 10:47 PM
471 More rushed, pushed to do the same work 12/18/2019 10:47 PM
with half the man power and time.
472 Hard less help 12/18/2019 10:47 PM
473 Overworked now 12/18/2019 10:46 PM
474 Worse 12/18/2019 10:45 PM
475 As long as it benefits the company, it's 12/18/2019 10:45 PM
ok to be unsafe and break certain rules!
476 I've been out here for almost 5 years and 12/18/2019 10:45 PM
noticed a change in how the supervisors
come after us and try and spook us
477 Bad 12/18/2019 10:45 PM
478 Safety is only important when convenient 12/18/2019 10:45 PM
for the company.
479 Smaller work groups, bigger workloads. 12/18/2019 10:45 PM
Longer hours for people who are around.
480 Less man power 12/18/2019 10:45 PM
481 They suck 12/18/2019 10:44 PM
482 Have decreased each year. Extremely in the 12/18/2019 10:44 PM
last 2 years. Safety is now the least of
concerns.
483 We are not allowed the time to do quality 12/18/2019 10:44 PM
repairs that are expected from us. Safety
has seemed to take a back seat to
everything else.
484 More micro management. They just go off 12/18/2019 10:43 PM
computer reports instead of getting in
the field
485 Working conditions are ok but if an 12/18/2019 10:43 PM
accident happens they still try to find a
way to blame the union employee
486 Maintenance priorities has been pushed 12/18/2019 10:43 PM
towards the backburner
487 Management expects you to more with less. 12/18/2019 10:42 PM
And safety is always 2nd. Quality of work
has dropped.
488 Less time to work on track 12/18/2019 10:42 PM
489 I have seen more derailments in the last 12/18/2019 10:41 PM
year than I have in the last 10 years
490 Not enough personnel covering too large an 12/18/2019 10:40 PM
area
491 Worse 12/18/2019 10:40 PM
492 They haven't changed at all! Still aren't 12/18/2019 10:40 PM
great. And use the rules to benefit the
company.
493 Safety is out of the window. And it's no 12/18/2019 10:39 PM
longer about the people
494 My opinion, is that now it's more uptight. 12/18/2019 10:34 PM
495 Not nearly enough people to do the work. 12/18/2019 10:26 PM
All gangs have been cut. When people take
vacations the Carrier does not send
relief help.
496 It's a horrible atmosphere. Coming in 12/18/2019 10:15 PM
every day wondering if your going to be
laid off or not. Also expecting more work
with less people.
497 It's terrible 12/18/2019 10:02 PM
498 Low morale. 12/18/2019 9:41 PM
499 Longer hours. Less predictable and often 12/18/2019 9:34 PM
exhausting shifts
500 Generally speaking, safety be damned . . . 12/18/2019 9:19 PM
on many levels. Precision Scheduled
Railroading has cut crews, maintenance,
carmen, staffing in general so short for
the sake of shareholders profiting that
necessary tasks related to safety are an
afterthought. Is the equipment
functioning properly? No? Move it anyway
or suffer discipline. Are you qualified
for the job you are called for? No? Go
anyway or be flagged for refusal or
missed call. Are you properly rested so
you can perform your job safely? No? Why
not? Because Precision Scheduled
Railroading doesn't run a consistent and
accurate train lineup compared to 5 years
ago. I cannot count the times I have been
called for work 12 hours early thanks to
Precision Scheduled Railroading. Do you
have the tools and supplies needed to do
your job? No? Why not? Oh, the company no
longer supplies those because any
``excess cash'' goes directly to the
shareholders.
501 Better know then they were 15 years ago. 12/18/2019 8:45 PM
502 Five years ago, when I hired in you were 12/18/2019 8:35 PM
able to get the rest that you needed. New
attendance policies and cut workforce has
us all working entirely too much with too
little rest.
503 Terrible 12/18/2019 8:23 PM
504 Horrible 12/18/2019 8:20 PM
505 Worse, the conditions are very unsafe. 12/18/2019 8:03 PM
They are creating toxic work
environments, that affect us physically
and mentally.
506 Night and day difference for the worse. No 12/18/2019 7:50 PM
longer a career I would recommend to
anyone.
507 They are worse. Longer days less sleep. 12/18/2019 7:48 PM
Scared on a daily basis of loosing a job,
house, vehicle, and more. Need more
people so everyone stands a chance of
living the American dream.
508 Horrible! More work with less rest and 12/18/2019 7:47 PM
pay! Total disregard for safety!
509 Horrible 12/18/2019 7:27 PM
510 23 Years for Cn. Today we don't PDI cars, 12/18/2019 7:18 PM
block swap. Hardly do air tests. They
just grab airslips from any train. Less
men and want more work
511 Better now than 10 years ago 12/18/2019 7:11 PM
512 Very unsafe There is a lot of pressure 12/18/2019 7:10 PM
from inexperienced polo talent management
513 Everything that the railroad has pushed in 12/18/2019 6:49 PM
the past has fell by the wayside. Safety
of employees is no longer a concern and
neither are servicing the customers.
Employees are fatigued because nobody can
mark off anymore without being handled
for discipline which will eventually be
termination. Have everyone furloughed
which also makes it unsafe for the
employees still working and not having
enough employees to allow for reasonable
lay off privileges.
514 Compare nothing to even 5 years ago, and 12/18/2019 6:31 PM
an entire different industry from 10 to
20 years ago. Employees are continually
being asked to do more with less at the
same time continually being tested for
rules compliance while being placed in
situations where the same, or worse, more
is expected of their productivity and
efficiency with less hands to perform the
same or more work.
515 Supervision is younger with no work 12/18/2019 6:23 PM
experience 5 years 10 to 20 years ago
Decision making was easy Company listened
to ideas problem solving
516 The main goal of servicing customers is 12/18/2019 6:21 PM
nearly impossible. The fine tuning--do
more with less mentality--is back firing
on the carriers. We simply do not have
the man power or equipment needed to move
freight in a safe and timely manner.
517 Worse, and safety is not the #1 priority 12/18/2019 6:19 PM
anymore.. Employee morale is at an all
time low..Company cares for one thing,
and that's money.. Human life should not
come after money..
518 Things have become gradually worse over 12/18/2019 6:12 PM
the years. With more technology comes
more oversight which allows them to nit
pick us out of a job.
519 As a carman, I see less time to inspect, 12/18/2019 6:08 PM
more cars to outbound, what 63 people
did, now 8. Do the math, not much more
than run and don't look. God help you
when you find a defect, because the FRA
and union not going to help.
520 More stress, accelerated work schedules, 12/18/2019 6:08 PM
more pressure to get more done in less
amount of time with no overtime. Lower
head count on gangs so I'm bouncing
between jobs I'm not familiar with. No
men for fire watch and other safety
positions.
521 Much worse! 12/18/2019 5:48 PM
522 More production is expected with less 12/18/2019 5:16 PM
concern for safety.
523 Terrible. Absolutely every person is 12/18/2019 4:47 PM
miserable and wondering if you are going
to be able to keep a job no matter how
long you have been on the railroad
524 Not even the same railroad 12/18/2019 4:44 PM
525 over work and no time off 12/18/2019 3:55 PM
526 Worse 12/18/2019 3:46 PM
527 Not the same used to love this company/ 12/18/2019 3:22 PM
industry now I keep waiting for the knife
in my back
528 Poor, have seen nothing but negative 12/18/2019 3:17 PM
changes.
529 Worse 12/18/2019 3:17 PM
530 Less safer 12/18/2019 3:12 PM
531 Deteriorating. Instead of running 12/18/2019 2:49 PM
customers away and putting lines out of
service they should be investing their
profits in securing work for future
532 Poor 12/18/2019 2:43 PM
533 Harder 12/18/2019 2:28 PM
534 They are worse. They have skeleton crews 12/18/2019 2:25 PM
working and slowly are getting rid of our
equipment. And then bring in
inexperienced contractors to supplement
the lack of man power/equipment.
535 More pressure to rush your work longer 12/18/2019 2:13 PM
blocks of rail road means less time for
maintenance because of throwing lights
bad signal on trains 10 or so miles away.
With that it cuts work time So you have
to rush or wait
536 They are horrendous compared to 5 years 12/18/2019 2:13 PM
ago and seem to get worse literally by
the day
537 It's gotten worse. Safety is not on the 12/18/2019 2:05 PM
railroad
538 Much worse, employees worked 10 to 12 12/18/2019 2:05 PM
hours without a break or lunch
539 Safety take the back seat to business 12/18/2019 2:04 PM
profits.
540 Too much micro management 12/18/2019 1:49 PM
541 Lowest morale I've seen in my 12 years. 12/18/2019 1:46 PM
Lots of dysfunction now.
542 Horrible it just a push to get as much 12/18/2019 1:44 PM
done with total disregard to safety.
543 Worse, more harassment, bad working 12/18/2019 1:44 PM
conditions
544 Speed first safety last. Doesn't matter if 12/18/2019 1:38 PM
it's broken or unsafe PSR says it needs
to be moving track speed now.
545 Work conditions are not good you are being 12/18/2019 1:09 PM
pushed for production and safety is out
the window
546 It was a good job 10 years ago, now I feel 12/18/2019 1:07 PM
like I'm stuck in a nightmare and can't
wake up.
547 Things now are a bit harder 12/18/2019 12:13 PM
548 No comparison Time is pushed and stretched 12/18/2019 11:51 AM
and forged Safety is on paper not
reality. Quality inspection is
impossible. Derailment death toll
increase is imminent. Livonia Car Dept.
549 I see no difference. we still strive to 12/18/2019 11:50 AM
get the job done safely, yet we are
always pushed to get done and put out the
next fire.
550 Horrible 12/18/2019 11:45 AM
551 We are expected to get the same, if not, 12/18/2019 11:39 AM
more work done with less equipment,
supplies and people. On our line, we
share one end loader between several
workgroups that are miles apart. The yard
gang I came from, it was a pretty regular
occurrence to reuse old ties and spikes
because you could not get new ones.
552 Higher levels of stress due to less 12/18/2019 11:13 AM
maintenance on bigger and longer trains.
Rail side repairs have become a common
occurrence. Except now we're walking
longer distances over uneven ground
increasing the risk of slips trips and
falls. Lack of power for the amount of
train being handled leads to longer trip
times and increased fatigue.
553 Poor. 12/18/2019 11:12 AM
554 More work with less people with a lot of 12/18/2019 10:50 AM
jobs not getting done
555 We receive less track time. More of a rush 12/18/2019 10:42 AM
to get the job done. Work schedules are
constantly changing. Working at night.
556 Worse want more with less 12/18/2019 10:30 AM
557 Horrible! Yes because of years I've got in 12/18/2019 10:17 AM
I can generally hold a regular job but
because of POWS it adds that factor
558 You work harder for the money 12/18/2019 10:07 AM
559 Much, much worse 12/18/2019 9:37 AM
560 Terrible, morale is the lowest I've ever 12/18/2019 9:34 AM
seen. We've got long term employees
quitting, or considering quitting. I used
to love my job, but I'm angry every day I
go to work now.
561 Very unforgiving with the attendance 12/18/2019 9:24 AM
policy making people come to work tired
and sick. The only reason is to run more
trains with less people.
562 I feel work condition have gotten more 12/18/2019 9:10 AM
strenuous, with the notion to hurry,
hurry because now our curfews are
shortened with same amount of quotas
563 Work is longer, more frustrating and 12/18/2019 9:09 AM
definitely less appreciated
564 Worse 12/18/2019 8:46 AM
565 Terrible 12/18/2019 8:45 AM
566 N/A 12/18/2019 8:36 AM
567 Not great 12/18/2019 8:36 AM
568 The worst I have ever seen. 12/18/2019 8:31 AM
569 Work conditions today are very dangerous 12/18/2019 7:49 AM
and safety is no longer a concern of CSX
570 Working conditions are a joke, bad ordered 12/18/2019 7:33 AM
trains getting pushed through without
real fixes, tracks brings fixed cheaply
only to have another derail a few days
later.
571 About the same, but with increased 12/18/2019 7:28 AM
emphasis on safety.
572 Morale is down. Trains are longer, slower 12/18/2019 7:21 AM
and seem to cause more delays for other
trains including Amtrak. Customers are
not getting serviced on time. Crews are
working longer and more demanding shifts
and fatigue is taking a toll.
573 Train lineups are inexcusable every train 12/18/2019 7:18 AM
does work 15000 ft trains
574 Safety has always been the number one goal 12/18/2019 7:06 AM
at the railroad, but now with the demand
and with the workload that is put on so
few employees it puts a lot more risk in
doing your safely. It also makes
inspections and maintaining equipment to
the level of safety required virtually
impossible. I guarantee that the public
is at a much higher chance of catastrophe
than 5 years ago due to lack of
maintenance and proper inspections not
able to be performed.
575 Work load over exceeds employees 12/18/2019 6:31 AM
576 Gangs of 30 or more are down 10 to 15 12/18/2019 6:30 AM
percent, while productivity is up 30
percent. UP doesn't care about the
quality of the product, just the #,
putting ties in in the winter conditions
is more challenging than summer months
577 When I was still employed with the RR the 12/18/2019 6:26 AM
conditions had changed drastically in the
4 years I started. What became a decent
and enjoyable career started to become
tedious and unbearable. The work load
increased drastically. The amount of
responsibility became a burden. The fear
of being laid off or cut because you
couldn't handle it became a nightmare
that would literally keep me awake and
fearing that I would not have a job.
578 5 years ago things were much more do as I 12/18/2019 6:08 AM
do and not do as I say
579 Worse 12/18/2019 6:02 AM
580 Drastically different (worse). Too many 12/18/2019 5:58 AM
jobs lost, jobs we have have terrible
hours and off days, carrier making new
rules as they go to appease their own
agenda.
581 Way worse 12/18/2019 5:50 AM
582 Worse 12/18/2019 5:48 AM
583 Nowhere near as good today 12/18/2019 5:45 AM
584 Lots of job cuts, working more with less 12/18/2019 5:40 AM
585 One of the biggest changes I've noticed is 12/18/2019 5:38 AM
the affect of less carmen and mechanical
forces. The locomotives are always
breaking down, never running correctly,
constantly having defects that aren't
getting fixed and told by managers to
just take it and not worry about it.
Having to wait hours for available power
after being called for a train. More
problems with the cars themselves and
more derailments because of problematic
cars.
586 Worse 12/18/2019 5:22 AM
587 Much more dangerous than was before, more 12/18/2019 5:13 AM
stress on workers to do more with less
588 Horrible. Forced overtime with short 12/18/2019 4:54 AM
handed crews. No concern for safety.
Employees are a liability not an asset
589 Profits first. Safety last. Railroad used 12/18/2019 4:52 AM
to be a career you could retire from.
Now, laid off before vested.
590 Not even close 12/18/2019 4:52 AM
591 Work conditions are worse. We are 12/18/2019 4:42 AM
constantly threatened with yard closure
as a reason to keep productivity up. 8
years ago it wasn't like this.
592 Worst I have ever seen. No care for 12/18/2019 4:32 AM
employees, just profit.
593 The conditions Now are more unsafe then 12/18/2019 4:28 AM
they have ever been in my 15 years on the
railroad. Local management is scared to
death for their jobs. If the crews don't
get a certain thing done then the
management gets in trouble, which makes
them tell the crews to get the task done
no matter what. It's an environment
that's just asking for a disaster
594 Horrible now days. I'm never working fast 12/18/2019 4:16 AM
enough, they are always rushing me. And
they defer all FRA defects because safety
don't matter to them anymore ``Union
Pacific''
595 Work conditions are terrible. Everything 12/18/2019 4:15 AM
is about making a dollar for the
shareholders, not about employees
596 20 years ago work was a pleasure .To be 12/18/2019 4:06 AM
fair there have been improvements at the
tolerance for era has tightened
tremendously stress levels at an all-time
high single man crew is Dangerous I hope
you look at this not the stock price.
Work rest issues are probably the most
constant dangerous thing that I've dealt
with how do you get rested when you never
know when you're going to work I'll talk
to a guy well you know the stories you
sleep you wake up and you don't get
called for 30 hours it's not possible to
live a quality life try to be a quality
employee. And be ready to deal with the
high demands. Suggest 2 12 hour work
shifts 6p to 6 a etc...
597 I've noticed lately last couple years that 12/18/2019 4:03 AM
our carrier has basically at times
totally disregarded our agreement at
times!
598 I've been switching on the yard for 12/18/2019 4:01 AM
6years. It takes longer for anything to
get fixed, walking conditions are
terrible. Mainline ballast is used in the
yards.
599 Worst 12/18/2019 4:01 AM
600 The only conditions that have changed is 12/18/2019 3:54 AM
the elevated stress of not knowing my
future in the railroad industry. Union
has laid down and is allowing jobs to be
taken over by contractors, even if I make
retirement will it still be there?
Everywhere I look it's a contractor and
not a single one is putting in the
retirement system set up for railroad
workers. I'm paying for representation
and I'm not getting it. The jobs are
becoming few and far between. I truly
believe that the unions are being paid
off by the contractors or else they would
be suffering due to the decline of union
employees.
601 They are 1000 times worse. Inaccurate 12/18/2019 3:52 AM
lineups no maintenance and total lack to
safety
602 There are fewer workers to do the job 12/18/2019 3:51 AM
603 No 12/18/2019 3:50 AM
604 It's sad to say the least, work conditions 12/18/2019 3:48 AM
gets worse every year an safety has hit
rock bottom, rules only apply when they
can be used against the employee. bottom
line only the stockholder matters.
605 Worse! Moral is at an all time low. 12/18/2019 3:47 AM
Everyone is worried they are gonna show
up to work and get laid off from day to
day. Used to be a happy place to work for
all employees but not anymore
606 Poor with a side of low morale 12/18/2019 3:46 AM
607 Deteriorating 12/18/2019 3:43 AM
608 Working conditions are degrading quickly. 12/18/2019 3:40 AM
No regard for safety. We're only
scapegoats now.
609 It's changed a lot for the worse 12/18/2019 3:39 AM
610 Worse, less care for the companies we 12/18/2019 3:23 AM
service. Also less care about the crews
and public's safety with longer trains.
611 We are under more pressure to make a 12/18/2019 3:22 AM
repair quicker and with less man power.
Basically to more with less.
612 So much better 5 years ago. We at least 12/18/2019 3:19 AM
had some off days. Now we go weeks or
months without any
613 Unsafe, chaotic, rushed, lack of knowledge 12/18/2019 3:14 AM
and training.
614 The work conditions in the last 10 years 12/18/2019 3:05 AM
have gotten horrendously under staffed.
Our production rail and tie crews work at
75 percent manned while our sections run
about 60 percent manned. The shortage of
employees causes us to work long hours
for many days in a row. Injuries and
fatalities have significantly increased
since the implementation of PSR and I
firmly believe this is due to fatigue.
615 With thru freight crews doing work on both 12/18/2019 3:01 AM
ends of the road, on most trains, it
increases the opportunity for human
factor incidents as well personal
injuries.
616 Worse. More work equals greater concern 12/18/2019 2:57 AM
for injuries
617 They've gotten far worse 12/18/2019 2:55 AM
618 Much worse. Have been personally told 12/18/2019 2:55 AM
safety is not first. Worse jobs and less
homelife.
619 Safety is better but seems that nowadays 12/18/2019 2:49 AM
railroads that don't have set schedules
for running trains are enacting PSR but
they don't seem to understand that the
work still has to be done. Having to work
faster with less people will ultimately
cause incidents.
620 There has been a significant decline in 12/18/2019 2:42 AM
safety morale personal time. A lack of
supplies and a constant push for
individual employees to take
responsibility for things that should
fall on the company.
621 Our workload has increased but personnel 12/18/2019 2:41 AM
has been cut back.
622 13 years ago was a lot better than now. 12/18/2019 2:31 AM
Companies are more malicious, I come to
work thinking how to not get fired vs
doing my job effectively. I assure you I
don't want to hurt myself so save the
safety speeches
623 Work conditions are the same, still 2 12/18/2019 2:20 AM
pieces of rail with a tie between them
624 Less safe 12/18/2019 2:18 AM
625 Rules and safety are only important when 12/18/2019 2:18 AM
something goes wrong--then they use them
against you.
626 Work is much more strenuous after the 12/18/2019 2:14 AM
layoffs in the locomotive mechanical
dept. Having to work extra hard to meet
the demands of the Railroads needs. Have
to work many locomotives each day being
pressed to get them out as fast as
possible. While being asked to do other
crafts work we don't know how to do,
besides just trying to figure things out.
All the extra slack we have to pick up
from our brothers and sisters whom are
now gone is making conditions unsafe. Our
safety record has risen higher since PSR
I worry about the safety of my co-workers
at the expense of greed. The economy we
are being told is not doing well due to
the lower car loadings so PSR is so
called a Must. I'm sure their has to be a
better way to adjust to the changes if
their really is a change. These long
trains have me worried about the bigger
risk of derailments. With the dangers of
chemical spills and explosions I see
these risk on the rise to come. I worry
for the public being exposed to a higher
potential to the danger of the railroads
caress attitude of run it run it!! Just
waiting for someone to put an end to
this. To the railroad's it's all about
profits for them and their investors not
anyone's safety. With my job I personally
do, the biggest risk I have seen is us
not being able to maintain the low
horsepower locomotives in the hump yard.
They are falling apart and we don't get
the time to fix them properly. I get
excited when I see the FRA show up
because they catch the things being let
go and we get to finally fix them! Years
ago we had plenty of locomotives now we
only have a handful and we can keep them
in good shape they are being over worked
over and over. Time to beat this PSR out
of the Railroads.
627 5 years more safety concerned and 12/18/2019 2:11 AM
maintenance was kept up. Now more moving
freight at whatever cost
628 I have just about three years on with ns 12/18/2019 2:11 AM
since the start of PSR I've noticed
massive increase of train size with less
power safety is no longer the main
concern it's all about move freight do
train have come around to a mount
territory to cut back on crews I had 70+
conductors below me on the board down to
12
629 There are fewer employees and many are 12/18/2019 2:09 AM
expected to do more than what their job
description requires. An example is a
truck driver doing welding work, i.e.,
field welding, grinding, electric
welding. Track Inspectors performing
track maintenance. Employees feel
pressured to do extra.
630 The job market seems to be increasing. 12/18/2019 2:08 AM
631 Worse. My quality of life has plummeted 12/18/2019 2:07 AM
since PSR began. My time off at home has
been greatly reduced. My time in a hotel
has been reduced. My time at work has
nearly doubled. The fatigue and lack of
time with family is extremely depressing.
632 Considerably worse. Management treats like 12/18/2019 2:05 AM
absolute garbage and with contempt as if
they absolutely hate us.
633 Worse 12/18/2019 2:05 AM
634 Not worth a darn. We were better off even 12/18/2019 2:05 AM
3 years ago.
635 It sucks! 12/18/2019 2:03 AM
636 Low morale. I think there is less emphasis 12/18/2019 2:03 AM
on safety because guys are worried about
their job.
637 New employee to CN railroad as a 12/18/2019 2:02 AM
conductor. Currently furloughed since 11-
10-19
638 Less safe, as the company has continued to 12/18/2019 2:00 AM
be emboldened with a lack of union
resistance. While profit has always been
the priority, they are less concerned
about hiding that it now.
639 They are not even comparable they want to 12/18/2019 1:57 AM
over work us all and don't care about us
640 Very good 12/18/2019 1:55 AM
641 Compared to 3 years ago I'd say it's 12/18/2019 1:53 AM
getting worse especially management
642 Work conditions are now absolutely 12/18/2019 1:52 AM
terrible. You can spend three days that
you're away from home terminal and you're
lucky to spend one day at home. When
you're away from home terminal they try
to send you everywhere but home.
643 Worse expecting more with less 12/18/2019 1:52 AM
644 Manpower has declined over the years a lot 12/18/2019 1:51 AM
of the repairs to the track take a lot
longer and more temporary slow orders
stay on longer
645 When I started railroading 7 years ago, 12/18/2019 1:50 AM
our terminals main focus was customer
satisfaction, doing whatever it took to
deliver a positive experience for the
customer. With recent changes and
focuses, our location has instructed the
customer when they will get a switch, and
the customer has had to change their
operations accordingly.
646 My job is less safe 12/18/2019 1:49 AM
647 Much different in the last 5. Less 12/18/2019 1:47 AM
emphasis on Safety, more on productivity,
and Shareholder benefit. 20+ years ago,
we did more work, and had the tools and
supplies to do the work properly and
safely.
648 They have deteriorated severely. Safety is 12/18/2019 1:40 AM
no longer in the forefront. The shop
morale is no longer there the personal
relationship or friendships are no longer
there either
649 Furloughed 12/18/2019 1:39 AM
650 Horrible just compared to 5 years ago! 12/18/2019 1:37 AM
Safety has been put on the back burner
now it's just about running trains as
long and fast as possible
651 Worse. Safety is worse. Intimidation is a 12/18/2019 1:33 AM
daily thing now.
652 In the last 5 years, worse. Bigger trains 12/18/2019 1:33 AM
that don't fit in sidings, more issues
with train (i.e. break in twos). The list
goes on.
653 fast pace and seems to be quantity (how 12/18/2019 1:29 AM
much we get done) and not quality
654 Very unsafe over worked employees 12/18/2019 1:23 AM
655 Less track time for maintenance 12/18/2019 1:16 AM
656 It feels more rushed. Less track time same 12/18/2019 1:14 AM
amount of work. One day they say no
overtime get it done today. The next day
they say stay all night to finish it.
Managers need more money in their budgets
for projects
657 A lot worse! Combining trains and doubling 12/18/2019 1:10 AM
the tonnage, means unsafe conditions
658 People are more overworked, less 12/18/2019 1:07 AM
enthusiastic, feel boxed in, no
happiness.
659 5 years ago, they actually seemed 12/18/2019 1:04 AM
concerned about actual safety issues.
Efficiency statistics are the number one
topic in most meetings now, and safety is
only a concern after someone gets hurt.
The carrier is quick to terminate
employees for rule 1.6 violations in
order to place the blame and intimidate
other employees.
660 They suck. There's more emphasis on 12/18/2019 1:03 AM
production than safety. We're just a
number
661 Much much worse always being rushed they 12/18/2019 12:59 AM
don't fix anything broken and calling
every 10 hrs even on rest days allot of
times before you are rested
662 Not very good 12/18/2019 12:57 AM
663 Lot more stress pressure to perform with 12/18/2019 12:54 AM
less training
664 They are much more dangers than ten years 12/18/2019 12:53 AM
ago bigger trains go go train line ups
are a mess crew balancing is never right
don't know when to be rested for your job
trains are to big to yard more break into
less people to do the work stressing
everybody out someday if this continues
something big the really bad will happen
train inspections by carmen are rushed
665 Everything is in a rush it's like time is 12/18/2019 12:50 AM
against you, you fear for your job every
day
666 Equipment inspection is less than it 12/18/2019 12:44 AM
should be. The public and employees more
at risk because of equipment failure.
667 Horrible 12/18/2019 12:44 AM
668 Less fun, more stress 12/18/2019 12:41 AM
669 More time walking broke down trains. 12/18/2019 12:36 AM
Especially in the cold.
670 After leaving a profession I was 12/18/2019 12:27 AM
previously at for 13 years, to come to
work for Union Pacific I have seen a lot
of change in 5 years. Union Pacific has
done everything in their power to make it
less safe, less efficient and with less
manpower. Yes stock have gone up but
talking to businesses I serviced, it
hasn't gone up without price gouging
small businesses. Safety has gone out the
window. Instead they are only concerned
about how fast can you do it. Setting an
allotted time to perform the tasks. With
these preconceived/unrealistic time frame
to complete tasks they have decided to
cut manpower making less safe for
employees and the public
671 Significantly declined 12/18/2019 12:20 AM
672 worse 12/18/2019 12:14 AM
673 Terrible. 12/18/2019 12:13 AM
674 Got worse. 12/18/2019 12:13 AM
675 Horrible 12/18/2019 12:13 AM
676 I am seeing trains doubled in size, 12/18/2019 12:11 AM
routinely 9-11k feet. At two of the areas
in my seniority district the Carmen and
Roundhouse personnel have been walked off
the property. There are NO inspections
being done by the specially trained
people for this job.
677 Less people these days to do the work. 12/18/2019 12:10 AM
Longer drives to work sites since now
gangs have larger areas of
responsibility.
678 Not enough safety talks by managers always 12/18/2019 12:07 AM
pushy and about numbers
679 8 to 10 years ago we could get a track 12/18/2019 12:03 AM
authority and get a track out of service
and work for at least six hours that day
on the track now we have to work under
stop board protection
680 Everyone works 12 hours shifts and no 12/18/2019 12:03 AM
lunch breaks
681 Safety has fallen off and doesn't seem to 12/17/2019 11:57 PM
matter anymore, company doesn't seem to
care about taking care of the customers
anymore either, seems everything is just
about numbers on a report that do not
truly represent actual work.
682 They want 12 hrs of work done in 8 hrs 12/17/2019 11:55 PM
683 Better 12/17/2019 11:53 PM
684 getting no time for repairs or maintenance 12/17/2019 11:50 PM
685 Horrible. All about moving freight and 12/17/2019 11:50 PM
making money. Safety gets pushed aside
686 Worse 12/17/2019 11:50 PM
687 More work load with less. Customer service 12/17/2019 11:47 PM
is worse
688 Working conditions have deteriorated 12/17/2019 11:46 PM
exponentially quickly. Everyone knows the
stereotype of railroads ``hire to fire
you''. Safety violations and lack of
equipment maintenance are setting up
railroad workers for failure.
689 Worst it has ever been 12/17/2019 11:44 PM
690 Much less emphasis on safety. Employees 12/17/2019 11:43 PM
are rushed to complete tasks and are
penalized if it's not done to the
unrealistic standards set forth.
691 I can only speak about 5 years ago but it 12/17/2019 11:43 PM
has shifted from safety to making sure
cars are moving even if it takes way more
time and a poor use of resources. They
have cut everything back to do more work
with less people and the safety of those
employees are compromised.
692 Less Safety and more productive is all we 12/17/2019 11:42 PM
have now. With 50 percent less Carmen
working.
693 Worse 12/17/2019 11:40 PM
694 Work conditions are worse than they ever 12/17/2019 11:36 PM
been. Never know if your going to have a
job day to day. Weed weasels watching
your every move telling managers they
have to write up so many people a little
month.
695 It is very dangerous. But why do you care. 12/17/2019 11:29 PM
696 More with less, nothing you do is good 12/17/2019 11:29 PM
enough.
697 They threaten discipline if you delay a 12/17/2019 11:26 PM
train. They put a 20 yr old college kid
in charge of us who has no clue how to
supervise or actually do the work. Every
single mistake results in discipline of
some sort.
698 Working conditions are worse. Less people 12/17/2019 11:21 PM
to do the work with longer trains. And
now the railroads want a one man crew.
It'll be hard as he'll to move trains
when one comes uncoupled or there is a
broken rail which is very common in the
winter. It'll be hell on whoever is on
that train and others on their own trains
699 They don't compare, They are deplorable 12/17/2019 11:21 PM
and unacceptable in the majority of
circumstances, lack of equipment,
supplies, Resources and men/women in the
work face takes it toll on everyone, and
equipment as well
700 Less focus on safety 12/17/2019 11:16 PM
701 iets the worse 12/17/2019 11:14 PM
702 Do more with less and safety is out the 12/17/2019 11:14 PM
window.
703 The trains are longer and we are not aloud 12/17/2019 11:12 PM
enough time to properly inspect them
704 More work is being pressed upon fewer 12/17/2019 11:11 PM
people and less time is allowed to
complete jobs.
705 Worse in some areas but better in some. 12/17/2019 11:08 PM
Over all though, the environment as a
whole is worse.
706 Worse, less members less rest days 12/17/2019 11:07 PM
707 Less family time with z-5 & z-6 schedule. 12/17/2019 11:03 PM
I drive longer than I should to try and
minimize time away from family.
708 Far worse than when I started 5 years ago. 12/17/2019 11:00 PM
In the last 2 years several people have
been seriously injured and several have
died
709 Production first. Safety last. Doing work 12/17/2019 10:59 PM
that other crafts use to do.
710 Today is more unorganized, always feel 12/17/2019 10:59 PM
like chasing our tail. Never really
fixing nothing. But rather a cheap
temporary solution
711 It's definitely not the enjoyable job I 12/17/2019 10:58 PM
hired into 12 years ago. Moral is at an
all time low.
712 Morale is in the toilet and no one wants 12/17/2019 10:58 PM
to come to work.
713 Terrible 12/17/2019 10:58 PM
714 It is the worst I have ever seen in my 12/17/2019 10:57 PM
20yr career. Management is awful
715 Substantially have gotten worse. Do more 12/17/2019 10:56 PM
with less and scalp the workforce and
track down to nothing.
716 Longer trains. Bot enough rest time 12/17/2019 10:54 PM
because crews are cut to short
717 26 years a lot worse. 12/17/2019 10:52 PM
718 5 years ago I really enjoyed my job. I 12/17/2019 10:52 PM
woke up everyday proud to go to work. Now
we are so short staffed (I work in the
car dep.) We don't have the man power to
inspect trains the way we are supposed
to, we are constantly told to work
faster. Tracks are pulled before we even
get a look at them. Safety used to be
number 1 and now if you have a safety
concern you're ridiculed for it.
719 Terrible, fear of losing job, work 12/17/2019 10:52 PM
overload. Senseless work being done.
720 A lot worse morale is low jobs being cut 12/17/2019 10:51 PM
stress at all time high
721 Everyone is being rushed and threatened 12/17/2019 10:48 PM
with delay of train
722 More work less workers. 12/17/2019 10:46 PM
723 We're more stressed, it's less safe as a 12/17/2019 10:43 PM
whole.
724 Horrible 12/17/2019 10:42 PM
725 Bad 12/17/2019 10:36 PM
726 I feel conditions now compare to five, 12/17/2019 10:30 PM
ten, and twenty years have progressively
declined. Equipment is no longer
maintained, standard upkeep no longer
exists. Common census among
transportation employees is that the
investors profits are more important that
employees safety.
727 Worse 12/17/2019 10:30 PM
728 When PSR came along everything changed for 12/17/2019 10:28 PM
the worse. Employees are treated like
robots, we can't adapt to schedule
changes and maintain normal lives. Stress
and fatigue is carried home endangering
families. It's no good for anyone
729 We are expected to accomplish more with 12/17/2019 10:24 PM
less people.
730 very poor, it rush rush rush plus say my 12/17/2019 10:22 PM
job we do what 3 jobs use to do and they
are constantly screaming what's taking so
long. I've (engineer) have been accused
of hogging the train or delaying it. On
this job we don't all the work the others
use to do but we have a good amount of
work but again what's taking so long. We
keep hearing no over time. For now we are
allowed 2 hours which isn't enough so we
tie down and the train master picks us
up. They drive like bats out of hell
trying to get us back to the office. I'm
waiting for the big wreck with the way
some of them drive. Telling them to slow
down or stay off their cell phones while
driving goes in one ear and out the
other. When we don't get a customer
placed or pulled we are not allowed to
show company reason, it's always blame
the customer and charge them extra
because we did do the work due to little
or no over time. This is almost daily CSX
731 Do to the implementation of PSR, I feel 12/17/2019 10:21 PM
work conditions have gotten worse. People
I know, including myself, use to enjoy
coming to work.
732 Everyone is so scared of discipline 12/17/2019 10:18 PM
anymore. Over the last few years morale
has went way down
733 Worse. Cargo is treated better than 12/17/2019 10:17 PM
employees
734 Conditions seem to be the same. The 12/17/2019 10:17 PM
railroad itself has been the same for
hundreds of years just the way people run
it change.
735 A lot more dangerous do to lack of rail 12/17/2019 10:16 PM
maintenance and less road crew employees,
which leads to less rest time.
736 Safety no longer seems to be highest 12/17/2019 10:14 PM
priority.
737 Much more demanding, train lineups are 12/17/2019 10:12 PM
worse, safety has gone to the wayside due
to company greed
738 Poor to fair depending on job. 12/17/2019 10:05 PM
739 More dangerous now than ever, safety is 12/17/2019 9:58 PM
out the window. It's all about speed now.
740 A lot worse. I worked at up for almost 7 12/17/2019 9:54 PM
years until I was recently furloughed and
seen it continuously get worse. When I
hired in the focus was safety and then it
shifted more towards let's cut jobs and
let everyone else take on more work and
cover the jobs that were lost.
741 After my 11 years, it continues to get 12/17/2019 9:54 PM
worse. Unpredictable board lineups,
forced to new areas without a pilot, less
time off for rest, unnecessary deadheads
in poor weather conditions.
742 I'm going to say 10 years ago, I felt more 12/17/2019 9:51 PM
like I was protected with under a TA
form. Other than this moble TAs. You had
to talk to the dispatch, which felt more
protecting. Coupling all these trains
together is not so good under ``Grade'',
and Curvature. We had one derailment that
Train went into emergency. Loaded cars on
both ends of a couple empties, picked the
empties up and set them off. Not very
safe with MW&S working. I honestly think
this might work on other territories. If
they can get the glitz worked out of this
PTC equipment.
743 Much worse 12/17/2019 9:46 PM
744 System production on KCS is going from 8 12/17/2019 9:45 PM
days on 6 days off. To 5 days on to 2
days off. There will be no time for
family.
745 Unbelievably bad 12/17/2019 9:43 PM
746 Well. PSR is the reason I'm not working 12/17/2019 9:42 PM
with 5 1/2 years of service
747 The company seems more concerned with 12/17/2019 9:40 PM
bottom line profit, than they are with
the integrity of the infrastructure of
the track, It is like putting a band-aid
on a wound that needs stitches.
748 Worse, you can't get them to buy the tools 12/17/2019 9:40 PM
and safety items to do your job
effectively. We send locomotives out of
our shop with parts missing, or not
working while we wait to get the part in
stock. We have 6 local units without
working heaters as an example.
749 The same as it was 10 years ago. 12/17/2019 9:38 PM
750 Rushed and disorganized 12/17/2019 9:38 PM
751 I have worked for this company for 11 12/17/2019 9:33 PM
years and each year gets worse and worse.
We need family men with family morals
back in management! Pay has went from
18.87 to 30.07 yet pay checks are within
$100$ $200difference!? There was no such
thing as the onsite reporting where the
company can legally rob you an hour a day
saying you can't drive your personal
vehicles out without being taking out of
service that you have to ride in company
vehicles while NOT being paid!!! I speak
for the majority of every employee I work
with and around no one feels valued or
that they matter that we are looked at as
animals and just another number to make
the big names in the company and
shareholders rich while we get nickeled
and dimed to death! Also what kind of
company won't let the employees change
home territories without starting your
seniority back to day 1! And I'm so sick
of everyone preaching safety is our
number one priority on paper then when it
comes to the work all they care is
production and numbers. When Mike Reid
left the MWS department has done nothing
but decline on a down hill slope Morale
is at an all time low and no one takes
pride in the job therefore we will only
continue seeing worse and worse outcome
in the future
752 A lot harder. We work many hours with less 12/17/2019 9:28 PM
people. I almost feel like we just patch
problems instead of taking the time to
fix it right the first time.
753 I'm nervous coming to work, more than I 12/17/2019 9:26 PM
used to be. I don't know if they are
cutting more jobs. Trains are longer. The
draw bars are breaking more frequently. I
don't feel safe being on the adjacent
track at all while a train go passed. I
feel like the company is more concerned
with the shareholders than they are about
our safety.
754 Way more unsafe, not enough employees 12/17/2019 9:24 PM
working, making trains longer and
heavier, not inspecting thoroughly,
company greed is getting out of hand
755 Always being reactive not proactive! 12/17/2019 9:17 PM
Putting out fires is probably the best
way to look at it. Low morale not enough
help 1 person trying to do multiple jobs
etc
756 Train lineups are terrible, shifts are 12/17/2019 9:15 PM
longer, more setout and pickups, trains
length has doubled.
757 It's bad, the company has done away with 12/17/2019 9:14 PM
rules that improved safety to increase
production and has created an unsafe work
environment with a do more with less
attitude
758 Total worst don't care about safety or any 12/17/2019 9:10 PM
rules that would slow them from running
trains
759 We recently lost our yardmasters in 12/17/2019 9:08 PM
Decatur IL, we've had lots of yarding
instruction errors and a headlight to
headlight meet on single main due to our
yardmasters moved to another city and not
knowing what exactly is going on in the
yard and yard limits
760 Work conditions have deteriorated due to 12/17/2019 9:08 PM
the cut back of people allowed on spg
gangs the numbers have went down and the
work load has increased
761 Like crap because of this PSR more than 12/17/2019 9:04 PM
half of workers was laid off and the ones
left are working barley get their 10 hour
rest and are right back on a train and
are tried
762 Gotten worse 12/17/2019 9:03 PM
763 No comparison. Safety is out of the window 12/17/2019 8:59 PM
764 Horrible supervisors run cars that should 12/17/2019 8:59 PM
be fixed
765 -99% 12/17/2019 8:58 PM
766 We are definitely doing more work in route 12/17/2019 8:58 PM
now. There's always been some sort of
work to be done. Just now you're doing it
behind 15000 feet with all sorts of
different commodities mixed in the train.
767 They have taken away most of the tools we 12/17/2019 8:52 PM
need to do our jobs. Manpower, cabs,
consolidating yardmaster jobs etc.
768 morale is lower, standards have dropped 12/17/2019 8:48 PM
dramatically. safety is a last priority
til someone is hurt. On time departures
and on-time arrivals are a priority and
inspections are hardly done
769 Better 12/17/2019 8:48 PM
770 There worse all the railroad cares about 12/17/2019 8:47 PM
are trains track conditions don't matter
any more
771 Definite down turn in safety and quality 12/17/2019 8:46 PM
of life
772 Doing more work with less manpower and 12/17/2019 8:46 PM
rest while building train lengths triple
the size once deemed to be unsafe.
773 Safety is out the window. Get it done fast 12/17/2019 8:45 PM
and now no matter what. Put a bandaid on
it or ignore it. Safety related supplies
are unavailable or no longer provided.
774 Worse there is no company concern for 12/17/2019 8:45 PM
safety
775 When I come to work I am always wondering 12/17/2019 8:45 PM
how many of my coworkers don't have a job
anymore. In my opinion that's not a good
thought at all to have. You think about
and ask yourself just how these people
are providing and feeding their families
while the rich people we work for are
constantly talking of record profits and
constantly looking to send more of us
home without a job and worrying about how
we're going to provide for our families.
The perfect example of greedy
unappreciative management personnel.
776 Much worse. 12/17/2019 8:43 PM
777 Definitely worse and see it continuing to 12/17/2019 8:42 PM
worsen. Just told our schedule will now
move to Sunday thru Wednesday for
example.
778 Much worse, very difficult to get time 12/17/2019 8:41 PM
off. Management are only interested in
numbers and charging employees.
779 Less safe. more stressful. 12/17/2019 8:39 PM
780 Horrible 12/17/2019 8:39 PM
781 iets terrible. All you hear now is hurry 12/17/2019 8:38 PM
and get the job done no matter what.
782 Railroads are cutting corners, more work 12/17/2019 8:37 PM
with less men.
783 Safety is compromised for the workers. And 12/17/2019 8:30 PM
quality inspections are gone. To please
the shareholders and move freight.
784 They have gone from decent, and conditions 12/17/2019 8:29 PM
being fair to good on most trains, mostly
positive to trains breaking down every
day. Motivation down to a all time low.
Safety has taken a back seat. Have to
fight higher ups about safe operations. I
know a lot of guys are distracted
thinking about what tomorrow might bring
instead of focusing on the task at hand.
Not a good work environment. Compared to
when I hired out five years ago.
785 Same 12/17/2019 8:27 PM
786 There used to be proper Manpower not 12/17/2019 8:24 PM
anymore working with a skeleton crew.
Section have too many miles to take care
of with only a couple guys on each
section
787 Five years ago the railway cared about its 12/17/2019 8:18 PM
employees and now they don't it's all
about the shares with no morals for the
employees just do what I say or your
fired or statement. PSR is the wrong way
to railroad and will be the death of the
railway
788 Work conditions have deteriorated 12/17/2019 8:16 PM
drastically in the last 5 years. Work,
rest balance is not remotely adequate.
789 Many jobs cut forcing those left to work 12/17/2019 8:16 PM
constantly with inadequate rest. Longer
trains with poorly maintained equipment.
790 Much worse 12/17/2019 8:12 PM
791 Horrible. 12/17/2019 8:12 PM
792 Safety fourth, unnecessary delays due to 12/17/2019 8:10 PM
auto router dispatching, low company
morale, high tension work environment,
broken knuckles due to lengths of trains,
less money.
793 Stressful trying to do the same amount of 12/17/2019 8:07 PM
work with less materials/manpower.
Putting a bandaid on a shot gun wound
mentality.
794 Since then the railroads are trying there 12/17/2019 8:04 PM
best to cut corners to try and make more
money from inspecting cars to maintaining
track
795 Much better 15 years ago 12/17/2019 8:04 PM
796 Terrible 12/17/2019 8:03 PM
797 Not as safe and a disregard for safety 12/17/2019 8:00 PM
amongst the company in order to
streamline service.
798 Conditions have worsened immensely. 12/17/2019 7:59 PM
Because of job cuts and manpower shortage/
lack of hiring, we are working more and
being forced to come in on our rest. We
are constantly pushed and pressured to
rush and intimidation by management is
mostly the outcome of this. Safety does
not seem to be the #1 priority anymore.
799 Absolutely horrendous! 12/17/2019 7:58 PM
800 I'm working a yardmaster job 80 miles away 12/17/2019 7:55 PM
running two yards for the exact same pay.
Everyday is a 12 hour day with the drive
included. I see the train masters doing
the Yardmasters work because most of them
are unable to keep up with trying to do
what has been put on us. I have asked my
local chairman for a job study a few
months ago and nothing yet and told him
about the train masters running the job
and have heard nothing. So my working
conditions are very close to me changing
jobs. I have 17 years in.
801 Much more stress, more rules, more 12/17/2019 7:52 PM
intimidation from upper management.
802 More unsafe 12/17/2019 7:51 PM
803 Morale is down, no one is excited about 12/17/2019 7:50 PM
coming to work. I have heard from more
people talking about ways to quit the
railroad now then ever before.
804 Less employees require the same if not 12/17/2019 7:49 PM
more production and the amount of
contractors out here has gotten out of
control
805 Same 12/17/2019 7:44 PM
806 The demand to keep corporate railroading 12/17/2019 7:41 PM
happy has been overlooking their front
line workers taking the loss of care and
health to us workers in many aspects of
the job by pushing numbers or units
serviced over safety they have glorified
their pockets and are more worried about
what they can move with little or no
backup to the workers I guess what I'm
saying it's seems that locomotives and
the freight come first over the health
and happiness of what really makes them
move which is the front line workers who
subject our minds body and family to
insane deadlines and try to make us
overlook what can pass as a good
locomotive to keep it going without
proper fixing to make corporate happy and
ignoring our concerns no matter how big
or smallback when I started it seemed
management was more concerned for looking
out for their employees and taking on
railroading together . No matter what
dangers or problems we faced we faced
them together as a team and we're giving
a sense of pride and dignity that has
been drifting away more and more each
year and it's changed on many aspects of
railroading life in general no mercy
lowers the spirit of all our brothers and
sisters with no means to an end the
railroad was once revered as a rewarding
career has now since then become a great
struggle to for see a future of
railroading as leadership has lost its
way in transportation and movement of
freight to be a good team we need
teamwork from all of our leaders to the
lowest person of railroading to change
this aspect of uncertainty we face..
807 Now they ask you to not look as hard for 12/17/2019 7:37 PM
bad orders on cars and work with less
well keep equipment
808 Each individual is expected to do much 12/17/2019 7:36 PM
more work per person now than ever
before. Inflated and unrealistic KPI
performance metrics have been created
that are nearly unachievable.
809 The operating practices are horrible 12/17/2019 7:35 PM
compared to 5years ago. The work
conditions are not that different.
Constant lack of sleep. Lack of schedule.
rules changing every day makes things
hard to keep up with.
810 Today's conditions are far worse than 5 12/17/2019 7:33 PM
yrs ago. Train line ups are inaccurate
and getting rest for work is difficult at
best. Do to yard and hump closing, the
carrier is putting far more work on train
crews, and wanted them to block swap and
flat switch, rather than hump. Man power
is being cut to the bare minimum in all
crafts.
811 Personally I think safety first only comes 12/17/2019 7:29 PM
up when someone is injured. They care
more about how much and how fast you can
get done with fewer people than they do
about safety.
812 Big talk about safety is just for show. 12/17/2019 7:26 PM
Rest rules are routinely violated and
manipulated by the carrier.
813 Work condition have really changed first 12/17/2019 7:22 PM
less man power Attitudes are more
negative because of the increase in
contractors on the property Less is
getting accomplished because of the
number of track man jobs being cut all
foreman and drivers so no one wants to do
the labor side of the job Lack of safety
meetings no more real discussions about
safety everything is hurry hurry now.
Conditions are worse
814 A lot worse. There are no more concern 12/17/2019 7:21 PM
about safety for employees or equipment
815 Not as safe, get done and let trains pass. 12/17/2019 7:15 PM
816 Terrible. My home terminal shut down. Cost 12/17/2019 7:15 PM
me several hundreds of dollars per month
to relocate. 130 miles to north to my new
home terminal. 100 miles south of home to
away terminal. Living in camper and
hotel. Never home. 6 and 2 off days.
Maybe home a 24 hr period after rest and
time to go back to work. Moral sucks.
Everyone wants a way out. Lose, lose,
lose everyday. Pay, benefits, harassment
from management. No access to needed
safety supplies. No work provided boots.
List goes on and on. CSX only interested
in profits for hedge fund holders, not
safety or quality of life or work
conditions for employees.
817 They are worse than what they were 23 12/17/2019 7:14 PM
years ago. They have traded safety for
moving cars.
818 Less power to pull trains. We are rushed 12/17/2019 7:10 PM
to do the job. Safety in all, has been
thrown out the window!
819 Five years ago there were enough crews to 12/17/2019 7:10 PM
properly move trains.
820 Worst 12/17/2019 7:09 PM
821 Dangerous. More employee deaths in the 12/17/2019 7:01 PM
past year.
822 Dangerous and potentially fatal 12/17/2019 7:00 PM
consequences. Companies only care about
PSR working. Rules all thrown out the
window.
823 Same work less men less material RR 12/17/2019 6:59 PM
wanting more work done with less
material.
824 It sucks. Railroads are getting away with 12/17/2019 6:54 PM
so much. The FRA knows it happens and
does nothing. They getting paid off. The
public safety is no longer a concern.
Only thing that matters is how much money
can the shareholders make.
825 Horrible . . . Safety and the FRA is non 12/17/2019 6:52 PM
existent and the Carrier appears to be on
a relentless pursuit of firing more
people every day
826 They have deforested severally 12/17/2019 6:52 PM
827 Much worse. Rushed, lax safety standards. 12/17/2019 6:50 PM
Disciplined for enforcing FRA rules.
828 Worse 12/17/2019 6:50 PM
829 Compared to 5 years ago, there are far 12/17/2019 6:49 PM
fewer contract employees. Naturally, this
requires less people to handle a greater
workload. The disparity is even greater
looking back 10 years. The negative
ramifications of this should be obvious.
830 We often have to do without parts and 12/17/2019 6:49 PM
broken down equipment. Safety in itself
at the discretion of the employee and
even if you feel unsafe you will get told
to just do it anyway. most work places
feel hostile between management and the
employees.
831 They are a lot worse then 5 years ago. 12/17/2019 6:48 PM
Safety was number one now they don't know
what safety is.
832 Of course less people in the work groups. 12/17/2019 6:46 PM
The equipment is worse, nobody to work on
anything new construction projects are
not really new construction we never know
what contractor we use for installs
833 Technological and Mechanical Upgrades 12/17/2019 6:46 PM
without training of BMWE employees leads
to `dumbing down' the workplace, thus
creating a complacent, less-attentive,
and inactive workforce
834 People are much more worried about whether 12/17/2019 6:41 PM
or not they'll have a job tomorrow now.
People are also worried about what new
and stupid rule the companies will use/
implement to try to fire us from our
jobs.
835 Working conditions were a lot better 5 12/17/2019 6:40 PM
years ago. Back then there were lunch
breaks and bathroom breaks. Now no breaks
and always being rushed to build trains.
836 Much worse. 12/17/2019 6:38 PM
837 They are horrible. Management sucks. 12/17/2019 6:38 PM
838 Much worse 12/17/2019 6:36 PM
839 It is generally went down hill, I'm on 12/17/2019 6:34 PM
trains longer due to the length of
trains. This forces me to be untested and
puts me into Federal rest and this hurts
my pay.
840 Rushed, do what it takes regardless of 12/17/2019 6:32 PM
rules attitude
841 Terrible! 12/17/2019 6:29 PM
842 Since being on railroad for 13 years I 12/17/2019 6:26 PM
would expect the accuracy of the train
lineup to have improved but at UP it has
gotten worse. Some trains either all of a
sudden pop up or they're on other boards.
843 Much worse, no maintenance or repairs are 12/17/2019 6:23 PM
being done. Things are ``bandaid'' over
and safety concerns are not addressed
844 They are very stressful. Managers are 12/17/2019 6:20 PM
putting lots of pressure on crews to get
the work done in far less time and far
less man power. The company is forcing
workers to take shortcuts to get the job
done
845 Work conditions have changed drastically 12/17/2019 6:18 PM
for the bad over the last 14 yrs I've
been here.
846 10 years ago they cared about safety, now 12/17/2019 6:17 PM
there is no such thing. All they care
about is the shareholders!
847 Constant working. And the stress that the 12/17/2019 6:14 PM
company puts on use to move trains is
unreal. They will not let anyone else
know how they are treating said
employees. 15 years ago was enough men to
do the work and have some type of home
life or at least a break from the
everyday grind of railroading. Boss was
more eager to help employees accomplish
said goals. Trains weren't near as long
or complicated to handle and control
848 They are far worse than 5,10,15 years ago 12/17/2019 6:13 PM
849 A lot worse. Unsafe and dangerous 12/17/2019 6:12 PM
850 Definitely going worse 12/17/2019 6:12 PM
851 Working nights with no differential pay. 12/17/2019 6:11 PM
This sucks!
852 I'm a qualified Engineer working as a 12/17/2019 6:10 PM
Conductor with Union Pacific. I only have
8 years with the company, so I still have
lots to learn. But within my 8 years of
experience the company has changed a lot.
Our trains have gotten longer and longer
and I continue to see trains that are
just way to long. It's hard to not block
crossing when your train is so long. We
try our best to stay off them for the
public but when our Dispatchers not all
but a lot of them don't stay in contact
with you and we get low on time we have
to stop wherever we can to get relieved.
They keep changing rules and operating
procedures to fit the changes in train
length. They want less crews and longer
trains. This is causing issues with our
personal lives and put more stress on the
workforce. We need someway to hold the
company accountable for there decision.
THANKS
853 5 years ago we had jobs and weren't always 12/17/2019 6:08 PM
in fear of being furloughed or let go
854 Every train has to do work which means 12/17/2019 6:03 PM
most the trains die on our sub. Lots of
workers furloughed compared to 5 years
ago
855 Slowest I've seen it in 18 yrs on the 12/17/2019 6:03 PM
railroad!
856 Much faster pace, proper inspections of 12/17/2019 6:02 PM
cars are no longer allowed.
857 Morale is that a All Time Low upper 12/17/2019 6:00 PM
management just watch the profits and
does not care how bad it is for T&E
employees
858 Crews never know when they are going to 12/17/2019 5:56 PM
work.
859 I am a 1 year Conductor 12/17/2019 5:55 PM
860 For the most part 10 years ago we were on 12/17/2019 5:53 PM
a set schedule with our hours of work now
it just goes from nights too days.
861 Significantly worse and continuing to 12/17/2019 5:53 PM
worsen
862 Lots of rushing they don't care about your 12/17/2019 5:51 PM
family or your family obligations
863 Less time on the track. Safety is worse, 12/17/2019 5:49 PM
derailments are up.
864 Worse, much worse 12/17/2019 5:49 PM
865 Morale is at an all time low in the 17 12/17/2019 5:48 PM
years I've been railroading. Longer
trains, longer shifts, and less is more
is worse than the recession of 08.
866 10 to 20 years ago working conditions 12/17/2019 5:48 PM
where in most respects much better. The
last 5 years have been scary. These years
have brought a continuous deterioration
of everything the Harriman awards
accomplished. Safety is no longer a
railroads #1 priority. It has been
replaced with operating ratios and
dividends . Railroads have always been
associated with ruthless management.
During the years of competition for the
Harriman awards we actually saw some
improvements in management. The wolves
where put on leashes and we all saw
improvements in managements attitude
towards safety. All of that took a
terrible turn for the worse, when PSR was
introduced. Everyone feared this was
going to affect the employees negatively.
I don't think any of us realized how bad
or how far out of control things would
get. Safety has been steadily pushed to
the side. I am not only referring to
employees safety but also the safety of
our communities as well. Employees are
forced to perform their duties in time
slots that are impossible to allow proper
safety guidelines are followed. In fact
this appears to be the point of the time
limits. Allowing adequate time would
allow an employee to find problems that
could result in train departure times.
Find to many problems and you are very
likely to find yourself being harassed by
management. Threats of dismissal and
other forms of harassment.
867 They're much worse. I've been here 14 12/17/2019 5:48 PM
years and never seen it like this.
868 More chaotic and hectic 12/17/2019 5:46 PM
869 Cared about safety when I started now on 12/17/2019 5:45 PM
the way out safety was also
870 They are 50x worse than before 12/17/2019 5:43 PM
implementing PSR. Less ppl, more consists
to build.
871 They don't compare at all. It's all about 12/17/2019 5:43 PM
safety till it interferes with profit.
They don't want to give us new equipment
when our old equipment breaks nothing.
It's all about profit.
872 Not applicable 12/17/2019 5:42 PM
873 Not safe at all, condition's have gotten 12/17/2019 5:42 PM
worse.
874 There is continually more, more, more, 12/17/2019 5:42 PM
added with out adding help. We are held
accountable for testing, trouble calls,
supporting maintenance of way, and
countless other things, cabin audits,
general maintenance, etc. People can say
it don't but the added tasks come at an
expense to keep them up and that expense
is having time to test per the yellowbook
and not cutting corners.
875 Doing more work with less men and taking 12/17/2019 5:37 PM
dangerous shortcuts to get it done
876 The hostile work environment created by 12/17/2019 5:32 PM
management to ``just get the train out of
the yard'' is making life unsafe and
miserable for every employee that is
currently working. The cities and towns
we run through are put at higher risk of
catastrophe because of the shoddy
inspections and unsafe conditions of the
equipment.
877 Long Stretches 12/17/2019 5:30 PM
878 Jobs are being cut and not replaced when 12/17/2019 5:30 PM
someone retires or takes another
position.
879 The worst I've had in 15 years 12/17/2019 5:29 PM
880 Most unsafe time in rail industry history 12/17/2019 5:27 PM
881 Absolutely terrible. Getting harassed 12/17/2019 5:26 PM
about slips trips and falls system wide
and no transportation. Equipment is
terrible i.e. switches, cars,
locomotives.
882 Terrible! We are pushed to do more with 12/17/2019 5:25 PM
less people or time. Or face the fear of
being cut off or your job Abolished. In
return your work quality is not what it
should be and over all being rushed is
not safe.
883 Understaffed and doing the work of 12/17/2019 5:21 PM
multiple crafts. Rushing to do work that
was done by 3 guys now one guy has to do
it
884 Working conditions have deteriorated 12/17/2019 5:21 PM
considerably. Attention to safety has
disappeared despite the false efforts to
show a concern for it. The workforce has
been cut to the point that the remaining
employees are having to work more for
less pay with mileage being reduced on
all existing jobs. Which equals to
greater risks of excessive fatigue.
Customer service as a whole is a thing of
the past. The PSR plan does nothing to
encourage new business and instead
dictates to the existing customers how
and when their product will be handle as
well as forcing them to reduce the amount
of cars they handle in order to cut out
extra handling of them leaving the
customer at the mercy of our company to
hope they get product in a timely manner.
While a lot of what is shown on paper for
the company is for the good of the
customer and employees, there is no doubt
that this plan has been a pump and dump
scheme to feed the shareholders
portfolio.
885 over my 16 years railroading safety is on 12/17/2019 5:16 PM
the back burner, car is pushing to move
trains. The management is constantly
pressuring now to get it done and we'll
negotiate amounts of track time. If
employees go over times they are
threatened with being taken out of
service
886 Horrible 12/17/2019 5:14 PM
887 Terrible 12/17/2019 5:14 PM
888 Times have changed considerably 12/17/2019 5:13 PM
889 Horrible, who knows if we will be laid off 12/17/2019 5:11 PM
tomorrow. Production slows down,
customers suffer and all because no one
cares to get anything done anymore. The
past 10 years I have seen coffee and
lunch breaks, to ``that's not in your
contract''.
890 Longer heavy rough riding trains that beat 12/17/2019 5:10 PM
your body
891 10 years ago, Carmen were given ample 12/17/2019 5:07 PM
amount of time to conduct an inspection.
Currently, that is not the case due to
manpower shortage. Before you can finish
the inspection of one train, another
train is waiting. To insure they both
leave before their scheduled OS
departure, we are rushed. Not mention
that the bad order card that you applied
being removed.
892 More work/responsibilities with less 12/17/2019 5:06 PM
personnel. Leading to lower quality work.
893 A lot worse. As far as onus as employees 12/17/2019 5:04 PM
and the general public.
894 I would say that more recently management 12/17/2019 5:02 PM
has to micromanaged and ask so many
pointless questions especially when it is
an emergency situation. For example down
trees, landslides, flooding, etc.
questions like what size tree, what kind
of tree, how many tons of debris do you
think is blocking the track and timeline
of events. Our jobs are stressful enough
as it is and management wants to put more
on our plates
895 Worse this use to be a great place to work 12/17/2019 5:01 PM
now it seem they care more about money
than the people
896 It was safer before 12/17/2019 4:59 PM
897 Seems the company I work for cares less 12/17/2019 4:59 PM
about its employees and more about their
profit. Which means less crew, base
longer runs and less time to actually get
rest. Not just time off.
898 Horribly worse now 12/17/2019 4:58 PM
899 Worst and getting worst day by day 12/17/2019 4:56 PM
900 Terrible 12/17/2019 4:55 PM
901 terrible 12/17/2019 4:54 PM
902 Terrible 12/17/2019 4:54 PM
903 Hostile work environments. They steal 12/17/2019 4:53 PM
every dollar from you they. All safety is
out the window.
904 Worse working conditions less people 12/17/2019 4:53 PM
ensure safe procedures
905 Very poor with zero morale. 12/17/2019 4:52 PM
906 They are much worse and getting worse by 12/17/2019 4:49 PM
the year (15yrs exposure)
907 The work place now is toxic. More worried 12/17/2019 4:48 PM
about getting fired. Constant push from
management.
908 A lot different, a lot of people continue 12/17/2019 4:47 PM
to worry about losing their jobs daily.
Concerns weigh on employees about
possibly not being able to provide for
their families.
909 It's no longer about the customer. There 12/17/2019 4:46 PM
are more threats about being charged over
thing completely out of train crews hands
like if you get overtime you will be
charged or if we go over 12 hrs we get
charged those two thing are completely
out of a train crews hands. Everything is
rushed and should not be. Also crews are
under constant pressure about when we
will be charged one day we are told to
get the job done no overtime do what you
have to, the next they put a switch tag
in the wrong place in the switch and they
charge you for it.
910 Terrible. The company feels they can make 12/17/2019 4:43 PM
us do whatever they please even if it
clearly violates contracts then will deny
all claims at every level. No wonder work
morale is so low.
911 Now days the supervisors expect so much 12/17/2019 4:43 PM
out of the men on day to day task but
when the men apply the rules applied by
the railroad itself nowadays, it's not
possible to get the work done that we
used to. Nothing like it was 17 years ago
for myself.
912 Much much worse. I have 16 years with UPRR 12/17/2019 4:43 PM
and over the last 10 years working
conditions have drastically degraded.
913 10 years ago when the Harriman award was 12/17/2019 4:39 PM
around, my employer did everything
possible to make sure we good working
conditions so on duty injuries were at a
minimum. A job could take 12 hours and no
one cared as long as nobody got hurt. 10
years later and that's out the window.
It's all about on time departures and
hurry hurry hurry and more work on the
shoulders of the less people being
employed.
914 Terrible 12/17/2019 4:39 PM
915 With NS on the Illinois division 10 years 12/17/2019 4:39 PM
ago we had on my subdivision two truck
gangs with 4 on each truck. They split
the work over 150 mile stretch of track.
With 4 headquartered operators, 2
welders, and 3 other various guys around
off and on. 5 years ago those numbers
were down to two guys per truck gang with
the same operators. Today there is one
truck gang with 2 guys. The smoothing
gang now covers two subdivisions. The
various dump truck is gone. The welders
are various covering at least two
subdivisions. So that makes it 2 on the
one truck 2 welders covering more
territory 4 operators covering more
territory and 2 various operators really
seen. They have also closed a yard and
are trying to run two local trains out of
one small yard. Maintaining this yard is
very hard to do because it is always full
or in use.
916 Manager presence is next to none, no 12/17/2019 4:36 PM
mechanical forces to fix anything
917 Equipment isn't being properly inspected 12/17/2019 4:36 PM
because roundhouses have been shut down
and Carmen aren't given proper time to
inspect cars properly.
918 Much worse, much more demanding, less pay. 12/17/2019 4:36 PM
They fire 10 guys, give all the work to 1
and no increase in pay. Bogus
919 Very pressured to get the same amount of 12/17/2019 4:35 PM
work done in less time with less people.
creating a very unsafe work environment.
920 Fast paced very little time for breaks 12/17/2019 4:35 PM
921 Far worse, morale is down, no one has any 12/17/2019 4:34 PM
hope for their future career. Days are
longer, we're never on duty less than 12
hours anymore because they roll much more
work onto fewer crews.
922 railroad work is safe work. You just have 12/17/2019 4:33 PM
to be mindful or your surroundings and
always have your head on a swivel.
Equipment in a yard can be very quiet. I
would like to see the yards cleaned up
because they are so much trash and debris
you could trip over.
923 The work is still there but expected to do 12/17/2019 4:30 PM
more with less, man power and materials
924 Safety wise it seems better, more answers 12/17/2019 4:29 PM
then questions
925 Yes 12/17/2019 4:29 PM
926 it is lacking supervisors that know what 12/17/2019 4:26 PM
the are talking about. Training is nil.
supervisor don't care if you are trained
properly, they just need to fill the
position. Scary dangerous
927 Much more ``Put people/safety 2nd, cutting 12/17/2019 4:24 PM
corners and save a buck first''.
928 Rushed to work and inspections overlooked 12/17/2019 4:24 PM
929 They are nothing like they were we are all 12/17/2019 4:24 PM
scared we are going to lose our jobs we
is cause for more injuries because our
minds are somewhere else
930 safety issues are not getting fixed such 12/17/2019 4:23 PM
as lighting in the yard( just changing
out light bulbs).
931 In the past 5 years there has been an 12/17/2019 4:22 PM
increase in pressure to move more freight
with less people and less safety rules at
a faster pace. Equipment is no longer
being inspected and cared for properly
leading to more accidents and injuries.
932 Much worse with no actual regard for rules 12/17/2019 4:22 PM
or safety
933 Worse. Less maintenance on track and 12/17/2019 4:22 PM
signals. Managers more worried about
getting to your power and moving than
verifying paperwork and checking out
power. Time is money to the carrier and
any amount of delay is unacceptable
including setting up PTC.
934 Much worse, it seem as nothing is being 12/17/2019 4:20 PM
maintained.
935 It ain't no comparison. I rather have it 12/17/2019 4:19 PM
like it was before PSR.
936 Understaffed, profit driven with zero 12/17/2019 4:19 PM
regard to safety.
937 N/A, less than a year of experience. 12/17/2019 4:19 PM
938 Safety is last. Working with non compliant 12/17/2019 4:18 PM
equipment on tracks that feel like we're
gonna derail.
939 Working conditions have changed 12/17/2019 4:17 PM
drastically within my employment and I
have only been working with Norfolk
southern for five years. Fewer man count,
equipment and tools that don't work
properly etc
940 Management always demanding more with less 12/17/2019 4:14 PM
time to get it done. Disregarding safety
941 Much worse. The carrier has cut all safety 12/17/2019 4:09 PM
related procedures that have been put in
place over the last ten years. The
latest, we now have zero yard vans,
meaning either the conductor will be
forced to walk the length of these new
10000 ft trains when done with his work,
in coaxed into making a blind shove by
managers who are worried about time, in
order to get to the head end.
942 I honestly used to love my job. My co- 12/17/2019 4:08 PM
workers were my best friends, brothers a
better term for it. When we got the word
in October 2018 that we will be getting
laid off, everyone's attitude changed,
management included. I've never been
pushed harder to ``look the other way,''
``let the defects go.'' Management has
zero concern for the safety of their
employees, or the safety of the public.
I've watched the foremen let so many
defects go. I've utilized UPRR Values
Line to report harassment of management
and foremen. I've even called the FRA and
told the local guy what is going on.
Still, no concern for employee safety or
the public's
943 Low morale. Guys cutting corners to make 12/17/2019 4:08 PM
the boss happy even though they're
putting lives in danger.
944 More and more contractors in property 12/17/2019 4:06 PM
taking our jobs away
945 Safety is gone and managers tell you to 12/17/2019 4:05 PM
violate rules to get more work done
946 They are horrible. Everyday you are in 12/17/2019 4:04 PM
fear of being furloughed.
947 Poor and getting worse daily, management 12/17/2019 4:03 PM
doesn't even have a railroad background,
our assistant superintendent came from
Menards
948 More stress on the workers 12/17/2019 4:03 PM
949 Working conditions have gotten worse in 12/17/2019 4:02 PM
the last few years since they have
started implementing the PSR schedule. We
are being intimidated into working long
hours and performing a service that the
customers don't want or even asked for.
Being held out of service for a mistake
is unnecessarily unfair.
950 Conditions today are significantly less 12/17/2019 4:02 PM
safe. Railroads are pushing profit over
safety. The industry needs to be more
regulated.
951 Morale at an all time low 12/17/2019 3:56 PM
952 We are being hurried unnecessarily with 12/17/2019 3:54 PM
safe train operations being cast aside.
Heck, trainmaster wouldn't even let a
conductor check head six cars for
dangerous! All rules including FRA
mandated are being forsaken.
953 It's only gotten worse, what was a good 12/17/2019 3:54 PM
place to work has gotten to be worrisome
if your going to have a job tomorrow or
not
954 The locomotives are not being maintained 12/17/2019 3:53 PM
since the implementation of PSR due to
employees being laid off. Tracks are also
being not maintained since layoffs in the
track department.
955 They have gone down hill less track 12/17/2019 3:53 PM
maintenance and car maintenance it's all
about moving the cars as quick as
possible safety is not important any more
it's do what I say even if it's against
France rules or you are fired
956 Worse 12/17/2019 3:53 PM
957 Safety is out the window, it's all about 12/17/2019 3:52 PM
moving cars. We are rushed through every
aspect of our job.
958 Safety has taken a backseat to profits, 12/17/2019 3:51 PM
workload has increased with rules being
dialed down to increase productivity. Man
power is ran at a bare minimum leading to
an exhausted workforce.
959 I hired on at CSX in 2011. The 12/17/2019 3:50 PM
implementation of PSR has negatively
impacted my job in terms of morale,
safety. We are constantly harassed to
move trains quickly with zero regard for
safety. Our jobs are threatened
regularly. There is zero regard for an
employee's state of mind, fatigue or for
family issues. We are constantly
threatened to be fired if we take any
time off.
960 Very poor 12/17/2019 3:49 PM
961 Today it is more with less and everything 12/17/2019 3:48 PM
is the teams fault no matter what the
hold up is
962 12 years ago I loved my job as a 12/17/2019 3:48 PM
conductor. I am now a locomotive engineer
and my working conditions have gotten
worse since precision railroad has been
adopted.
963 Worse. Harder to have a life and still 12/17/2019 3:46 PM
can't depend on the train lineups except
for trains that have out times.
964 The work conditions has been going down 12/17/2019 3:45 PM
hill. Lack of concern safety of the
employee. Encourage increase production
at the expense breaking safety rule and
rights like lunch breaks.
965 It stricter 12/17/2019 3:45 PM
966 morale is horrible. Management looks out 12/17/2019 3:42 PM
for their favorites. Precision
railroading is a joke
967 Great 5 and 10 yrs ago. Don't know now, 12/17/2019 3:39 PM
laid off
968 Volatile work conditions, poor Morale 12/17/2019 3:39 PM
969 Safety of employees and equipment is 12/17/2019 3:36 PM
almost non existent. Carmen cutoff so
equipment isn't checked as needed,
detectors not functioning as they once
were and all focus on train speed.
970 Much worse. Safety has went out the 12/17/2019 3:35 PM
window. It's a get it done because I said
attitude. Not what's the safest course of
action anymore.
971 Not as focused on safety. 12/17/2019 3:35 PM
972 More pressure to get things done in a 12/17/2019 3:35 PM
shorter amount of time with less manpower
973 I'm not sure 12/17/2019 3:34 PM
974 Much worse, the PSR model calls for 12/17/2019 3:32 PM
``asset maximization'' to cut cost what
this really translates to is less money
spent on necessary maintenance, and
working the few people you have left
twice as much in T&E are exhausted.
975 Neutral. Some things safer, some things 12/17/2019 3:32 PM
less safe.
976 Employee morale is at an all time low. KCS 12/17/2019 3:31 PM
railroad is cutting costs where it hits
the workers most. They are changing hours
and schedules for the traveling workers
to where we don't get as much time at
home with our families. Along with many
other things..
977 Safety is a bygone. They use to not only 12/17/2019 3:31 PM
preach it but they actually practiced it.
PSR seems to have instilled the value
using safety against the employees as
opposed to a tool to practice and teach.
978 It's not the same it's production over 12/17/2019 3:29 PM
safety
979 On the mechanical side, I've seen a lot 12/17/2019 3:28 PM
more employees being worried about
breaking one of many rules and getting
fired! Being nervous all the time leads
to accidents!
980 They're worse! UP is so concerned about 12/17/2019 3:27 PM
laying off their workers and destroying
families they don't even see how many
MORE derailments they are having and how
unsafe the tracks are becoming. Maybe
they should hire back their guys that are
furloughed and fix them!
981 Way worse 12/17/2019 3:26 PM
982 Generally the same. With the exception of 12/17/2019 3:25 PM
working later on travel days
983 The company's focus has completely shifted 12/17/2019 3:25 PM
from working safe and efficiently to get
it moved right now and they don't care
how it happens. Simple things such as
walking a key train after an emergency
brake application or doing a proper air
inspection seem to be at the discretion
of whomever is in charge.
984 Safety seems to be less of a concern. 12/17/2019 3:23 PM
Employees are not as happy as they were 5
years ago. I wouldn't recommend the
railroad as a career for friends or
family.
985 They are far worse 12/17/2019 3:22 PM
986 Only been employed going into my second 12/17/2019 3:22 PM
year. When PSR, Clean Sheet, and Top 21
took affect I saw an immediate decline in
rail traffic in NC. I got furloughed
shortly after. Took a transfer to
Harrisburg, PA in order to continue
working.
987 Same amount of work; less people. 12/17/2019 3:21 PM
988 Safety is of no concern now 12/17/2019 3:21 PM
989 Worse now then I ever remember it when I 12/17/2019 3:21 PM
hired out in 95.
990 Worst 12/17/2019 3:21 PM
991 5yrs ago we rarely worked 12hrs, now it's 12/17/2019 3:20 PM
a min of 12hrs most of the time it's 13
to 16hrs on duty. Union agreements are
rarely considered, violation of agreement
that have been place for 30yrs are common
and never paid.
992 Working conditions have been going down, 12/17/2019 3:19 PM
lack of concern for the employees safety
and well being is not priority. Since
I've started
993 10-20 years ago, great. Now, horrible. 12/17/2019 3:18 PM
994 I've been with NS for 20 years. The work 12/17/2019 3:18 PM
conditions now are heavenly worse. No one
seems to want to work with each other.
Management talks down at you, they are
constantly hounding you to get out the
door. Hurry up, get that train out of the
yard, do your inspection later, do your
computer later, etc. There seems to be
too much busyness being done by mgmt, not
enough assistance and cooperation.
995 Worse 12/17/2019 3:18 PM
996 Degraded and more dangerous. 12/17/2019 3:17 PM
997 morale is in the toilet! The job is 12/17/2019 3:17 PM
horrible, I'm gone 6 out of every 7 days.
Compared to 20 years ago it night and day
worse. Safety used to be the main concern
and now it's making employees work more
to make up for less employees. Plus they
sweep all remote control accidents under
the rug, so they can say it's safe. Even
though a fellow employee I hired out with
in 1994 is dead because of the remotes.
Corporate greed and the government
doesn't care!
998 Since trains are now much longer and very 12/17/2019 3:17 PM
heavy sometimes makes for long working
days and not maintained motors is pretty
stressful operating in my territory.
999 Short staffed, less people doing more work 12/17/2019 3:16 PM
across larger territory.
1000 The demands of train crews have almost 12/17/2019 3:16 PM
doubled, and there is no concern for how
a man feels, or how much a man works, as
long as he is working non stop, his rest
doesn't matter. On trains for 13, 14, or
more hours, and the company well aware of
HOS, yet, they do not care, and want you
back on your rest to perform our work,
and run trains. The criticism of a crew,
and the liability of any delays that
happen are all on train crews, and not
many other factors are considered. The
lists are cut down to a point that the
men on them are being worked into the
grave, and they don't even have enough to
cover the jobs that they do have, but
want everybody to step up and work on off
days, and if you don't they take offense
to it.
1001 They are rough. They just want cars moved 12/17/2019 3:11 PM
1002 Ten years ago it was absolutely all about 12/17/2019 3:11 PM
safety. I remember being told by a
supervisor I don't care what you get done
as long as you do it safely. I reminded
him of this statement just a few months
ago and he laughed in my face.
1003 We inspect less and run way more trains. 12/17/2019 3:10 PM
Longer trains and unmanned inspections do
not have any increased accuracy over
their previous versions. If anything they
are less accurate.
1004 It's a lot harder to get track to get 12/17/2019 3:10 PM
track time.
1005 I have only been with the Railroad for 2 12/17/2019 3:09 PM
years
1006 Worse, longer trains more failures of cars 12/17/2019 3:08 PM
and engines
1007 Terrible 12/17/2019 3:06 PM
1008 Absolutely safety comes last. Cars shipped 12/17/2019 3:05 PM
no paperwork or proper air tests.
Trainmaster's running scarred of losing
they're jobs, in turn making hasty
decisions. Trains being put together over
tonnage or overlength with Trainmasters
and Yardmasters knowing it. Yet nothing
is said about it in hopes the crew will
not catch it to get the cars off their
territory and off their reports for cars
in limbo at their yard. Crews being
pressured at yards and locals to get the
same amount of work done that used to
take 12 hours Done in 8 by cutting
corners on all aspects. Also being pushed
out of the door 15 min after on duty
without allotted time to print off your
bulletins read and have a full
understanding of them. Inadequate
training for new hires. Just had a new
hire get rolled between 2 pieces of
equipment in the first week on the
property in Syracuse ny.
1009 Poor 12/17/2019 3:03 PM
1010 With decline of business the work 12/17/2019 3:02 PM
conditions have declined also,
maintenance of tracks suffer as well as
incentive for safety performance
1011 Short on people machinery and they want 12/17/2019 3:02 PM
more productivity
1012 Doing a lot more with a lot less. 12/17/2019 3:02 PM
Equipment falling apart
1013 Work conditions have declined 12/17/2019 3:02 PM
significantly over the last thirteen
years. Within the last five it has become
very harsh and morale is at an all time
low.
1014 Worse 12/17/2019 3:01 PM
1015 5 years ago I was able to hold and had a 12/17/2019 3:01 PM
steady income. Now I have to chase and
leave my family behind. If I don't I'll
lose my house. Moral is down the guys
that are working are over worked tired
and stressed. Employees are getting stuck
on trains mire than 12 hours
1016 We have less time to do more work. 12/17/2019 2:59 PM
Management is demanding more of us
increasing our safety risks involved with
all aspects of our work, in the MOW along
with other crafts.
1017 Not enough people to help! Carriers use to 12/17/2019 2:58 PM
many contractors that are not as well
trained as MOW employees.
1018 Safety is no longer a concern, Only the 12/17/2019 2:57 PM
production numbers matter
1019 The atmosphere is 10x over more about the 12/17/2019 2:56 PM
company profit above all Ridiculous
expectations about attendance (all aimed
at reducing man power to increase profit)
rule changes concerning rushing crews
from on duty times to departure ( to help
reduce dwell time to make it appear that
it's more efficient) unconcerned about
safety briefings or personal protective
equipment or even proper train documents
1020 The tracks, switches and leads are in 12/17/2019 2:53 PM
horrendous condition. There is no
maintenance only minimal repairs. The
switching leads at Davidson cause
derailments weekly and the management
plans on increasing track speed.
1021 Horrible!!! Our company used to seem to 12/17/2019 2:52 PM
ALMOST care about our well being and
letting us have a life. Almost. Recently
has been far worse. Working constantly
off rest, removing personal leave days
after they have been scheduled. Not
obeying contract and terminating crews
that do not do what they want that
violates said crew. This upon numerous
other infractions that go unpunished by
the carrier.
1022 There is more work with less hands. New 12/17/2019 2:52 PM
policies are implemented and enforced
without regarding existing policies or
capabilities to adhere to the new while
following the existing. Many people
comply out if fear and neglect to do the
job right by the governing standards.
1023 Worse 12/17/2019 2:51 PM
1024 10 times worse than it's ever been. 12/17/2019 2:50 PM
1025 Too much work, not enough people!!! 12/17/2019 2:48 PM
Management trying to force people to use
shortcuts.
1026 I've been furloughed 12/17/2019 2:48 PM
1027 We are hurried out of the yards without 12/17/2019 2:48 PM
proper time to check the paper work or to
go through the engines. They have thrown
out most all safety aspects in how we did
our jobs. Pushing for tighter scheduled
departures
1028 A lot worse. Stress levels all time high. 12/17/2019 2:47 PM
Morale all time low
1029 Terrible 12/17/2019 2:46 PM
1030 They are worse, everyone worried all the 12/17/2019 2:45 PM
time and tied from being worked to death
1031 Under staffed. Working to many hours. 12/17/2019 2:43 PM
1032 Seams that the management is cutting more 12/17/2019 2:43 PM
jobs that are still needed and putting
more stress on the few people that are
left that have good seniority and can
hold. Then leaves others sitting at home
with no job.
1033 Way worse 12/17/2019 2:43 PM
1034 Worse 12/17/2019 2:42 PM
1035 Less manpower. Management seems to be less 12/17/2019 2:42 PM
informed and knowledgeable in how to
properly and safely accomplish work.
Priorities have changed to work getting
done rapidly rather than with quality and
safely.
1036 Simply awful 12/17/2019 2:41 PM
1037 Worse. More is expected from fewer 12/17/2019 2:36 PM
employees and safety concerns are put in
the back burner. Morale is down and never
in my 15 years have I seen more employees
not care about their job.
1038 Safer 12/17/2019 2:34 PM
1039 5 years ago it was steady and plenty of 12/17/2019 2:33 PM
business. 10 years ago was rough but not
as bad as it is now for the working man.
1040 Worse 12/17/2019 2:31 PM
1041 Worse 12/17/2019 2:31 PM
1042 Only been here 3 years but this last year 12/17/2019 2:31 PM
seemed to be worse than last. Less time
at home and more time sitting around
waiting to try and get time on the tracks
1043 They are worse now then they have been in 12/17/2019 2:29 PM
years past.
1044 Working conditions have gotten worse and 12/17/2019 2:29 PM
safety has gotten pushed to the side for
profit!!
1045 Worse 12/17/2019 2:29 PM
1046 Horrible, unstable 12/17/2019 2:29 PM
1047 More risk being taken to complete task. 12/17/2019 2:27 PM
Working in fear of job. Rules changed to
increase risk.
1048 Worse 12/17/2019 2:26 PM
1049 Worst 12/17/2019 2:25 PM
1050 Worse. We have ran off all of the local 12/17/2019 2:25 PM
work also it is like the company has
stopped caring about us we either work or
find another job
1051 Declining 12/17/2019 2:25 PM
1052 Not good we can not even get the PPE that 12/17/2019 2:24 PM
we need
1053 5-10 years ago it was a job with security, 12/17/2019 2:23 PM
pride, and now it is day to day worried
about being in the unemployment line,
total chaos, no order what so ever, more
work which means more of a chance for
injury, not to mention less rest because
we are under staffed and constantly
working off rest
1054 Better. Much better than 10 to 20 years 12/17/2019 2:22 PM
ago.
1055 absolutely disorganized, disrespect, 12/17/2019 2:21 PM
completely unsafe
1056 Work conditions are worse pay is getting 12/17/2019 2:21 PM
worse and the union is getting bullied
and from our perspective doing nothing
about it. Every year we lose more and
more. A lot of people are going elsewhere
for employment. They feel like if the pay
isn't worth it why not have a normal life
instead.
1057 Worse by the day 12/17/2019 2:19 PM
1058 Much worse. Less people, more seasoned 12/17/2019 2:13 PM
equipment, more of a get the job done
regardless of risk mentality. Keep in
mind we used to have plasser intrack
welding jobs with 0 contractors. Now
there's contracted Holland trucks
everywhere on UPRR To add. Culture is
gone. There are few seasoned through the
ranks management left. Mostly college
grads that have never done the work.
1059 Undermanned compared to 5 and 10 years 12/17/2019 2:13 PM
ago. Each job has gotten more responsible
added to them as well.
1060 I cannot work at home 12/17/2019 2:13 PM
1061 Worse 12/17/2019 2:11 PM
1062 All trains do more work from origination 12/17/2019 2:11 PM
to final destination. And the plan for
trains change from week to week or more
often. 10 years ago a train may work 2 to
3 yards along the way but not any more.
This has lead to bigger trains that move
slower across the rail except down hill.
Thus delaying customer service to those
why have not shifted business to trucks.
1063 Work conditions are terrible. This used to 12/17/2019 2:11 PM
be a great place to work. Now it is a
depressing joy killing job that I hate.
1064 Expected to do more work with less people. 12/17/2019 2:10 PM
In some instances it is unsafe to work.
Some places we don't have the proper
tools to work with.
1065 scared that I can be fired anytime to save 12/17/2019 2:08 PM
them money
1066 Not as good. Less machines. Men. 12/17/2019 2:06 PM
1067 Worse now than when I started. 12/17/2019 2:04 PM
1068 Worse. I hired out in 2014 and in that 12/17/2019 2:02 PM
short time morale has decreased. PSR had
made it to were less people are doing
more work. Cutting boards, furloughing
employees, running longer trains. It's
all a recipe for disaster
1069 Might as well be labor camps! These are 12/17/2019 2:01 PM
the worst conditions any one could
imagine!
1070 Working conditions have become more 12/17/2019 2:01 PM
stressful with an added emphasis on
moving freight over safety.
1071 The working conditions here are awful. I 12/17/2019 2:00 PM
don't have a clue when I might get
called. They call me on my days off. The
engines are disgusting. And when I say
something to the co or the union. All
they say to me is if I don't like it
quit.
1072 Worse, always short staffed never have 12/17/2019 1:59 PM
anyone available to work and when trying
to sleep at night constantly ringing your
phone running roster calls. Cutting jobs
off to make the numbers look good.
1073 Terrible. Rushed, unsafe. 12/17/2019 1:57 PM
1074 Less support. Work harder to make up for 12/17/2019 1:57 PM
the lack of man power. Work longer hours.
1075 There are less employees and more 12/17/2019 1:54 PM
contracting. Less defect on the track.
Less time to work on the track.
1076 Night & day difference to 10 yrs ago 12/17/2019 1:54 PM
1077 Worse. Operations over safety. 12/17/2019 1:53 PM
1078 You are still expected to perform a 12/17/2019 1:53 PM
quality job, safely.
1079 The situation has deteriorated 12/17/2019 1:49 PM
drastically, it's all about profit rather
than safety. The rules and standards are
stretched to the breaking point in the
claims of efficiency. Customer service
has also dropped drastically due to
restrictions put on the shippers by the
railroads
1080 better 12/17/2019 1:48 PM
1081 Worse! 12/17/2019 1:45 PM
1082 Poorly safety is not priority 12/17/2019 1:45 PM
1083 The focus has went from safety to 12/17/2019 1:45 PM
production. With potential discipline
resulting from under performance.
1084 Don't care about train length or if we can 12/17/2019 1:44 PM
stop off crossings and want same amount
of work from less people
1085 Worse 12/17/2019 1:44 PM
1086 Better 12/17/2019 1:44 PM
1087 We asked to do more work with less men and 12/17/2019 1:43 PM
time on the track
1088 Safety is slowly going out of the window 12/17/2019 1:43 PM
1089 I had a great job 10 years ago! Now no 12/17/2019 1:43 PM
life and struggle! The attendance policy
was made for Monday through Friday 8 hr a
day jobs! You work sick, exhausted! And
in unsafe conditions! For employees and
surrounding citizens!
1090 Workload has increased significantly, with 12/17/2019 1:41 PM
less man power. Which in turn has drove
morale down. Adding stress with no
overtime and short windows to complete
tasks
1091 More stressful now than ever before. Fewer 12/17/2019 1:40 PM
employees on hand to attend to safety
critical matters
1092 Poor 12/17/2019 1:39 PM
1093 Safety isn't a priority 12/17/2019 1:39 PM
1094 180 degree Going backwards 12/17/2019 1:39 PM
1095 Terrible 12/17/2019 1:36 PM
1096 Fewer trains, less workers but they expect 12/17/2019 1:34 PM
the same production if not more
1097 Working conditions I feel haven't changed 12/17/2019 1:33 PM
a lot however certain rules and
guidelines I believe need to be visited
once again
1098 More stressful, not as enjoyable. About 12/17/2019 1:32 PM
the same safe wise
1099 Less is more 12/17/2019 1:29 PM
1100 Short handed bad 12/17/2019 1:28 PM
1101 Didn't have the outrageous demands for 12/17/2019 1:27 PM
production over safety 5 years ago.
Didn't have 15k foot trains trying to run
where 8k foot trains wouldn't fit. Didn't
have severely underpowered trains then.
1102 Far worse. You are expected to do the work 12/17/2019 1:27 PM
of three people day in and day out. Work
12 hours, rest, do it again. Your quality
of life doesn't matter
1103 Hostile 12/17/2019 1:27 PM
1104 Terrible 12/17/2019 1:27 PM
1105 Long hours! Hogging out every trip, taking 12/17/2019 1:26 PM
14-16 hrs getting to hotel or home, then
getting right back out.
1106 They are worse 12/17/2019 1:26 PM
1107 I am constantly rushed. It is becoming 12/17/2019 1:26 PM
more apparent that equipment maintenance,
including safety appliances and the like,
are not being prioritized for crews or
the public.
1108 Less safety oriented, more pressure for a 12/17/2019 1:26 PM
farce of a workforce. Impossible demands.
1109 Everything about it sucks 12/17/2019 1:25 PM
1110 Seems to me safety was more important 5 12/17/2019 1:23 PM
years ago they still preach safety but it
hurry up we got to go make every minute
count
1111 The Railroad environment has completely 12/17/2019 1:23 PM
changed. It's no longer a managing the
railroad it is managing the numbers..
1112 Horrible. Safety has become secondary at 12/17/2019 1:22 PM
CSX. Seems common sense has too.
1113 Much worse. Safety is out the window. 12/17/2019 1:22 PM
Maintenance is out the window. Very
abusive conditions
1114 Working conditions have declined greatly 12/17/2019 1:22 PM
in the last 18 years
1115 No focus on safety just force employees to 12/17/2019 1:20 PM
do whatever they have to to complete the
job if you go over 12 hrs they will
charge the employee if they refuse to
complete
1116 More often with longer hours and less rest 12/17/2019 1:19 PM
between shifts.
1117 It's terrible can't get good rest because 12/17/2019 1:16 PM
they calling all hours of the night when
it's not your turn to go to work due to
shortly staffed extraboards
1118 Worse 12/17/2019 1:16 PM
1119 Do more with less, vacation time the man 12/17/2019 1:14 PM
count goes down and they expect just as
much.
1120 Terrible rush rush no time to do our work 12/17/2019 1:13 PM
Scared to death if we will even have a
job
1121 Horrible. Longer, heavier trains make it 12/17/2019 1:12 PM
more difficult to run safely or find
places to stop without hurting the
public's ability to cross the tracks. And
doing it with skeleton crews. Much less
family time at home and longer more
stressful days.
1122 Work conditions are worse now compared to 12/17/2019 1:07 PM
10 years ago.
1123 A little more to do 12/17/2019 1:01 PM
1124 Has gotten progressively more rushed more 12/17/2019 1:00 PM
work and overall less safe.
1125 Have got progressively worse. 12/17/2019 1:00 PM
1126 Much smaller workforce now, asking less 12/17/2019 1:00 PM
and less people to do the same work as
before.
1127 Worse 12/17/2019 12:57 PM
1128 Seems to be less manpower. We do more with 12/17/2019 12:53 PM
less, and way more contractors on site.
1129 Worse 12/17/2019 12:52 PM
1130 Harder work for less pay 12/17/2019 12:52 PM
1131 Working conditions are definitely worse. 12/17/2019 12:50 PM
Head count is drastically down. But work
expectations are increasing every down.
We are expected to do more work with less
people. All negativity aside. It is just
a matter of time until accidents increase
due to less help.
1132 Not enough track time to effectively 12/17/2019 12:49 PM
maintain track
1133 Unhealthy 12/17/2019 12:48 PM
1134 Horrible 12/17/2019 12:46 PM
1135 They expect us to do 12 hours of work in a 12/17/2019 12:46 PM
5 hour period and sooner or later it will
cause a serious injury, death or major
derailment in a populated area that will
cause numerous deaths.
1136 They suck 12/17/2019 12:42 PM
1137 About the same 12/17/2019 12:41 PM
1138 It's hurry, hurry 12/17/2019 12:37 PM
1139 Much more hardship. 12/17/2019 12:36 PM
1140 I hired on in 2018. Just in that short 12/17/2019 12:27 PM
time we have cut more rules, and I have
seen more people in Leave of Absence
status. I feel like we are getting hurt
more.
1141 Work conditions generally in my experience 12/17/2019 12:26 PM
are close to the same. Keep in my mind I
am a Track inspector and have held that
position for 20 years
1142 Greatly deteriorated. 12/17/2019 12:23 PM
1143 Worse 12/17/2019 12:23 PM
1144 More dangerous. Less employees and more 12/17/2019 12:21 PM
stress and work on current employees.
1145 Less men doing more work with less men how 12/17/2019 12:20 PM
safe is this
1146 Conditions have gone down dramatically in 12/17/2019 12:19 PM
the last 5 years at Norfolk Southern
1147 Upper management screams safety but lower 12/17/2019 12:18 PM
management pushes yes safety but only if
it doesn't create overtime.
1148 Extremely low morale and no pride in our 12/17/2019 12:16 PM
Job any more
1149 Very reduced labor force, where less 12/17/2019 12:16 PM
people have to do more work with less.
Less tolerance to repair track issues
because can't stop trains for repairs.
Creating dangerous conditions for
workers, trains, and communities along
routes
1150 Remain the same 12/17/2019 12:14 PM
1151 More work is expected of us with less 12/17/2019 12:13 PM
manpower, and it is expected to be done
just as fast if not faster. We basically
are at a dead run every day.
1152 No change 12/17/2019 12:13 PM
1153 I'm a thru freight conductor and I spend 12/17/2019 12:06 PM
more time on the ground right now
inspecting hot axles and fixing other
problems such as replacing knuckles than
ever before. I blame it reduction of
workforce in the car department, car
department employees being forced to
overlook bad orders, and the ridiculous
lengths of the trains
1154 I hired on in 2008, safety was at the 12/17/2019 12:01 PM
forefront of every conversation, every
video, every company communication. Since
PSR and corporate greed, with Union
Pacific, safety has become irrelevant.
The employee has become a replaceable
commodity and the dollar now drives every
single decision.
1155 Things have went downhill. What use to be 12/17/2019 12:01 PM
an awarding job has turned into a
complete shit show.
1156 not as good 12/17/2019 12:00 PM
1157 Work conditions now compared to 10 years 12/17/2019 11:54 AM
ago are horrible now.
1158 Terrible. Staffing has been reduced, but 12/17/2019 11:45 AM
no enhancements made to the jobs to
compensate.
1159 Much worse 12/17/2019 11:43 AM
1160 Some for the better and some for the worse 12/17/2019 11:42 AM
1161 Safer work wise for people on ground but 12/17/2019 11:36 AM
not safer for train traffic
1162 The work conditions really haven't changed 12/17/2019 11:36 AM
But the morals have.
1163 A lot less work and bigger trains. 12/17/2019 11:31 AM
1164 Expectations on production are much how 12/17/2019 11:22 AM
while expectation on doing it safely are
lower. Keep the trains moving at all cost
regardless of what time or regulation may
need to be bent or broken in order to do
so.
1165 It sucks 12/17/2019 11:16 AM
1166 Hostile, run by intimidation and fear of 12/17/2019 11:09 AM
job loss
1167 Dangerous 12/17/2019 11:04 AM
1168 Worse 12/17/2019 11:01 AM
1169 Absolutely terrible 12/17/2019 10:58 AM
1170 They have gotten worse over my twenty-two 12/17/2019 10:55 AM
years. Especially in the last. Seeing
more young guys quit and go to other
jobs. I am even thinking of quitting and
looking for a new line of work as a
career at 43 year old
1171 More work with less men!!!!! I can thank 12/17/2019 10:53 AM
my union brothers for this current
situation we are now in for gladly doing
more than one job which allows the
company to advertise fewer positions. The
union, itself, is also to blame for not
fighting vigorously enough to deter the
company from such practices.
1172 Much less focus on safety and more focus 12/17/2019 10:51 AM
on production. Mass uncertainty over if
you will even have a job week to week.
Fewer crews working on less rest and
doing more work.
1173 Much less safer, morale has taken a nose 12/17/2019 10:51 AM
dive. Much harder to get tools to
complete work, occasionally having to
take shortcuts to complete jobs.
1174 5 years ago there was a strong effort for 12/17/2019 10:48 AM
safety, for the workers and the public.
Now it feels much more about doing
whatever it takes to keep the trains
running even if that takes lives!
1175 Terrible, horrific! Less safety more 12/17/2019 10:43 AM
productivity with less employees for
record breaking financial gain seems to
be the trend. Equipment is now subpar and
jeopardizing employee and public safety.
1176 They don't. Nothing is maintained. No heat 12/17/2019 10:28 AM
in crew room. Lucky to have toilet paper.
1177 There's less local manpower and a lack of 12/17/2019 10:10 AM
proper tools to work in a productive and
safe manner compared to 5 years ago.
1178 Very similar 12/17/2019 10:06 AM
1179 Working conditions are not near as good as 12/17/2019 10:01 AM
they were 10 years ago.
1180 It is safer in my opinion but I must say 12/17/2019 9:50 AM
it is a much faster pace than ever before
with the advances in technology and I
find it absolutely necessary for more
eyes to be over everything that goes on.
1181 less peoples 12/17/2019 9:36 AM
1182 Been here for 22 years, what we are doing 12/17/2019 9:35 AM
on the UP doesn't even resemble
railroading. The worst conditions I have
ever seen.
1183 I cannot speak on 5 years ago, I've only 12/17/2019 9:03 AM
been here 4 years now, however I love the
job but the conditions are worsening.
1184 Terrible 12/17/2019 9:02 AM
1185 A lot more stressful and just generally 12/17/2019 8:53 AM
worse overall
1186 Safety has gone downhill. It's all about 12/17/2019 8:52 AM
moving cars first. Longer, heavier trains
with less people.
1187 Worse safety is sacrificed and everyone's 12/17/2019 8:52 AM
workload has increased due to cutting off
other crafts.
1188 Less favorable for employees and customers 12/17/2019 8:41 AM
1189 The work conditions now are horrible the 12/17/2019 8:39 AM
workplace is ruled by fear and
intimidation. We are constantly being
followed, watched, and harassed on a
daily basis. We have people getting wrote
up for any and everything under the sun
if they don't do what management says
even if it's a violation of our contract
or a safety violation it doesn't matter
to the local management because they will
be fired if they don't get done what
their bosses tell them
1190 Locomotive cabs are not as clean, 12/17/2019 8:31 AM
equipment is breaking down more often,
boards are being ran into the ground to
do more with less
1191 Same 12/17/2019 8:29 AM
1192 Horrible 12/17/2019 8:27 AM
1193 Better 12/17/2019 8:26 AM
1194 They are worse than they have ever been! 12/17/2019 8:17 AM
Our manpower has been continuously cut
back, 1000 plus rules we are expected to
follow, in addition to three times the
amount of work that we are expected to
do!
1195 More rushed now. Not enough people to do 12/17/2019 7:59 AM
work. Instead of maintaining railroad,
spending days to find a loophole in the
rules to avoid slow orders. Much more
unsafe
1196 Work conditions have become miserable 12/17/2019 7:58 AM
trying to get adequate rest. Safety for
transportation has become terrible with
job cuts. Mow can not keep walkways
cleaned among numerous other things.
1197 The current PSR environment at Union 12/17/2019 7:56 AM
Pacific is the worst work environment
I've seen in the seven years I've been
employed there. Every aspect of the job
is less safe and more rushed. Not only
are they dumping the work of multiple
people/crews into one person/crew but
they are doing it at the cost of safety
and providing acceptable service to
customers.
1198 Much worse. The fatigue issue was never 12/17/2019 7:55 AM
resolved, the attendance policies are
much stricter, the discipline for even
minor rule violations is much harsher,
and we are forced to use multiple
technology platforms that are not ready
to be used in the way they are being
used.
1199 I used to feel proud that I worked for the 12/17/2019 7:52 AM
railroad and did a good job. Now with all
the Management that is pushing PSR has no
idea of problems ahead.
1200 The atmosphere is tense and horribly 12/17/2019 7:47 AM
stressful with deadlines and expectations
that are unreasonable. Its is 5x more
dangerous today than 5 years ago, I've
been with the railroad 14 years
1201 Worse. Reduction in numbers of employees 12/17/2019 7:47 AM
with the same amount of work, has
resulted in more labor, hours and stress
per employee.
1202 Horrible 12/17/2019 7:30 AM
1203 Working conditions are horrible. Trains 12/17/2019 7:27 AM
are way to long, task are way to big to
handle, and the management pushes us
harder and harder every day.
1204 morale is lower. Jobs are fewer. 12/17/2019 7:19 AM
1205 Over reliance on technology. Creating 12/17/2019 7:13 AM
complacency with wayside signals.
Engineers, rookie and veterans, solely
rely on PTC. On the occasion it doesn't
work the rookies have to relearn how to
run a train and the territory.
1206 Minimum wage is way higher now 12/17/2019 7:10 AM
1207 Pretty awful. Train delays have increased 12/17/2019 7:10 AM
and cars are being shuttled from one end
of the yard to the other just to show
that they are ``moving'' and not
accumulating dwell time.
1208 It seems that the work conditions are 12/17/2019 7:07 AM
currently still at high rate.
1209 Horrible 12/17/2019 7:05 AM
1210 Things are getting overlooked/rushed, with 12/17/2019 7:05 AM
this do more with less idea
1211 Simply work tasks now take longer. 12/17/2019 6:54 AM
1212 Every train hogs 12/17/2019 6:53 AM
1213 We have gone from 4 or 5 man maintenance 12/17/2019 6:53 AM
crews down to 3 man maintenance crews.
Our track inspectors were inspecting 30
miles of track back then Now some are
taking care of 60+ miles. Our large
production gangs have been had manpower
cut 30 percent across the board and
expectations are to do more with less
Headquartered jobs are harder to find for
younger employees. We can barely put out
fires with the manpower we currently have
in place Yet when we have big Capital
projects the company brings in
Contractors because we don't have enough
people and equipment to manage the task.
Contract welders are consistently
screwing up thermite welds We don't even
let them touch frogs. The use of
electronics such as GPS, HLCS, and Drive
Cams hold people to a higher standard
sure But the Company uses them as
disciplinary tools. Not to mention not
wanting to pay us for driving track
inspector trucks home. Federal law states
if we are being held to a ``code of
conduct'' we are entitled to
compensation. They don't want to put us
on call for weather emergencies but get
upset when we don't answer our phones
Safety policies are ridiculous and are
written solely to alleviate any company
owned liability toward injury. The
expectations today are so much more
tedious than they were 14 years ago. No
wonder we can't keep any new employees.
They can make more money and work year
round in the oil fields. Of I didn't have
the time invested like I do I might've
jumped ship
1214 Worse 12/17/2019 6:47 AM
1215 Worse, it's more with less. all the way 12/17/2019 6:43 AM
down to conductors doing ``qualified
mechanics'' work
1216 Less safe. Much more stressful. 12/17/2019 6:41 AM
1217 About the same. 12/17/2019 6:40 AM
1218 Less job security so lower morale. More 12/17/2019 6:36 AM
handling of cars coupled with micro
managing of management adding to stress
levels anxiety and low morale. A sense
that company doesn't care about employees
1219 Working with minimal rest and working 12/17/2019 6:35 AM
significantly more hours. The mainline
condition is fatigued, and need of
capital improvement. The company has no
desire to spent the money to improve
infrastructure.
1220 Worse 12/17/2019 6:24 AM
1221 Boards are exhausted and when you do work 12/17/2019 6:15 AM
you don't get tied up until 14-15 hours
on duty.
1222 Man power is down, told to learn to do 12/17/2019 6:10 AM
more with less. More contractors.
1223 Worsening 12/17/2019 6:09 AM
1224 Zero concern for safety. Hence 5 UP 12/17/2019 6:09 AM
employees dead in 2019.
1225 Conditions have gotten much worse. Safety 12/17/2019 6:05 AM
incidents have increased due to increased
pressure on employees.
1226 On Union Pacific There focus has changed 12/17/2019 6:04 AM
from safety to gotcha moments to
intimidate workers. Keeping them from
saying anything. What we have now is what
ever it takes for the numbers.
1227 Worse than before 12/17/2019 6:01 AM
1228 Worse 12/17/2019 6:00 AM
1229 Safety seems to not be a concern anymore 12/17/2019 5:58 AM
1230 Harder. Never know when I'm going to work. 12/17/2019 5:54 AM
Always tired.
1231 fewer larger trains. fewer trains is fewer 12/17/2019 5:52 AM
jobs
1232 Honestly, they haven't changed for the 12/17/2019 5:47 AM
better. We still drive hundreds miles
each work week in god awful driving
conditions through wet, winter months. We
do our job in cold, rain, snowy
conditions through the winter and
blistering, heat stroke conditions
through the summer months. We don't
complain much about the weather
conditions but the railroad doesn't seem
to think we deserve better travel
allowance. We put our lives on the line
in so many ways on the job. The Union
Pacific Railroad should recognize the
fact that the travel is just as
hazardous. For the last 20 plus years we
have not seen even a budge on the issue.
Every time it has been brought up it gets
thrown back in our face as a ``union
issue''. That's bullcrap. Do you think
for one second any employee from Omaha
would travel four times a month in those
dangerous conditions, leaving their
families for possibly the last time and
for no real compensation? Also, we our
damn near forced to share a room with
another employee to make the per diem
cover costs on the road. We have fought
these kinds of issues for years and
treated like dirt for over twenty years!
Now, the conditions on the track have not
changed one bit. You have chemicals in
the tracks, chemicals in the ties,
chemicals in the air from diesel fumes
and other sources of harmful by products
whether it is from railroad otm, waste
and garbage or other manufacturing/
company properties, etc. During a large
natural fire this last year we were
exposed to dangerous levels of smoke
causing many of us to have severe
headaches, congestion, irritated eyes.
The railroad has been around for a long
time and never put together a safety
action plan for this kind of situation?
Come on! We were told to suck it up, get
out there and do your job. We were told
that railroad will do better next time.
Next time?! We still work in all of these
dangerous scenarios and still get treated
like grunt labor without education. We
work hard with pride in our hearts and a
job well done, yet we are treated like
nobodies. No respect hurts a mans soul
and then the lack of fair compensation is
the gut punch.
1233 Less people, and working longer hours 12/17/2019 5:40 AM
1234 Demands on attendance are much stricter to 12/17/2019 5:39 AM
the point one cannot mark off for fear of
severe response from company. You can be
sick and not need a doctor visit, or just
exhausted as they company Is well below
staffed as they should be.
1235 In mow, a lot more work is expected with 12/17/2019 5:32 AM
limited track time and keep cutting jobs,
lessening the amount of workers.
1236 They are worsening. Railroad use to be an 12/17/2019 5:31 AM
art. Now it's robotic. I have 20.5 years
and I wish I can go back to the era when
I first started railroading when there
was pride going to work! Now is
resentment because of the silly culture
the railroad has become especially with
PSR.
1237 Everything now is about go! We're skipping 12/17/2019 5:29 AM
vital knowledge, cutting corners, pushed
out the door.
1238 Safety is out the window, everything needs 12/17/2019 5:26 AM
done ten minutes ago.
1239 More stress, harder to concentrate on 12/17/2019 5:23 AM
work, feel less of a person, and more
like a number and a heartbeat. The job is
becoming more dangerous
1240 Bad! Less workers on the track to maintain 12/17/2019 5:21 AM
the track to help each other out. Right
now One worker has to do the work of 2 or
3 workers. Due to the reduction of the
workforce of each Gang. They cut one or
two Assistants Foreman of each Tie n Rail
gangs. Some surf gangs don't have Surf
gang foremen. The managers n supervisors
are pushing the operators to get track n
time, form B.S., slow orders and put time
in. That is too much responsibility for
those operators. I have seen a lot of
nepotism and favoritism among Managers
and supervisors towards workers.
1241 Worse 12/17/2019 5:21 AM
1242 Working conditions have grown to be 12/17/2019 5:20 AM
terrible. Jobs are cut, but the work
those jobs did doesn't go anywhere. It's
piled onto the nearest job to add to
their already heavy load. We are
intimidated by management all the time to
make the impossible possible. There are
never enough workers to do the jobs
needed. Safety has been taken out of the
equation and customers are heavily adding
trucking over rail.
1243 They don't compare at all. Low work force, 12/17/2019 5:18 AM
no track time to do maintenance or money
spent on maintenance. Track and bridge
conditions are very poor compared to a
few years ago.
1244 Focus is 100 percent on production with 12/17/2019 5:18 AM
safety rules being pulled back to allow
for faster car turnarounds.
1245 Much worse. So many cute has been made 12/17/2019 5:18 AM
that those of us that are left it's
putting more a more things to do that we
are not used to doing or never have.
1246 Worse, do more with less attitude from 12/17/2019 5:15 AM
management
1247 You're more ``rushed'' now to not make ANY 12/17/2019 5:11 AM
overtime, and switchmen/brakemen are
being cut from locals and switching jobs
that most definitely need them.
1248 Dramatically worse 12/17/2019 5:08 AM
1249 They are much better now 12/17/2019 5:07 AM
1250 Terrible. Morale is bad. A job that 12/17/2019 5:03 AM
everyone said your lucky to have and it's
great turned out to be the opposite.
1251 they have gotten worse safety has been 12/17/2019 5:03 AM
downgraded and the ability to use tools
designed improve safety and efficiency
have been banned
1252 being threaten with insubordination 12/17/2019 5:02 AM
charges just for asking if they are sure
it's safe
1253 Safer, less productive 12/17/2019 5:00 AM
1254 Worse trying to do more with less people 12/17/2019 4:58 AM
good chance they leave defects
1255 They just keep getting worse and worse 12/17/2019 4:54 AM
1256 Today compared to when I hired in 17 years 12/17/2019 4:54 AM
ago is vastly different. Norfolk Southern
used to be very rules compliant but well
maintained railroad. Today they have cut
labor so that whoever is left is working
significantly more because and on a new
unrealistic attendance policy. The
engines, track, and buildings are not
maintained to the standards as before.
And now the top priority even above
safety is fuel conservation.
1257 Employee morale has gone down drastically. 12/17/2019 4:53 AM
Equipment is not maintained.
1258 More unsafe tracks are not maintained as 12/17/2019 4:50 AM
well as 5 years ago.
1259 Less and less manpower, putting off needed 12/17/2019 4:48 AM
maintenance, and more aggressive
discipline, just looking to get rid of
workers anyway they can.
1260 Much longer hours, less equipment and men 12/17/2019 4:43 AM
to work with
1261 Better 12/17/2019 4:40 AM
1262 Over the past five years PSR has put a 12/17/2019 4:26 AM
strain on the entire work force. We feel
a constant pressure from our supervisors
about the ``budget''. We are being forced
to stretch ourselves thin by rushing all
of our work with less help. We are put
under constant stress and it is causing
the quality of our work to falter, the
work we are performing is becoming less
precise, and less valuable. As a whole
the workforce is being put into position
where production comes first and safety
last.
1263 Always under stress for rule violation 12/17/2019 4:26 AM
1264 Safety has went out the window with the 12/17/2019 4:23 AM
company.
1265 Not as safe 12/17/2019 4:20 AM
1266 There is no comparison!! safety is out the 12/17/2019 4:16 AM
window, they have the boards cut so thin
you feel like your drunk out there
because your so tired. Only thing that
matters with the railroad now is the all
mighty dollar!!
1267 Terrible! Trips are longer, walking trains 12/17/2019 4:16 AM
is 3 times as far safety has gone out the
window
1268 Worse 12/17/2019 4:13 AM
1269 Longer trains false profiles and the same 12/17/2019 4:10 AM
or more dangerous conditions
1270 Safety as a whole has been put on the back 12/17/2019 4:08 AM
burner for the PSR concept to get trains
out faster. So generally speaking
compared to five years ago, I believe the
work environment as a whole has changed
to be much more dangerous, especially in
yard operations. PTC is another topic all
together, but that in itself is NOT a
real railroad innovation.
1271 They are far worse then they were 12 years 12/17/2019 4:06 AM
ago and there is no safety anymore!!!
1272 terrible 12/17/2019 4:05 AM
1273 5 years ago I believe there was a lot more 12/17/2019 4:01 AM
of a focus on safety. It seems as though
productivity is the main concern now
1274 Working conditions are more difficult for 12/17/2019 4:01 AM
2 reasons. The first being manpower
shortages which seem to go hand in hand
with PSR. While the corporations cut
manpower they force those left into
ridiculous attendance policies which
destroy moral, creating an environment
where ones mental health is challenged
everyday. Secondly, where once safety was
a priority, speed and efficiency have
taken precedence. Safety is becoming an
afterthought, while your forced to answer
to management anytime your delayed no
matter the reason.
1275 Considerably worse. Safety is of no 12/17/2019 3:54 AM
concern. Management would rather call
extra board crews that don't know the
work and don't know how to work together
well instead of paying for a local crew
or a yard job crew to do the work.
1276 Not even close don't think they care about 12/17/2019 3:52 AM
safety
1277 The company has increased our work load 12/17/2019 3:51 AM
and responsibilities, decreased our time
off and we are extremely undermanned.
1278 poor conditions, morale is down, more 12/17/2019 3:51 AM
layoffs
1279 Much better, my quality of life has 12/17/2019 3:50 AM
greatly improved, also MYB trips are more
pleasant because I am not sitting on the
main line waiting on trains or waiting to
yard my train
1280 Worsening conditions 12/17/2019 3:50 AM
1281 I've been employed for 12 going on 13 12/17/2019 3:48 AM
years and the conditions are
exponentially worse from when I first
hired out. We are doing more work for the
same pay, trains take much longer to get
from point a to point b. When I first
hired out in 2007 a short pool run would
take about 2 and a half hours from call
time to tie up and most of the time now
we are lucky to be done in 12 hours.
1282 Worst in my life 12/17/2019 3:47 AM
1283 Management style has changed from pressure 12/17/2019 3:46 AM
to get things done to an attitude of we
can't do that. It's as if they don't want
us to do maintenance and doing nothing is
the best solution
1284 Harder to get track time to work which 12/17/2019 3:46 AM
makes us work longer hours with less man
power
1285 A lot less M of W employees and the same 12/17/2019 3:46 AM
amount of work. Equipment is not being
replaced.
1286 Conditions at work are more dangerous than 12/17/2019 3:45 AM
they were 5 years ago. Track bolt orders
being not approved at CSX. Buying Chinese
joint bars?
1287 Worse 12/17/2019 3:43 AM
1288 rains too long. Not enough workers. 12/17/2019 3:41 AM
1289 A lot less jobs 12/17/2019 3:41 AM
1290 Horrendous 12/17/2019 3:41 AM
1291 More production less safety 12/17/2019 3:38 AM
1292 Lack of maintenance to work areas. 12/17/2019 3:36 AM
Employees forced to work alone in jobs
previously required to have 2 employees
to perform task.
1293 Hired out 6 years ago. It was a dream job 12/17/2019 3:36 AM
till Hunter Harrison took over. Safety
went out the window the only thing that
matters is getting trains out on time and
doing more with less!
1294 Things are definitely not better 12/17/2019 3:35 AM
1295 Worse 12/17/2019 3:35 AM
1296 Wages and insurance suck and the new work 12/17/2019 3:34 AM
day schedule is horrible for the
traveling gangs
1297 Severely worse. 12/17/2019 3:34 AM
1298 Micromanagement has killed productivity. 12/17/2019 3:32 AM
Fools that have never tried to complete a
task are assigning safety equipment that
cause the task to be unsafe.
1299 Pay is basically the same do to higher 12/17/2019 3:30 AM
health coverage. Safety is better all
around. Schedule changes are horrible.
The union should have never done the 8
and 6's.
1300 Less people trying to do the same amount 12/17/2019 3:30 AM
of work. Our local section workforce for
my MTM is 66 percent LESS from when I
hired on in 06.
1301 Horrible, the decline in working 12/17/2019 3:29 AM
conditions are 100 preventable
1302 Work was fun, to me anyway. Today every 12/17/2019 3:27 AM
person even the company guys,
roadmasters, trainmaster, etc..are
worried about losing their job. Nothing
fun about looking over your shoulder
every day for the head hunters that came
with hunter and crew.
1303 More hours, more strenuous work, less 12/17/2019 3:27 AM
rest, less safety, less compensation,
less equipment. Do more with less is
taking its toll on personal and
equipment.
1304 Better 12/17/2019 3:26 AM
1305 Work conditions stay the same. It's the 12/17/2019 3:24 AM
way we work the conditions that change.
Having a better mind set to handle
situations during the work day provides a
great productive workplace.
1306 Safety is only important until it cost the 12/17/2019 3:23 AM
railroad money, then it is ignored.
1307 Worst 12/17/2019 3:17 AM
1308 Out on rest a lot more. Hard to use 12/17/2019 3:17 AM
vacation and personal leave due to low
man power to fill positions. Locals
stretched thin with loads of work piled
on a single conductor. Then if the work
doesn't get done in the time the railroad
believes it should take it is handled in
the start program.
1309 Terrible, safety is not number one at UP! 12/17/2019 3:16 AM
1310 5 years ago I was working off my rest. The 12/17/2019 3:14 AM
company was making record profits. Today
I'm on the AW board trying to make a
living with two jobs and the company is
still bragging on making record profits
1311 No change as far as safety is concerned. 12/17/2019 3:14 AM
1312 Conditions have deteriorated since the 12/17/2019 3:12 AM
implementation of PSR, longer trains,
management forcing us to take cars and
engines that should be bad ordered.
1313 Worse a lot worse all about profits and 12/17/2019 3:10 AM
less about safety
1314 Less people harder to get materials to 12/17/2019 3:08 AM
worried about g 55
1315 Worse, less manpower asked to do more with 12/17/2019 3:04 AM
less. Not allowed to fix it the proper
way, just enough to ``get by''. Always
rushed to get done in less time than
needed
1316 Work condition is probably better. 10 12/17/2019 3:03 AM
years ago, we had junk trucks and
equipment
1317 Worst. Less people more pressure to 12/17/2019 3:01 AM
perform as the same as full staff
1318 Unsafe 12/17/2019 2:58 AM
1319 It is harder to concentrate and be safe 12/17/2019 2:56 AM
because we are cut so thin, everyone is
worn out and doing more work.
1320 I think work conditions have gotten worse. 12/17/2019 2:56 AM
I believe the carrier is more worried
about the profit and less about the
employees.
1321 3 12/17/2019 2:56 AM
1322 There are no jobs even for people who have 12/17/2019 2:55 AM
higher seniority.
1323 More working hours and less home time 12/17/2019 2:53 AM
hours
1324 Business is still good but company wants 12/17/2019 2:52 AM
to be greedy and cut off every job.
1325 Bare bones and the rules only apply when 12/17/2019 2:50 AM
it convenient for them! It has turn my
coworkers into unhappy and irritated
group of men.
1326 I have been Rail roaring for 14 years and 12/17/2019 2:50 AM
working conditions are worse now than
they have ever been.
1327 Harassment and intimidation at a level 12/17/2019 2:50 AM
most people can't comprehend.
1328 I have 5 years seniority, they were more 12/17/2019 2:49 AM
concerned with safety when I hired out.
Now it's more about profits
1329 The rules are more lax in general. 12/17/2019 2:48 AM
1330 Move freight at all costs 12/17/2019 2:47 AM
1331 Worse 12/17/2019 2:47 AM
1332 Used to like coming to work. We are now 12/17/2019 2:43 AM
under staffed and over worked.
1333 Work conditions have really dropped due to 12/17/2019 2:43 AM
longer trains, incompetent management,
management wanting to intimidate you into
doing stuff that isn't safe, making
pickups where you have to make multiple
moves to Make a pickup behind a dp or in
the middle of a train.
1334 Seems more about budgets than allowing us 12/17/2019 2:43 AM
to do our jobs over the last 3 yrs.
Broken rail in yards. Lock it out fix it
tomorrow. Go fix this on mainline, can't
get track and time, it's ok, we will try
again tomorrow. May do this several days
in a row. Track and time may be granted
at 1600 or 1700 for a 1.5hr job, nope we
will get it tomorrow, no overtime
allowed. 213.9b put in for tie condition,
day 30, go double spike it. Wont give us
time to install new ties.
1335 Night and day, literally. At one time all 12/17/2019 2:42 AM
of our jobs revolved around the customer,
now it's based completely on what
benefits NS. We have no kind of schedule
nor lifestyle at that. They put employees
in the street and pile the work on what's
still there to make up the difference.
Which is extremely stressful for us. Our
morale is at an all time low, I've been
with NS for 8 years and I now dread every
time I get called to work.
1336 Much worse 12/17/2019 2:41 AM
1337 Less information given or allowed 12/17/2019 2:39 AM
1338 Drastic changes reducing quality of life 12/17/2019 2:39 AM
1339 No comparison. I used to love working here 12/17/2019 2:38 AM
and looked forward to coming to work
everyday. Now I feel like a number and a
fall guy when for when trains get
delayed. Safety used to be number one.
Now it's just new things moving. It's a
shame we have been forced to lose pride
in our company. A lot of good men out
here devote their lives to this company
and there is no appreciation any more.
All everyone thinks about is who's next
on the chopping block
1340 Safety is better but now there's always 12/17/2019 2:38 AM
that feeling like we not gonna have a job
tomorrow
1341 Terrible 12/17/2019 2:36 AM
1342 Drastically worse, working the same amount 12/17/2019 2:36 AM
of hours with less trains and less care
for safety.
1343 Undermanned and over worked bad spots in 12/17/2019 2:35 AM
the track have got a lot worse over the
past 5 to 10 years as they keep cutting
man power
1344 They don't, they wanted us to find B/O in 12/17/2019 2:33 AM
the yard. Now they want us to turn a
blind eye
1345 More work with less people. Management 12/17/2019 2:32 AM
claims that ``no job is so important, no
service so urgent, that we cannot take
time to complete all work safely.'' Every
single one of them knows this is just a
statement they can use against us if
something happens but when there is a
train being held up, all rules go out the
window and they expect you to do whatever
it takes to get the train moving even if
it means putting your safety and your co-
workers safety at risk. Nothing stands in
the way of the company making money.
1346 Worse constantly changing shift start 12/17/2019 2:29 AM
times, and way to much night work
1347 It was a lot better than 10 years ago 12/17/2019 2:29 AM
1348 They are pushing to go faster and faster! 12/17/2019 2:28 AM
It's getting ridiculous.
1349 Much much worse, now 12/17/2019 2:28 AM
1350 I have been at Union Pacific 20+ years and 12/17/2019 2:27 AM
I have never seen morale so low. Everyone
is worried about their jobs and what yard
is closing next. Safety is out the
window. It's all about moving trains now
no matter the cost.
1351 A lot less men now and a lot more work. 12/17/2019 2:27 AM
And five years ago I wasn't worried about
my job like I am now.
1352 Takes longer to get anything done. Working 12/17/2019 2:26 AM
industry's have been had to do because of
time constraints.
1353 longer trains longer hours and fewer 12/17/2019 2:22 AM
workers keeping everyone working on rest
1354 Work conditions have suffered a great 12/17/2019 2:21 AM
deal, we was having to do more with less
(before I was furloughed.) I was only
employed since 2015, but I could see a
huge change in the work and the morale of
employees.
1355 Safety and rules compliance have taken 12/17/2019 2:19 AM
back seat to production
1356 Morale is down compared to 5 years ago. 12/17/2019 2:19 AM
1357 At CSX the morale is just about gone. the 12/17/2019 2:19 AM
trainmasters are more concerned with
keeping a ``fear'' based management they
rush you and constantly, they know the
rules and so do we. They expect you to
rush and turn a blind eye on safety and
threaten you with delay of train.
1358 Less focus on safety 12/17/2019 2:17 AM
1359 It's not the same brotherhood feeling 12/17/2019 2:17 AM
anymore. It's all about production with
less people. Always wonder when will we
be cut.
1360 I feels like we are being forced to not do 12/17/2019 2:16 AM
the inspections, and quality control that
I feel we need to ensure a safe railroad.
1361 5 years ago work was planned and not near 12/17/2019 2:14 AM
as hectic. I honestly feel it's just a
matter of time before a disaster happens
due to work being rushed!
1362 Loss of more positions and more work put 12/17/2019 2:13 AM
on those workers left
1363 Working conditions are worse now than 12/17/2019 2:12 AM
ever, we feel very rushed. We are given
little to no track time for proper
repairs. Also, managers that are not even
in our craft and have no understanding of
what and how to make the proper repairs
hover and make us feel rushed.
1364 More work with less manpower 12/17/2019 2:12 AM
1365 Got worse do to job cut off 12/17/2019 2:12 AM
1366 They have gotten worse more dangerous 12/17/2019 2:11 AM
working conditions
1367 Worse 12/17/2019 2:11 AM
1368 Very crappie was forced to do a lot of 12/17/2019 2:11 AM
shady stuff.
1369 Cabs of locomotives are dirtier including 12/17/2019 2:09 AM
the bathrooms. More engine problems
(breaking down). After 15 years as an
engineer I am seeing many more engines
being in consists that can't be used due
to blue cards out of date.
1370 Worse 12/17/2019 2:08 AM
1371 Working conditions have dramatically 12/17/2019 2:08 AM
diminished over the last 5 years! Longer
trains, longer wait times, stress of the
constant unknown! The derailments in 2019
for UP has got to be a huge increase and
a sign something is wrong here!
1372 Unsafe! They do not fix anything and 12/17/2019 2:08 AM
forces us to use damaged track and
equipment putting our lives at risk in
the name of the shareholders!
1373 You never hear the work Safety. 12/17/2019 2:08 AM
1374 I feel the job was done faster with 5 to 6 12/17/2019 2:07 AM
guys instead of 2 or 3.
1375 Awful, less safety matters with train 12/17/2019 2:06 AM
lengths, crew readiness and scheduling.
Companies lack of care for employees is
pitiful.
1376 Horrible! Train line-ups are wildly 12/17/2019 2:05 AM
inaccurate! Management has little regard
for safety. Safety concerns that are
reported through the Safety hotline are
either not addressed, or completely
ignored. Training is almost non-existent.
Crews new to territory struggle to get
adequate familiarization.
1377 Terrible 12/17/2019 2:04 AM
1378 Harder, now they expect more work with 12/17/2019 2:02 AM
less people and equipment
1379 Have gone down with every day 12/17/2019 2:01 AM
1380 Less and less employees and extra boards. 12/17/2019 2:00 AM
Pool freight crews required to protect
DOL trains without any notice. No
schedule, less rest due to lack of train
lineups. Delayed customer freight has
increased, all trains are running behind
and late.
1381 Completely unsafe and unsatisfactory. 12/17/2019 1:59 AM
Bringing attention about it is considered
whining, ``poking the bear''
1382 Working conditions are horrible compared 12/17/2019 1:58 AM
to 15 years ago
1383 Less access to the equipment needed to do 12/17/2019 1:57 AM
my job safely.
1384 Less favorable. More like jail now 12/17/2019 1:57 AM
1385 There is less maintenance done on engines 12/17/2019 1:56 AM
and cars. When we say something that
often think we are just trying to delay
the train and threaten us with
discipline.
1386 4 12/17/2019 1:55 AM
1387 It has gone from a great job to a job I 12/17/2019 1:53 AM
hate, they run around trying to fire
people. And push us to the limit
1388 Have not gotten any better 12/17/2019 1:51 AM
1389 Basically the same. 12/17/2019 1:51 AM
1390 Worst 12/17/2019 1:50 AM
1391 Not good less workers more work feels like 12/17/2019 1:50 AM
all about numbers stockholders Precision
rail road
1392 Worse 12/17/2019 1:49 AM
1393 Far worse, far less safe, less training 12/17/2019 1:48 AM
1394 Worse 12/17/2019 1:48 AM
1395 Work conditions have gotten much worse 12/17/2019 1:47 AM
over the years and continue to do so.
Management pushes performance over safety
every day. We're forced to do more in
less time to cut overtime.
1396 Major changes in company attitude towards 12/17/2019 1:47 AM
its employees. 5 years ago you never
heard of people being fired or even
threatened to be fired
1397 Work conditions are more rushed now due to 12/17/2019 1:46 AM
shorter work windows and the company
still expecting the same amount of work
to be performed.
1398 I can only speak to 5 years, the amount of 12/17/2019 1:46 AM
people to do a task has reduced. Project
windows have reduce to only semi staffed
sections and what extra division gang
that are out there are stretched thin.
The amount of work load and inspections
on inspectors are increased and will get
worse as they reduce more in the
beginning of 2020. The geometry car helps
to satisfy company inspections, however,
special inspections, I.E. weather
inspections or work audits on a territory
have not been supplemented yet the number
of inspectors is reduced.
1399 Horrible now. It's awful! 12/17/2019 1:46 AM
1400 Lack of track and time equal no 12/17/2019 1:45 AM
maintenance
1401 Track time is horrible, rushed a lot more. 12/17/2019 1:40 AM
Scrutinized over things more than in the
past
1402 Cut to the bone! Scary 12/17/2019 1:40 AM
1403 They want you to work safely but don't 12/17/2019 1:39 AM
stress it enough like it was years ago
1404 Work conditions are much worse than they 12/17/2019 1:39 AM
were 5 years ago.
1405 It is worse, the morale is terrible and 12/17/2019 1:39 AM
you can't trust your managers.
1406 Much less concern for safety and much more 12/17/2019 1:39 AM
concern for production.
1407 Less safe. Everything is being cut and 12/17/2019 1:39 AM
rushed. Mission zero is like any other
safety slogan. The rules are laxed, just
asking for trouble. Safety is first
unless it's going to affect the days work
1408 Worse. Fewer local jobs and NO regular 12/17/2019 1:38 AM
assigned runs.
1409 With half the workforce the projects are 12/17/2019 1:38 AM
the same, more stress on everyone
1410 Getting better 12/17/2019 1:37 AM
1411 A lot better since using common sense has 12/17/2019 1:36 AM
came back into the workforce.
1412 12 years ago I looked forward to come to 12/17/2019 1:36 AM
work. Now it's crap morale is down and
nobody can say they are proud to be a
railroader anymore.
1413 Safety is only a concern if they can use 12/17/2019 1:34 AM
it to discipline or terminate you. Greed
and money are influencing something so
important to the U.S. economy
1414 Working conditions have continuously 12/17/2019 1:32 AM
gotten worse. How employees are treated
are rapidly approaching obscene.
1415 The railroad use to be a place that I was 12/17/2019 1:32 AM
proud to say I worked for. Now it takes
everything I have to get up and go in.
Management hates the employees there
trying to fire everybody they are getting
rid of all the carman, roundhouse and
track workers. They want us doing more
and more of those jobs and don't want to
spend money to fix anything. Every day
all here when I go to work is how the
company wants to get rid of all the
employees
1416 I started in 1990, we had 4 section gangs 12/17/2019 1:32 AM
with a total of 16 people on them, 2
machine operators and a foreman and 2
maintenance welders for 222 miles of
track. 2019 we have 2 section gangs with
a total of 4 people, 2 machine operators,
2 maintenance welders and 1 backhoe
operator. The amount of work load is
pushing people to their limits and
beyond. Shortcuts on safety and
procedures has increased.
1417 They aren't comparable. 5 years even 10 12/17/2019 1:32 AM
years ago there were enough people at
work to do the work, sometimes 1 or 2
extra. Now we are forced to stay over
because there isn't enough help.
1418 More urgency to get things done, less 12/17/2019 1:31 AM
track time in certain places, less time
to take care of issues that need address
1419 A lot easier but a lot more stupid 12/17/2019 1:30 AM
decisions being made
1420 Terrible, safety is only important if it 12/17/2019 1:29 AM
is convenient. No value in the workers
anymore, this company is headed downhill
as fast as it possibly can.
1421 They are worse. 12/17/2019 1:29 AM
1422 The difference is night and day and not in 12/17/2019 1:28 AM
a good way
1423 Not so much PSR!!!! As to industrial 12/17/2019 1:28 AM
automation and push to 1 man crews. 1 man
crew would further enhance management
unfair discipline procedures. To further
their full automation goals.
1424 Safety takes a back seat to Railroad 12/17/2019 1:26 AM
Profits. All about the money!
1425 morale and care has certainly gone down. 12/17/2019 1:26 AM
Cost of living and opportunities for
overtime have taken negative turns. But
working conditions are the same. Less
employees to do jobs then before
1426 Less time to do the work. I feel like the 12/17/2019 1:26 AM
since of urgency is more than what they
are saying
1427 Way worse. 5 years ago we were geared 12/17/2019 1:24 AM
towards safety more than company profits.
Now it's all about making union pacific
billions of dollars.
1428 Unsafe and naive job loss 12/17/2019 1:24 AM
1429 Worse than 10 years ago, but better than 2 12/17/2019 1:24 AM
years ago.
1430 The implementation of Roadway Worker has 12/17/2019 1:23 AM
been a tool for men involved in track
maintenance while working on live
track(s).
1431 Much more safer then than when I started 12/17/2019 1:22 AM
16 years ago. There is constant effort by
management and fellow employees to ensure
everyone goes home safe.
1432 Much less safe and more chaotic 12/17/2019 1:21 AM
1433 Less time on the track working but the 12/17/2019 1:21 AM
work is a lot harder now due to less help
1434 A lot less workforce and pressure to hurry 12/17/2019 1:21 AM
and get the job done. There are a lot of
threats from upper management to cut jobs
if production is not met on big gangs and
sections as well
1435 They've went downhill drastically 12/17/2019 1:20 AM
1436 Less people to do the same amount of work 12/17/2019 1:19 AM
or more.
1437 3 years ago I noticed a change. The 12/17/2019 1:16 AM
company stopped caring about the
employees. They just wanted to make more
money. Right down to getting oil changes
on the work trucks. We used to have a
work family and felt we were taken care
of as a whole. Now the culture has
shifted to every man for themselves. We
don't get any type of recognition. They
have cut our workforce and want us to do
more with less people and less material.
When I hired out 14 years ago I loved my
job and loved going to work. Now I'd
rather play in freeway traffic.
1438 I was hired in June of 2011! The railroad 12/17/2019 1:16 AM
I hired on was a safe productive
railroad. We had I believe 18 men taking
care of 220 miles of track. Going to work
everyday was very enjoyable and I felt
very informed and safe. Decision's were
made at the hands of the Manager and Men
on a day to day basis. The work load was
spread out between gangs and the railroad
was very well taken care of. Now on the
same district I was hired onto there are
9 men and a manager that can't make any
decisions until he is told by the higher
up's! There is a lot more work load on
every person working! A lot less safe
environment! Rushing to make ends meet
and the railroad we are on is not as well
taken care of. We have to run like crazy
putting band aids on our track, due to
the lack of man power. Less time to work
on the track due to longer slower (hot
trains). Not giving us time to do what is
right! Which in turn makes for a less
safe railroad. The morale is down
severely all across the railroad. Which
makes for a less safe railroad! A lot
more bumping going around also. Employees
are scared they may no longer hold a job
due to all the cut's in man power. So
generally speaking the railroad I hired
onto has gone to pot! I no longer feel
excited to go to work. I feel like the
next day could be my last day to be
employed with Union Pacific.
1439 23 years on NS. It's a war on employees. 12/17/2019 1:16 AM
We are know forced away from our families
because of one ending of inter divisional
pools. Many are driving in the wee hours
of the night/am to try and catch their
train. 4hrs. Company officials are
harassing us to leave on schedule time
often overlooking safety rules.
1440 biggest difference I see is no one cares 12/17/2019 1:16 AM
about how the job is done (correctly or
incorrectly) just so it gets done by the
time limit. also the man count has
severely been reduced.
1441 Same 12/17/2019 1:16 AM
1442 they have stopped fixing things that need 12/17/2019 1:15 AM
fixed due to reduced work force. TE&Y
employees are working longer hours due to
reduced workforce causing trains to sit
due to crew availability.
1443 Worse 12/17/2019 1:15 AM
1444 They are worse than 5 years ago. Inbound 12/17/2019 1:14 AM
mechanical inspections are down to half.
Car defects are not getting reported
because the inspectors are rushed to get
the class one done in order to get the on
time departure or repercussions are
threatened. I see more broken ladders,
bent sill steps and broken brake
platforms then ever. Track conditions are
terrible also because they won't give
engineering time to maintain them because
it might delay a departure or Make so
cars miss connection.
1445 Much safer and many more useful tools. 12/17/2019 1:14 AM
1446 They've gotten worse 12/17/2019 1:12 AM
1447 Not applicable 12/17/2019 1:11 AM
1448 Worst I have ever seen it. Twenty years 12/17/2019 1:10 AM
ago foremen and management would train
their workers. Today no training what so
ever.
1449 Just in the last two years work conditions 12/17/2019 1:09 AM
have went down hill quick, there is not
enough people never rested every thing is
cut down past the bare bone.
1450 Much worse 12/17/2019 1:09 AM
1451 They are worse. 12/17/2019 1:08 AM
1452 Worse. Safety is out the window. It's all 12/17/2019 1:07 AM
about the shareholders and forget the
customers.
1453 Horrible. Harassment is constant. Mgmt 12/17/2019 1:07 AM
violating FRA law and labor contracts,
union does nothing to help ee's only the
company
1454 5 years ago a zero day was unheard of on a 12/17/2019 1:07 AM
curve gang note I've had many on the
steel gang this year. It seems that the
more precise they get with scheduling the
more absurd it gets.
1455 The NS railroad was a great place to work 12/17/2019 1:05 AM
15 years ago when the company hadn't
abandoned their employees For the
stockholders yet.
1456 Degrading 12/17/2019 1:05 AM
1457 It's my opinion that the company is more 12/17/2019 1:04 AM
focused on production and less focused on
safety in order to fit the PSR
expectations.
1458 Not efficient 12/17/2019 1:04 AM
1459 RR is not the same 12/17/2019 1:04 AM
1460 I have worked at the same location for 12/17/2019 1:03 AM
over 20 years. we still have the same
amount of territory to maintain but are
now required to do so with 50 percent
less people. the maintenance force has
been reduced to 3 people making it very
difficult to accomplish required tasks,
sometimes impossible. more demands than
ever have been placed on the maintenance
forces, with the addition of onerous
sometimes ridiculous required safety
rules, but Management continues to take
away instead of helping.
1461 I've been on the railroad for 12 years I 12/17/2019 1:02 AM
would say the conditions are the same
production over safety
1462 About the same 12/17/2019 1:02 AM
1463 Badly, wheels get numbers fudged by 12/17/2019 1:02 AM
bosses, everything is fuel and go (don't
look at it), employees are shuffled from
unfinished jobs so it can be released
without actually repairing
1464 Safety has been set aside. Do more with 12/17/2019 1:02 AM
less.
1465 Upper management is pushing more work down 12/17/2019 1:01 AM
the contract employees and drastically
cutting our workforce in return wanting
more production.
1466 The railroad is a demanding job, but All 12/17/2019 1:01 AM
PSR has done is try to get more with
less. Railroads are too important to the
economy to allow hedge funds to come in
and gut them for short term profits then
move on to the next thing leaving nothing
but destruction and a skeleton of a
company behind them. The economy suffers
tremendously from these actions and 10-20
years ago railroads were interested in
growing business and improving customer
service.
1467 Track conditions, yard walking conditions, 12/17/2019 1:01 AM
roads to drive vehicles on, crew room
buildings and engines are all drastically
falling apart
1468 We're not given proper equipment to 12/17/2019 1:00 AM
execute job tasks in correct manner, nor
do we have the man power to correctly
perform tasks in an efficient manner.
We're told to work with what we have then
ridiculed when tasks take longer than our
management thinks it should. We have less
people and we're following rules when
performing tasks. Every new rule added,
adds time to each and every task.
1469 More rule changes work in general is the 12/17/2019 1:00 AM
same with less man power
1470 Never seen it so bad the don't care about 12/17/2019 12:59 AM
us just want to gave hearings the
managers don't care at all
1471 Considerably worse. 12/17/2019 12:59 AM
1472 Worse 12/17/2019 12:59 AM
1473 We have fewer men, which means a larger 12/17/2019 12:59 AM
work load and the company expects the
work to still be done with no overtime!!!
1474 Awful 12/17/2019 12:58 AM
1475 5 years ago the work environment was much 12/17/2019 12:58 AM
more safety oriented with less of a focus
on production. There was no cost to great
for safety. Now you will never hear it
said out loud, but it very much is felt
that its production first safety last.
1476 Working conditions have remained the same. 12/17/2019 12:58 AM
Undesirable, unforgiving, dirty, and
dangerous. Add to that increased traffic
volume on a very tight schedule
(``precision railroading'') and you have
the environment we work in. Work as fast
as you can when you get a ``window.''
Don't get hurt, however, because if you
do it will end up being your fault! Not
something I would recommend to anyone. If
I was younger I would do something else!
1477 Lee's time to get work done 12/17/2019 12:57 AM
1478 I work in a large hump yard. Morale is 12/17/2019 12:57 AM
low, we are given minimum breaks in any
weather condition and pushed out the door
as soon as we show up without time to
review paperwork. When trying to hydrate,
the managers will harass us and tell you
to get back to work. Managers will walk
around with a watch and time your 20
minute lunch which makes it stressful to
relax and eat. There is less of a
schedule now, as all of the jobs that
were cut are covered by the extra board
at the companies discretion. Crew callers
will call you no matter where you are at
on the board, and dock your guarantee if
you don't answer on the first call. We
are forced to take calls out of our
agreement in areas we are not familiar
with or there will be repercussions.
Also, crews working safely have been sent
home because they were not working fast
enough.
1479 Safety taking a back seat to profits. 12/17/2019 12:57 AM
1480 More stressful. Not as enjoyable 12/17/2019 12:55 AM
1481 10 years ago you were able to get time to 12/17/2019 12:55 AM
do maintenance on the tracks. Now you
always feel rushed
1482 Worse 12/17/2019 12:55 AM
1483 Morale is lower, work quality is lower. In 12/17/2019 12:54 AM
general both management and agreement
employees are less invested in work due
to job instability.
1484 Worse 12/17/2019 12:53 AM
1485 A lot less men and equipment. More 12/17/2019 12:52 AM
contractors. 3 men and a truck take care
of 120+ miles of track.
1486 Less men, more responsibilities, the NS 12/17/2019 12:51 AM
has no interest in their employees well
being or future
1487 I find that safety is no longer the focus 12/17/2019 12:50 AM
when reforming the job. Its about getting
the job done in the least amount of time
using the least amount of resources. Risk
is not mitigated.
1488 Less and less attention is being put on 12/17/2019 12:50 AM
safety. Specifically, to routine
maintenance. Production and employee
reduction is the driving factor with PSR.
The increased train lengths are out of
control. This causes more delays and
issues for train crews as well as safety
issues for the general public.
1489 Poor. Poor attitudes by everyone. 12/17/2019 12:50 AM
Management treats us like we are nothing
more than wiping posts. Not to mention
they furlough us and continue to add
several more managers.
1490 It's a different railroad since hiring in 12/17/2019 12:49 AM
2006. It's more about cutting the workers
throat, the men and women that break
their backs to keep these trains on the
tracks, are threaten for doing silly
things such as poor radio communication
really that's what's going to break this
railroad ?
1491 with PSR derailments are up. there a great 12/17/2019 12:48 AM
concern for safety on system gang. we
work next to adjacent tracks with train
going by all day. a lot of time there's
not enough room to clear by 25 ft so the
EIC slow them to 25 mph still this is a
concern.
1492 Do more with less. Profits before safety 12/17/2019 12:48 AM
1493 I've noticed that the locomotive situation 12/17/2019 12:48 AM
is scary. Even on a Z train, you cannot
count on the Locos being in good
condition. And there is never enough
power available. I worry each trip now
that we will lose a motor and be stuck
sitting, waiting for them to pull an
engine off of another train that is
underpowered. I also fear the state of
our rolling stock, as we do not have
enough people to inspect the cars or work
on them when a defect is found. I've been
told not to bother reporting bad order
cars because they will be ignored if the
wheels haven't actively started to fall
off. I've also been told by MOW that
track conditions are much worse than we
are told. And it can be felt.
1494 About the same, just a few more rules 12/17/2019 12:47 AM
1495 istresses on trains moving and less about 12/17/2019 12:46 AM
potential problems in outbound trains
1496 More unorganized schedule. 12/17/2019 12:46 AM
1497 Much worse 12/17/2019 12:46 AM
1498 They suck, more work expected and less 12/17/2019 12:45 AM
men,
1499 This is by far the worst it has been 12/17/2019 12:43 AM
working for the railroad. We are having
to do so much more with so much less. It
is ridiculous, unsafe and Union Pacific
should be ashamed.
1500 Company more concerned about rules and G55 12/17/2019 12:43 AM
than it is about undersized work force.
1501 Better 12/17/2019 12:42 AM
1502 They have less people doing more work, 12/17/2019 12:38 AM
causing fatigue and low moral.
1503 Not good 12/17/2019 12:38 AM
1504 The railroad wants more done with less men 12/17/2019 12:38 AM
1505 I think that they have worsened over the 12/17/2019 12:38 AM
years. Everyone is constantly looking
over their shoulder, afraid of getting
let go or days in the street. Hard to
focus on safety and productivity when
you're constantly worried about losing
your job
1506 Unsafe and dangerous not only to fellow 12/17/2019 12:37 AM
brothers and sisters but to the
communities and customers we service.
Having cut jobs and less people to
support and back we're now losing
customers to other forms of
transportation I.E. trucking.
1507 I worked as a carman years ago and more 12/17/2019 12:36 AM
recently as a conductor. Before I was
laid off Saftey seemed to me it was
starting to become less important.
1508 Worse. In 2015 when I hired out we didn't 12/17/2019 12:36 AM
have to pay for PPE. Now we have to pay
for things like batteries for
flashlights, causing many employees to
not replace them.
1509 More pressure now to get things done 12/17/2019 12:36 AM
quicker. Less days off with new z
schedule.
1510 Not enough men to do a job. Just putting 12/17/2019 12:36 AM
out fires instead of actually doing a
complete and thorough job of maintaining
track. Sometimes equipment is no where to
be found putting employees at risk of
being over worked and hurt.
1511 They are worse then 5 years ago. No safety 12/17/2019 12:36 AM
what so ever unless it falls back on
employee, then the employee is getting
written up.
1512 morale scraping bottom 12/17/2019 12:34 AM
1513 Unsafe 12/17/2019 12:34 AM
1514 Terrible, way too rushed and safety is 12/17/2019 12:33 AM
looked over in favor of production. Even
FRA violations
1515 The company is only concerned with keeping 12/17/2019 12:32 AM
shareholders happy. The safety and well-
being of the workers is almost non
existent. The people that do the work to
make the railroad run mean nothing
anymore.
1516 Worse 12/17/2019 12:31 AM
1517 Excessive discipline policies contribute 12/17/2019 12:31 AM
to performance anxiety.
1518 Safety has gone out the window, the 12/17/2019 12:31 AM
carrier expects you to do more with less
and you are often times rushed and
encouraged to take short cuts.
1519 Some things better, some worse. 12/17/2019 12:30 AM
1520 Things used to be more laid back and safe 12/17/2019 12:30 AM
with everyone watching out for each
other. Now it's all about how we can get
more done with less
1521 More dangerous, no maintenance being done, 12/17/2019 12:30 AM
threatened of termination for doing the
job right
1522 Hectic. chicken with it's head missing 12/17/2019 12:30 AM
scenario
1523 Unsafe 12/17/2019 12:28 AM
1524 Not nearly as stable, morale is at an all 12/17/2019 12:27 AM
time low, been with CSX almost 20 years,
it's a shame all they wanna do today is
cut jobs and write people up or terminate
them.
1525 Worse they want more production and less 12/17/2019 12:27 AM
quality
1526 Not nearly as good, not enough people to 12/17/2019 12:27 AM
do the work, and we are always rushed on
track time.
1527 We are completely saturated in tasks at 12/17/2019 12:27 AM
work. The work that is happening is being
pressed for time rather than for safety.
There are fewer and fewer people doing
more and more work and we are missing
safety issues left and right. The
railroad has never been a forgiving
workplace. Today it is unbearable.
1528 Work conditions have suffered greatly 12/17/2019 12:27 AM
because of all of the penny pinching
attitudes involved with PSR. It use to be
a good company took care of it's
employees and they would take good care
of the customers, and good profits would
be there. This whole cut everything, and
combining train business is nothing but a
recipe for disaster. Employees hate their
jobs and lose any motivation with the
constant knowledge that their job is
threatened just so the 1 percent of the
company and investors can make a bigger
profit.
1529 Worse. A lot of pressure on the welding 12/17/2019 12:26 AM
side of things concerning Thermite
welding and with PSR there is no time
available to make welds. So short cuts
are needed. Actually, short cuts are
being taken all over not just the welding
side.
1530 More work less workers 12/17/2019 12:26 AM
1531 Reduction of workforce now more the work 12/17/2019 12:25 AM
load is more with less employees is a
result in more accidents. More time away
from families and on the roads and in the
air.
1532 Way less manpower now compared to 10 years 12/17/2019 12:25 AM
ago. A smaller number of men are expected
to do the same work as a lot more men
were 10 years ago. That leads to over
stressed workers, which in turn, is
unsafe.
1533 They expect a lot more out of each 12/17/2019 12:25 AM
employee than they did 10 years ago
forcing employees to rush and take short
cuts
1534 I've been working on the railroad for 8 12/17/2019 12:24 AM
years now and it is by far the best job
I've had, with that being said it has
drastically declines in my opinion in the
last 2 years considering safety, quality
of work, how many hours each of us put
in, actually being appreciated for the
work we do, feeling like it's never
enough all these time!
1535 More about the bottom line every year that 12/17/2019 12:24 AM
goes by. Not about the employees any
more. That's bad business period
1536 Worse 12/17/2019 12:23 AM
1537 Poorly. 12/17/2019 12:22 AM
1538 Safety is for paper work. It goes out the 12/17/2019 12:22 AM
window when there is an emergency
situation
1539 Considerably worse-with the most prominent 12/17/2019 12:19 AM
drop in these last 5 years.
1540 They're worse 12/17/2019 12:18 AM
1541 Worse, having to do work by yourself 12/17/2019 12:16 AM
without a partner.
1542 Better on both 12/17/2019 12:15 AM
1543 Worst now than before 12/17/2019 12:14 AM
1544 Not worried about work just bottom line 12/17/2019 12:14 AM
1545 7 12/17/2019 12:13 AM
1546 Zero 12/17/2019 12:12 AM
1547 Schedules change too much, projects are 12/17/2019 12:12 AM
always changing. It's difficult to keep
up with all the changes.
1548 There are a lot more short cuts. Less time 12/17/2019 12:10 AM
allotted for site set up. Constant
production movement. Maintenance time
almost nonexistent.
1549 The current working conditions are the 12/17/2019 12:10 AM
same but we do a day and a half of work
in one day. Our people are getting
injured but are afraid to claim injury so
they don't get pulled out of service,
hence they do not tell management. The
first thing that happens is an
investigation into what you did wrong,
and then they have spent years having us
sign documents on any issue in which
could occur. ``You signed the paper''
1550 I work for Union Pacific, nothing is ever 12/17/2019 12:10 AM
maintained.
1551 More ripping and running and more stress 12/17/2019 12:09 AM
to me that's pushing safety to the limit
1552 5 plus years ago working conditions were 12/17/2019 12:05 AM
much better than they are today. There
were more people to do the work that now
gets pushed to one person. Now it's
harder to get work done with heavy and
cumbersome parts by yourself. Much is the
same with many craft personnel.
1553 Worse than 5 years ago 12/17/2019 12:05 AM
1554 Less track time. And less time to properly 12/17/2019 12:04 AM
maintain the tracks. I don't see much
difference in working conditions.
1555 A lot less safe. 12/17/2019 12:04 AM
1556 Have decreased so drastically that safety 12/17/2019 12:04 AM
isn't the most important thing the
company cares about it's the
shareholders.
1557 10 years ago if employee was working a 12/17/2019 12:04 AM
floating job it was 10 hour work days 4
days a week. Employee knew when and what
they was working all the time. Now
employees don't no days or hours except
at the most 2 weeks in advance when the
1700 call is made on every other
Thursday. If employees work away from
home on floating jobs it's hard to have
any sort of family time or to plan to go
to the doctor or dentist. There's just no
telling what you will be working from 4
10s to 5 eights or 8 and 6. And let's not
even talk about 9 and 5. Oh don't forget
we might be working starting on Sunday
to. And night shift is rough working in
the dark.
1558 Poor 12/17/2019 12:04 AM
1559 Less favorable 12/17/2019 12:04 AM
1560 Conditions have declined. Repairs aren't 12/17/2019 12:03 AM
being made and reporting issues is
frowned upon if it delays a train
1561 More negative, more close calls due to 12/17/2019 12:03 AM
pressure to achieve more with much less
1562 Safety is awful, the engineers and 12/17/2019 12:02 AM
Conductors are a second thought. And
Communities we run through, 15,000 feet
that's 3 miles one way 6 miles back to
the head. If anything happens we are
screwed.
1563 So sad 12/17/2019 12:02 AM
1564 Unsafe. Short handed 12/17/2019 12:01 AM
1565 Much worse, fatigue is worse, I'm afraid 12/17/2019 12:00 AM
to report safety concerns because of
threats of termination, we are told to
not report or call the FRA or face
discipline. We are working more hours for
less money and constantly harassed about
every little thing.
1566 They are much worse than 20 years ago 12/17/2019 12:00 AM
1567 I see no change for the better 12/17/2019 12:00 AM
1568 Worse 12/16/2019 11:59 PM
1569 Worse, to many cuts 12/16/2019 11:59 PM
1570 Worse 12/16/2019 11:59 PM
1571 Not enough employees 12/16/2019 11:58 PM
1572 More unsafe and worse then they've ever 12/16/2019 11:58 PM
been.
1573 Work conditions have degraded. I work on a 12/16/2019 11:57 PM
SPT. You never know where your going next
or if your working days or nights. You
can't plan anything. You can look at
current injuries and determine that to be
true.
1574 5 years ago the industry standards were 12/16/2019 11:55 PM
more safety focused and the employees had
a voice in that. Today it's easy to see
that the focus is more of a money driven
short gain environment with no regards
for the public and employee alike.
1575 Go 12/16/2019 11:55 PM
1576 Worse 12/16/2019 11:54 PM
1577 On one hand I don't worry about losing my 12/16/2019 11:54 PM
job every day, but on the other the
company is running off lots of business.
1578 Worse company more concern with profit 12/16/2019 11:53 PM
than safety
1579 Declining . . . equipment not being 12/16/2019 11:53 PM
maintained as it should . . . safety
issues not being addressed
1580 Safety is pushed more but budget cutting 12/16/2019 11:51 PM
seems to be the companies main priority
1581 Worse, especially on SPG gangs due to 12/16/2019 11:51 PM
frequent and numerous schedule changes
with s shift to a high percentage of
night work.
1582 Everybody is nervous and looking over they 12/16/2019 11:50 PM
shoulder. Managers follow the carmen
everywhere they go and tell them
everything they do is wrong. And make
them feel like they are dumb and can't do
anything right. We are short handed and
men get forced to work double shifts
continually leaving them stressed out and
untested.
1583 Rail itself has degraded due to them 12/16/2019 11:50 PM
laying of MOW workers, more defects are
being found en route because Carmen
aren't allowed to bad order cars at UP
and work conditions are harsher due to
the attitudes of management with the ``do
what we tell you and ask no questions''
mentality.
1584 Getting worse 12/16/2019 11:50 PM
1585 More unstable, the carrier is not putting 12/16/2019 11:49 PM
enough resources into infrastructure.
Cutting off Carmen is unsafe.
1586 They are worse and don't allow for 12/16/2019 11:49 PM
adequate time to fix the defects needed
to keep trains running without risk of
derailments.
1587 Worse in the last decade. There are less 12/16/2019 11:48 PM
positions available to do the work on the
average section, despite the nature of
the work not changing. There are less big
gangs year over year and less positions
for guys to fill. A super tie gang has a
goal of 2x what a normal one did and only
a percentage more positions to them.
Conversation with supervisors about hours
of service is a constant battle. More and
more training gets piled on without
compensation for having it. Track workers
are getting more and more skilled and are
still paid like common laborers who need
more training to do our jobs. Just
getting materials and tools to do the
work is a battle sometimes now. Feeling
like our every move is watched Amanda
logged makes you feel paranoid that on
little mistake will lose you your job,
because it has been costing people their
jobs.
1588 The work is much faster paced with less 12/16/2019 11:47 PM
men. Unsafe conditions are a every day
Occurrence!
1589 More workload less time to perform work 12/16/2019 11:47 PM
1590 Work conditions have definitely declined 12/16/2019 11:46 PM
1591 Worse 12/16/2019 11:46 PM
1592 Seems to be less organized 12/16/2019 11:45 PM
1593 Not good They want more with less and it's 12/16/2019 11:44 PM
dangerous Not enough workers
1594 Worst I have seen them in 26 years 12/16/2019 11:43 PM
1595 Worse 12/16/2019 11:42 PM
1596 Since I have started 5 years ago a lot 12/16/2019 11:42 PM
much has changed. Lots of labor in
environments from freezing temps to plus
one hundred degrees. Main struggle is low
manpower on projects.
1597 Bad 12/16/2019 11:39 PM
1598 Employee morale is terrible which affects 12/16/2019 11:38 PM
working relationships and overall
performance while working. The pride in
our job is on the decline.
1599 Run trains screw everything else 12/16/2019 11:37 PM
1600 Many more derailments due to lack of car 12/16/2019 11:37 PM
maintenance and cut backs on track
maintenance
1601 Horrible now! 12/16/2019 11:37 PM
1602 Terrible, less safe, more strain on 12/16/2019 11:37 PM
workers who are left
1603 Conditions are slower more delays and 12/16/2019 11:36 PM
unsafe conditions are worse pressure from
company management to do more faster is
horrible
1604 Poorly 12/16/2019 11:36 PM
1605 Longer time away from home, work is done 12/16/2019 11:36 PM
safer though in track programs
1606 I've been at U.P. for 7 years. Work 12/16/2019 11:35 PM
conditions are the worst they've been in
that time.
1607 I feel have not changed much just a 12/16/2019 11:34 PM
typical the railroad comes first and we
come last just the topical cut corners at
the expense of us
1608 Work conditions have changed for the worse- 12/16/2019 11:34 PM
everything feels more rushed. More work
at night and schedules change constantly.
Employees make plans (vacations,
graduations, weddings) months ahead of
time just to have the rug pulled out from
under them last minute. Also, with work
windows feeling so rushed, it makes work
conditions much more dangerous.
1609 Less resources (manpower, materials, 12/16/2019 11:33 PM
vehicles/equipment). Much poorer morale.
Reactive maintenance not preventative.
1610 Not much change. Just less gang work. Lots 12/16/2019 11:33 PM
of workers, getting furloughed longer.
And feel like tracks may not be getting
the attention it needs.
1611 5-7 years. Hurry and get it done 12/16/2019 11:33 PM
1612 managers now have zero know-how to do 12/16/2019 11:32 PM
actual track mtc. they graduate from
college w no background whatsoever in r/r
mtc., or anything railroad related for
that matter. their only concern is $$ and
this trend is climbing the higher layers
of mgt. also not just fls's. This creates
an environment of layers of accountants
whose sole talent is to run a computer
and calculator. no people skills. no
grasp nor care for the difficulty of the
job, the flexibility needed when a track
project is planned and something
unforeseen happens. They explode when
issues are raised that only they can
address. we are labeled as combative if
we raise safety concerns or issues that
they view as contrary to their given
goal. We have never been so understaffed
with the same productivity expectations.
our workforce has very little stability
and we are expected to travel extended
distances without hotel or expenses since
mobile division jobs are becoming extinct
due to budgetary expectations. when we
are put on expense sheet for detached
work our individual expenses are
microanalyzed and either denied or so
slowly paid that months go by before
payment is authorized. once stable
machine operator jobs are not year round
anymore forcing employees to work
extended distances away from home.
managers side step labor agreement on
nearly a daily basis using their favorite
people to run equipment rather than by
seniority. favoritism is rampant and
manager's favorite employees get hotel,
expenses paid w no questions, get prime
OT and machine offers ahead of senior
employees. Managers used to be the #1
person who KNEW how to do any given job.
They had gobs of r/r mtc experience prior
to becoming a manager. they stayed and
assisted at derailments. they were onsite
at any big planned project (sw install,
etc). We have clueless managers whose
bosses are also clueless, and their boss
is also clueless. they are in charge of
workgroup who have many newer employees
whose training is computer based w no
real training benefit to the employee who
loses their certification to operate
equipment or drive a truck if they don't
pass CBT course of zero actual value by
percent80 min. Everything and I mean
EVERYTHING is $$ budget driven. Need PPE?
lets see if there's enough $ in the
budget to order some this month. Sorry.
we needed a new frog so this months
budget is shot. just keep using what you
got till I can order some PPE next month.
Today's managers either work from home
and are seldom seen on their territory
unless bigwigs are nearby or someone's in
trouble and requires piss testing. Many
rarely leave their offices because they
know nothing about how to maintain track.
IT HAS NEVER BEEN SADDER.
1613 Worse. I feel unsafe on longer trains, 12/16/2019 11:32 PM
that are mixed freight. Many factors on
this.
1614 10 yrs ago at least there was enough 12/16/2019 11:32 PM
people to get the work done by rail
workers. Now if contractors have to be
there to help with every large job
equipment wise. They cut the grass where
we once did. They clean out the switches
which we once did. They are cutting us so
small so we have no voice.
1615 Less forces, I know a guy who is a track 12/16/2019 11:32 PM
inspector and has to do the work were he
finds defects as to positions don't get
backfilled
1616 The stresses I see in the workers around 12/16/2019 11:31 PM
me is palpable. Motors are going without
repair, trains are expected to get to
their destination on time (even though
the workers have twice the amount of work
and no added benefits). I have watched
the railroad for close to 30 years. This
is the worst I have seen morale. You will
soon be (if you haven't already) lose
your best workers and have nothing left
but the people who can't hold another
position somewhere else. We all know
which workers I refer to. Just the last 5
years alone I have seen workers
completely losing their sense of worth at
this job and their sense of
accomplishment.
1617 There's no comparison, the railroad I 12/16/2019 11:31 PM
hired on with in the year 2000 was much
better than what we're forced to work
with today. Corporate greed has taken the
place of safety and morale is at an all
time low
1618 Worse than ever. 12/16/2019 11:30 PM
1619 Understaffed over worked under paid 12/16/2019 11:30 PM
1620 The company seems more concerned about 12/16/2019 11:30 PM
money. They change rules so much for the
benefit of money that nobody knows if
they're doing anything right or not or if
it's even safe.
1621 8 years ago it was easier to tell when you 12/16/2019 11:29 PM
where going to work. and you could
actually make it to your destination most
of the time
1622 Work conditions have deteriorated and are 12/16/2019 11:29 PM
I believe at an all new low point in my
career.
1623 Conditions are worse we are expected to do 12/16/2019 11:28 PM
more with less. We are always looking
over our shoulder more now then 10 yrs
ago
1624 No comparison! I have had my schedule 12/16/2019 11:27 PM
changed three times this year. Before
that I hadn't had 3 schedule changes in
10 years. It never changes for the
better.
1625 10 Maintenance of Way workers for 200 12/16/2019 11:27 PM
miles of track and 4 yards. Now only 6
Maintenance of Way workers. 5 to 15 years
ago.
1626 I have been at the railroad a little over 12/16/2019 11:27 PM
2 years and have seen the conditions
decline considerably in that short amount
of time.
1627 being told what not to inspect, even if 12/16/2019 11:26 PM
the defect is FRA
1628 Much worse than 15 years ago 12/16/2019 11:25 PM
1629 Significantly worse 12/16/2019 11:25 PM
1630 Weather has effected days lost in work 12/16/2019 11:24 PM
1631 Less man power and more work. The rail and 12/16/2019 11:24 PM
tie focus has been on core routes. Head
count cuts have been on branch lines.
Leading to chasing defects instead of
having time to fix them before they
become a problem.
1632 It's more about moving longer, heavier 12/16/2019 11:22 PM
trains today, than in the past. Instead
of moving customer's freight when they
receive it, they hold it until they are
ready to run it.
1633 I am seeing a lot more preaching of safety 12/16/2019 11:21 PM
and less of practicing safety
1634 Worse 12/16/2019 11:21 PM
1635 We have less people doing more work in 12/16/2019 11:20 PM
less time over a wider area. We boast
about safety but managers tell us to cut
corners to get more done with less in
order to make things look good on paper.
In turn this harms safety.
1636 Not even close to 5 years, and 20 years 12/16/2019 11:20 PM
ago we were still railroading. Decisions
on material, work and number of employees
have all took a loss. We are flying by
the seat of our pants and not repairing
correctly.
1637 Federal rules are better due to rest 12/16/2019 11:19 PM
issues but fatigue continues to be a
major problem.
1638 Generally less safe. Production over 12/16/2019 11:19 PM
protection now
1639 Way less safety and depressing, morale is 12/16/2019 11:19 PM
horrible, this company does not care
about here employees until they are hurt
or killed.
1640 More production with less people 12/16/2019 11:19 PM
1641 not even close PSR is just another way of 12/16/2019 11:19 PM
applying pressure to everybody to perform
or you will lose your job
1642 We are running longer trains with fewer 12/16/2019 11:18 PM
employees. Taking its toll mentally and
physically on anyone left to run trains.
1643 1. more ``company policies' (attendance 12/16/2019 11:18 PM
policy) 2. seems unorganized regarding
working hours
1644 Safety is out of the question it's do the 12/16/2019 11:18 PM
work or else!
1645 Much worse. Morale is nonexistent. 12/16/2019 11:17 PM
1646 Way more push from management to hurry 12/16/2019 11:17 PM
workers around to get more done while
putting it on employees to get more done
while not going over 8 to 12 hours.
1647 We're doing more with less people, were 12/16/2019 11:16 PM
being intimidated to work faster and not
turn in defects and if we do we expect to
be written up for some BS
1648 fewer trains, less jobs, more work on 12/16/2019 11:16 PM
locals and yard jobs with impossible
schedules
1649 Production over safety. They don't treat 12/16/2019 11:16 PM
their employees that great anymore. Took
a day off away from us, as if us
employees aren't away from their families
enough. It causes wear and tear. Really
burns you out. We used to get more safety
meetings with meals, which would help
with morale, but that's rare now too.
They just keep taking and wanting more
out of you. It's not the great company to
work for like it used to be. Every
employee I know feels unappreciated and
would not recommend this job to others.
Its sad.
1650 Everything is rushed today! 12/16/2019 11:16 PM
1651 Much worse 12/16/2019 11:16 PM
1652 Defects including FRA defects being ran 12/16/2019 11:16 PM
local management to keep upper management
happy. Unsafe
1653 Deplorable...Hunter Harrison should be 12/16/2019 11:15 PM
burning to a crisp in hell.
1654 Total breakdown. It's absolutely nothing 12/16/2019 11:14 PM
like it was 10 years ago.
1655 Honestly conditions are a lot worse. Years 12/16/2019 11:14 PM
ago you felt like a person, now you feel
like a number. Employees basically live
to work now. They have no personal life
like they used to. Employees are told
this holiday season no vacation is
allowed regardless if it was scheduled
and approved already or not. Put all of
that together and employees morale is way
low which makes them not want to do any
extra and everyone suffers. The company
suffers, the customer suffers, fellow
employees suffer and the family's at home
suffer. PSR might be good for
stockholders but for the people at the
ballast line it's done good.
1656 Less people 12/16/2019 11:14 PM
1657 Fewer men and garbage equipment. The 12/16/2019 11:14 PM
contractors that are crawling all over
the place operate with better stuff.
Manager's cannot be trusted either.
1658 They are better 12/16/2019 11:14 PM
1659 Terrible. Production over safety. 12/16/2019 11:13 PM
1660 Much worse. There has been a steady 12/16/2019 11:13 PM
decline.
1661 Unethical towards the employees and the 12/16/2019 11:13 PM
customers. Customers are not of any
importance and neither are the employees
in the carriers eyes
1662 Horrible . . . no self investment in yards 12/16/2019 11:12 PM
treat workers with no respect. All about
the train schedule and not a safe work
environment
1663 Work conditions have dramatically changed 12/16/2019 11:12 PM
over the course of the last 5 years.
Familiarization of yards, industries,
main line, and industrial leads used to
be something that was taken seriously.
Over the course of the implementation of
PSR the carrier has had a shift of
concern. Familiarization of workplaces
and the practices that go along with said
workplaces is absent. Unfamiliar
territory is a recipe for disaster and
the lack of manpower places many more
individuals in unfamiliar positions. The
term ``pilot'' used to be a saving grace
for someone working territory they've
either never traversed or haven't been on
in decades. ``Pilot'' seems to be a thing
of the past where I perform my service.
The carrier expects everyone, familiar or
not, to provide top notch service as if
they traverse said territory on a daily
basis. Lack of performance due to lack of
training is affecting our employment. All
in the name of profits.
1664 It's been bad since I started here in 2015 12/16/2019 11:12 PM
but it's got worse
1665 About same 12/16/2019 11:11 PM
1666 Safety has gone out the window Threatened 12/16/2019 11:11 PM
to do more work with less people.
1667 Worst 12/16/2019 11:10 PM
1668 They keep getting worse. Very contract we 12/16/2019 11:10 PM
take losses, we've lost shop work left
and right to outside vendors when our
quality has already been proven to be
better.
1669 The work conditions are worse and the 12/16/2019 11:09 PM
safety has been put aside.
1670 Less than two years on the rail road, but 12/16/2019 11:08 PM
from what I have learned from old heads,
the work environment has become much more
strict and tense.
1671 Not worried about safety just the bottom 12/16/2019 11:08 PM
line
1672 Feels to be more carelessness of the 12/16/2019 11:08 PM
management in regards to safety and
concern for employees. This do more with
less philosophy makes it feel like
everything is being held together with
hopes and dreams it's going to work.
1673 It has changed from a safety first 12/16/2019 11:08 PM
environment to production first
1674 Short handed made to cut corners to keep 12/16/2019 11:06 PM
trains running
1675 We are asked to do more for less . Less 12/16/2019 11:06 PM
time less help less everything
1676 Safety has increased, but morale has 12/16/2019 11:05 PM
decreased.
1677 They are much more unsafe than 5 years ago 12/16/2019 11:04 PM
and that applies to 10-20 years ago as
well
1678 Not as safe 12/16/2019 11:04 PM
1679 No, Saftey is just a word that can be 12/16/2019 11:04 PM
forgone with a set of management
initials.
1680 5 years The same old back staving and 12/16/2019 11:04 PM
luring to us 10-20 years A little better
but still treat MOFW bad
1681 From 15 years ago things have gotten worse 12/16/2019 11:04 PM
overall in all categories.
1682 Better but still not sufficient enough. 12/16/2019 11:03 PM
Upper management still pushes in safe
conditions
1683 Good 12/16/2019 11:02 PM
1684 Sucks under staffed more contractors more 12/16/2019 11:02 PM
worried our record profits then us fixing
things right.
1685 Worse 12/16/2019 11:00 PM
1686 Work conditions are horrible, train line 12/16/2019 11:00 PM
ups are all over the place. We preach
safety, but I have seen more accidents in
the last year than my time on the
railroad.
1687 Worse 12/16/2019 11:00 PM
1688 Doing the same work w/less people 12/16/2019 10:59 PM
1689 Same 12/16/2019 10:59 PM
1690 Everything now is timed. Rush rush rush 12/16/2019 10:59 PM
1691 It is really actually safer then it was 20 12/16/2019 10:58 PM
years ago
1692 6 years Seniority can't hold anywhere, 12/16/2019 10:57 PM
they cut so thin they're running us into
the ground
1693 Debt is up, safety is down, customer 12/16/2019 10:57 PM
service is down, management lies about
numbers to make metrics appear better
than reality.
1694 Safety issues are in the rise. Skeleton 12/16/2019 10:57 PM
crews leaving not very many rested crews
at home. Length and weight of trains is a
major safety issues for the public.
1695 More contractors less overtime 12/16/2019 10:57 PM
1696 Poor 12/16/2019 10:56 PM
1697 There is a serious lack of leadership and 12/16/2019 10:56 PM
absolutely no communication between
crafts. Going to do a simple task now is
almost impossible.
1698 Less manpower with more work at the 12/16/2019 10:56 PM
district levels. Not enough people to do
the work at a local day to day level.
Reduced Manpower has been the answer to
driving up stock prices yet the local
territories have the same issues as
before just less people to address them.
It definitely saved money and has made
stockholders more and more money while it
has degraded quality of life for the
people on the district levels.
1699 Worse than 10 years ago. Shorter boards so 12/16/2019 10:56 PM
less home time and less rest. 14000 foot
long trains are terrible and dangerous.
Being a conductor at the end of 14000
feet with a hand held radio that my
engineer cannot hear because I am so far
away.
1700 been laid off due to cutting of jobs and 12/16/2019 10:55 PM
making money for upper executives
1701 Safety man hours are an issue. The same 12/16/2019 10:55 PM
work is expected with lesser manpower. An
extra gang that used to have 6 heads, now
has 4. Much more driving required also
because lots of gangs have been cut off.
Moral is at a all time low which affects
the safety of the workers.
1702 Big change now with PSR, longer trains, 12/16/2019 10:55 PM
getting on/off moving equipment, lot of
job cuts.
1703 Conditions are about the same for 5 years 12/16/2019 10:55 PM
ago now 10-20 years ago we seem to be
better but less employees by far. This
creates more pressure on those of us
today to get the job done
1704 Due to unforgiving and unreasonable layoff 12/16/2019 10:55 PM
policies combined with the more
unpredictable than ever schedule, I go to
work exhausted and sleep deprived more
often than 10 years ago.
1705 Need more manpower 12/16/2019 10:55 PM
1706 Inconsistent line ups. Unsure when you're 12/16/2019 10:55 PM
going to work. Lack of management for
questions about work. Holding you until
the Las minutes and then expecting you to
rush to get everything done before the
hours of service.
1707 I work a LOT more overtime because we lack 12/16/2019 10:54 PM
personnel. I have 16 years on the
railroad and each year we have fewer and
fewer people. Yes, I answer my phone and
that is my choice. But so often I feel
like if I don't go, then nobody will go.
Often times there is just me and one
other guy to make the off-hours repairs.
1708 Terrible. You used to have regular jobs 12/16/2019 10:54 PM
and other things to look forward to as
your seniority grew. Now there is nothing
but asinine rules and officials using
everything in their arsenal to try and
fire you.
1709 the General morale of the workforce is 12/16/2019 10:54 PM
down. Going from working 1 direction into
7, being ``qualified'' on over 1000 miles
of track is ridiculous. It's like being
``ok'' and numerous things instead of
being an expert at one.
1710 More work less people . . . unsafe 12/16/2019 10:54 PM
1711 10 to 20 years. Well less people to do the 12/16/2019 10:52 PM
same amount of work. Getting into the
gray areas of safety constantly now.
Workers are over worked due too the
overtime they work now vs 20 years ago.
1712 Lower man counts, stricter schedules, 12/16/2019 10:51 PM
spend 5 dollars to save 1
1713 More work, less guys to do it and less 12/16/2019 10:51 PM
time to get the work done
1714 Much worse. We're pushed harder with 12/16/2019 10:51 PM
smaller crews and no support. The budget
crunch is so bad that we can't even get
safety gear in a timely manner.
1715 Production over safety 12/16/2019 10:51 PM
1716 Horrible the operating practices and rule 12/16/2019 10:51 PM
breaking to try and make PSR work have us
breaking the rules all the time to keep
up with a schedule that is a joke
1717 It's more stressful. If not performing 12/16/2019 10:51 PM
fast enough you feel threatened. Feel
like job security isn't what it used to
be and they will fire or charge you with
bogus charges just to send you home until
a final determination is made.
1718 Worse 12/16/2019 10:51 PM
1719 No regard to safety anymore 12/16/2019 10:51 PM
1720 Boards are understaffed causing less rest 12/16/2019 10:50 PM
time between trips. Extra boards are
understaffed causing more dropped turns
and unpredictable call times. Call times
could be moved up 12+ hours at times,
causing unpreparedness for work shifts
and added fatigue.
1721 Safety is being replaced by being clear on 12/16/2019 10:50 PM
time.
1722 I'm on a structures/bridge crew. 5 years 12/16/2019 10:50 PM
ago we had 7-8 man gangs. Today most
crews have 3 or 4 man gangs trying to
handle the maintenance and new
construction. It's impossible in some
aspects. When trying to obey the safety
guidelines and laws, some crews cannot
perform a rescue of a fallen victim just
because there isn't the manpower
available that is required to perform it
properly. Thus leaving us to either
combine gangs and lose production, or the
railroad decides to bring in contractors
who don't follow the same safety rules
that we are required to.
1723 Everything is cut down to the bone. We are 12/16/2019 10:50 PM
expected to do more with less help.
Doesn't feel as safe anymore. Car
inspectors cut. Mechanical forces cut.
Track personnel cut. Feel like it's only
a matter of time before something bad
happens.
1724 Terribly. Morale is so low and everyone is 12/16/2019 10:49 PM
worried if they will have a career in the
next 5 years
1725 Less focus on safety from the company, 12/16/2019 10:48 PM
almost never have safety meetings.
1726 Worst 12/16/2019 10:48 PM
1727 Worse for me. I don't know if I am gonna 12/16/2019 10:47 PM
have a job from day to day
1728 Not completely horrible but I feel that it 12/16/2019 10:47 PM
is heading in the wrong direction.
1729 Safety is only a concern when it allows 12/16/2019 10:47 PM
managers to take you out of service and
it does no affect train movement.
1730 Longer hours, unpredictable work rest 12/16/2019 10:47 PM
schedule
1731 Poor morale from all workers. Mind is not 12/16/2019 10:47 PM
on task at hand.
1732 Worse than ever before, Norfolk Southern 12/16/2019 10:47 PM
is ordering crews to depart trains
without proper PSI on rear of train, no
concern for safety!
1733 Seems more rushed now versus the past 12/16/2019 10:47 PM
1734 We are going backwards. Repairs are being 12/16/2019 10:46 PM
put on the back burner by management. FRA
rules are not followed by management
1735 Unpredictable and cost the bottom line on 12/16/2019 10:46 PM
my take home pay
1736 They are unsafe and forced to work outside 12/16/2019 10:46 PM
of the rules. Short handed and fatigued.
1737 All in all my working conditions are good 12/16/2019 10:45 PM
but I'm on a surfacing gang.
1738 Less jobs not enough people to do the job 12/16/2019 10:45 PM
1739 Morale is down I work more and away from 12/16/2019 10:45 PM
home more now they I ever was. Safety is
no longer a concern I'm just glad to come
home alive considering the working
conditions now
1740 A lot more rushing and less time given to 12/16/2019 10:44 PM
do the work.
1741 Workforce cut in almost half on division 12/16/2019 10:44 PM
where I work.
1742 Less men doing the same job. Putting 12/16/2019 10:43 PM
stress around home
1743 Worse 12/16/2019 10:43 PM
1744 Pressured to do more with less people and 12/16/2019 10:42 PM
equipment. Safety only matters when
someone gets hurt and it looks bad on the
company.
1745 Safer but less productive. Efficiency is 12/16/2019 10:42 PM
lagging and production is decreased due
to reduced workforce numbers.
1746 I have noticed a drastic shift away from 12/16/2019 10:41 PM
safety and towards production/profit in
the 5 years I've been on the railroad
1747 Much worse. Feel like a criminal in my own 12/16/2019 10:41 PM
job.
1748 Manpower has declined significantly, 12/16/2019 10:41 PM
windows are shorter and though there
isn't always a direct push to complete
work within the shorter time frames, the
MOW workers know that if they do not
complete their work in those smaller
windows that they will have to complete
it on weekends or holidays or the work
will be completed by contractors. There
as been an incline in contractor even
though the companies have cut back on
manpower. The attitudes of the MOW
workers has become bitter and hopeless
believing it is only a matter of time
before they lose their families
livelihoods.
1749 Worse. Safety has definitely taken a 12/16/2019 10:41 PM
backseat to continuous record profits
1750 Working conditions are the same as 10 12/16/2019 10:40 PM
years ago. Management just smiles now
when they attempt to pull you out of
service. Sending letters and verbal
discipline is the new way
1751 worse 12/16/2019 10:40 PM
1752 Work conditions have degraded considerably 12/16/2019 10:40 PM
over the past 5 years.
1753 Worse, I used to enjoy traveling out to 12/16/2019 10:40 PM
work. Now it seems we are working more
with less time off and everyone is more
disgruntled.
1754 5 years ago you could hold a job work was 12/16/2019 10:40 PM
going good. Now they have cut so many
jobs there are so many people at home
without jobs
1755 Worse less man power and less material to 12/16/2019 10:39 PM
work with
1756 10 times worse. We are harassed after 12/16/2019 10:39 PM
marking off for medical appointments and
also penalized even with a medical
excuse. CSX
1757 Dispatcher will not allow us as much time. 12/16/2019 10:39 PM
I feel rushed in fulfilling my duties.
1758 N/A 12/16/2019 10:39 PM
1759 Same or more work to be done with less 12/16/2019 10:39 PM
crew members and fewer yard and utility
personnel.
1760 The company wants work done faster with 12/16/2019 10:39 PM
less.
1761 They are much more strenuous and the 12/16/2019 10:38 PM
changes in work ours because of the PSR
model is very dangerous. Working at night
with heavy machinery is very very
dangerous.
1762 Absolutely horrible! Safety went right out 12/16/2019 10:38 PM
the window FAST! Fatigue is at an all
time high and morale is at an all time
low.
1763 Terrible 12/16/2019 10:38 PM
1764 They are similar, though we are asked to 12/16/2019 10:37 PM
do more with less.
1765 Worse. Seems everything is done at night. 12/16/2019 10:35 PM
Regardless of what we are told this is
more dangerous and the quality of the
work suffers.
1766 Work conditions are the same 12/16/2019 10:35 PM
1767 Rush rush rush 12/16/2019 10:34 PM
1768 More stressful definitely worried about my 12/16/2019 10:33 PM
job.
1769 Much worse, toxic environment. FLS only 12/16/2019 10:33 PM
want to fire the workers. Gotta have a
bonus based off of number of
investigations? Cover up work injuries.
1770 Work conditions have deteriorated greatly. 12/16/2019 10:33 PM
There is no ``light at the end of the
tunnel'' so to speak anymore. Your
seniority means nothing in regards to
railroads consolidating single direction
pools into one. The so called safety
teams at locations are simply doing the
jobs for make wholes and time of just so
the company can report that they are
lending a hand and staying ahead of
safety issues. This is completely
fabricated. If the company cares about
safety they wouldn't keep lineups updated
so poorly. Typically trains fall back
nearly 6 hours everyday from when they
are due out. That means while you're
rested for the projected time during the
day then your not getting adequate rest
to get on a train at 8pm because you have
been up all day expecting to go to work 6
hours prior. Not to mention working 12-16
hours all night long.
1771 Less man power 12/16/2019 10:32 PM
1772 Worse 12/16/2019 10:32 PM
1773 Worse 12/16/2019 10:31 PM
1774 Poorly 12/16/2019 10:31 PM
1775 Everything is more hurried now. Management 12/16/2019 10:31 PM
culture is toxic. There are way too many
little rules that they try to find
something everyday.
1776 Considerably worse. Workers are forced to 12/16/2019 10:30 PM
do so much more than we used to with
forces that have been cut in half,
sometimes less.
1777 The company has gone to caring less about 12/16/2019 10:30 PM
safety less safety meeting less briefings
less concern completely across the board
for anything with safe practices.
1778 They are garbage 12/16/2019 10:29 PM
1779 Much worse, I have noticed a decrease in 12/16/2019 10:29 PM
safety and more dishonesty from
management about inspections and
operations
1780 Focus is less on safety and more on 12/16/2019 10:29 PM
productivity.
1781 Increasingly worse quality of life. 12/16/2019 10:29 PM
Employees kept in a constant state of
exhaustion.
1782 Worse, expected to do more with less 12/16/2019 10:28 PM
everything.
1783 I do 5 times the amount of work. I never 12/16/2019 10:28 PM
get finished
1784 Less concern on safety and rule compliance 12/16/2019 10:28 PM
more push to do more with less.
1785 My work conditions have considerably 12/16/2019 10:28 PM
become worse. This past year has by far
been the worst I have seen it in the 15
years I have worked as a conductor. The
carriers are not doing enough to staff
boards and call anybody they can find to
fill positions. When I hired out in 2004
the boards weren't great but you could
figure it out within about 6 hours. Now I
have been called 24 hours before I
thought I was going to work. Extremely
hard to be rested for a 12 hour shift.
Also the carriers are running trains very
underpowered. The first snafu and you are
on duty well over your 12 hours.
1786 People use ``safety issues'' to get out of 12/16/2019 10:28 PM
doing work
1787 There is an atmosphere of fear. Nobody 12/16/2019 10:28 PM
feels secure, there is back stabbing,
morale is lower than I have ever seen it
and everybody is afraid for their jobs.
We are doing more in less time and
putting band aids on band aids nothing
ever gets fixed correctly.
1788 Union Pacific has shown its employees over 12/16/2019 10:27 PM
the past 18 years that it cares more for
the executives and stockholders that
production is #1. More production =more
money
1789 Very under staffed, higher safety risks, 12/16/2019 10:27 PM
management pressures to violate safety
regulations to complete work with threats
of contractors will do the work
1790 They ( the carrier) want more work with 12/16/2019 10:26 PM
less people
1791 Absolutely horrible. Morale is an all time 12/16/2019 10:26 PM
low and nobody appreciates anything we do
for them.
1792 Everything is wide open anything goes no 12/16/2019 10:26 PM
worries about the rules.
1793 Safety went from #1 priority to somewhere 12/16/2019 10:26 PM
much lower. Safety is far behind speed
now.
1794 Working conditions are steadily declining 12/16/2019 10:25 PM
primarily because of skeleton crews. The
RR has cut the maintenance department man
count to the point it has became a
hazard.
1795 This is now a job where you have no idea 12/16/2019 10:25 PM
where you stand. Managers check their e-
mails in the morning to see if they are
locked out of their accounts. If they can
log in, they still have a job. Safety has
taken a back seat to train length and
cost cutting. Anytime you report a
problem, the company gives you initials
of someone at a higher pay-grade so you
can violate safety rules for the
company's profit.
1796 Fighting everyday for our jobs now, so 12/16/2019 10:25 PM
uncertain whether I will have a job now.
Stressful.
1797 Worse 12/16/2019 10:25 PM
1798 Worse UNION PACIFIC has lowered our track 12/16/2019 10:24 PM
standards. It's not like we doing a great
job before PSR
1799 Been here 22 years and the least 10 have 12/16/2019 10:24 PM
been horrible
1800 Worse 12/16/2019 10:23 PM
1801 Treated like a number not a human being 12/16/2019 10:22 PM
1802 Safety is no longer a priority unless it's 12/16/2019 10:21 PM
convenient for the carrier. Overall
working conditions have made it to where
guys with 10-15 plus years of service
quit and find other jobs/careers.
1803 They expect a smaller number of employees 12/16/2019 10:20 PM
to do the same amount of work.
1804 we are getting by with broken or worn 12/16/2019 10:20 PM
material and tools not safe by and means
1805 I have only been around for 2 years as a 12/16/2019 10:20 PM
conductor however in that time I've seen
the company turn upside down, literally
everything is way more rushed and the
state of not only our quality of life at
work has begun to diminish but also low
end management. Since it's a downhill
slope I understand but it seems to most
of us at work that the company doesn't
care about employees at all or how they
speak to us or rush us, they just care
about making money. At what point is a
certain amount of profit enough?
1806 They have gotten noticeably worse over the 12/16/2019 10:20 PM
last five years. We are not allocated a
large enough budget to maintain the track
safely, production is all that matters
and without saying it we are pushed to
produce more and more all the time.
1807 They are worse. With all the technology in 12/16/2019 10:19 PM
the cab your attention isn't on the train
anymore.
1808 Don't know. Only have 2 years seniority. 12/16/2019 10:18 PM
1809 180 in the wrong direction 12/16/2019 10:18 PM
1810 Expecting to do more with less time is a 12/16/2019 10:18 PM
huge safety concern. Rules are being
thrown out the window for speed and
expected to cut corners for profit.
1811 Much worse. Half the man power. 12/16/2019 10:18 PM
Overworked. Moral is extremely minimal.
1812 You give them what they want or your 12/16/2019 10:18 PM
reprimanded, or fail efficiency test.
Really your on pins and needles all day.
You push your self to get across
territory or to stay ahead of traffic.
Not enough personnel around to do the
work. They will not do work if it's not
wrote up a FRA defect. No pre
maintenance, just run till defect.
1813 worse more demanding and less safe 12/16/2019 10:17 PM
1814 Production is now more important than 12/16/2019 10:17 PM
safety!
1815 Worse tons of shortcuts 12/16/2019 10:17 PM
1816 More afraid of being able to fully 12/16/2019 10:16 PM
concentrate because of continuous o test
1817 500 percent worse 12/16/2019 10:16 PM
1818 They preach safety but numbers come first 12/16/2019 10:16 PM
1819 5 years ago you could get the track long 12/16/2019 10:15 PM
enough to make a repair. Although we
still get the track it is not as long and
as soon as we get it we are pressured to
hurry and give it back.
1820 Stricter then ever, safety should be 12/16/2019 10:15 PM
number one in your mind but everyone
constantly worries about layoffs or
getting time off for the smallest
infraction.
1821 Far worse 12/16/2019 10:15 PM
1822 I have only been with the company going on 12/16/2019 10:14 PM
8 years but the past two years it has
been multiple cut backs and work
conditions are worse we keep getting
rushed and the new Union Pacific motto is
``do more with less'' so as you can
imagine it's worse and they cut all the
paid safety positions except for a select
few. Tell me they care about safety?
1823 We are just a number @ CSX. Doing more 12/16/2019 10:14 PM
work than ever with half the man power
and threatened daily of possible right up
or cutting of additional workforce
1824 Very different. A lot of budget cuts have 12/16/2019 10:14 PM
been made and I feel a lot have been made
in the area of safety. With safety
facilitator jobs being cut and ordering
proper safety materials.
1825 Much, much, worse 12/16/2019 10:13 PM
1826 You were allowed to get your work done 12/16/2019 10:12 PM
with the safety equipment, tools and
materials than now
1827 Worse. Always feel like management is out 12/16/2019 10:12 PM
to get you.
1828 lack of experience and pride in work from 12/16/2019 10:11 PM
trackmen to management.
1829 Less help with smaller work groups and 12/16/2019 10:11 PM
less time to accomplish task causing a
rushed and overworked work force.
1830 I am a 5 year employee, what I knew as the 12/16/2019 10:11 PM
railroad when I hired in isn't what we
know now as PSR
1831 Horrible 12/16/2019 10:10 PM
1832 We have no foreman, no safety coordinator, 12/16/2019 10:10 PM
they have contractors doing 3 times the
work they used to, half the time our
manager doesn't show up in the morning
and we have no safety meeting. They just
wanting us repairing cars while they run
FRA defects all the time because they
don't want to waste time on a car that's
going to count against there dwell time.
1833 Poorer 12/16/2019 10:09 PM
1834 Not so good lot better 5 yrs ago 12/16/2019 10:09 PM
1835 work conditions are less safe and should 12/16/2019 10:09 PM
be addressed.
1836 Much worse than when I started 12 years 12/16/2019 10:09 PM
1837 It seems as though the longer trains and 12/16/2019 10:08 PM
what appears to be little to no
maintenance on equipment have led to many
more breakdowns and break in twos which
in turn puts employees and the public at
risk.
1838 Working all the time now. Safety is out 12/16/2019 10:08 PM
the window. Instructed to break rules and
take trains that wouldn't pass any legit
inspection
1839 Harder, more stressful. As PSR work is 12/16/2019 10:07 PM
rushed to get finished. 5 years ago the
carrier cared about safety. Now they do
not.
1840 Present day very low to no safety. 12/16/2019 10:06 PM
1841 A lot more contractors and less track and 12/16/2019 10:06 PM
time
1842 Working conditions are more stressful 12/16/2019 10:05 PM
compared to 10 or 20 years ago.
1843 They have gotten far worse, and the micro 12/16/2019 10:05 PM
management schemes have destroyed any and
all moral
1844 Rushed with safety thrown out of the 12/16/2019 10:05 PM
window.
1845 I hired out 5 years ago and I can honestly 12/16/2019 10:04 PM
tell you that this job has gotten scary
since PSR became a way to railroad. We
used to be able to go to work and know
that we were gonna go home intact. Today
I fear going to work. I fear that for my
safety because everything is geared
toward productivity and safety is talked
about but it isn't honestly the first
thing in anyone's mind. Faster is what
you hear and when you say something isn't
safe the management accuses you of not
being willing to comply. They tell you
they will take you out of service even if
you fear for your safety. Rail cars get
jumped into blocked tracks. I have walked
more trains in the last year than I did
my prior years in service combined. The
locomotives we ride while on the road are
louder, older, shake more, and catch on
fire from time to time. The lack track
maintenance has caused more derailments
that they attempt to blame on us rather
than taking the fault and fixing the
issues. They run the boards shorter
causing us to get less rest and work more
often. The job itself is truly becoming
scary
1846 Work expectations exceed manpower. Quality 12/16/2019 10:04 PM
of life is disintegrating. Removal of
carman puts employees and the publics
life in jeopardy. Violation of written
agreements are atrocious.
1847 Work has been less and more potential for 12/16/2019 10:03 PM
injury and railcars don't get serviced
1848 Pretty good still could use improvement 12/16/2019 10:03 PM
1849 It's a lot worse now. They have cut back 12/16/2019 10:03 PM
our work force. And it keeps employees
scared to get laid off it increases
injuries, and stress on us all. most guys
realize us and r families don't matter .
1850 More dangerous. UP will not maintain 12/16/2019 10:03 PM
equipment properly causing increased
danger to employees and the public. KC
hub refuses to replace headlights, ditch
lights, forcing crews to take shortcuts
on air tests, longer trains breaking down
and blocking intersections etc.
1851 We have less people to do the same amount 12/16/2019 10:01 PM
of work. There are foremen and truck
drivers doing the work that should be
done by sectionmen.
1852 Putting a lot of extra work on TEY 12/16/2019 10:01 PM
employees that other crafts done in the
past
1853 There is more travel involved and with 12/16/2019 10:01 PM
that travel sometimes expected to be at
worksite without rest period
1854 Pure crap. Twice the amount of work with a 12/16/2019 10:01 PM
quarter the people.
1855 They are worse. 12/16/2019 10:01 PM
1856 On the outside conditions seem all hunky 12/16/2019 10:01 PM
dory however they are worse. People get
brought in to fill the gap of past people
that have left. New people are just
scurried in to fill the void, but they
are not trained properly.
1857 Work is not getting done 12/16/2019 10:01 PM
1858 Current conditions are dangerous from 12/16/2019 10:00 PM
general maintenance being neglected
1859 Still cutting jobs, do more with less, 12/16/2019 9:59 PM
1860 Much worse. The focus on safety is 12/16/2019 9:59 PM
nonexistent.
1861 Extremely worse, Safety has never been a 12/16/2019 9:58 PM
concern of railroads even though they
pretend it is. Now with PSR safety and
quality of life is at an all time low.
Moral is at its lowest people are being
forced away from there family's with
crews working more than ever before with
still no clue when we're going to work.
This Ron Batory is no doubt being paid
off by the railroads to fill the
corporate greeds agenda and could care
less about the safety and well being of
the workers
1862 Scared for my job, safety is down the 12/16/2019 9:58 PM
drain. And morale is very low.
1863 Tracks and engines are much worse. Moral 12/16/2019 9:58 PM
is at an all time low.
1864 5. Rules are more relaxed 12/16/2019 9:58 PM
1865 I used to like coming to work. Now?. I 12/16/2019 9:57 PM
dread it.
1866 Work conditions have improved quite a bit 12/16/2019 9:56 PM
over the last 20 years with the addition
of more technology as far as tools go,
our upper management how ever has
declined considerably in experience
1867 Less men to do more with less time 12/16/2019 9:55 PM
1868 They've gotten worse. Taken away naps 12/16/2019 9:55 PM
along with totally unreliable train
lineups make staying rested and alert
virtually impossible. But hey, let's do
away with conductors so we stay
competitive.
1869 I can only say for a couple years. I have 12/16/2019 9:55 PM
heard of a few of our fellow brothers
being killed on the railroad. I have seen
in the last year that work is getting
more, and more rushed to keep up with the
demand for these train schedules which
could be associated with higher injuries,
and higher death rates. Plus it looks
like the job sector could start to
deplete due to getting time to repair the
railroad in return jobs would be lost.
1870 I've only been here 2 years, however even 12/16/2019 9:54 PM
in that amount of time, work conditions
are worse then they were even I hired
out.
1871 Feels like the company cuts alit more 12/16/2019 9:54 PM
corners. They don't care about the
customer or the employees. 5 years ago I
felt some sort of safety. But not so much
anymore
1872 They are much worse than when I hired out 12/16/2019 9:53 PM
23 years ago
1873 In the last 5 years it has gotten so 12/16/2019 9:53 PM
unsafe.
1874 It was a lot better 15 years ago. You 12/16/2019 9:53 PM
could get time to fix the track and you
had the men to fix it with.
1875 The time allowed on track has decreased. 12/16/2019 9:53 PM
Resulting in not getting time needed to
resolve issues on track. A lot doing with
track inspectors. Perceived pressure
1876 They do not compare 10 years ago we moved 12/16/2019 9:53 PM
freight and was not trying to run the
small customers off
1877 Drastically worse. More dangerous due to 12/16/2019 9:53 PM
fatigue and being rushed constantly.
Definitely a more hostile work
environment forced on us by management
1878 Hostile and extremely dysfunctional work 12/16/2019 9:52 PM
environment. Supervisors want you to
break rules to get the job done because
we don't have the man power or resources
like we use to.
1879 There is always a shortage of manpower, 12/16/2019 9:52 PM
which requires crews to work longer hours
to cover the next shift putting a
tremendous strain on an already exhausted
crew. Equipment is not being maintained
properly because it cost them more money.
Tracks in our yard are in bad shape. Our
on duty points in the yard which are
small shacks are poorly maintained,
having insect issues and nasty restrooms
are common, managers care little about
these issues. So many issues, I could go
on and on. 5 years ago this was a great
job, in 2019, it's far from ever being a
great job. 14 year employee of CSX.
1880 Very poor 12/16/2019 9:52 PM
1881 Not good. Morale is at all time low. 12/16/2019 9:52 PM
Employee cuts but work load stays the
same. Forced to do more with less help
and materials.
1882 1. Safety, Train length, work events, and 12/16/2019 9:51 PM
type of work events all have increased on
crews. 2. Management overlooks rules for
their benefit then disciplines you for
same rule violation. 3. Cuts in jobs! 4.
Moral of workforce is very low 5. Changes
are being forced or shoved down employees
throats.
1883 There are more rules to comply with that 12/16/2019 9:51 PM
require more track time. Track
maintenance time is limited and often
unavailable. Often there is unrealistic
time allowed to complete job task safely
and then requires employees to take short
cuts and make unsafe decisions or not
finish the task on time.
1884 Overall I know morale of employees has 12/16/2019 9:51 PM
gone down a lot. Which I think causes
more unsafe working conditions.
1885 Terrible, through job cuts and funding 12/16/2019 9:51 PM
held back. There isn't any preventative
maintenance being done, everything is a
mayday due to hours being worked trying
to make operating ratios.
1886 Back in the day the company cared about 12/16/2019 9:51 PM
their employees
1887 Bout the same. Safety is always pushed. 12/16/2019 9:50 PM
1888 Work safety is being ignored. 12/16/2019 9:50 PM
1889 Unsafe 12/16/2019 9:50 PM
1890 Working conditions have declined and are 12/16/2019 9:50 PM
more dangerous than ever before.
1891 Less people doing more work. Also drones 12/16/2019 9:49 PM
overhead auditing people is pretty
ridiculous.
1892 Safety has went down dramatically, company 12/16/2019 9:47 PM
has put it completely in the employees
lap without any responsibility of there
own.
1893 Some of the company rules are stupid and 12/16/2019 9:47 PM
so is some of the FRA rules
1894 Conditions have declined dramatically 12/16/2019 9:46 PM
safety no longer a priority
1895 VERY POOR!!! TERRIBLE!! LAUGHABLE!! 12/16/2019 9:44 PM
UNREALISTIC!! A JOKE!! A NIGHTMARE!!
1896 Younger, less experienced workforce. 12/16/2019 9:44 PM
Management, that has never worked on the
tracks and has no clue how to run a
railroad, or whatever actually need to
work safe.
1897 Absolutely TERRIBLE!!! 12/16/2019 9:44 PM
1898 Management pressures to have things done 12/16/2019 9:43 PM
on ``their time.'' If you follow proper
rules, and procedures, eventually a
manager usually shows up and ask what's
taking so long, or threatens to write you
up for delaying a train! As a Conductor I
don't necessarily blame them directly,
because it' their upper management that
is breathing down their necks, giving
them unrealistic expectations!!! i.e.:
MTO's, DTO's Corridor Managers, all the
way up to the Superintendent! It's
unsafe, completely disrespectful, and not
professional!! No one should be
threatened with discipline for following
FRA, and GCOR mandated rules!!!
1899 2 12/16/2019 9:43 PM
1900 Worked more with less people 12/16/2019 9:42 PM
1901 They are worse. Meaning man power is being 12/16/2019 9:42 PM
cut with more work added to the crews.
1902 Very unstable and stressful 12/16/2019 9:41 PM
1903 Worse 12/16/2019 9:41 PM
1904 Safety is set aside. Keep trains running 12/16/2019 9:40 PM
by whatever means necessary. Man power
cut in half. MOW does not fall under
hours of service so I have worked 24
hours straight without a break.
1905 I believe safety has been the focus for 12/16/2019 9:40 PM
the last 10 years. Although there is a
shift currently that I cannot define. We
put maintenance projects on hold waiting
to be given permission to do what is
right and preventative maintenance is
gone as the railroad would rather see
data then listen to employees about track
maintenance. Geometry cars, aurora tie
scan cars, herzog rail detectors dictate
what we are allowed to do.
1906 Much worse! Trying to do more with 12/16/2019 9:39 PM
incredibly less people. Example: less
maintenance of way employees equals
unsafe maintenance schedules on the rails
and therefore more derails. Less
conductors (furloughs) longer trains and
much worse work rest cycles.
1907 Not good 12/16/2019 9:39 PM
1908 Worse 12/16/2019 9:37 PM
1909 Less manpower and they expect more from us 12/16/2019 9:36 PM
with less.
1910 Poorly 12/16/2019 9:36 PM
1911 Sad. No help, short handed so we have no 12/16/2019 9:36 PM
choice but to beat our self down in order
to complete the task
1912 Worse 12/16/2019 9:36 PM
1913 I started 5 years ago. I'm concerned about 12/16/2019 9:36 PM
job cuts and further loss of work.
1914 The railroad uses less people to attempt 12/16/2019 9:36 PM
to do the same work when we had the
manpower. Threatens to fire you if you
get hurt by over the top rules. When you
can't get it done as fast as they want,
they bring in herds of contractors and
say they saved money.
1915 Worse, and much more unsafe. Train lengths 12/16/2019 9:35 PM
have increased, but the technology to
support such long trains is simply not
available
1916 5years ago with the rules in place I felt 12/16/2019 9:35 PM
safer and not pushed as I do today with
all the roll back rules of 1978
1917 A lot of shortcuts, and more pressure to 12/16/2019 9:35 PM
get work done faster! Its not a good
combination
1918 Generally speaking, conditions have 12/16/2019 9:34 PM
deteriorated compared with conditions
five (5) years ago.
1919 Some better equipment but we do not get 12/16/2019 9:33 PM
treated any better. And now they want to
work us more and give us less time off
with our families
1920 Terrible 12/16/2019 9:33 PM
1921 Worse. Expected to take short cuts in 12/16/2019 9:33 PM
order to get trains out. Safety isn't
good
1922 It's more Stressful then it was 5-20 year 12/16/2019 9:33 PM
ago no one know's where the railroad is
heading
1923 Terrible, I was a carman, now Retired, 12/16/2019 9:32 PM
towards the end there you would Always
get harassed for bad ordering cars, and I
almost got Fired for doing that!
1924 Working conditions have been gone down 12/16/2019 9:32 PM
consistently since PSR has been
implemented. Used to be a big push for
safety, now it's all about how fast can
we build trains. Saftey is no longer a
factor to the carrier
1925 Good 12/16/2019 9:30 PM
1926 BMWE members are no better off than 10 yrs 12/16/2019 9:29 PM
ago.
1927 Working conditions are much worse the past 12/16/2019 9:27 PM
2 years at NS. No regard for safety for
employees or the general public. It keeps
getting worse I wonder how many people's
lives are worth an almighty dollar!
1928 Very questionable practices, carmen and 12/16/2019 9:27 PM
MOW gangs seem overworked. T&E crews
short staffed and working dangerously
fatigued
1929 We are at the worst working conditions 12/16/2019 9:27 PM
including an all-time low moral. Company
does what it wants when it wants without
regards to safety or FRA violations.
1930 Fair 12/16/2019 9:27 PM
1931 I feel there is a lot less responsibility 12/16/2019 9:27 PM
in the workplace from managers and
dispatchers and corridor managers. I have
been around for 7 years with my company.
The pressure is on us to get the train
across the road but we are constantly
under powered and exposed to more than
undesirable work place atmospheres.
Trains are way to big and this not only
affects the conductor that has to walk
them but the public blocked at crossing
for long period of times while we are
moving or blocked because they made yet
another unscheduled stop and did not fit
off crossings.
1932 Safer 12/16/2019 9:27 PM
1933 Conditions are considerably worse. By 12/16/2019 9:25 PM
reducing the workforce to please
shareholders, workers are forced to do
tasks that they are not familiar with and
are not qualified to do. The companies
often overlook the safety aspect of tasks
just to move trains to meet schedules.
Also, the longer trains means that it
takes longer to walk back to fix issues
and blocking towns for longer periods of
time because of length, hindering
emergency crews needing to do their jobs
when time is critical and all routes are
blocked because of a train meet or
breakdown.
1934 Working conditions have deteriorated quite 12/16/2019 9:25 PM
a bit since PSR was implemented.
1935 Worse. So much more focused on 12/16/2019 9:25 PM
stockholders than the ones who do the
work
1936 The workforce is cut in half in months and 12/16/2019 9:25 PM
they still want the same amount of work
1937 Gotten worse 12/16/2019 9:24 PM
1938 Safety to me has seemed to take a back 12/16/2019 9:24 PM
seat now. They are rushing us out the
door in order to keep their numbers in
line. We now have a time restriction when
we must be on our train and have had
managers question what took so long and
why when our train wasn't even here yet.
1939 Unstable 12/16/2019 9:24 PM
1940 Working conditions are getting worse 12/16/2019 9:24 PM
because the railroad is more focused on
saving money instead of keeping
maintenance up around facilities and out
on the track.
1941 About the same. Hadn't really changed much 12/16/2019 9:24 PM
1942 Work conditions remain mostly the same. 12/16/2019 9:23 PM
Except now there are more cameras, and
ever more paper work. I understand the
meaning behind the constant change and
additional forms is to hold workers more
accountable for their own safety. But it
fails to have any true impact on working
conditions or practices.
1943 Not as sage in my opinion 12/16/2019 9:23 PM
1944 Worsening by the day 12/16/2019 9:23 PM
1945 Less people to do more work 12/16/2019 9:23 PM
1946 Worse. Pressure to get things done. 12/16/2019 9:23 PM
Constant heat from dispatch. Constant
pressure from supervision to rush FRA
inspections.
1947 Fast pace, hurry up, let's go! 12/16/2019 9:23 PM
1948 Unsafe, rushed, feel like the company 12/16/2019 9:21 PM
doesn't care about employees.
1949 Worse 12/16/2019 9:20 PM
1950 Everything is in rush mode with projects 12/16/2019 9:20 PM
and work in general from supervision just
get it done fast
1951 Work conditions are a lot worse then they 12/16/2019 9:20 PM
were 5 years ago. You have less people
trying to do the same amount Everyone
worried if they will have a job or not
1952 5 years ago--safety Today--forget safety, 12/16/2019 9:19 PM
now they want productivity
1953 They are asking more from us with less 12/16/2019 9:19 PM
people having us do cross craft things so
they can get rid of more people.
1954 Work conditions have changed due to flip 12/16/2019 9:19 PM
flop in work schedules, unnecessary night
work, is also dangerous
1955 Fewer employees are expected to work 12/16/2019 9:19 PM
longer hours and do more work. Shifts are
longer and more unpredictable.
1956 Massive trains. Running anywhere from 7000 12/16/2019 9:18 PM
to 11000 feet trains on a normal basis.
1957 10 years ago 12/16/2019 9:18 PM
1958 I am conductor going on 14 years. Work 12/16/2019 9:17 PM
conditions are way worse then 5 years
ago. Trains are way longer so you are
exposed to much more of the elements much
longer and physical stress is so much
worse because when a train breaks you are
walking 4 miles to fix it instead of 2.
Also trains break way more frequently
because the equipment is not maintained
like it used to be because of fewer
Carmen and Diesel shop employees. Trains
are way under powered and the power is
not maintained so that you stall out much
more frequently and there for have to do
things like ride a train car for miles
and miles to shove back down the hill in
the clear. This is very dangerous!
Schedules are worse because more trains
breaking mean estimates of train arrivals
are way off so you can't plan your rest.
I don't have the tine to go into it all
but it's frankly a sh*t show.
1959 They are asking for more work in less time 12/16/2019 9:17 PM
with fewer employees, so they are
creating a very stressful work
environment
1960 Worse, crossings need upgrades, track 12/16/2019 9:17 PM
conditions need upgrades as well
1961 The carrier expects everyone to be at 12/16/2019 9:17 PM
work, or away from home at all times.
Crews are constantly exhausted and I've
never seen as many trainmen on FRA
consecutive starts on a constant basis.
1962 Less men, more work 12/16/2019 9:16 PM
1963 Bad 12/16/2019 9:15 PM
1964 I've been here 17 years. Our working 12/16/2019 9:15 PM
conditions no longer revolve around
safety. Safety is not a priority.
Production has now overtaken safety as
the priority on Union Pacific.
1965 We are working on our rest all of the 12/16/2019 9:14 PM
time. The reason for this is the cutting
of jobs.
1966 Same if not better. Better staffing, 12/16/2019 9:13 PM
better equipment, better conditions
overall.
1967 More work less people, it seems it's still 12/16/2019 9:13 PM
only about the dollar. Safety is preached
but ultimately jobs are cut, work is
increased.
1968 More stressful and a higher risk of injury 12/16/2019 9:13 PM
due to the turned blind eye to safety of
engines rail cars and work required to
perform jobs
1969 Considerably more hostile. Impossible to 12/16/2019 9:13 PM
guess work schedule. Doing more work with
less training, less maintenance, less
sleep.
1970 Safer, except for emergencies, then no 12/16/2019 9:12 PM
rules apply
1971 Not enough personnel 12/16/2019 9:12 PM
1972 We are running on bare minimum crews and 12/16/2019 9:12 PM
using minimum material as possible
1973 Morale is at it lowest point since I 12/16/2019 9:11 PM
started in 1998. Since PSR has been
implemented, safety has taken a back seat
to profits!
1974 Horrible 12/16/2019 9:11 PM
1975 I was the new hire five years ago and the 12/16/2019 9:10 PM
biggest concern back then was that
everybody went home at the end of the
shift safely they wanted us to do our job
but it wanted it done safely The
production numbers were a concern but
they were not the only concern like they
are now
1976 5 years ago the same. 10 to 20 years ago 12/16/2019 9:09 PM
it is better
1977 Work conditions are a lot safer because of 12/16/2019 9:09 PM
all that we know
1978 Worst 12/16/2019 9:09 PM
1979 Bad. Real bad. I take medication now that 12/16/2019 9:07 PM
I never had to take.
1980 Same 12/16/2019 9:06 PM
1981 Work conditions continue to degrade as all 12/16/2019 9:06 PM
crews are getting skeletonized.
1982 They have completely made it so unsafe to 12/16/2019 9:06 PM
work safely anymore. The cuts in every
department has made it almost impossible
to check every car or locomotive on the
train completely and up to the FRA
standards. Most trains don't even make it
from point A to point B without breaking
down or some kind of problems.
1983 Worse, doing more with less 12/16/2019 9:06 PM
1984 Not even close we have ten fold more bad 12/16/2019 9:04 PM
order cars and track maintenance is
suffering
1985 Much worse 12/16/2019 9:03 PM
1986 Very pressured to get more work completed 12/16/2019 9:03 PM
in the same amount of time with fewer
guys and equipment.
1987 Rushed and erratic. Smaller windows of 12/16/2019 9:03 PM
time are creating less productive
outcomes. The issue is that production
expectations remain relatively the same.
1988 5, 10, 20 years ago safety issue where 12/16/2019 9:02 PM
taken serious. Today all we hear is we do
not have the money or resources to take
care of the issues. We have cable that
has been laying in the open on ground all
over Union Pacific system. Does seem to
bother anyone.
1989 Hate my job 12/16/2019 9:01 PM
1990 Gone downhill fast 12/16/2019 9:01 PM
1991 Safety is no importance to the railroad 12/16/2019 9:00 PM
anymore all about shareholders and making
billions for themselves
1992 Awful. Worse I have ever seen it. Managers 12/16/2019 9:00 PM
rushing crew to the point that something
is bound to happen soon. Pushing you out
the door before you are even on duty.
1993 Working conditions have depleted 12/16/2019 9:00 PM
drastically in the last five years.
Workers feel rushed, no time to do a job
safely. Also the workers personal safety
has been put on the back burner as if
safety doesn't matter anymore.
1994 Poor. No safety, pushed to hurry and 12/16/2019 9:00 PM
ignore issues
1995 Worse. Profits have been made at the 12/16/2019 8:59 PM
sacrifice of alienating employees and
poor customer service across the systems.
1996 More rushed and hectic 12/16/2019 8:59 PM
1997 Terrible 12/16/2019 8:59 PM
1998 I believe the company is more worried 12/16/2019 8:59 PM
about profits then safety
1999 Good Railroad now 12/16/2019 8:57 PM
2000 A few less men working at each 12/16/2019 8:57 PM
subdivision.
2001 No where near as safety minded as in the 12/16/2019 8:56 PM
past
2002 Still have to work in lightning, 12/16/2019 8:55 PM
thunderstorms Lose money having to abide
by on site reporting
2003 Worse by far. 12/16/2019 8:54 PM
2004 worse 12/16/2019 8:53 PM
2005 More job security 15 years ago compared to 12/16/2019 8:53 PM
today.
2006 Worse. Safety has def suffered in my 10 yr 12/16/2019 8:51 PM
career. Our training is non existent.
Production is the only thing that
matters.
2007 Had more people to help do the same job. 12/16/2019 8:51 PM
Now you have two or 3 man bridge gangs. 5
years ago the same gangs where 5 man
gangs.
2008 Less jobs and less guys working. Forcing 12/16/2019 8:50 PM
more work on less guys and people are
getting tired and not as focused
2009 20 yrs ago work was much better. We worked 12/16/2019 8:50 PM
hard but always up against a 30 day clock
adding stress to our work environment.
Also jobs weren't always being abolished.
2010 Worse now that it's all about moving 12/16/2019 8:50 PM
freight we are rushed to do our jobs
2011 Significantly worse 12/16/2019 8:50 PM
2012 More pressure to do the job with less. 12/16/2019 8:50 PM
That means less personal to do the higher
expectations to complete work in a
smaller amount of time.
2013 The conditions have worsened in the last 2 12/16/2019 8:49 PM
years. Safety is a concern and the amount
time away from home has worsened. This
company was family oriented up until this
big schedule change in the MOW side
2014 We have less employees to carry the work 12/16/2019 8:49 PM
load. Wearing out the guys faster.
2015 Less employees on the maintenance side 12/16/2019 8:49 PM
resulting in higher work loads.
2016 Conditions are worse. The stress level is 12/16/2019 8:49 PM
palpable, especially among front line
managers. This, of course, is transmitted
to T&E employees. The negative/hostile
environment has a detrimental effect on
safety.
2017 They more stressful and uncertainty of 12/16/2019 8:49 PM
future employment ways heavy on the minds
of all. Knowing how much profit is being
made and the continued reduction of
railroad employees being replaced by
contractors
2018 Let's do the 20 years ago. Average train 12/16/2019 8:48 PM
size was just under 6000 feet. There was
less big brother watching every breath
you take, and Engineers knew how to run a
train. Now the trains are up to 3 miles
long. 20k tons and our hands are tied
with regards to how we run these trains.
Between the rules and the lengths you are
lucky to get over the road with no
problems.
2019 We are shorthanded and can not keep up 12/16/2019 8:47 PM
with repairs to the track. To many
repairs are not up to standards but fit
in the budget
2020 Tougher. 12/16/2019 8:47 PM
2021 Let time to work with less manpower. 12/16/2019 8:47 PM
2022 Worse 12/16/2019 8:47 PM
2023 To me, it way worse now than 5, 10, 16 12/16/2019 8:46 PM
years ago! It seems like it gets worse
every day. Never seen so many people laid
off. Gangs cut down, wanting men to do a
2 mans job by themselves. It's like the
rail road could care less about me, and
more about the profits. It's NOT, safety
first.
2024 Rushed 12/16/2019 8:45 PM
2025 Trains have increased in size making 12/16/2019 8:45 PM
communication very difficult. Because of
increased sizes many trains have issues
operating without breakdowns.
2026 Worse, asked to do more with less 12/16/2019 8:44 PM
2027 You have people who have been running 12/16/2019 8:43 PM
equipment for years and now they have to
get out and do track man work and they
aren't in shape for it or just to old to
be doing that strenuous labor
2028 Worse 12/16/2019 8:43 PM
2029 Things are horrible, every day it's 12/16/2019 8:43 PM
tougher and tougher to go to work. You
never know what crazy plan is taking
place at your expense.
2030 Same. RR's talk a good game, but safety 12/16/2019 8:43 PM
always suffers when money is tight.
2031 Much more dangerous fuel to lack of 12/16/2019 8:43 PM
experience in management.
2032 It will be the same 12/16/2019 8:42 PM
2033 Safer--time given to drive safely, plan, 12/16/2019 8:42 PM
recognize hazards and mitigate risk.
2034 Near impossible to get the amount of main 12/16/2019 8:42 PM
line track and time to do quality work.
Everything is a rush rush now.
2035 Well, man power being down (abolishing 12/16/2019 8:41 PM
jobs) and them wanting more production
than how it was 5 years ago. It feels
like someone will get hurt or even kill.
2036 The workforce has been cut so we workers 12/16/2019 8:40 PM
that are still here have to do more with
less
2037 The maintenance of the track is put on the 12/16/2019 8:40 PM
back burner as it causes delays to the
trains. It's all about moving trains
instead of the safety of the employees
and public.
2038 There is no safety program. Don't have a 12/16/2019 8:40 PM
choice of schedule or working conditions.
Now it's do it or be fired. No family
life.!
2039 I work system bridge and have noticed no 12/16/2019 8:40 PM
difference in the amount of actual track
time
2040 Not as safe, meaning that safer measures 12/16/2019 8:39 PM
are placed or removed in order to get the
job done. Less workers force more work on
an already strained employee
2041 15 years ago when I started safety was 12/16/2019 8:39 PM
everything. I can't even get a pair of
insulated gloves
2042 We are rushed to perform duties. With fear 12/16/2019 8:39 PM
of being fired.
2043 More contractors now then five years ago! 12/16/2019 8:38 PM
And this year UP took away a day now we
work 8/6 was 8on 7 off!
2044 Things have gone down hill dramatically in 12/16/2019 8:38 PM
my case I'm now covering an additional 40
track miles and another yard as the only
arc welder on a 100 track mile territory
2045 Very understaffed now in comparison. Mgmt 12/16/2019 8:38 PM
has made not filling relief for those
absent/vacations, etc standard operating
procedure in addition further aggravating
an already difficult situation. Window
size and project plans stay the same
putting pressure on employees working.
2046 They don't compare 12/16/2019 8:37 PM
2047 Leans more towards rapid production over 12/16/2019 8:36 PM
safety quality more and more each year.
2048 Working conditions are worst 12/16/2019 8:36 PM
2049 I have 12 yrs in and it has affected 12/16/2019 8:35 PM
morale, safety a lot
2050 They are worse out here, we are told that 12/16/2019 8:35 PM
they care about us as employees, but we
all know they only care about the bottom
dollar. We are pretty much doing more
with less.
2051 The conditions at the company are horrible 12/16/2019 8:35 PM
compared to 15 years ago, no maintenance
on equipment or track or cars. It's just
a matter of time till another
catastrophe.
2052 They suck. A lot of layoffs. Hard to 12/16/2019 8:35 PM
provide for your family when you never
know when your last or next check will be
2053 Much worse. I was able to work regularly 5 12/16/2019 8:34 PM
years ago and now I am an extraboard man
with no end of it in sight.
2054 ANYTHING to get the job done. 12/16/2019 8:34 PM
2055 Working conditions have worsened over the 12/16/2019 8:34 PM
last 10 years but have gotten
increasingly bad over the last five
years.
2056 Considerably worse 12/16/2019 8:33 PM
2057 no work schedule, everything is on the 12/16/2019 8:32 PM
fly, lineups are off as much as 12 hours
or more. trains are longer and radios do
not reach the rear. bad morale all the
way around, fewer people with more work
2058 Trains are twice as big, power isn't being 12/16/2019 8:32 PM
maintained. Trains are being built
illegally but the train list doesn't show
the proper cars so you have to roll your
train out to find it. Man powers been cut
back to bare minimum
2059 Much Better, And Much Safer Now, Than 12/16/2019 8:32 PM
10trs ago
2060 Less than one year on the job. 12/16/2019 8:32 PM
2061 not as safe as they were. 12/16/2019 8:31 PM
2062 I have been BNSF 28 years work conditions 12/16/2019 8:31 PM
are about the same safety is better but
more contracting out
2063 Working conditions, have been steadily 12/16/2019 8:31 PM
decreased over the last five years that I
have been with the railroad, fewer jobs.
Noticeably few jobs, which affect work in
so many aspects. Family, Health, Cost of
living. Traveling farther, just to be
able to work, & with out ability to be
compensated from being so far from home.
The Co.'s fond loop holes not to pay
mileage, & per diem. Wether it be posting
jobs as far as New Mexico on
Headquartered pay, & if you as an
individual don't bid the position, then
you forfeit the per diem. Which isn't
enough as it is.
2064 Horrible they expect not only the same 12/16/2019 8:31 PM
amount of work but more with less and
less people and equipment In certain
areas there is so much to be done you
have to work ungodly amounts of overtime
and weekends and get no family time. It's
like there's no end in sight with
everything and PST on top of it.
2065 We are ``rapid responders'' chasing fires 12/16/2019 8:30 PM
so to speak. No preventative maintenance.
No time with the lack of man power.
2066 100 percent worse. 12/16/2019 8:30 PM
2067 Bad 12/16/2019 8:29 PM
2068 I started 2015. Bet when I came in it was 12/16/2019 8:29 PM
so much better. It was very professional.
Now wow. We are like prisoners. If you
speak you're like in prison. Management
uses it powers against by cutting gangs
2069 More work piled onto less people. Each 12/16/2019 8:28 PM
craft person that is furloughed has their
work piled onto the conductors.
2070 Condition are worse. They keep down sizing 12/16/2019 8:28 PM
our manpower. They want backhoe operators
to drive a dump truck to haul material
and the backhoe. That should be 3 jobs
not one.
2071 Longer hours, less time off, almost zero 12/16/2019 8:28 PM
home life
2072 12 years of service and PSR has caused 12/16/2019 8:27 PM
more stress and more pressure to do more
work with less help and tools.
2073 Less stability and feel less valued. 12/16/2019 8:27 PM
Company is showing its employees are less
valued than ever.
2074 Different not enough man power equipment, 12/16/2019 8:27 PM
material and trucks
2075 Work force slashed dramatically, feel as 12/16/2019 8:26 PM
if they still want the same amount of
work done with less people
2076 People have less of an understanding of 12/16/2019 8:26 PM
the job, training is lacking, management
has no clue and screws more up than they
help. Very young workforce.
2077 Things are not as loose. however safety is 12/16/2019 8:26 PM
not a concern.
2078 In 2006 everything was safety, and how to 12/16/2019 8:26 PM
bring everyone home safe. 2019 safety has
taken a back seat to train velocity.
2079 More pressure and less time to get work 12/16/2019 8:25 PM
done.
2080 The amount of demanded work has increased 12/16/2019 8:23 PM
while they have steadily decreased the
amount of manpower to do the work safely.
The treatment of employees as simple
replaceable ``serial numbers'' has led to
what many would consider a hostile
workplace.
2081 Shitty 12/16/2019 8:23 PM
2082 Everything revolves around production 12/16/2019 8:23 PM
2083 Considerably worse all the company thinks 12/16/2019 8:23 PM
about is how they can make money, less
people and more work.
2084 Prison camp labor 12/16/2019 8:23 PM
2085 A lot worse. 12/16/2019 8:23 PM
2086 We are being pushed harder and safety in 12/16/2019 8:22 PM
not as important as it once was. Much
easier to get fired for stupid stuff and
call it conduct un becoming or failure to
comply. Company does not know how to
properly manage crews as the key word is
we will just consolidate or cut out pool
or extra board spots. Then there is the
talk about 1 man crews what a joke and
laughing stock this company and the
railroad has become.
2087 Suck 12/16/2019 8:22 PM
2088 They have changed 12/16/2019 8:21 PM
2089 There is no general maintenance any more 12/16/2019 8:20 PM
for track sections the track inspectors
put a 213 9 b on a defect and when it is
about to expire the section will do what
is needed to get the defect repaired
2090 Work conditions have severely are steadily 12/16/2019 8:20 PM
deteriorated in the last 10-20 years even
more so the last 5. The constant rush,
the overlooking of rules and the
diminished time we are given to safely
run our trains.
2091 Safety processes eroded over time 12/16/2019 8:20 PM
especially in the last 2 years and
conditions are eroding with them.
2092 Worse 12/16/2019 8:18 PM
2093 I was furloughed in July because of PSR. 12/16/2019 8:17 PM
2094 It seems safety has went out the window. 12/16/2019 8:17 PM
They expect you to do more work with less
people.
2095 A lot less workers on RR. Company is 12/16/2019 8:17 PM
having 1 person doing the jobs that took
3 a few years ago
2096 Terrible, with all the cuts it is constant 12/16/2019 8:16 PM
work with no time at home causing focus
to start to drift
2097 Do same work with less. People 12/16/2019 8:16 PM
2098 Working conditions are way worse than they 12/16/2019 8:15 PM
were 5, 10 or even in my case almost 15
years. Ever since the implementation a
precision scheduled railroading, track
has gotten worse, running monster trains
is a horrible idea and with the lack of
mechanical crews out there now,
locomotives and cars are breaking down.
2099 Nothing gets done proactively. Nobody 12/16/2019 8:15 PM
takes accountability. It is very much a
blame game system now more than ever.
2100 The quality of life has diminished, morale 12/16/2019 8:15 PM
is low. The company expects you to rush
these trains out of yards without proper
inspections, whatever it takes to meet
their OS times.
2101 I have worked for Norfolk Southern for 13 12/16/2019 8:15 PM
years. In the last 5 years the working
conditions have decline greatly.
2102 Morale is substantially worse due to 12/16/2019 8:15 PM
constant concern jobs will be needlessly
eliminated. Production has suffered due
to lack of availability of work train
crews, power, and MOW manpower.
2103 They have definitely deteriorated. 12/16/2019 8:14 PM
Maintenance is not being done
sufficiently and the crews are left
holding the bag and answering customers
complaints.
2104 They want production over safety 12/16/2019 8:14 PM
2105 Much worse. Twice the work with half the 12/16/2019 8:14 PM
manpower. No regard for safety. Constant
work rule changes.
2106 Less men. But not as hard back then 12/16/2019 8:14 PM
2107 Push harder for production numbers, lust 12/16/2019 8:14 PM
headcount to do the job safely.
2108 It's all about shareholder value. The 12/16/2019 8:13 PM
employees are never valuable to any
company that waists there time with PSR.
When employees feel valuable to there
company and the company actually shows
it. Productivity is better, morale is
better and guess what if all that takes
place then company can be prosperous.
Proven fact. I literally have to wonder
everyday if I'm going to have a job. Why?
Because how far are the shareholders
going to go. When all the dust settles
these railroads if left unchecked will
end up like Walmart. Look around in
Walmart cheap labor and no one to help
you because they know nothing, automatic
check out lanes keeps going on. 10 to 20
years ago it was never like that at all.
Everyone mattered and the company would
notice. If Sam Walton was alive today and
seen the way Walmart employees are
treated, he would fire all of them. No
different than what's taking place in the
railroad world.
2109 Awful, nothing is maintained. They care 12/16/2019 8:13 PM
nothing about safety or our well-being
2110 Worse, no concern for safety 12/16/2019 8:12 PM
2111 Worse, it's a do more with less 12/16/2019 8:12 PM
environment.
2112 Lack of rest, goal of productivity is 12/16/2019 8:11 PM
higher. And man count is significantly
lower.
2113 Worse 12/16/2019 8:11 PM
2114 While working conditions have stabilized 12/16/2019 8:11 PM
the carrier often negates risk by telling
employees to rely on technology that
often doesn't work.
2115 Increasingly more stressful and uncertain 12/16/2019 8:10 PM
do to rise in health care cost, job
security, union dues,
2116 I do not know, I hired out last May. I can 12/16/2019 8:10 PM
say that PSR has disrupted rail traffic.
Industries are switching to trucking
instead of rail freight due to increased
fines, almost impossible schedules to
meet in regards to dwell time and
delivery
2117 Working condition are not good. Nothing is 12/16/2019 8:10 PM
being maintained, and the boards are kept
way to short.
2118 Horrible, infrastructure and maintenance 12/16/2019 8:09 PM
have been extremely neglected. Yard
conditions are dangerous and ridiculously
filthy due to lack of maintenance and
cleaning
2119 Manpower has been reduced greatly, morale 12/16/2019 8:09 PM
is at an all time low with co workers
being afraid of the uncertainty of our
careers.
2120 Less people to do the jobs. Leads to 12/16/2019 8:09 PM
unsafe work conditions. When the goal was
to be safer
2121 You had time to get the job done 12/16/2019 8:09 PM
correctly. Today you do not. A lot of
bandaid being put on out there. Not safe.
2122 More pressure and in fear of being 12/16/2019 8:09 PM
terminated
2123 Worse 12/16/2019 8:09 PM
2124 Worse 12/16/2019 8:08 PM
2125 I have 24 years of railroad experience and 12/16/2019 8:08 PM
now days the work environment is
extremely stressful and unhealthy.
2126 Working conditions now are way worse. I 12/16/2019 8:08 PM
feel the company does not care about its
employees safety or sanity.
2127 It's terrible! All they care about now is 12/16/2019 8:08 PM
the stock price and what they can sell
off to benefit them. So now they think
it's safer to work night shift at random
now and working 4 days a week from home
is non efficient so they think it's safer
working 5/8s or 9and5.
2128 Terrible 12/16/2019 8:08 PM
2129 ANYTHING under 12 hours is a good day! 12/16/2019 8:08 PM
Things seemed to have changed for the
worst around 4 years ago. I was told
personally by management, we own you for
12 hours we can work you for 12 hours.
Then was told they could care less if we
were 17 hours away from home.
2130 Before PSR, IT WAS ROUGH BUT NOTHING LIKE 12/16/2019 8:08 PM
NOW . . . IT SUCKS
2131 More work, less days at home . . . was 12/16/2019 8:08 PM
jobs to choose from . . . no overtime . .
. a lot more contractors
2132 It's terrible and unfortunately I have 12/16/2019 8:08 PM
left CSX
2133 The Union sucks worse but the railroad is 12/16/2019 8:08 PM
fine
2134 Worse 12/16/2019 8:07 PM
2135 1000 percent worse. Safety used to be the 12/16/2019 8:07 PM
top priority now it's all about numbers
and numbers that lie for that matter.
2136 Worse. 12/16/2019 8:07 PM
2137 Worse due to night work and longer work 12/16/2019 8:07 PM
weeks. I.e. 9 on 5 off and 8 on 6 off.
Also 10 on and 2 off has been discussed.
2138 We are asked to do the same amount of work 12/16/2019 8:06 PM
with less men.
2139 15 years ago we had more people to get 12/16/2019 8:06 PM
tasks completed more safely
2140 Much worse. 12/16/2019 8:06 PM
2141 A lot more work. A lot less help. 12/16/2019 8:05 PM
Extremely unsafe compared to 5 to 10
years ago.
2142 They push us to work faster and with less 12/16/2019 8:05 PM
people. There saying is ``respond
quickly''
2143 Much poorer conditions 12/16/2019 8:05 PM
2144 Less safety measures. Workforce cut to the 12/16/2019 8:05 PM
bone causing Overworked and fatigue of
train crews. Mechanical dept cuts
producing more unresolved locomotive
repairs
2145 Honestly, this probably isn't the answer 12/16/2019 8:05 PM
you're looking for but things are way
more laid back compared to 10-15 years
ago.
2146 I believe we are cutting corners too much. 12/16/2019 8:04 PM
We are expected to multitask to an
increasingly dangerous level. The
manpower has been cut drastically and the
expected output raised to allow greater
possibility of putting oneself or the
general public at deadly risk
2147 Fair 12/16/2019 8:04 PM
2148 Terrible and far less safe than when I 12/16/2019 8:03 PM
began in 2011
2149 Horrible, less time at home and we are 12/16/2019 8:03 PM
just a number, before we had safety
meetings and families were invited now it
is all about the stockholders.
2150 Unsafe 12/16/2019 8:02 PM
2151 Compared to 5 years ago? Very hostile. 12/16/2019 8:02 PM
2152 Things are getting easier due to 12/16/2019 8:02 PM
advancements in tool technology but the
working conditions are deteriorating.
Rules are becoming overwhelming and doing
your job is getting harder because of the
constant worry you have about breaking
rules that have been put into place
because of knee jerk reactions. The
railroad, BNSF specifically, has become
so entrenched in the belief that more is
less that I feel overall safety of the
railroad is being put on the back burner
in the interest of bigger profits for
upper management and shareholders. Our
railroad looks worse now than at any
point in my career.
2153 Work condition are much worse than they 12/16/2019 8:02 PM
were when I hired 10 years ago. Today
everyone has to do most jobs due to being
short handed.
2154 Work pace is pushed to be as fast as 12/16/2019 8:01 PM
possible and the work forces have shrunk
dramatically Causing not only me but my
fellow workers to be more tired and
stressed.
2155 Worse the customers needs are never met or 12/16/2019 8:01 PM
cared for over the all mighty dollar for
the company
2156 Much worse. Lower morale, crews unsure if 12/16/2019 8:01 PM
they will need to get rest as there is
uncertainty of trains running. Road crews
doing more work on each end of road and
on line of road.
2157 No a lot worse 12/16/2019 8:01 PM
2158 The equipment is falling apart. 12/16/2019 8:00 PM
Derailments are up. And tons of
maintenance is being deferred.
2159 Much worse bud 12/16/2019 8:00 PM
2160 Work conditions have deteriorated. The 12/16/2019 8:00 PM
company no longer cares about getting
trains over the road. They put fuel
savings above safety. They slow trains by
using throttle restrictions and trip
optimizer speed restrictions to deliver
freight in a manner that is not in
keeping with customer expectations. The
company expects fewer people to do more
work putting unnecessary stress and
pressure on crews which severely
jeopardizes safety. The practice of
making ever longer trains is also a
concern as it creates unnecessary public
safety risks with trains that can't be
stopped or held without blocking multiple
crossing for several miles at a time.
2161 morale is much lower. There is mounting 12/16/2019 8:00 PM
pressure on train crews, engineering
department, and mechanical department
employees to rush jobs in order to meet
unrealistic deadlines.
2162 It's gone down hill 12/16/2019 7:59 PM
2163 Cutting corners on every aspect of safety, 12/16/2019 7:58 PM
if you can't perform your work in a set
amount of time you get in trouble for
delaying trains. It's a get it done in
this amount of time no matter what you
need to do mind set. The line I work on
gives you 15 minutes to pickup cars on
the line of road, no matter the amount of
cars. 15 minutes from cutting away to
having the air pumped back up and ready
to go. Seems like a cost savings but it's
reducing the safety
2164 Worst 12/16/2019 7:57 PM
2165 Safety is last 12/16/2019 7:57 PM
2166 Suck!! 12/16/2019 7:57 PM
2167 10 times worse 12/16/2019 7:56 PM
2168 Trains are taking longer to get across 12/16/2019 7:56 PM
their territory, making rest a factor.
Longer trains makes walking conditions a
safety issue.
2169 Worse, trains continuing to run out of 12/16/2019 7:56 PM
fuel delays shipping. No real support of
safety, third priority behind profits!
2170 Trying to do as much or more with less, 12/16/2019 7:56 PM
less people, less time, it puts a strain
on you and no way you can give a quality
safe finished product. This is not safe
and will end up hurting many people with
these huge trains running on worse track
conditions through these towns.
2171 Have gotten worse over the last few years 12/16/2019 7:56 PM
2172 More chances of getting fired now. For 12/16/2019 7:56 PM
anything.
2173 Working conditions and some Saftey issues 12/16/2019 7:56 PM
have suffered
2174 We are short handed on our district, so we 12/16/2019 7:55 PM
just repair the minimum ``apply Band-
Aids''
2175 Much worse. 12/16/2019 7:54 PM
2176 I believe that the railroad I work for is 12/16/2019 7:54 PM
less concerned about safety for the
employees and public and more focused on
cutting costs by any means necessary.
There have been many changes in the past
10 years that I've been employed to show
a drop in working conditions.
2177 Worse safety and more hostile. 12/16/2019 7:54 PM
2178 Way worse. Crewmen are grossly overworked 12/16/2019 7:54 PM
and under rested. If the Carrier would
maintain adequate manning, crews wouldn't
have to continually turn on their rest.
2179 It's seems to me more production is 12/16/2019 7:54 PM
they're high priority here. They want the
same amount production with less time on
the track and less people
2180 Since I started almost 15 Years ago the 12/16/2019 7:54 PM
conditions have definitely changed. Seems
like Management out to get rid of you.
2181 They have improved in the last 20 years 12/16/2019 7:54 PM
2182 More trains, more jobs, more man power 12/16/2019 7:53 PM
2183 In general, work conditions are far better 12/16/2019 7:53 PM
than when I started in 1988. Hard hats
were and safety glasses were an option.
We had to buy our own work gloves. Stress
and tension from supervisory personnel
was high. Alcohol and drugs were very
much present. When the Safety summit
formed the Safety Action and Compliance
Plan (SACP), there was a dramatic change
in the work environment. With the help of
the FRA, workers met with management to
resolve issues.
2184 Compared to 5 years ago, anymore it seems 12/16/2019 7:53 PM
as if we as agreement employees are just
a number no longer viewed as a necessity
to longevity of our railroad.
2185 About the same since 2008 12/16/2019 7:52 PM
2186 I started in 2011 and the mentality then 12/16/2019 7:52 PM
was that if we needed the equipment we
will get it for you. If we needed more
people we will get more people. Now we
are doing the same amount of work with
less people and expected to finish in the
same amount of time. Doing this causes
health and mental stress.
2187 Much worse 12/16/2019 7:52 PM
2188 Unsafe practices by the carrier, forcing 12/16/2019 7:52 PM
the workforce to cut corners or face
discipline or possible termination. Less
man power and work overload.
2189 They are worse no fun it's just the job 12/16/2019 7:52 PM
only the job and morale is in the toilet.
Company only concerns are for themselves
and investors and make unsound business
decisions and employee mismanagement and
no major infrastructure upkeep or
upgrades.
2190 Work conditions have declined along with 12/16/2019 7:52 PM
safety. The push to make on time
originations and car pick ups has
overtaken safety and proper job duties
2191 We can do whatever we want. UPRR does not 12/16/2019 7:51 PM
care about the customers.
2192 Bad 12/16/2019 7:51 PM
2193 Worse the roadmasters the company hires 12/16/2019 7:51 PM
have no idea how about track maintenance.
2194 Are worst, up gets away with everything, 12/16/2019 7:51 PM
up owns the FRA, plain simple, corruption
in both sides, that comes from United
States Congress
2195 Deteriorating tremendously 12/16/2019 7:51 PM
2196 We are much less progressive with 12/16/2019 7:50 PM
maintenance with less people and
materials it is more about reactive work.
2197 I enjoy my off days but you definitely 12/16/2019 7:50 PM
can't predict when you or if you get your
off days on time. Still can't schedule
appointments very well if needed
2198 I have only been with BNSF for almost 6 12/16/2019 7:50 PM
years and a lot has changed so far. When
I hired on we had 4 man sections, welder
helpers and additional maintenance crews.
Now all that is GONE!!!
2199 More rules to follow some times rushed. Or 12/16/2019 7:50 PM
reduced track protection. Instead of a
704 we have to use watchmen lookout
2200 They are terrible. Problems are let go 12/16/2019 7:49 PM
until they become critical or are forced
to fix them by FRA or another agency.
Don't want to hear about any problems
from track inspectors, management is
unpleasant and quick to discipline
employees based on ``quotas'' they need
to make on said discipline all the while
management goes unchecked and does what
ever the hell they want.
2201 Horrible now, with all the time changes of 12/16/2019 7:48 PM
work. Day shift, night shift, and all in
between. Rather have our day shift back.
2202 There good but still needs work to get it 12/16/2019 7:48 PM
better
2203 They are a lot worse now 12/16/2019 7:48 PM
2204 You have to fight with the company to get 12/16/2019 7:48 PM
time off
2205 General work conditions feel rushed. 12/16/2019 7:48 PM
Equipment is treated with a patch and
pray mentality. Velocity has become more
important than safety and trains are
required to be ready to depart at exact
OS times regardless of when power was
received it when cars were set out in
outbound tracks.
2206 Working off our rest for the last 4-5 12/16/2019 7:48 PM
years. Inaccurate train lineups.
Impossible to tell when your going to
work.
2207 It's far more dangerous now. We are 12/16/2019 7:47 PM
threatened daily, equipment is in
disrepair, manpower is so short we are
ordered to show up on our rest every
single trip.
2208 Safety has gone done, it's more about how 12/16/2019 7:46 PM
much production can get done.
2209 Similar, other than changes occur a lot 12/16/2019 7:46 PM
more frequently. Always at edge of seat
not knowing what's next.
2210 they suck, NO security and ENDLESS JOB 12/16/2019 7:46 PM
CUTS11
2211 There is less concern of the track 12/16/2019 7:45 PM
conditions, it is all about moving those
trains. There seems to be less work for
Maintenance of Way, but in reality there
is more but no time to fix because we
have to run trains
2212 In some ways they've gotten better and in 12/16/2019 7:45 PM
some ways worse. I feel safe, but I also
feel that they don't care about us like
they have before. It's not so much the
company, but some of the higher up
supervisors are giving the company a bad
reputation.
2213 Worst. Get wrote up over everything no 12/16/2019 7:45 PM
give and take. People getting fire
instead guidance.
2214 Less help, overworked especially on 12/16/2019 7:45 PM
division. Guys doing 2 jobs at once. More
than likely union agreements not being
honored.
2215 Very unsafe practices 12/16/2019 7:44 PM
2216 The conditions at the railroad have 12/16/2019 7:44 PM
completely gone down hill, not enough
employees to safely do the work and the
work is showing the poor quality. Making
it hard to properly maintain the track,
with unsafe conditions not being repaired
in a timely manner. Leaving employees
with very low morale affecting the
quality of work.
2217 Worse 12/16/2019 7:44 PM
2218 A lot less employees doing the same jobs, 12/16/2019 7:44 PM
with aging equipment, and management not
worried about fixing the problems, just
putting responsibilities on the workers.
2219 Conditions have downgraded so much, from 12/16/2019 7:44 PM
the lack of business to the lack of
maintenance on the tracks and equipment
2220 Much worse. I am a member of 12/16/2019 7:44 PM
transportation and we never know when we
will be called to work, trains are much
longer and the trains seem to have more
issues, i.e., sticky brakes and other
breakdowns resulting from carmen not
having enough time to inspect cars and
Mechanical not doing all necessary
repairs on locomotives. It is hurry,
hurry, not enough decent power and power
not being repaired properly. Management
pushing to get things done quicker for
faster turnarounds.
2221 Asked to do more with less people in a 12/16/2019 7:43 PM
shorter period of time.
2222 More work to do, track in worse condition 12/16/2019 7:43 PM
and fewer people/smaller crews trying to
do the work. Spread thin on manpower.
2223 They are worse. Safety is only important 12/16/2019 7:43 PM
if it doesn't interfere with moving
freight!
2224 Working conditions are at an all time low. 12/16/2019 7:43 PM
Section Gangs are generally two men doing
the job of what used to have 4-5 men.
There is constant pressure from
management to hurry to get a job done
with no regard to safety. Management has
said if it takes working overtime to
complete a job then that's what we will
do. It has become a more work less
manpower business.
2225 Worse 12/16/2019 7:43 PM
2226 Less guys on the gangs. More & more 12/16/2019 7:43 PM
contractors on company property. Seems
there's more contractors than company
employees
2227 Much harder to obtain track time to 12/16/2019 7:42 PM
perform necessary maintenance
2228 They're much worse 12/16/2019 7:42 PM
2229 They have changed a lot in 5 years. They 12/16/2019 7:42 PM
will do it the cheapest way not the
safest way
2230 More strenuous as there is more work to or 12/16/2019 7:42 PM
(per person) I feel this is definitely
applicable to five years ago but not too
sure about twenty years ago as I did a
more strenuous job fore the company then.
2231 It seems like year after year there are 12/16/2019 7:42 PM
less of us here to maintain the railroad.
More retirees than new hires. Less
general knowledge about the track and
it's components and no real plans to
teach what has been passed down through
the generations
2232 Same. Company seems to have little or no 12/16/2019 7:42 PM
care about TE&Y work schedules involving
safety.
2233 We are now grossly under manned and you 12/16/2019 7:41 PM
can tell greed runs rampant with the
investors that own the company.
Management is in fear of losing employees
as well as their own jobs. Safety has
gone out the door for bottom line
profits.
2234 Poorly do to the management 12/16/2019 7:41 PM
2235 They don't even compare!!! I've been here 12/16/2019 7:41 PM
12 years now and feel more like a number
today than I ever have.
2236 Worse 12/16/2019 7:41 PM
2237 Companies care less about safety and more 12/16/2019 7:41 PM
about production.
2238 Worse it all about protecting there 12/16/2019 7:40 PM
shareholders. It seems to be all about
the money not safety anymore
2239 Every year I have worked for the railroad 12/16/2019 7:40 PM
10 now the working conditions have gotten
worse and worse all in the name of more
profit.
2240 Worse. When I started in 2011, the 12/16/2019 7:40 PM
railroad was an enjoyable place to work.
Good morale and the company tried to
balance their interests and the interests
of the employee. The last 3-5 years that
has changed. Now it is constant threats
disguised as Saftey, a consistent
emphasis of profits and production over
everything else, and the immediate
shooting down of people with concerns or
suggestions. A company department head
even stated that ``it's my job to cut
costs for the company and if I can screw
the employees out of something, I will.''
2241 More fatigue and huge morale issues 12/16/2019 7:40 PM
leading to a less safe work environment
2242 Conditions have worsened. Work schedules 12/16/2019 7:40 PM
are not in the best interest to the
employees or safety. Day shift one week.
Night shift the next. Working 8-9 days
straight when track time is available for
4 day work week
2243 I feel my job is more demanding with less 12/16/2019 7:39 PM
rest and less regard for safety.
2244 Everyone now is more worried constantly 12/16/2019 7:39 PM
about what their future is here then I
have ever seen before.
2245 Horrible. More is expected with less. 12/16/2019 7:39 PM
Management is headhunting to justify
their jobs, to the point of being
followed around by officers with
stopwatches! If you wasn't walking fast
enough or making moves fast enough they
were handling guys for ``delaying
operations'' when in fact they were
making it unsafe and taking longer.
2246 Terrible 12/16/2019 7:39 PM
2247 Less workers. Less organization. Less 12/16/2019 7:39 PM
planning on major projects
2248 It's a lot more worst than ever before. I 12/16/2019 7:39 PM
know that we didn't mean a damn thing to
the company but now they show it bluntly.
They just to say that they were family
oriented but that went out the window
they do have any respect for us or our
family.
2249 It's insane! The expectations of employees 12/16/2019 7:39 PM
now there is no way that a employee will
make 30 years. Physically we will be
lucky to make 20 years.
2250 We are constantly under pressure to work 12/16/2019 7:39 PM
faster, and everything we do is under
extreme scrutiny.
2251 Less men to do more work, more defects 12/16/2019 7:39 PM
being handwaved by management, more
contractors doing railroaders work and a
lack of safety from them as well.
2252 The conditions are much worse. The work 12/16/2019 7:39 PM
schedule is terrible, not much of a
family life and with work, it's never
enough
2253 A lot more stress due to fewer and fewer 12/16/2019 7:38 PM
jobs and continued changes
2254 It has gotten better 12/16/2019 7:38 PM
2255 Worse off. More rushed for no reason 12/16/2019 7:38 PM
2256 Terrible. Work 10 times harder with less 12/16/2019 7:38 PM
workers for same pay. Also rarely get our
``lunch breaks''
2257 A lot worse longer hours and less tools 12/16/2019 7:37 PM
and materials to work with
2258 They don't compare. more production less 12/16/2019 7:37 PM
workforce. Also less safety!
2259 I worked 40 hour weeks (8 hour day) with 12/16/2019 7:37 PM
some overtime
2260 In the last 5-10 years the company had 12/16/2019 7:37 PM
continued to demand ``more with less''
from the work force. Making one person do
the job of 2-3 had become the norm. The
days of being expected to be a
``professional'' are gone. The company no
longer wants proud employees, just warm
bodies.
2261 Worse. Not enough people working. Have to 12/16/2019 7:37 PM
do several different jobs everyday just
to get by. Always behind on work.
2262 Longer trains are putting undue stress on 12/16/2019 7:36 PM
workers for better profits for the
company. Making longer trains to cut jobs
for profits is ridiculous.
2263 Abysmal. Short boards, being called for 12/16/2019 7:36 PM
unqualified work and being threatened if
refused to cover.
2264 Less man power and the company expects the 12/16/2019 7:36 PM
same work load to be completed.
2265 Expect more out of less workers. 12/16/2019 7:35 PM
Stretching standards to pay less man
hours
2266 Terrible 12/16/2019 7:35 PM
2267 Worse 12/16/2019 7:35 PM
2268 A lot has changed, work schedules, man 12/16/2019 7:35 PM
power and resources
2269 Worse 12/16/2019 7:35 PM
2270 Conditions have spiraled downward...people 12/16/2019 7:34 PM
are scared...a secure employee is a
better employee
2271 More strenuous. Hard to get tools and 12/16/2019 7:34 PM
right material to do job.
2272 Horrible, was working more, and better 12/16/2019 7:34 PM
morale in the workforce.
2273 More injuries, less production 12/16/2019 7:34 PM
2274 Less time and less men to get the kid done 12/16/2019 7:34 PM
expect a lot more from ischemic man
2275 Worse 12/16/2019 7:33 PM
2276 The railroad is more modern than it was 5 12/16/2019 7:33 PM
years ago instead of paper work it's all
through computers
2277 More work with less workforce 12/16/2019 7:33 PM
2278 Worse 12/16/2019 7:33 PM
2279 I was employed 11 months before I was 12/16/2019 7:32 PM
furloughed. The first 3 months managers
we're always out testing and safety was
the first priority. Then PSR was
introduced all the testing went away now
you're lucky if you know what the manager
in charge of you looks like much less how
to reach them. Then I was furloughed no
work. Nevermind you quit a good job to
come to work for the railroad sorry we
don't need you now. Profits are king
2280 Way less people. Added pressure and higher 12/16/2019 7:32 PM
expectations causing a unsafe environment
2281 5 years ago it was do the work we need a 12/16/2019 7:32 PM
safe rail road now we're cutting your
time in half but we'll need more work
done
2282 No maintenance is bring done on our 12/16/2019 7:32 PM
bridges unless there will be a a stoppage
of rail traffic.
2283 Hardly get the proper amount of time to do 12/16/2019 7:31 PM
our jobs safely
2284 More pressure to get the job done as 12/16/2019 7:31 PM
compared to getting the job done
correctly
2285 Less safety and less time to complete the 12/16/2019 7:31 PM
work.
2286 Crews are seriously undermanned...doing 12/16/2019 7:30 PM
the same work we did 10 years ago with 1/
3 the people. Production is rushed and
working overtime is a mortal sin.
2287 Much worse 12/16/2019 7:30 PM
2288 It's hard to plan anything with family or 12/16/2019 7:29 PM
friends, because you don't know you're
working days or nights or different days
from each subdivision to the next.
2289 Much, much worse. I have 20 years 12/16/2019 7:29 PM
experience and since PSR was implemented
3 years ago, things have continually went
downhill
2290 Gone downhill, extremely 12/16/2019 7:29 PM
2291 Working conditions have gotten 12/16/2019 7:28 PM
continuously worse since PSR. Not enough
people to fill jobs consequently we are
being overworked. They take away our rest
days, our PO days. There is hardly any
chance of having a day off
2292 Exponentially worse 12/16/2019 7:28 PM
2293 The work conditions in regards to the 12/16/2019 7:28 PM
amount of work has not changed. We have
the same amount of work as we've always
had but the amount of people we have to
do the work has drastically decreased.
2294 I feel like we are more short handed and 12/16/2019 7:27 PM
work more unscheduled overtime i.e.
callouts on nights and weekends. There is
also more OT on regular days as we are
squeezed for a little more. However, I
feel like my job security is a little
better.
2295 No 12/16/2019 7:27 PM
2296 Work conditions now are more hostile from 12/16/2019 7:27 PM
management and they want us working 12 a
day and the hours they have us working
are ridiculous
2297 Doing more with less seems to be the way 12/16/2019 7:27 PM
it goes around here. Cut jobs here cut
jobs there. Where I'm at we used to have
32 guys now we only have 23. That's a big
difference in the amount of workload
shared.
2298 Worse 12/16/2019 7:27 PM
2299 It's increasingly rare to find a bar of 12/16/2019 7:27 PM
soap
2300 Horrible 12/16/2019 7:26 PM
2301 Everything is rushed, safety second to 12/16/2019 7:26 PM
production
2302 They have changed dramatically. It's all 12/16/2019 7:26 PM
about money now. Safety and maintenance
are a thing of the past. Run trains, run
trains.
2303 Fewer workers doing more work 12/16/2019 7:25 PM
2304 There are less jobs to do more work than 5 12/16/2019 7:25 PM
years ago.
2305 Not good. We are doing more with less 12/16/2019 7:24 PM
people. They won't replace worn out or
broken tools. The carrier talks safety
then tells you to break the rules to get
a job done cheaper.
2306 Way more expectations most of the time 12/16/2019 7:24 PM
unrealistic
2307 There used to be a focus on safety and 12/16/2019 7:24 PM
properly fixing the tracks. Over the past
2 years that focus has went out the
window compared to 10 years ago. Now
track and worker safety is second to
profits and the new ``no overtime''
scheme.
2308 They expect more with less also production 12/16/2019 7:24 PM
is more important than safety. No
employee appreciation. Basically pawns.
2309 Work hours are erratic and very 12/16/2019 7:24 PM
unforgiving.
2310 5 years ago the railroad preached safety 12/16/2019 7:23 PM
over production. I hired on 6 years ago
and you knew the railroad valued safety
culture. Now they prove that safety is
only important if it doesn't get in the
way of production.
2311 They are worse. As a frog welder, 12/16/2019 7:23 PM
sometimes we need to run 2-3 mile long
trains at 10mph. This makes us rush in
between trains to get the repairs done in
a timely manner.
2312 There was more focusing on safety, now 12/16/2019 7:23 PM
there are no overlaps and inconsistent
quarterly training
2313 Trains are not fitting into sidings and 12/16/2019 7:23 PM
Amtrak is getting held by these large
trains.
2314 Less time for repairs 12/16/2019 7:23 PM
2315 Production over safety is what I've 12/16/2019 7:23 PM
observed.
2316 Less time on track to complete maintenance 12/16/2019 7:23 PM
tasks causes gangs to rush through their
tasks.
2317 Good pretty clean up clean track it looks 12/16/2019 7:22 PM
like
2318 Worse. The railroads are trading safety 12/16/2019 7:22 PM
for dollars.
2319 Jobs have disappeared, and with them the 12/16/2019 7:22 PM
ability to balance safety and
productivity. One or the other has to be
sacrificed when the workforce isn't
adequate.
2320 More work less people to do the work 12/16/2019 7:22 PM
2321 It seems a lot rushed now. They try and 12/16/2019 7:22 PM
get everything they can get in the
windows we have. We are do more with less
people and it shows. More managers and
mechanics help out. Safety is preached,
but when it comes down to it its
production and money.
2322 There are less people to so the same 12/16/2019 7:21 PM
amount of work. They just want the job
done. They don't care how. Just get it
done
2323 5 years ago the railroad seemed more 12/16/2019 7:21 PM
safety first now they seem to be straying
away from safety and towards production
2324 Worse. 12/16/2019 7:21 PM
2325 Worse 12/16/2019 7:21 PM
2326 Not enough people or time to get the jobs 12/16/2019 7:21 PM
done right
2327 Working conditions are worse now then 5 12/16/2019 7:21 PM
years ago. We are expected to work more
with less time home
2328 more strict still no training and dumb 12/16/2019 7:21 PM
rules
2329 Many more contractors not trained 12/16/2019 7:21 PM
2330 Worse 12/16/2019 7:20 PM
2331 Much less workforce, very high amount of 12/16/2019 7:20 PM
perceived pressure. A lot of ``hurry
hurry''
2332 More red tape. Less personal and lower 12/16/2019 7:20 PM
morale
2333 More work with less people 12/16/2019 7:20 PM
2334 We are trying to complete the same amount 12/16/2019 7:20 PM
of work without curfews, windows and less
manpower.
2335 As carriers continue to reduce mancounts, 12/16/2019 7:20 PM
the same amount of work is expected from
fewer employees on the ground. In other
words, the workload for each employee has
increased along with all associated
duties and responsibilities.
2336 We don't have the manpower to do work to 12/16/2019 7:19 PM
the quality we did 5-10 years ago. Almost
seems CSX don't care about quality as
long as we didn't make any OT or incur
any injuries
2337 Much more dangerous. 12/16/2019 7:19 PM
2338 Less time to do the work needed to track, 12/16/2019 7:19 PM
always rushed to do our job.
2339 Way worse. Shortcuts are the norm if you 12/16/2019 7:19 PM
are going to complete the work,
constantly bothering you with down to the
second track time.
2340 Poor carrier wants everything fixed 12/16/2019 7:19 PM
without purchasing materials, or having
enough manpower to adequately maintain
2341 They want more done with less people than 12/16/2019 7:19 PM
ever before. It jeopardizes safety but we
can't say that because they give us the
no job is so important that it can't be
done safely crap line they preach. The
supervisors bonus now directly reflects
how much discipline they have given it's
the worst job I've ever had for morale
2342 More time at work than at home 12/16/2019 7:18 PM
2343 We are asked to perform the same amount of 12/16/2019 7:18 PM
work with half the people assigned to the
task from even 8 years ago.
2344 Far more hostile and stressful. Everything 12/16/2019 7:18 PM
is rushed and feels like the company is
more concerned about lining other
people's pockets than the safety of their
own employees
2345 It's worse we had more time off made more 12/16/2019 7:18 PM
money had more people working back then
now it's all about the money
2346 The same if not more work is expected with 12/16/2019 7:18 PM
half the head count.
2347 Less people to do work harder to get track 12/16/2019 7:18 PM
and time unless it's a planed window
2348 Work conditions are better and the 12/16/2019 7:18 PM
conversation is also better.
2349 All the company talks is safety. But all 12/16/2019 7:17 PM
they really want is Production with less
man power
2350 UP has shown less concern for the safety 12/16/2019 7:17 PM
of their employees. They've eliminated
safety positions within their large
production gangs. They are more concerned
with the bottom line. Cutting jobs and
expecting the same production.
2351 Man counts are down, we bounce around and 12/16/2019 7:17 PM
do what we can but are shorthanded.
Contractors on machine, truck jobs while
senior men are laboring with no machines
to advance into.
2352 PSR is great for train operations however 12/16/2019 7:16 PM
the cuts in the workforce and the lack of
hiring has made all of our jobs much more
unsafe, also the physicality and
responsibilities of the job has gone up
by more than 66 percent on my territory
alone, in extreme weather conditions this
is unacceptable because we are being
exposed more often and for a longer
duration of time.
2353 They are trying to get more done with less 12/16/2019 7:16 PM
and thus pushing men farther thus
creating a unsafe work environment. They
have reduced levels to where carman are
working in the yards by their self and
foremen working the rip track and yard
duties combined.
2354 I have been here 28 years and the railroad 12/16/2019 7:15 PM
has made me a good living for my family
over the years. I used to tell everyone
this was the best job. But now all you
see is disgruntled employees about the
way we are treated and more and more
contractors on site. Just sad for the
guys that have 20 years to go to retire.
2355 Understaffed, overworked, expected to do 12/16/2019 7:15 PM
work in unrealistic time frames.
2356 There is no concern for the employees. 12/16/2019 7:15 PM
Everything is about greed. We are
performing at a high rate of service and
they still want more. We are working with
less men and expected to do so much more.
Working conditions are beginning to
become unfair and unsafe due to the push
for faster service. When are the profits
enough? When life's are lost? More and
more of our coworkers are being put on
the streets to fill the pockets of the
shareholders. It's really sad to see this
happening.
2357 Worse 12/16/2019 7:15 PM
2358 23 years ago on this subdivision there 12/16/2019 7:15 PM
were about 45 track employees, now there
are about 12
2359 We are just numbers in a company. No 12/16/2019 7:15 PM
linger appreciated. It is a volatile
atmosphere. Bosses don't care about us.
2360 Adherence to existing safety regulations 12/16/2019 7:15 PM
would help tremendously. I have seen a
drastic decline in the following of
regulations, and more managers
encouraging a disregard for safety across
the board.
2361 Working conditions have gone down. Fewer 12/16/2019 7:15 PM
customers has eliminated jobs. Safety is
less of a priority now.
2362 Same 12/16/2019 7:15 PM
2363 Worst 12/16/2019 7:15 PM
2364 I am now retired but I know that every 12/16/2019 7:15 PM
year offered the opportunity to work
safely out there was first and foremost
Implicated every day, and even more so
learning from the past mistakes and
misfortunes moving forward with better
equipment and communication of everyone
making sure everyone is on the same page
before stepping out there on the tracks
to start the working day!
2365 The carrier expects more work to be done 12/16/2019 7:15 PM
with less manpower but yet preaches
safety like it's the most important
aspect of the job.
2366 We have less time to work on the track 12/16/2019 7:14 PM
2367 The railroad isn't investing in 12/16/2019 7:14 PM
maintenance like it was 10 years ago. CSX
has cut the manpower way down which in
turn the preventive maintenance has gone
to the wayside, all to save the
shareholders money.
2368 Scared for your job everyday 12/16/2019 7:14 PM
2369 They have been way worse the past couple 12/16/2019 7:14 PM
years and the way it's looking it's never
going to get better.
2370 the railroad is cutting cost to a very 12/16/2019 7:14 PM
unsafe level compared to 5 years ago.
2371 Not good at all, everything now is rushed 12/16/2019 7:13 PM
2372 Worst 12/16/2019 7:13 PM
2373 As far as work conditions there is much 12/16/2019 7:13 PM
change only thing changing is the amount
of people doing the work.
2374 Horrible more with less is the new 12/16/2019 7:13 PM
philosophy maintenance and safety are non
existent
2375 Fewer rail gangs Fewer tie gangs 12/16/2019 7:13 PM
2376 Much worse. We've had more derailments 12/16/2019 7:13 PM
than before as well!
2377 Work harder. Less help. Less safe. 12/16/2019 7:12 PM
2378 since the last five years all I hear is 12/16/2019 7:12 PM
budget budget money money budget won't
allow this we have to do this because
some guy in Omaha did the math and it's
better. Better for what the bottom line
what about safety of the railroaders
safety of the trainmen
2379 Worse 12/16/2019 7:12 PM
2380 Everything is rushed. We have had an 12/16/2019 7:12 PM
injury but the only thing upper
management wants is to double output,
less than a week after the injury
occurred.
2381 Horrible 12/16/2019 7:12 PM
2382 They have gotten way worse, less manpower 12/16/2019 7:12 PM
and they want more production. Been here
17 years and this is the worst it's ever
been.
2383 Worse for us less resources less vehicles 12/16/2019 7:12 PM
order bolts/bars cent even approve those
for 6+months make due fish for supplies
for a giant corporation it's a joke
really
2384 Less men on crews, working longer days 12/16/2019 7:11 PM
2385 They are horrible, everyone is on edge not 12/16/2019 7:11 PM
focusing on their jobs cause they are so
worried about getting written up or
fired, we are also doing more work with
less people and you have to beg for
material
2386 Better 12/16/2019 7:11 PM
2387 Worse. More work and less man power 12/16/2019 7:11 PM
2388 They don't, now all they the railroad 12/16/2019 7:10 PM
cares about is getting rid of people and
not hiring new ones.
2389 N/A 12/16/2019 7:10 PM
2390 More contractors 12/16/2019 7:10 PM
2391 Poor. 12/16/2019 7:10 PM
2392 Short manned! Them wanting us to do more 12/16/2019 7:10 PM
with less.
2393 Have to do more work with less people 12/16/2019 7:10 PM
2394 Far less resources available to complete 12/16/2019 7:10 PM
jobs, less flexibility in your personal
life due to limited remaining employees
available for work.
2395 I feel like there is a lot more pressure 12/16/2019 7:10 PM
to do more with less. Technology can only
speed things up so much then it's working
extra hard to make up the difference with
less manpower available.
2396 Worse 12/16/2019 7:09 PM
2397 I've been with Norfolk southern for 22 12/16/2019 7:09 PM
years. The work conditions have declined
considerably since PSR has been
implemented.
2398 About the same 12/16/2019 7:09 PM
2399 N/A 12/16/2019 7:09 PM
2400 There a lot worse now than 15 or even 5 12/16/2019 7:09 PM
years ago we the employees use to have a
career we were proud of and bragged about
now were ashamed to let anyone know we
work there
2401 Horrible 12/16/2019 7:08 PM
2402 Not getting any better 12/16/2019 7:08 PM
2403 More stressful. More rules. More threats. 12/16/2019 7:07 PM
2404 Manpower has dropped more than 50 percent 12/16/2019 7:06 PM
due to budget. We are always rushed and
it shows in our quality of work.
Constantly being micro managed and told
how to do things instead of doing it the
right way
2405 While the company Might state working 12/16/2019 7:06 PM
conditions are better, they are not.
Employees don't report injuries due to
fear of reprisal. Rules are changed in
order to make things faster, not safer.
2406 Awful compared to what they was 9'years 12/16/2019 7:04 PM
ago.
2407 Worse, because the upper management is 12/16/2019 7:04 PM
only worried about making investors happy
and not the workers.
2408 Corporate greed has influenced every 12/16/2019 7:04 PM
aspect
2409 Much worse than 5 years ago. 12/16/2019 7:04 PM
2410 Absolutely horrible. Can't get time, you 12/16/2019 7:03 PM
get rushed. They preach safety but when
it comes down to it they put profits in
front of safety
2411 Not good at all it's all about time and no 12/16/2019 7:03 PM
safety
2412 Work conditions are very bad, less people 12/16/2019 7:03 PM
to maintain track plus never fixing100
percent
2413 Much more shorthanded, makes us have to do 12/16/2019 7:02 PM
more work in the same amount of time. We
are exhausted. Cut overtime to the point
where the work isn't getting done and our
railroad is not as safe as it once was
2414 Its has changed for worse. 12/16/2019 7:02 PM
2415 Work conditions have declined and so has 12/16/2019 7:01 PM
the timely delivery of much needed
supplies and materials we use everyday.
2416 Our section gang had 6 people before. Now 12/16/2019 7:01 PM
we have 2 with bo machine operators and
the same work load.
2417 Morale has been destroyed, employees in 12/16/2019 6:59 PM
constant fear of discipline.
2418 Worse...more work with less people 12/16/2019 6:58 PM
2419 Much worse working conditions than 3-4 12/16/2019 6:57 PM
years ago. No discipline any more they
just automatically fire you now. Hurry
hurry hurry! Even the simplest tasks
corners are cut!
2420 Worse. Managers care even less, more 12/16/2019 6:56 PM
productivity with less man power.
2421 More rushed to get the job done 12/16/2019 6:56 PM
2422 Less people to accomplish the task 12/16/2019 6:56 PM
affecting the safety of employees and the
public.
2423 Rough don't have the numbers at 12/16/2019 6:55 PM
headquartered gangs we used too
2424 More stressful 12/16/2019 6:55 PM
2425 They have gotten worse by far. 12/16/2019 6:52 PM
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q2 In regard to safety, how has the implementation of Precision
Scheduled Railroading affected your job?
Answered: 2,439 Skipped: 27
------------------------------------------------------------------------
# RESPONSES DATE
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 If BNSF is implementing PSR it is news to 1/6/2020 3:33 AM
me. I have no safety concerns at this
time
2 I have been working for Union Pacific for 1/6/2020 1:15 AM
over 11 years. When UP decided to change
over to PSR I noticed that safety has
pretty much gone out the window and
productivity has and is really being
enforced. If you are late to work due to
hazardous driving conditions you are not
allowed to slow down for this. Even if
you are a minute late the carrier will
send you home. As for the testing of
rules UP scrapped the F T X plan which
tested on 3,000 safety rules to the
COMMIT program which only tests on 30
rules. That is a 99 percent decrease in
safety testing.
3 I worry if I will have a job. It's about 1/5/2020 4:42 PM
the bottom line. Money and greedy
shareholders.
4 Not at all. 1/5/2020 2:43 AM
5 Safety? 1/4/2020 12:18 PM
6 Productivity over everything esp safety. 1/4/2020 1:15 AM
Rules go out the windows when time is a
factor with trains.
7 Safety is the thing of the past 1/4/2020 1:10 AM
8 Everything is in a rush mode and if you a 1/3/2020 11:56 PM
defect the bosses try to write you up for
delay yet my job is safe trains right?
The pressure we face is extreme from both
FRA and the company stance (and they are
on opposite sides of they want from the
Railroaders who are caught in the middle
9 Everyone is so worried about becoming 1/2/2020 9:42 AM
unemployed that safety is becoming the
last thing on their mind.
10 Told to overlook problems 1/2/2020 6:18 AM
11 Being maintenance of way, we work around 1/1/2020 10:38 PM
the train crews and trains coming in and
out of the yard as well as mechanical
employees. We have watched some of our
fellow railroaders become furloughed as a
direct result of precision railroading.
This has created an environment of very
low morale and has everyone in all
departments wondering when they will be
next. As far as physical work it has been
noticeably harder to get track time to
perform our job since the implementation
of PSR. This not only includes track
repair work but scheduled FRA
inspections, and special weather related
patrols as well.
12 Way too much paperwork. 1/1/2020 10:17 PM
13 It's not about safety, it's about cutting 1/1/2020 7:43 PM
labor force and make profits.
14 I'm bring forced to build longer trains 1/1/2020 5:01 AM
that are built in a dangerous manner.
Large amounts of loads behind empty cars.
15 the work hours have affected me 12/31/2019 7:33 PM
tremendously having to get up at two am
in the morning on some divisions
16 PSR has made it more dangerous, because 12/31/2019 7:33 AM
almost every shift runs 12 hours, adding
to our fatigue, putting safety in
jeopardy. This is on top of unpredictable
work schedules that make it difficult at
best to get adequate sleep, creating much
fatigue on an ongoing basis.
17 Overtime 12/30/2019 8:19 PM
18 Cuts in supplies needed is SCARY 12/30/2019 6:36 PM
19 Supervisors managers and directors always 12/29/2019 1:04 PM
preaching safety up till it comes to hit
their numbers, that's when safety is out
the window
20 Yes the company expects us to do the same 12/29/2019 5:37 AM
job as we did in less time, with less
people and expect us to work mandatory
overtime because of their poor planning
21 Longer trains sitting waiting for signals 12/29/2019 4:42 AM
blocking crossings
22 more demands placed upon the worker 12/29/2019 2:42 AM
23 Management has taken away are ability to 12/29/2019 1:34 AM
properly inspect and make repairs on all
rail cars. PSR is a sham and a threat to
public safety!
24 Carmen are the first and last line of 12/28/2019 11:40 PM
defense before train crews put rolling
equipment out on the main line and
operate through cities and next to homes.
Only 33 percent to 50 percent of the
Carmen inspector's and repairmen are
left. We could barely keep up before. Now
the bulk of equipment on the move is just
highballed without proper inspections and
repairs.
25 I am a Safety Assistant. This year, the 12/28/2019 5:49 PM
carrier cut the number of Safety
Assistant Positions and assigned the bulk
of employee training to FLSs. The vast
majority of these FLSs are employees with
little experience. I do not believe this
is going to work well.
26 More work less people = less safety. 12/28/2019 4:41 AM
27 It affects it negatively due to running 12/28/2019 1:54 AM
the company by fear ''do it my way or we
will cut your job''
28 Eliminated Safety Facilitator job. Now we 12/27/2019 4:29 PM
are stretched thin on the safety aspect.
29 Production is all that matters to them any 12/27/2019 3:36 PM
more. They threw out our safety program,
took days at home away from us, and drive
production at every job briefing.
30 Lots of cuts, can't get parts, for track, 12/27/2019 2:56 PM
equipment, or safety gear, locked away
with no access
31 it has put BMWED members in unsafe 12/27/2019 1:27 PM
positions
32 Reduced workforce increasing the load of 12/26/2019 5:55 PM
inspections and tests performed. The
quality of those inspections have
declined since the number of employees
carrying the load has declined.
33 In a perfect world it shouldn't affect my 12/26/2019 8:53 AM
job at all. Unfortunately when the
transportation dept becomes completely
inflexible with scheduling and
maintenance windows, shortcuts
unfortunately become pretty common as we
try and get more work done is less time
34 it hasn't effected my job. it has effected 12/26/2019 2:39 AM
many young employees. there are many
employees laid off work
35 Unrealistic work goals and workforce 12/26/2019 12:32 AM
stretched so thin one guy has to do a 2
man job
36 None. 12/25/2019 5:11 PM
37 My railroad supposedly do not implement 12/25/2019 4:49 PM
the PSR concept yet but I've spoke to an
official who said that the higher ups are
under pressure from the shareholders to
implement it are do something similar and
it shows by how many of our engines
condition are maintained or lack of. Also
sending trains up mountain grade with the
barest minimum of horsepower raises
concerns that if something happens to one
of the locomotives than it causes a huge
safety problems.
38 Made it much more dangerous 12/25/2019 2:14 PM
39 I think! One or more of us will die 12/25/2019 12:17 PM
because of it
40 Asked to do more work with less manpower. 12/25/2019 7:44 AM
41 PSR has thrown safety out the window. Jobs 12/25/2019 7:14 AM
that require 2 or more workers are being
assigned, in lists, to individuals. There
is constant harassment, mis-use of
manpower, funding, vacant positions left
unfilled, abolishment of vitally
important positions, labors are non-
existing or overwhelmed, machine
operators running multiples of equipment,
during a shift, to keep up with required
work. It is rare to actually finish an
assigned job before you reassigned to
another, and another. The work is poorly
done, seldom complete and materials left
on the ground to rot or be overgrown with
weeds. Walkways are hazardous, rights of
way left un-maintained, sings missing.
Ballast lines, ditch lines, drainage and
culverts left unmaintained. OTE has to be
trammed for miles upon miles, just to get
to work location because any and all non-
essential, storage tracks are removed. We
are being ``Made Ineffective'' purposely
with constant rule changes, standards
changes, log in/log out, on duty, not on
duty, ORM, job briefings, job briefing
forms, start up forms, awareness forms,
audits, observations, territory changes,
vehicle and equipment down time, shop
time, out of date eyewash, fire
extinguishers, replacement tools,
replacement managers, approved hotels 50
miles from work. Trying to ``Work'' is a
nightmare.
42 It has made it less safe 12/25/2019 5:52 AM
43 Increased work load exponentially due to 12/25/2019 5:12 AM
the laying off of so many people. Also
pay isn't reflective of the in creased
workload. Push for production over safety
44 It's way more unsafe now. You're working 12/25/2019 5:09 AM
on oil covered locomotives now. Toilets
are being changed everywhere now. The
place is a real Shithole now.
45 The management has become ruthless and 12/25/2019 4:17 AM
untrustworthy. They'll do anything to get
that ``on time departure''. Our union
isn't involved with safety anymore. It's
just management.
46 We are rushed through checking our 12/25/2019 2:50 AM
paperwork, job briefings, and engine
checks by yardmasters who just want us
out of their yards in an unreasonable
amount of time. They harass conductors
for taking too much time, and tell them
to short-cut their work as they pick up
or double cars for outbound trains. Rules
are being deleted to speed up departures.
It's much more difficult to get time off
approved. It's impossible to make any
plans or reservations because the
railroad will wait until 72 hours before
the requested time off to approve or
disapprove the request. This adds more
stress to an overly stressful job. Stress
detracts from the quality of rest. Longer
trains mean that more road crossings get
blocked when we stop. As more crossings
are blocked, motorists feel that it's
better to go around the gates in front of
a train, rather than sit for an extended
time at a crossing. Pedestrians feel it's
better to crawl through a train than wait
for it to move off a crossing.
47 PSR is a joke. It's messed everything up 12/24/2019 10:45 PM
and cost us business we can't regain
again. Safety 2nd at CSX. Stocks and
saving fuel are first.
48 It hasn't 12/24/2019 7:32 PM
49 No chance for job briefings safety 12/24/2019 6:33 PM
meetings or face to face meetings. They
don't care about whether paper work is
right just get out and get train moving
everyone is being rushed to get things
done.
50 Harder to stay focused when you are 12/24/2019 6:00 PM
constantly worried about loosing your job
51 Longer hours, short on crews, less home 12/24/2019 5:04 PM
time.
52 We don't get as much time to do a job. 12/24/2019 4:00 PM
53 Again it's horrible we have no help! They 12/24/2019 3:57 PM
have cut so deep we need the help and not
from contractors
54 In an effort to expedite yard switching 12/24/2019 3:11 AM
our terminal director instructed switch
crews to use minimal air or no air at all
while switching, depending on the size of
the cut. This led to a cut of cars
getting away from a switch crew and
causing a massive derailment. Carmen were
on the adjacent track inspecting a train.
Those men narrowly avoided getting
killed. Cars were piled up everywhere.
55 no change in regards to safety issues. 12/24/2019 3:00 AM
56 Made people cut comets to get the job done 12/24/2019 1:44 AM
57 Safety is preached, but if it costs money, 12/24/2019 12:06 AM
it is definitely frowned upon.
58 Not at all 12/23/2019 10:54 PM
59 It just seems as if there is more push 12/23/2019 8:48 PM
than ever to get more out of less. Less
material less time less people.
60 Forcing us to stay overtime Rule 19 All 12/23/2019 8:43 PM
the time
61 Safety is a thing of the past. NS wants 12/23/2019 7:49 PM
the same amount of work from less
employees. Too many people have to
multitask to get a job done.
62 Safety? There is no Saftey on the railroad 12/23/2019 7:27 PM
anymore. There is no Saftey briefing on
jobs, just do what it takes to get the
job done. All in the name of the
shareholders. Supervisors and senior
project engineers actually tell you to
break the rules, than turn around so they
don't see rules being broken.
63 I have less material to work with and am 12/23/2019 7:23 PM
constantly asked to bandaid it until it
absolutely breaks.
64 Far more worry about being laid off than 12/23/2019 5:57 PM
performing work.
65 Our ``safety'' meetings are barley 3 hours 12/23/2019 5:51 PM
long!! They used to be a day or two!!
Once again shows they honestly don't care
about our safety.
66 You're rushed. Trains matter more than 12/23/2019 4:21 PM
maintenance. When you get time to do
maintenance it's hurry up
67 It hasn't really had an impact on employee 12/23/2019 4:00 PM
safety, but I am concerned about track
issues being brought up to management and
not being addressed. It's always either a
manpower issue, or not having materials
due to budget constraints.
68 Unsure 12/23/2019 3:23 PM
69 I work alone in dangerous situations at 12/23/2019 2:58 PM
the request of supervision
70 Not sure because this is the first I've 12/23/2019 2:33 PM
heard of PSR
71 Saftey concerns have decrease tremendously 12/23/2019 2:25 PM
in the 10 years of service I have.
72 Safety is an after thought unless they can 12/23/2019 2:15 PM
use it against someone or to reduce the
work force
73 Depends how you look at it. Most try to 12/23/2019 2:05 PM
get by with as little as possible so less
chance to get into trouble. Safety is no
longer #1 moving trains is.
74 Safety is now not the top priority, moving 12/23/2019 1:59 PM
trains is more important.
75 Short periods of available track means 12/23/2019 1:31 PM
that I am more prone to be faster instead
of safer. Dispatch won't give you
adequate time because there is a train
due 1 hour beyond the time frame you
request.
76 It really hasn't affected my job, still 12/23/2019 1:20 PM
hasn't changed.
77 You're being pushed to get stuff done so 12/23/2019 1:04 PM
safety isn't as important as it use to be
78 Safety now seems to be second or maybe 12/23/2019 1:02 PM
even third in the eyes of the company.
79 Safety coordinators were abolished, 12/23/2019 12:33 PM
company don't want no feedback from
employees, just do as told or be
disciplined.
80 Hard to focus on the task at hand when you 12/23/2019 12:20 PM
are wondering if you have a job or not.
81 It's hustle hustle hurry up so they can 12/23/2019 10:58 AM
run trains.
82 Hasn't 12/23/2019 10:51 AM
83 Less safe 12/23/2019 10:50 AM
84 Safety to me is not a concern as long as 12/23/2019 8:57 AM
we keep the trains on time and moving,
due to PSR.
85 Haven't seen much of a change. Management 12/23/2019 6:22 AM
still preaches safety then stretch us as
thin as possible
86 They ended safety first and are now 12/23/2019 6:05 AM
completely profit first
87 Safety is not a priority to the company 12/23/2019 5:30 AM
when it comes to PSR.
88 You can't get the railroad as easy or for 12/23/2019 3:55 AM
the time you need it to do your testing
thoroughly and with them wanting to
abolish all the jobs they want to it
makes for very unsafe conditions for the
train crews and employees on the ground
89 Safety committees are gone. Quarterly 12/23/2019 3:40 AM
safety meetings are gone. Tried to
replace with online training without
guidance or interaction with other co
workers. Morning calls are cut short
without talk of issues or stuff. Injury
rate has went up with fear of discipline
actions
90 More work load and safety has been pushed 12/23/2019 3:39 AM
down to number four of our companies
initiatives.
91 Some of the safety things get in the way 12/23/2019 3:20 AM
but are effective. But there is also
double standards that need to be
addressed
92 Do less with more or we'll find someone 12/23/2019 3:16 AM
else. Even when we point out clear
critical issues they often go unresolved
or done haphazardly because we lack the
people or management will not get us the
material. And it is made quite known that
we are replaceable.
93 Safety takes a back seat to running trains 12/23/2019 2:53 AM
94 Safety is no longer our first priority. We 12/23/2019 2:53 AM
are getting more pressure from the
company to get more work done in less
time and with less tools and materials.
95 The safety is being compromised by the 12/23/2019 2:36 AM
fact that it can sometimes take over 30
minutes for the dispatcher to respond to
a tone up. If there is an emergency
situation occurring 30 minutes is an
unacceptable response time when they are
the lynch pin in getting vital
information communicated to the trains.
96 Well first off the Class 1 I worked for 12/23/2019 2:35 AM
contracted our craft out to TTX. So I had
to go to a different Class 1.
97 It has made a very hostile and unsafe work 12/23/2019 2:22 AM
environment.
98 Hasn't 12/23/2019 2:18 AM
99 Less people means less sleep and rules 12/23/2019 2:12 AM
being broken and hid by lots of people
because we know it needs to get done. The
company preaches safety but never follows
what they preach
100 More time at work. Everything is on nights 12/23/2019 2:05 AM
and quality of work is lacking do To push
of getting job done
101 The use of a lot of mobile technology, 12/23/2019 2:04 AM
it's a distraction and a easy way for
something to get overlooked.
102 As of yet, PTC hasn't changed my job much. 12/23/2019 2:01 AM
But it's just the beginning. That being
said, safety is obviously not important
as it used to be.
103 They don't care about safety or working 12/23/2019 1:50 AM
conditions anymore.
104 Seems rules and safety are tossed out 12/23/2019 1:46 AM
unless it works in their favor to cut or
discipline
105 Very very stressful . . . fear and loss of 12/23/2019 1:43 AM
sleep..not only me but a lot of brothers
have said the same.
106 It seems they want more and more work from 12/23/2019 1:40 AM
the employees all while cutting spending
and people
107 They are not updating equipment, vehicles 12/23/2019 1:39 AM
or replenishing the man count. Which in
turns makes everything tougher and unsafe
108 It has created a rush on our job giving us 12/23/2019 1:36 AM
minimal time to fix critical problems.
109 Seems about the same 12/23/2019 1:32 AM
110 Everything is more dangerous, less 12/23/2019 1:20 AM
employees working and less time to
perform required maintenance.
111 It has gotten to the point where the 12/23/2019 1:19 AM
carrier cares more about running trains
and the bottom line. They don't care
nothing about Saftey as they did yrs ago
even just a year ago
112 The only time safety is emphasized is when 12/23/2019 1:10 AM
they can use it to punish an employee.
113 There is such a push to get through 12/23/2019 12:58 AM
projects that safety is disregarded. We
were told last week ``don't give me that
we don't have sight distance' bullshit''
114 As mentioned above in question one safety 12/23/2019 12:54 AM
has taken a back seat to service. As
maintenance employees we get less time to
perform regular maintenance and often
feel pressured to expedite testing and
maintenance procedures. It is unsafe for
the employee and also the general public
to work under the current work
atmosphere.
115 Haven't heard much on safety. 12/23/2019 12:49 AM
116 Greater focus on speed of fixing the 12/23/2019 12:47 AM
problem vs safety while doing it.
117 Production is the main index we are 12/23/2019 12:46 AM
``graded'' on.
118 Safety has taken a back seat to PSR, 12/23/2019 12:34 AM
everything is about the train schedule.
Often when train traffic is delayed
employees will get a disciplinary
charges.
119 Has not yet 12/23/2019 12:24 AM
120 It's made it worse! The reason being is 12/23/2019 12:15 AM
there have been so many changes to save
money and so many furloughs that it puts
the majority of the workload on our
shoulders and the stress level is through
the roof as to not make a mistake to harm
the tactics of PSR.
121 Fewer employees doing more work is hardly 12/23/2019 12:13 AM
conducive to greater safety.
122 Safety went from 1st to 3rd or 4th in the 12/23/2019 12:08 AM
list of priorities
123 Job cuts/less ppl more work. The railroad 12/22/2019 11:57 PM
right now is at an all time low with
safety. The FRA needs to step in and
start doing there job
124 Unsafe 12/22/2019 11:45 PM
125 Longer, heavier trains with poor train 12/22/2019 11:21 PM
makeup
126 need clearer definitions to how the 12/22/2019 11:05 PM
operations are supposed to work when,
work needs to be done and how coordinate
the two
127 See above 12/22/2019 10:53 PM
128 It's about safety, till it's all about 12/22/2019 10:49 PM
money
129 Everything is in a rush there is no time 12/22/2019 10:07 PM
to do the job correctly.
130 Doesn't 12/22/2019 9:09 PM
131 Like I said before get it done faster with 12/22/2019 7:37 PM
less help and what ever you do don't slow
or stop a train.
132 Safety has not changed but rules are being 12/22/2019 7:21 PM
stacked on us in a way where it makes
certain tasks take longer and possibly
less safe.
133 The concern is getting the work out of the 12/22/2019 6:37 PM
shop safety is not even secondary. They
are reluctant to spend money on things to
make jobs safer unless it also speeds up
the process
134 Not as safe 12/22/2019 6:24 PM
135 They are just having people due more and 12/22/2019 6:23 PM
more things like foreman are running
machines and the jobs are a free for all
no guidance very dangerous
136 More work less people 12/22/2019 6:21 PM
137 Everything is rushed if we our close to 12/22/2019 6:18 PM
overtime.
138 vv(male symbol) 12/22/2019 6:16 PM
139 Cutting jobs and expecting more or the 12/22/2019 5:40 PM
same with less
140 Safety is nonexistent until someone gets 12/22/2019 5:35 PM
hurts.
141 Have had a few close calls 12/22/2019 5:22 PM
142 As a conductor I am doing more work for 12/22/2019 5:21 PM
the same pay. More setouts more pickups.
More eng moves. I have walked more trains
this year than my whole career combined.
143 Shortcuts on and early releases of 12/22/2019 5:13 PM
equipment
144 They have turned their head to safety 12/22/2019 5:12 PM
until someone gets hurt then they want to
throw the book at the injured employee.
We have to argue every morning about jobs
not being played out safely
145 With fewer people trying to do more work, 12/22/2019 5:02 PM
we have had to work longer hours and more
days. This increases the risk of injury
due to fatigue.
146 It Has increased my concerns for safety 12/22/2019 4:54 PM
amongst all my railroad family!
147 U don't get the time u need to check out 12/22/2019 4:43 PM
the area u working in to see if there are
any thing that need to address or
watched.
148 Safety was very important when I started 12/22/2019 3:41 PM
there. Now they don't even seem to care.
149 Everything has taken a get it done 12/22/2019 2:49 PM
attitude with no regard to safety at all.
150 The company is running locomotives until 12/22/2019 2:31 PM
they fall apart, which means they are
unsafe on the rail.
151 Yes when summer spike happen last summer 12/22/2019 2:29 PM
there was people went down from being
over worked
152 Supervisors do not care about safety. They 12/22/2019 2:06 PM
will tell people to do jobs they know are
not safe and break all the rules just to
get a train out.
153 Safety used to be number 1. Now it is no 12/22/2019 1:57 PM
longer emphasized as being of utmost
importance. Rules have been changed or
done away with.
154 They're pushing us to work faster. And 12/22/2019 1:50 PM
when you being pushed there's room for
accidents.
155 There is less and less room for safety in 12/22/2019 1:23 PM
this operating plan. Less money and time
for safety.
156 They make you work faster trying to 12/22/2019 12:59 PM
accomplish a task.
157 Terrible, no regards for safety 12/22/2019 10:54 AM
158 No stretches anymore, cutting corners on 12/22/2019 10:49 AM
safety to get work done, and no more job
briefings. Supervisor's will actually
tell you I'm going this way, you do what
you have to to set it done. Tasks and
measurements are fudged so work gets out
as well.
159 I was furloughed. 12/22/2019 10:38 AM
160 More work, less pay, no off time, constant 12/22/2019 7:53 AM
pressure, higher stress
161 Now using 1 person to a 3 man job. So 12/22/2019 7:36 AM
practically unsafe and irresponsible from
company stand point
162 I work in a locomotive shop, PSR has 12/22/2019 7:22 AM
management afraid to let us take the time
to fix things right, nor do they want to
spend the money to repair anything
correctly. They worry more about getting
locomotives out shopped as quick as
possible over reliability
163 worked harder and treated like I'm 12/22/2019 7:10 AM
sabotaging trains when I find defects
because there is 0 spare power in the
system. scared for my job because to
company seems to not care who they fire
there targeting guys at my shop.
164 I have already stated this in the previous 12/22/2019 7:02 AM
question. The railroad preaching safety
is fake. Their rules only apply when they
want to use them against you. They expect
work done in a certain time yet if done
by their standard work documents and
their rules not tasks are impossible so
some rules must be skipped around. Then
if tasks argent done because they
followed the rules there are threats of
being handled for not completing tasks in
a timely manner.
165 Company doesn't care about safety 12/22/2019 5:41 AM
166 It's no longer about taking your time and 12/22/2019 4:57 AM
make sure to do it safely. It's about
doing it as quickly as possible with
little to no material and hopefully you
won't get hurt. When I first started,
Safety was the first word and now it
seems like you might see it written
somewhere on the wall but no one is
speaking about it anymore. PSR wasn't
adopted to be more safe but to be quicker
and do more with less bottom line.
167 It is in total disregard o the public and 12/22/2019 4:54 AM
to the workers and their families.
168 It's made it inherently more dangerous due 12/22/2019 4:47 AM
to being rushed to get everything done as
to not hold up train traffic. Also means
things don't get repaired like they
should because of the time frames allowed
to repair them.
169 They now want us to get outbound trains 12/22/2019 4:46 AM
done faster so they can be sent to your
destination. Can't bad order anything
that has FRA defects because it might
slow down the departure time. FRA defects
are going down the rail every day because
car inspectors are afraid of the
retaliation if they delay freight
170 There is no safety at NS if the schedule 12/22/2019 4:44 AM
is in question. They promote safety but
only if it doesn't interfere with
productivity
171 I don't feel like I'm going to be fired or 12/22/2019 4:44 AM
started up for cutting corners on safety
as long as the cars get rolling
172 Unsafe work environment 12/22/2019 4:37 AM
173 Bad work conditions, not enough time 12/22/2019 4:22 AM
allowed to perform inspections and other
needed maintenance work.
174 Threaten job and doing more with less 12/22/2019 2:49 AM
175 Very unsafe and inefficient. Being forced 12/22/2019 2:48 AM
to cut corners and not properly perform a
job
176 Not as safe. The just want locomotives 12/22/2019 2:38 AM
fixed because they have stored a lot of
locomotives
177 What safety get rid of the rules and if 12/22/2019 2:37 AM
you get hurt you should have known
better.
178 Safety is preached as a number one 12/22/2019 2:22 AM
priority but is a touchy subject to bring
up when it interferes with production
179 We have lost work due to NS parking 12/22/2019 2:18 AM
locomotives instead of fixing them and
not repairing tool in the shop telling us
it's fine go ahead and use it
180 They have thrown the rule book out the 12/22/2019 2:14 AM
window. We have no levels of punishment
like we used to have 10 yrs ago. The
rules have been switched around and all
clumped in to one rule that is a fineable
offense. The push to do it now has
replaced it.
181 Safety is skipped many times for the 12/22/2019 2:14 AM
result of getting trains out on time.
That is unless it's when they are trying
to bust someone then safety matters then
182 I can't see what's in front of me because 12/22/2019 2:10 AM
I'm consumed by watching my back
183 Furloughed, specifically I was told we 12/22/2019 2:07 AM
will do whatever we want to make PSR go.
184 Basically missing. We survive on instinct 12/22/2019 2:05 AM
alone from prior years.
185 The only goal and way to keep your job is 12/22/2019 1:53 AM
to get the job done at all and at any
cost
186 Being rushed to complete tasks by 12/22/2019 1:43 AM
supervisors monitoring you with stop
watches and using the threat of
punishment if it's not completed in what
they think is a timely manner. Most of
the supervision we have did not come from
the rank and file and have no basis to
tell us what is and what is not the
proper amount of time to complete certain
tasks we have to do in our day to day.
187 Everything is rushed, understaffed and 12/22/2019 1:40 AM
safety is on the back burner
188 Safety has taken a back seat to train 12/22/2019 1:39 AM
movement. Running trains and locomotives
with FRA defects is the norm now. We are
told to write it up but the tasks are
canceled and or deferred as soon as they
are put in. Making us feel like what we
as Federal inspectors find and write up
don't matter.
189 The has always been the culture but 12/22/2019 1:35 AM
basically the safety rules apply only
when it serves the carrier for discipline
if it's going to slow the train down or
prevent a locomotive release you can do
whatever you want as long as the carrier
is aware of it.
190 They have removed tooling and processes 12/22/2019 1:34 AM
that where meant to protect the worker.
Now it's about time and production with
little consideration about the employee.
Not taking locomotives to engine house to
be service cause units to run low or
become empty of sand with no way of
refilling due to the lack of manpower and
or vehicle.
191 Railcar fleet in worse condition than 12/22/2019 1:31 AM
ever, dangerous lack of maintenance every
single day.
192 With the influence to cut corners and 12/22/2019 1:17 AM
rules becoming less important, mixed with
the push to get more done with less, it
seems now that production and profits
come before safety.
193 Shortcuts are being taken on repairs 12/22/2019 1:07 AM
194 Not at all. Safety is still priority #1. 12/22/2019 1:05 AM
However long stretches of overtime being
fatigued can lead to injury but I don't
want to be limited on overtime
195 Half the people but same amount of work 12/22/2019 1:03 AM
expected
196 Rush rush rush now with little to no 12/22/2019 12:55 AM
concern for safety. We're a number now
unlike we were 4-5 yrs ago
197 Terrible, more injuries, safety rules have 12/22/2019 12:52 AM
been bent. OSHA is not present.
198 I'm furloughed now Thanks. 12/22/2019 12:41 AM
199 The company no longer concerns itself with 12/22/2019 12:26 AM
safety of their employees, only the speed
of production over all else.
200 Again, safety is no longer the number one 12/21/2019 11:05 PM
priority. When the class I railroads
participated in the EH Harriman award,
safety was actually a priority. We used
to have a safety meeting in the morning
and a follow-up meeting mid-shift. They
eventually got rid of the mid-shift
safety meeting and I found out soon after
I left they got rid of the morning safety
meeting. Now all they do is read a safety
rule in the morning on a karaoke machine.
201 Well safety literally used to be first on 12/21/2019 10:53 PM
the list of things now not at all.
Literally when they show a list of 5 keys
safety is 4th place.
202 Safety has taken a few steps back I feel. 12/21/2019 10:52 PM
It is more important to get the job done
now than it is do get the job done safely
203 Everything is rushed and as mentioned 12/21/2019 10:37 PM
before safety has become a forethought at
best. It's all about the numbers no
matter the cost.
204 Everyone is at risk with job cuts and 12/21/2019 9:18 PM
safety is non existent.
205 Very dangerous 12/21/2019 7:33 PM
206 Furloughed 12/21/2019 6:56 PM
207 We need engines worked on it takes forever 12/21/2019 3:21 PM
because they don't keep enough manpower
to sufficiently work on things. In
terminals where they used to work on cars
now we may not even sit them out because
they use the phrase en route failure
loosely because we don't have manpower to
fix it. Trains are extremely longer. Now
as bad as getting into your terminal was
before now it's worse because most
terminals can't fit a train over 8000 ft
in one track. So we are asking crews to
wait longer outside a terminal then rush
in at the last minute and try to get
things done. We have territory where 2
trains over 9500 ft can't meet but in one
spot so now we have on crew sitting 20
miles outside of originating terminal for
8+ hours waiting for the other train to
come 130 miles to make a meet. Then you
are ran until your last minute. Most of
the time with no ride ordered or you have
to wait for hours on a ride then may have
2+ hour ride to the away from home
terminal. So on duty time and rest is a
big issue. I have been instructed to not
tie a train down because they couldn't
take us across the connection because we
were to big and didn't have room. Instead
of being able to tie it down and get a
ride home we were told that train
management says we are to sit on the
train until relief gets there. 2+ hours
after we hog the relief crew gets there
and they weren't even on duty until 30
minutes after our hours of service. It
just seems like we will disregard safety
for profit. This is a prime example of
why 2 man crews are a big deal because
being on the train that long in the
middle of nowhere at night it's nice to
have someone to talk with to help keep
you awake and focused. Everyone says well
u were rested at the hotel so you should
be ok for 12 hrs but until you work with
no schedule more en route work and can't
sleep a lot away from home because you
get off duty at 10 in the morning you
can't tell me we should be ok. Why does
the FRA allow this? I understand a
business needs profit I understand allot
of jobs are not vital to actual freight
but the FRA knowing sees what the
railroads do and yet we argue that 2 man
crews aren't vital. I not saying that we
have to keep 5 man crews or all the jobs
such as cab supply but when we cut local
jobs that used to switch customers or try
to cut brakeman from those jobs or allow
the mechanical department to be
drastically under staffed it's not just
the fault of the railroad for safety
shortcuts. I can't for the life of me
figure out how the FRA hasn't went into
most yards where these cuts have been
made and not seen the problems. There is
no way that a shift of 5 people do the
same quantity of repairs and quality that
a 10 man shift did. But yet I here no
fuss from FRA which is suppose to set
guidelines for safety with workers,
employers, and the public.
208 Safety is secondary now. Production 12/21/2019 3:00 PM
Production Production is all they care
about now.
209 The equipment is falling apart left and 12/21/2019 2:01 PM
right so I feel it is way less safe.
210 To this company safety is what gets in the 12/21/2019 9:24 AM
way of production. There used to be a
time when they fixed things that we
brought up as being unsafe. Made us feel
like they cared. Now, they don't even ask
us about unsafe issues at all. The ONLY
thing they care about is profit.
211 Now instead of being as concerned with 12/21/2019 8:56 AM
safety, it's all about making a dollar
and moving trains by short cutting on
safety rules.
212 I don't get the rest I need because of 12/21/2019 4:26 AM
trains being laid down when they should
be running
213 Not much 12/21/2019 3:21 AM
214 I feel rushed and have to do more work 12/21/2019 2:24 AM
with less help.
215 I have notice a lot more, let's say, short 12/21/2019 1:14 AM
cuts being made (unless called out on)
and a lot more and harder pushing to get
more than quota by 200 percent
216 it is not a factor. CSX does not care 12/20/2019 11:28 PM
about the employees only about profits
217 Huge trains having crossings blocked. Less 12/20/2019 11:11 PM
crews working more often.
218 Too much expected of everyone 12/20/2019 11:06 PM
219 Safety is out the window 12/20/2019 10:27 PM
220 None 12/20/2019 10:26 PM
221 Longer trains with no regards to public 12/20/2019 9:50 PM
safety and employees that have to walk
the longer trains.
222 More worried about production 12/20/2019 5:16 PM
223 Feel more rushed and stressed. Production 12/20/2019 5:07 PM
over safety. Smaller windows to get work
done. No room for error.
224 We are in a safer environment, I think, 12/20/2019 4:57 PM
because of the track time allowed versus
the hours we work daily!
225 PSR is all about stock share value. When 12/20/2019 4:10 PM
you focus on that a lot of stuff fall to
the wayside. Safety is one of them. We
used to have safety team members on
regions and teams, but now we don't. When
you cut people and jobs the workload
doesn't change it actually increases. So
we are constantly behind and with that
comes stress, and loss of focus. People
want to do a good job when they go to
work they want to do a better job than it
did yesterday but hard to do that when
you're constantly behind.
226 From a safety standpoint day to day it 12/20/2019 4:09 PM
hasn't. See question 1 answer for safety
related issues concerning future
conditions.
227 Not at all. I work within my means. 12/20/2019 4:01 PM
228 It's became much more stressful. The 12/20/2019 3:39 PM
regime has been trained to discipline
often but will cut corners or turn an eye
when a situation arises
229 Not as safe, always problems with power 12/20/2019 3:32 PM
and cars, when you're on the ground it's
for hours
230 Everyone talks safety and I truly believe 12/20/2019 3:14 PM
from the top down everyone believes we
are safe but with PSR in my eyes UPRR is
not as safe as the data shows. With
smaller windows things are over looked.
We are expected to do the same amount as
we did 10 years ago.
231 The implementation of Precision Scheduled 12/20/2019 2:53 PM
Railroading has caused safety to take the
back seat. Railroads preach safety but
don't practice it. Employees are required
to have safety meetings every morning and
discuss things pertaining to safety but
when it comes down to it, the most
important thing to the Carrier is hurry
up do your job and don't be late. Review
of accidents and injuries for all
railroads should speak for itself.
232 Not stopping trains to perform needed 12/20/2019 2:26 PM
maintenance. Or constantly delaying
needed maintenance not slow or stop train
traffic.
233 Loss of man power and less work. 12/20/2019 12:49 PM
234 It put my employees working in non 12/20/2019 12:32 PM
standard situations all the time.
Something new everyday
235 Safety used to be the number 1 priority, 12/20/2019 12:29 PM
now it's how much work did you get done.
For example we are changing bridge ties
with snow and ice on the deck which never
used to happen.
236 There is less time to complete jobs and 12/20/2019 11:47 AM
they push to complete them faster
237 I have no home life. I fear for my safety 12/20/2019 11:19 AM
daily due to diminished head count.
238 Cutting boards so deep that we either have 12/20/2019 10:59 AM
to work off our rest day after day,
leading to exhaustion and health issues
or layoff and risk an attendance issue.
239 It's worse. 12/20/2019 10:56 AM
240 It didn't effect my career personal but 12/20/2019 10:36 AM
there has been a huge reduction in track
car and locomotive maintenance
241 Well boards are ran short and pushing more 12/20/2019 9:48 AM
work on everyone that hasn't lost their
job yet
242 Furloughed 12/20/2019 6:07 AM
243 Less rest, forced to work all and any job 12/20/2019 5:34 AM
qualified or not
244 what's that? 12/20/2019 3:57 AM
245 Less rest, no regard to safety first, 12/20/2019 3:47 AM
threatening intimidation and termination
for things that aren't serious
246 Less people more work and being pushed to 12/20/2019 3:39 AM
hurry
247 Makes it next to impossible to do jobs 12/20/2019 3:37 AM
correctly and safely with less help and
less time to complete a job mainly
placing bandaids over battle wounds until
it fails again
248 Less people & longer trains have created a 12/20/2019 3:08 AM
rushed work environment where doing the
actual job is impossible and retaliated
against by management.
249 There is so much focus on getting a 12/20/2019 2:37 AM
bandaid thrown on a problem and get the
hell outta the way of the trains. Do a
project in 3 hours with 2 employees and
catch holy hell cause you gave track back
3 minutes late and the dispatchers can't
line a train from Indy to Boston, when 8
years ago you did the same project with 5
guys in 3 hours and all was right with
the world when you gave track back 4
minutes early cause you didn't have to
rush and kill your self
250 Time to repair tracks are harder to get 12/20/2019 2:31 AM
and managers are pushing harder for
production, this leads to an already
stressful environment
251 At times it can be frustrating and nearly 12/20/2019 2:19 AM
impossible to reach the production goals
252 PSR causes good employees to make bad 12/20/2019 2:01 AM
decisions . . . production over safety
253 They no longer care, if they ever did, 12/20/2019 1:33 AM
about the safety of their employees. They
have removed speed restrictions and
procedures and traded faster turnaround
times for the safety of the guys in the
yard. They have fired roughly 1/3 of the
employees that worked in my yard. Forcing
the remaining employees to cut corners on
inspections and delaying much needed
maintenance to cars all to move cars
faster
254 bad, safety is no longer the most 12/20/2019 12:42 AM
important thing. only how fast you can
work is
255 All safety programs on CSX were 12/20/2019 12:37 AM
terminated. We have NO access to safety
supplies. Not even the basic first aid
kids are kept up. I am wearing the same
boots from 4 years ago and high
visibility vest from even longer. Ear
plugs were taken out of our crew packs. I
have on several occasions seen where
employees were forced to operate trains
over territory they were not qualified
on.
256 A lot. Company is afraid to let us work 12/19/2019 11:44 PM
OT.
257 Negatively 12/19/2019 11:40 PM
258 As a result of PSR we are on the ground 12/19/2019 11:19 PM
more often. And many jobs have been cut.
259 Hard to get time, more work and less 12/19/2019 11:11 PM
people. Because the trains being longer
it's wearing out components faster due to
forces, heat and friction on the rail. So
sometimes doing a job right takes good
judgment when you don't have enough
people or the right tool at the moment.
The job has to get done regardless has
long has everyone remains safe in doing
so.
260 not yet 12/19/2019 10:53 PM
261 It has changed everything. When I hire out 12/19/2019 10:30 PM
the train line ups used to be pretty
accurate the same trains ran about the
same time everyday. Now with PSR they are
shutting down yards moving trains around
so now we really down know when we will
be going to work. Like I said before
train used to be shorter (about 7,000 ft)
now trains are bigger. My train last trip
was 12,700 ft with a mid DPU. First,
where we ran trains it is mainly single
main track and 12, 700 ft trains don't
fit into the sidings. Most of our sidings
only hold about 9,000 ft long trains.
Second, if they continue to ran these
long trains I think they need to bring
back the brakemen on trips. If I would've
a brakeman on my last trip he would have
had my train fixed in at least half the
time (if not faster) it took me to walk
back 2 miles in the snow and ice. Because
he would have been on the mid train DU
and would have been closer to my air hose
problem.
262 They want you to work more with less 12/19/2019 10:15 PM
people in work groups
263 they Cut safety programs, save money at 12/19/2019 10:07 PM
any cost. Example wrote up a yard engine
for a cracked draw bar. Was told to use
it until it broke, yard leads are mud
pits. So there is no safety
264 No rest. No sleep. Very little manpower. 12/19/2019 10:00 PM
265 More work less guys. Old non reliable 12/19/2019 9:53 PM
unsafe equipment. Tools are worn out and
won't get replaced
266 IT KEEPS PEOPLE WORRIED ABOUT LOOSING 12/19/2019 9:52 PM
THEIR JOBS & NOT FOCUSED OR CUT IN TO THE
JOB OR SAFETY AT TIMES.
267 Working lots of hours with less people 12/19/2019 9:40 PM
268 We're handling longer and heavier trains, 12/19/2019 9:09 PM
which is unsafe for employees as well as
the general public.
269 It has cut way to many jobs making 12/19/2019 8:15 PM
everyone work in unsafe conditions. They
have cut the boards to the bare minimum
and those guys are working nonstop which
means they are constantly going to work
tired
270 No effects 12/19/2019 8:11 PM
271 It has employees working at nights and 12/19/2019 8:04 PM
various other things that make it unsafe
for workers but convenient for the
railroad
272 It causes delays which occasionally holds 12/19/2019 7:43 PM
trains that have a signal and causes
delays to barge traffic causes
frustration for Captains, dispatchers and
bridge tenders.
273 It's better 12/19/2019 7:40 PM
274 They want you to work on short rest . . . 12/19/2019 7:30 PM
& over 12 hrs but don't report it on the
ticket.
275 More concerned about production than 12/19/2019 7:16 PM
safety
276 Production more important then safety 12/19/2019 7:16 PM
277 Safety went out the window. We just make 12/19/2019 6:59 PM
the best of what we have. Just keep you
and your partner safe it is only 2 man
crews working
278 Hurry up and get the job done. Hurry up, 12/19/2019 6:40 PM
skip job briefings and rush rush rush
279 While it may be different in ``line of 12/19/2019 6:32 PM
road'' locations, in a ``terminal''
location it seems that there are more
instances of cross functional manager-
blitzes looking to simply ``snitch'' or
``rat out'' people from other departments
to appear to be enforcing the rules
everyone in management is now looking to
justify their job by ensuring they catch
someone breaking a rule, and thus safety
seems to be more of a weapon than a
driving goal.
280 We are less safe. Less men to watch for 12/19/2019 6:12 PM
trains, less men to do work, worse
equipment and bad attitudes.
281 Since the introduction of PSR the carrier 12/19/2019 6:06 PM
has cut multiple jobs and forcing
employees to work multiple positions
during the work day. Example: foreman are
being forced to be the acting foreman an
machine operators while on duty. Foreman
have enough things to worry about for the
safety of their team without adding
additional duties of running a machine
282 No safety impact thus far. 12/19/2019 5:57 PM
283 Can't say it has improved it. 12/19/2019 5:37 PM
284 It has caused numerous Hours of Service 12/19/2019 5:00 PM
violations. 16 hours on a train being
told to violate by the railroads is
outrageous.
285 Railroad conductors are forced to perform 12/19/2019 4:59 PM
class 1 air tests that carmen used to do
but are now cut.
286 Huge workforce reductions and push for 12/19/2019 4:56 PM
productivity. Every employee is stretched
thin mentally and physically. In some
cases quality of work is sacrificed from
lack of manpower and materials needed to
do the job.
287 The company only cares about running 12/19/2019 4:37 PM
trains no matter what. I feel rushed to
get a job done and certain jobs just
can't be rushed unless you want to fail.
A lot of times we leave jobs half
finished in order to clear up for trains.
Some jobs just go untouched. And heaven
forbid you put a slow order on and heaven
forbid you don't and something bad
happens. Dispatch doesn't understand or
know the territory or working situation
(IMO). I don't feel totally safe with
them.
288 What PSR basically has done is get rid of 12/19/2019 4:34 PM
employees by firing them. This effects
safety because now the men are more
worried about being wrote up and fired by
their managers instead of focusing on the
job task. Track work is dangerous and at
times life threatening so when the
Carriers have employees more worried
about getting fired than working safely I
believe is the biggest cause of injuries
occurring on the job.
289 The safety standards of the tracks have 12/19/2019 4:21 PM
gone way down When I started Norfolk
Southern took pride in making sure that
their railroad was up to their own
standards (which is most cases is higher
than FRA), in some cases were being told
to lower the standards to what the FRA
has then set at to ensure that there
won't be slow orders. Another part of the
PSR was to move all of the dispatchers
down to Atlanta, since that move there
has been many more track time violations
and enough close calls from dispatcher
error to have you always looking over
your shoulder.
290 None so far. 12/19/2019 4:16 PM
291 Safety is disregarded is order to run 12/19/2019 4:10 PM
trains
292 Working more and the company not caring 12/19/2019 4:08 PM
about wether it's crews are rested
293 I don't feel that it has changed my safety 12/19/2019 4:01 PM
however the public's safety is the one I
would worry about. We aren't allowed to
put slow orders on anymore to keep the
trains moving. Every curve on eastons
territory that the rail gangs just work
have no elevation or very little an the
ballast isn't filled in that should be a
slow order but it's not
294 More work with less employees makes for 12/19/2019 3:57 PM
unsafe conditions
295 N/A 12/19/2019 3:26 PM
296 Made it harder 12/19/2019 3:23 PM
297 It's made my job unsafe because they want 12/19/2019 3:22 PM
more production with less workers. Safety
for the railroad has been tossed out the
window and we're being replaced with
contractors which is clearly against our
contract
298 It's BIG because now it's less time with 12/19/2019 3:03 PM
my wife and kids mom, dad. They took 24
days from us just because they can
299 Unsure to be honest 12/19/2019 3:00 PM
300 Once again it means more work with less 12/19/2019 2:56 PM
people. We're beat up, we're tired and
we're fed up. For some this spills over
into family unintentionally and causes
stress for loved ones. Railroad in
general does not give a damn.
301 Not very safe anymore when we are being 12/19/2019 2:55 PM
rushed to do our job
302 Less employees make everyone have to work 12/19/2019 2:53 PM
harder increasing chance of injury
303 Not one but 12/19/2019 2:50 PM
304 yes 12/19/2019 2:37 PM
305 We don't seem to have as many people 12/19/2019 2:27 PM
working as we use to. Not as many people
to help carry the work and weight
306 Again, much worse. The chance of 12/19/2019 2:27 PM
derailments are much higher. Not good for
the public.
307 Safety is a joke now. They've cut so many 12/19/2019 2:16 PM
jobs the people we use to have to float
from gang to gang, and even the amount of
people assigned to each gang to keep an
eye out for everyone's safety is gone
thanks to PSR cuts. They want the gang
foremen and EIC's to be the leaders of
safety, but how do you do that when we
have to do so much more to pick up the
work our assistant foreman use to do to
help out.
308 it's a ``hurry up and get things done'' 12/19/2019 1:50 PM
situation
309 Always in a hurry once you get a 704 you 12/19/2019 1:44 PM
have a certain amount of time, if you get
any time at all,
310 Safety, what safety, it's not safe 12/19/2019 1:34 PM
311 It has stopped most overtime. 12/19/2019 1:10 PM
312 Less track time 12/19/2019 12:53 PM
313 It is obvious that safety is an after 12/19/2019 12:46 PM
thought. Just in the lack of training or
even talking about injuries and injury
prevention makes me feel as though our
safety is not important unless it affects
their bottom line
314 Don't see much change in the process. 12/19/2019 12:33 PM
315 The implementation has greatly affected my 12/19/2019 12:31 PM
job safety with reduction of manpower and
necessary equipment needed to do the job.
316 More work, less helps is no longer a 12/19/2019 11:50 AM
priority
317 Not applicable in my position. 12/19/2019 11:37 AM
318 Safety is no longer the top priority for 12/19/2019 11:27 AM
the railroad
319 Since PSR is seems company is only 12/19/2019 11:12 AM
concerned with moving freight conditions
of track get worse and care less for
workers
320 Less safe 12/19/2019 7:31 AM
321 The lack of safe equipment puts us in 12/19/2019 6:36 AM
danger daily
322 Less emphasis on planning and identifying 12/19/2019 5:09 AM
and more on rule compliance when it fits
the mission objective
323 Worse. Less and less people to be able to 12/19/2019 4:34 AM
do the jobs and more work and asking
unreal time lines to get them done but
still wanting them done.
324 Puts more pressure on work to be done fast 12/19/2019 4:32 AM
which causes mistakes
325 Can't get time to fix the defects found. 12/19/2019 4:18 AM
So some defects are left in the tracks
longer then necessary leading to possible
derailments and when we do get time it
hurry up and get it done
326 Made it more unsafe. Derails have 12/19/2019 4:15 AM
increased. Lack of rest from improper
staffing. Threats of closures if not
running beans or taking breaks. Not
fulfilling contractual obligations
327 I'm not aware of the safety statistics off 12/19/2019 4:12 AM
hand. On system, it seemed like 2019 was
a rough year.
328 Safety has always been so called #1 to 12/19/2019 4:08 AM
railroads employers till there's a train
on the ground or an emergency or
something needs to get done then
everything is thrown out the window and
just get the job done as quick as
possible
329 3 12/19/2019 4:06 AM
330 Everyone is under tremendous stress to 12/19/2019 3:49 AM
move these trains the way the company
wants and that's not safe for anyone.
However, most people are probably scared
to report injuries in our current working
environment.
331 To soon to tell 12/19/2019 3:46 AM
332 Being on the road more than before and 12/19/2019 3:42 AM
less man power per work group
333 It hasn't yet. 12/19/2019 3:21 AM
334 Furloughed. 12/19/2019 3:18 AM
335 Haven't seen where it's benefiting 12/19/2019 3:18 AM
maintenance of way
336 They push to get more done with less 12/19/2019 3:17 AM
people and unrealistic schedules to get
things done. Safety is not a priority
anymore
337 Safety is as important as ever 12/19/2019 3:13 AM
338 Less people means more chance of someone 12/19/2019 3:13 AM
getting hurt
339 I could do without all the high tech 12/19/2019 3:11 AM
gadgets and cameras?
340 It hasn't more people are at risk in the 12/19/2019 3:10 AM
summer because of the heat
341 We still get the same safety supplies as 12/19/2019 3:03 AM
before. Cutting of people means you have
a higher work load with same pay not more
same. Than union takes more dues and does
less for us
342 Not being able to determine when to be 12/19/2019 3:02 AM
rested to safely do my job. The carrier
doesn't seem to care about our rest or
safety
343 Moving trains is before safety 12/19/2019 3:00 AM
344 Having to rush every time I get track 12/19/2019 2:49 AM
authority
345 Trying to do more with less. People are 12/19/2019 2:45 AM
treated more as a number with no concern
for life outside of work. Work life
balance no longer exist for a lot of
employees. Lower level managers do what
they can to help.
346 It's been ignored for the shareholders 12/19/2019 2:36 AM
unless they can use it as a tool to
discipline or cut more jobs.
347 PSR has done nothing to help safety, on 12/19/2019 2:36 AM
the contrary I see more at risk behavior
as management turns a blind eye as long
as defects are taken out of the system.
Our work has not changed the weld count
will always fluctuate and defects still
have the same deadlines. MOW is now
tasked with doing the work with less men
and with less time. A huge recipe for
failure.
348 Less track time 12/19/2019 2:36 AM
349 Sucks! I don't like working from 10 to 6 12/19/2019 2:35 AM
all summer or when ever it's convenient
for company,
350 Hurry up and get done, or don't slow down 12/19/2019 2:34 AM
anything with slow orders
351 I am a mechanic and when I go to work on a 12/19/2019 2:20 AM
machine no operator available to be there
to work with me due to no men on section
gang.
352 When I first started if any railroaded 12/19/2019 2:14 AM
died across the country there was a
safety stand down. Now we get a 1
paragraph e-mail to the boss if the event
of a CSX fatality. Safety is not
important except in speeches.
353 No idea 12/19/2019 2:05 AM
354 Safety has taken a backseat to faster 12/19/2019 1:59 AM
production time with less track time in
order for them to run trains without
stopping them. This I fell is due to
limited train crews they have on stand by
now. When we performed work to the
tracks, they now remove slow orders
faster with less compaction times to be
able to run trains faster with limited
delays. The railroad I work for has
stopped inspecting main line keyroutes
everyday to two times a week. You can
have broken insulated joints, joint bar
pull aparts, blown out frogs, washouts
along creeks, rivers, culverts and never
have a track light to alert anyone of the
dangerous conditions. These conditions
have happened overnight before, but we
were able to find and fix these defects
in a timely manner when the tracks were
inspected daily by a qualified inspector.
Defects like I have mention go undetected
sometimes for 2 to 3 days before the
inspector rides and finds them.
355 It has made it much harder to be rested 12/19/2019 1:57 AM
for trains. The carrier provided lineups
are inaccurate and erratic and the
customers are receiving worse service
than ever before. This plan helps
stockholders while endangering everyone
else.
356 Like stated in question number 1, with the 12/19/2019 1:56 AM
implementation of ``precision
railroading'' our safety has taken a back
seat to building and moving trains faster
and more efficiently. It seems like that
is all that the transportation managers
care about, even if it means taking short
cuts or not allowing us to fix issues or
defects because they are worried that a
train will be delayed.
357 it takes away my quality of life with less 12/19/2019 1:49 AM
days at home with my family and it adds
more days of me driving to and from job
sites
358 Working long hours due to lack of workers 12/19/2019 1:46 AM
359 Since I have been working as a 12/19/2019 1:36 AM
representative I've seen both sides of
the safety perspective PSR and safety are
on opposite ends of the spectrum. Worst
morale ever, which affects safety and
decimation of the workforce has
definitely resulted in the most unsafe
environment that I've been involved with.
360 Ok 12/19/2019 1:34 AM
361 The fact that less employees doing the 12/19/2019 1:34 AM
same amount or more work, the odds are
against us as far as getting hurt.
362 Some 12/19/2019 1:27 AM
363 Focusing on maybe or not having a job and 12/19/2019 1:25 AM
wondering if I can pay my next medical
bill hinders my safety
364 Unsure 12/19/2019 1:23 AM
365 Safety is non-existent. The first thing to 12/19/2019 1:22 AM
go was beneficial safety meetings.
Committees were disbanded never to meet
again
366 The implementation of Precision railroad 12/19/2019 1:21 AM
has definitely created a lot of
uncertainties.
367 Always pushed to the limit. No time for 12/19/2019 1:21 AM
breaks to eat or using restroom without
being pressured to rush work.
368 There is no safety, only worried about 12/19/2019 1:17 AM
production and running excessive long
trains
369 3 12/19/2019 1:16 AM
370 Precision Railroading has created 12/19/2019 1:10 AM
instability and uncertainty throughout
the maintenance of way. Due to lay-offs
over those 10 to 20 years.
371 I am bad ordering more cars than I have 12/19/2019 1:05 AM
before, I am finding more defects in
locomotives than I have before and I do
not believe it's going to get any better
any time soon.
372 Let's imagine a slinky going down the 12/19/2019 12:56 AM
stairs, Now put yourself on one end or
other and imagine the ride down.
373 Made it harder 12/19/2019 12:50 AM
374 Safety wise, I'm more fatigued which leads 12/19/2019 12:49 AM
to stress, sickness, more room for error
and myriad other health consequences.
This will only decline if left unchecked.
375 Made it more hurried and worse. 12/19/2019 12:47 AM
376 I don't know exactly what PSR is. 12/19/2019 12:45 AM
377 Cuts every where with inspection of 12/19/2019 12:44 AM
trains, and less track and time out it's
only time before something terrible
happens to personal or trains
378 Longer, heavier trains containing loaded 12/19/2019 12:38 AM
hazmat cars are more difficult to stop
and take longer to find issues. Limited
amount of car men in yards makes it more
difficult to find cars that are bad
ordered.
379 Safety seems to be important when it's 12/19/2019 12:33 AM
convenient for the company
380 Safer 12/19/2019 12:26 AM
381 Seems like it's always hurry up and get 12/19/2019 12:26 AM
the job done.
382 Seem harder to get track time 12/19/2019 12:25 AM
383 Cutting a lot of overtime 12/19/2019 12:25 AM
384 I believe since CSX adapted precision 12/19/2019 12:23 AM
scheduled railing safety is not longer a
concern. We have way less men to do the
same amount of work in the same time
frame
385 Made it worse 12/19/2019 12:21 AM
386 In regards to originating trains, our 12/19/2019 12:20 AM
equipment is being passed along despite
of any defects
387 Doesn't 12/19/2019 12:19 AM
388 More to do and less ppl to do the work 12/19/2019 12:14 AM
389 We are more similar to emergency response 12/19/2019 12:13 AM
teams than preventative maintenance. This
has degraded the quality of our tracks
and caused more out of service conditions
requiring added pressure to return tracks
to service
390 All I can think about is my company gonna 12/19/2019 12:11 AM
continue to hire contractors and lay off
more people and how to feed my family
with 10 years of service and dedication
to UNION PACIFIC
391 Less people to do more work 12/19/2019 12:11 AM
392 Trains are no longer properly inspected 12/19/2019 12:10 AM
and air tested.
393 No track time 12/19/2019 12:06 AM
394 It's taken all the time to stop and think 12/19/2019 12:05 AM
out of the equation
395 Less people doing hard work. 12/19/2019 12:05 AM
396 Safety is disregarded at the expense of 12/19/2019 12:02 AM
Precision. Not enough man power for jobs
that large scale.
397 They have a schedule to keep so you have 12/18/2019 11:59 PM
to cut corners and brake rules to get
done or the managers are threatening to
right you up
398 PSR has no affect on my safety. I work 12/18/2019 11:59 PM
safe so I can go home to my family
399 Precision railroading has been anything 12/18/2019 11:56 PM
but precise or safety conscience. Less
time to do the correct job we need and
loss of workers that are needed to
perform tasks required
400 Longer trains cannot be safer 12/18/2019 11:51 PM
401 1 12/18/2019 11:49 PM
402 I am no longer am worried about the safety 12/18/2019 11:47 PM
of others. I no longer take a
responsibility of trying to identify
safety concerns that others may be
engaging in because we have the same
amount of production with less people and
the company wants us to do jobs left to
other foreman or assistant foremen that
are no longer available (or in a very
limited number) It is for this reason I
will not take on a responsibility of
others when we are being tasked with more
and more.
403 No change in safety in my job MOW Bridge 12/18/2019 11:47 PM
404 Less time to do our work with more 12/18/2019 11:43 PM
pressure from management.
405 More dangerous. 12/18/2019 11:41 PM
406 Cut safety program out, production is no. 12/18/2019 11:39 PM
1
407 A definite focus shift in the wrong 12/18/2019 11:35 PM
direction
408 They want to move trains on shit track, 12/18/2019 11:35 PM
and then complain about how the tracks
are shit, and then not give us track time
to fix them. Or in case of snow duty
actions, they don't want you to miss a
call because every train is ``hot''
train.
409 We have a lot harder time getting the 12/18/2019 11:34 PM
track, causing us to work longer or odd
hours
410 Just can't get enough done 12/18/2019 11:34 PM
411 More rushed feeling. Seems safety takes a 12/18/2019 11:34 PM
backseat.
412 It hasn't 12/18/2019 11:33 PM
413 No 12/18/2019 11:33 PM
414 For me as a track inspector I have double 12/18/2019 11:30 PM
the miles to inspect in an 8 hour day. It
is difficult to not rush trough
inspections. Some days it is impossible
to meet miles inspected for that day
415 Hurry up get the track back no care for 12/18/2019 11:30 PM
safety
416 Seems to be less track time now and the 12/18/2019 11:29 PM
bosses try to make us work without proper
protection
417 Makes it harder since we're covering more 12/18/2019 11:29 PM
territory with less people & smaller
budgets
418 Safety has not been affected, in my 12/18/2019 11:29 PM
opinion.
419 I travel more and drive more. Negative 12/18/2019 11:27 PM
effects on safety
420 Work hours have changed with this 12/18/2019 11:27 PM
implementation and I believe has caused a
rise in injuries
421 It's killed the morale between men. Not 12/18/2019 11:25 PM
everybody is job focused each day,
everyone seems to be plagued with the
``wonder when we're gonna lose our job''
or ``who's getting cut next'' and the
``what are we gonna do if we lose our
jobs'' thoughts. Everyone's minds seem To
be elsewhere therefore the focus on
safety and being careful is gone. We're
not worried about the tasks at hand,
we're worried about what's next with our
day to day life. Therefore opening
ourselves up to injury and incident.
422 Go, go, go not good 12/18/2019 11:24 PM
423 Less people to help with emergency work. 12/18/2019 11:22 PM
424 They care a lot less about track 12/18/2019 11:21 PM
conditions because they never give u
track
425 Safety went out the window when Hunter 12/18/2019 11:19 PM
Harrison came to CSX!
426 We are doing more work with less guys. I 12/18/2019 11:19 PM
have seen lots of guys over doing
themselves and get hurt but are scared to
turn an injury.
427 Less people to do the same if not more 12/18/2019 11:19 PM
work.
428 Cannot do enough. Constantly under 12/18/2019 11:18 PM
pressure
429 Better standards track and time that's 12/18/2019 11:18 PM
plus
430 I think it has been a distraction and hurt 12/18/2019 11:17 PM
our morale. Not enough railroaders
understand how the numbers are affected
thus causing confusion
431 You're hurried on everything, from call 12/18/2019 11:16 PM
outs, to the track time you get, makes
the job unsafe
432 No 12/18/2019 11:14 PM
433 Safety is out the window, unless a 12/18/2019 11:13 PM
employee is hurt than it is because,
``the employee wasn't following the
rules''.
434 Because of the reduction in manpower, men 12/18/2019 11:11 PM
are now forced to work multiple positions
at longer hours with that there has been
a lot more fatigue and injury because of
it
435 None 12/18/2019 11:11 PM
436 N/A 12/18/2019 11:11 PM
437 Safety has long been forgotten, we've lost 12/18/2019 11:11 PM
jobs, been forced into work practices
that did not exist, been forced to stay
on the property 20 plus hours with
disciplinary action treated if we need to
take our rest
438 The want everything rushed and makes it a 12/18/2019 11:10 PM
high risk for injury or possibly fatal
439 PSR has made a difference in my job or 12/18/2019 11:09 PM
duties
440 Hurry up and wait. And then having to 12/18/2019 11:09 PM
answer for a job not done because a
dispatcher doesn't want to have to answer
for a delayed train. And in other crafts
we have heard of issues like today we
heard about the train man who unlocked
the detail and then didn't throw it. And
then derailed the train while riding it
and died. I personally think it was
because of the short time frames they are
imposing on us. And it is causing
distracting thoughts of an I doing it
fast enough am I going to get in trouble.
441 Far more derailments more putting out 12/18/2019 11:09 PM
fires rather than preventing then as a
whole faster pace less support
442 More rushed to get jobs done to not delay 12/18/2019 11:09 PM
trains. No outages are set to benefit
men's work load
443 The do more with less attitude has kept 12/18/2019 11:08 PM
the work boards at a bare minimum. We are
spending more time away from home with
little or no time for our family or
personal life.
444 Furloughed 12/18/2019 11:08 PM
445 Due to P.S.R safety has been forgotten. 12/18/2019 11:08 PM
Amount of track time is down to
accommodate train traffic. So when we do
get time, it is as fast as you can go cut
corners.
446 Hasn't 12/18/2019 11:08 PM
447 they talk safety but still close their 12/18/2019 11:07 PM
eyes until something happens, then they
blame it on us
448 It's all about numbers, production. 12/18/2019 11:07 PM
Smaller windows, same amount of
production expected. Guys are stressed
and tired. Not ENOUGH time at home.
Divorce is increasing. That carries over
into work time. Personal life is
sacrificed for hedge funds on Wall
Street. Shameful
449 We're being asked to do more with less 12/18/2019 11:06 PM
people I think that's a big problem
450 They won't say to rush but supervisors 12/18/2019 11:06 PM
imply it to get the job done and go to
the next
451 In my opinion BNSF has done well with 12/18/2019 11:06 PM
safety
452 Less men to do the same jobs total lack of 12/18/2019 11:04 PM
concern from management just want the job
done
453 People are now doing multiple jobs as more 12/18/2019 11:04 PM
and more jobs are being abolished. The
company is more concerned with trains
moving then getting maintenance done.
Most things are being put off to the next
day of overtime is needed to do the job
or finish
454 I have yet to see a real affect perhaps 12/18/2019 11:02 PM
because it is still fairly new
455 Material for work to do the job 12/18/2019 11:02 PM
effectively makes it harder than it has
to be
456 Safety used to be somewhat of a concern, 12/18/2019 11:01 PM
but within the last 5 years, the company
does not care about safety, once our
morning ``safety'' briefing is over,
there is no more safety.
457 8 hour curfews have been cut to 5 and even 12/18/2019 11:01 PM
then that work window is not respected.
Trains, even just light power with no
cars are expected to be allowed thru,
causing men to scramble to put the track
back in service safety during such times
is not the priority the train movement
take president.
458 ispatchers don't want to give track to 12/18/2019 11:00 PM
work and when they do it's a rush to get
the job done
459 Less people more production expected 12/18/2019 11:00 PM
460 More over time 12/18/2019 10:59 PM
461 Safety is below production 12/18/2019 10:58 PM
462 Reduction of track time 12/18/2019 10:58 PM
463 Velocity and slow order reduction over 12/18/2019 10:57 PM
safety
464 It's been made clear we don't stop trains. 12/18/2019 10:56 PM
Safety is at the forefront only when
there's been a fuck up.
465 Trusting a program that could fail and be 12/18/2019 10:55 PM
hit by a train, less co-workers.
466 My job sucks more than ever. Do more with 12/18/2019 10:54 PM
less.
467 Safety not as important as hurry up 12/18/2019 10:54 PM
mentality
468 Less security, Less money, less man power, 12/18/2019 10:54 PM
less everything. Less hope An hope is all
some have . .
469 Working longer hours has always impacted 12/18/2019 10:53 PM
safety. On the maintenance side because
of lower head count we work countless
hours and have less weekends off and away
from the tracks.
470 More Roadmaster working tracks not safely 12/18/2019 10:52 PM
to keep a departure or arrival time.
Cause union brothers will not.
471 No one feels safe. System not working 12/18/2019 10:52 PM
right and mix that in with inexperienced
dispatchers it's a disaster waiting to
happen
472 To many rules, it is impossible to follow 12/18/2019 10:49 PM
them all. Especially in the time frame
they demand
473 Safety is disregarded. No more safety 12/18/2019 10:47 PM
meetings/incentives. Cut TSC, cut man
power, cut maintenance work windows, etc.
474 Makes shortcuts more appealing, dispatcher 12/18/2019 10:47 PM
won't give you the time you need, but
management still want the production done
475 Makes it more difficult having to watch 12/18/2019 10:47 PM
for trains
476 They want you to rush more to get work 12/18/2019 10:46 PM
done without actually saying it.
477 Fewer people to work, everything is 12/18/2019 10:45 PM
rushed.
478 Haven't noticed much with mine 12/18/2019 10:45 PM
479 Hasn't 12/18/2019 10:45 PM
480 Always in a rush to get job done/ 12/18/2019 10:45 PM
production to avoid train delay.
481 Smaller work groups puts more pressure on 12/18/2019 10:45 PM
people to get things done. Less people
also means longer hours for the few who
are there.
482 Have not they laid off people this year 12/18/2019 10:45 PM
483 A lot more work to do with fewer guys 12/18/2019 10:44 PM
484 In every aspect. Safety is the bottom 12/18/2019 10:44 PM
priority. Truly amazing how much it has
changed.
485 Safety has taken a back seat. As long as 12/18/2019 10:44 PM
the trains run nothing else matters.
486 All programs were cut. Still running on 12/18/2019 10:43 PM
the same old crap
487 Too many gray areas in safety rules 12/18/2019 10:43 PM
488 Made it extremely difficult to repair 12/18/2019 10:43 PM
defects and to do standard inspections
489 Safety is always overlooked 12/18/2019 10:42 PM
490 You are hurried 12/18/2019 10:42 PM
491 We have to rush and get a job done in an 12/18/2019 10:41 PM
allotted time frame and cut corners
492 Supervisors asking (demanding) workers to 12/18/2019 10:40 PM
do more working longer hours with fewer
people covering multiple job positions.
493 Production versus Safety 12/18/2019 10:40 PM
494 Not at all 12/18/2019 10:40 PM
495 Made it worse 12/18/2019 10:39 PM
496 To me I believe the company struggles at 12/18/2019 10:34 PM
it still.
497 Local supervision refuses to allow us to 12/18/2019 10:26 PM
purchase necessary supplies. Lack of
manpower and less track and time requires
us to push the limits, physically and
mentally.
498 They have moved safety to number 4 on 12/18/2019 10:15 PM
their priority list. Enough said
499 To much stress 12/18/2019 10:02 PM
500 Not much has changed in the safety front 12/18/2019 9:41 PM
501 Sleep deprivation. Rushed by management 12/18/2019 9:34 PM
502 We are no longer equipped with the 12/18/2019 9:19 PM
necessary manpower or tools to make sure
the job is done thoroughly with safety
being the priority. The powers that be
would just as soon turn a blind eye to
the needs of the crew just as long as
they can get you turning wheels! Speaking
of wheels, there are more on a train now
than ever before. The demand to run train
lengths to 12,000 and 14,000 feet is
absurd! A 7,500 foot coal train running
at 50mph and 18,000 gross tons will take
a mile to stop in an emergency
application. How long would it take a
14,000 foot 28,000 gross ton train to
stop? In the same sentence, when it is 26
degrees outside and your train is 10,000+
feet long with only 2 lead motors, do you
know how negatively that effects the air
brakes!!?? How safe is it to have a
Conductor walk and inspect a 14,000 foot
train in the dead of summer? How much
comm loss occurs on a 10,000 foot train?
All serious and legitimate questions, but
they clearly fall on deaf ears at the
FRA.
503 No effect 12/18/2019 8:45 PM
504 It has made it much more dangerous. When 12/18/2019 8:35 PM
you work a job as dangerous as ours,
that's really saying something.
505 Very unsafe for workers and the public 12/18/2019 8:23 PM
506 Very rushed and a lot of shortcuts are 12/18/2019 8:20 PM
being taken by management
507 It has made it more unsafe, doing jobs 12/18/2019 8:03 PM
with less, requiring more from less.
Running guys into the ground, exhausted
and mentally drained.
508 I feel as if safety has been thrown out 12/18/2019 7:50 PM
the window especially when it's
convenient for the company and the
interest of the stockholders.
509 Horrible. I lost my job, my house, and 12/18/2019 7:48 PM
forced to work two part time fast food
jobs because most companies see RR on my
resume and consider hiring me a
liability. As I have been told numerous
times in the past several months. It also
is leading to one-man crews which is a
huge huge safety risk which could put
communities and other co-workers at risk
of death.
510 CSX shows you they don't care! Your just 12/18/2019 7:47 PM
another number
511 100 percent 12/18/2019 7:27 PM
512 Less men less rest, they get FRA waivers 12/18/2019 7:18 PM
to work you 6 days anyways. We get better
rest rules, then they get a waiver to
work you 6 anyways
513 It hasn't 12/18/2019 7:11 PM
514 Being told do unsafe task on territory 12/18/2019 7:10 PM
your not qualified on
515 There is nothing precisionly scheduled 12/18/2019 6:49 PM
about it. Nobody can prepare for rest.
516 The word safety is used a lot, just the 12/18/2019 6:31 PM
same as it always has been, but the
difference now is that safety does not
appear at the top of that list and
actually carrying out initiatives to
maintain and improve safety. What is now
the angle is that Safety still matters;
however is limited only to the employee
being accountable when something goes
wrong even though the work may have been
performed in not the best/safest way to
do it, with a blind eye by supervision,
again until something goes wrong.
517 Safety is far gone because maintenance not 12/18/2019 6:23 PM
important any more. Layoffs, autonomous
operations etc
518 Safety never was a priority and is even 12/18/2019 6:21 PM
less of a priority now. The only thing
that matters is moving as much freight as
fast as possible.
519 Everything, and everyone is pushed for 12/18/2019 6:19 PM
time . . . You are rushed to beat or
match time restraints . . . Anyone who is
rushed to perform service is a safety
concern.
520 The money has gone down, and no 12/18/2019 6:12 PM
improvements have been made to worker
rest
521 Again as a carman, they are forcing us to 12/18/2019 6:08 PM
work not completely blue flagged. Light
on engine, flag in front of consists. One
man crew doesn't have time to go to rear
of train to lock in flag. Threatened with
job for taking to long if blue flagged
correctly or inspected correctly.
522 I'm expected to work many positions 12/18/2019 6:08 PM
outside of my bid job that I'm not
familiar with and qualified for.
Pressured to do speedy work to meet the
smaller work windows.
523 Safety is only a concern if it does not 12/18/2019 5:48 PM
directly effect production.
524 PSR has created a lot more scenarios for 12/18/2019 5:16 PM
disaster. 200 plus car trains, set-outs
and pick ups for single cars, and an
ideology that production is king. The
norm now is to have a train that's over
the length limit and not built correctly,
but they offer you some initials and that
makes it ok to take it.
525 A detriment to safety less crews more work 12/18/2019 5:09 PM
and responsibility on the people left.
526 I have been the oldest to 2nd oldest on a 12/18/2019 4:47 PM
ID job out of Bloomfield WV for YEARS and
as of today only have one man below me on
it and will probably NOT be able to hold
it at all in the next week or two.
527 Harder we are scared for our jobs everyday 12/18/2019 4:44 PM
528 less people and more work 12/18/2019 3:55 PM
529 Don't see a lot of change in safety 12/18/2019 3:46 PM
530 Go go go get it done don't care how esp 12/18/2019 3:22 PM
with far less people
531 Longer trains and less trains. Lay over 12/18/2019 3:17 PM
time in the hotel has increased in
certain pools.
532 Less time to safely conduct my work and 12/18/2019 3:17 PM
appropriately perform inspections
533 Rush rush rush 12/18/2019 3:12 PM
534 The only affect I see on safety from PSR 12/18/2019 2:49 PM
is that the carrier is less interested in
safe workers or conditions. Carriers
interest in safety has always been
questionable but now is nearly non
existent.
535 Safety has gone down. We are expected to 12/18/2019 2:43 PM
do the same amount of production with a
significant decrease in manpower, with
the threat of shutting down any yard that
cannot meet the expectations.
536 Help out tremendously 12/18/2019 2:28 PM
537 Smaller crews and retiring equipment 12/18/2019 2:25 PM
without replacing it.
538 The hurry up rush mental stresses 12/18/2019 2:13 PM
539 We are without a doubt taking more risk 12/18/2019 2:13 PM
with all the extra switching done en
route now that isn't being done in a
switching yard. We're tying down trains
where there's steep uneven footing next
to the tracks, riding longer shoves, and
climbing more cars.
540 Focus is now on production more than 12/18/2019 2:05 PM
safety, first time I've seen this in my
21 year career.
541 Same amount of work with less people. 12/18/2019 2:04 PM
Shorter amount of time between start/
trips
542 Longer wait on Track and time 12/18/2019 1:49 PM
543 Smaller work windows which make production 12/18/2019 1:46 PM
goals harder to obtain.
544 There is no safety it's all about the 12/18/2019 1:44 PM
bottom dollar
545 Took reporting times away. Have no idea 12/18/2019 1:44 PM
when to go to work
546 Little to no safety/mechanical inspection 12/18/2019 1:38 PM
on equipment. If a problem is reported
you are told to keep moving and do not
stop or you will be fired.
547 Jobs are becoming less safe everything is 12/18/2019 1:09 PM
hurried up public are in more and more
danger
548 They have gotten rid of tools and services 12/18/2019 1:07 PM
that ensured our longevity and safety to
cut costs just build trains as fast as
they can
549 It doesn't affect my job 12/18/2019 12:13 PM
550 Rushed and pressured to the point of 12/18/2019 11:51 AM
confusion and stress causing distraction
from safety awareness and incapable of
keeping our communities safe with
pressure and deceit convincing Congress
to allow track speed increase because of
past safety records and will not stop
until they are stopped.
551 again I see no difference. the company is 12/18/2019 11:50 AM
talking the talk but not always walking
the walk.
552 They don't care about safety they just 12/18/2019 11:45 AM
care about cutting manpower working you
to death in wondering why you're tired
553 It absolutely has put more 12/18/2019 11:39 AM
responsibilities per person to get the
work done. Now, you have one person doing
the job of two or three. This increases
the risk of injuries. MOW employees are
the kind of people that will destroy
their bodies to make sure the work gets
done we are not afraid of hard work, but
putting more work on less people will
only push people past their physical
abilities. I was part of a crew that
worked a derailment in several inches of
snow, in a yard that was over 800 feet of
twisted rail and there was only seven of
us, one boom truck and one backhoe. This
is becoming the norm
554 It's made it a lot more dangerous. The air 12/18/2019 11:13 AM
compressors on locos struggle to keep up
with the amount of train being handled.
Lack of power makes train handling a
nightmare. The drastic reduction in
carmen and increased train size has led
to an increase in mainline derailments.
This is a threat not only to safety of
crews but public safety as well. We're
currently moving trains longer than most
mountains are tall and we are exceeding
the limits of our hand held
communication. So if I'm on the ground
needing to communicate a hazard at the
end of a 13,000' train I'm on my own
because nobody can hear me. Reducing the
number of employees that helped keep the
railroad running safely and efficiently
and making trains longer and harder to
handle will have lasting repercussions
that we're only beginning to see.
555 Safety is no longer a priority. 12/18/2019 11:12 AM
556 Less track time to perform work and do 12/18/2019 10:50 AM
inspections
557 Working at night can't be safer than 12/18/2019 10:42 AM
working during the day.
558 Done away with it 12/18/2019 10:30 AM
559 Believe it has no safety effect as fag as 12/18/2019 10:17 AM
gains. Seems longer trains have increased
derailments in the industry. Now the talk
of one man crews, can we say danger,
danger Will Robinson!
560 None 12/18/2019 10:07 AM
561 Safety is only a factor when it is 12/18/2019 9:37 AM
convenient for them. If the train is late
all rules get overlooked.
562 Safety is clearly of no concern to the 12/18/2019 9:34 AM
carrier anymore. Profits are the one and
only driving force behind their
decisions.
563 Personally as an engineer it hasn't really 12/18/2019 9:24 AM
affected safety. But for the conductors/
brakeman it has become more dangerous.
Getting on and off moving equipment also
the railroad getting rid of the brake
sticks all to make things ``more
efficient''.
564 Regarding safety ``The Hurry Factor'' will 12/18/2019 9:10 AM
catch up to us all
565 Safety third 12/18/2019 9:09 AM
566 It is now less safe 12/18/2019 8:46 AM
567 Poorly 12/18/2019 8:45 AM
568 It has made the job less safe. 12/18/2019 8:36 AM
569 I do not know. 12/18/2019 8:36 AM
570 None what so ever. 12/18/2019 8:31 AM
571 It has increased the work by eliminating 12/18/2019 7:49 AM
more jobs, work and profit take priority
to everything including my safety. Job
briefing is seen as wasting time by
management. Also management determines if
we need anytime to process critical
incidents
572 They want to take away my job, this would 12/18/2019 7:33 AM
leave me unable to feed and clothes my
children let alone provide a roof over
their heads.
573 Increased emphasis on safety, and that is 12/18/2019 7:28 AM
welcomed.
574 Occasional overtime is now daily. Stress 12/18/2019 7:21 AM
and fatigue is high and those together
are having a negative impact on my
ability to focus on my duties.
575 Putting multiple crews on the ground for 12/18/2019 7:18 AM
no reason
576 Not possible to do my job at a level that 12/18/2019 7:06 AM
will safeguard against any possible
incident due to not given enough time to
do proper inspections and such short
handed that some shifts don't even have
man power to do inspections, so they are
expecting non qualified people to do them
on top of the normal responsibilities
that they are expected to do. It is truly
a recipe for disaster and is only a
matter of time before it causes something
at a catastrophic level.
577 Employees work more hours, short of men to 12/18/2019 6:31 AM
cover days off. When on off days
constantly being called to work extra
578 I am my brothers keeper and words on a 12/18/2019 6:30 AM
page never keep me safe. Fatigue is our
biggest safety concern
579 I felt like I HAD to break and bend or 12/18/2019 6:26 AM
disregard rules in order to accomplish
all that I was tasked to do
580 Accidents are happening more frequently 12/18/2019 6:08 AM
581 Safety is not a priority to UP. It's a 12/18/2019 6:02 AM
formality of business. A formality that's
circumvented at every opportunity. That's
said, two crew members helps the other
stay awake and focused on our jobs.
Without that second person non desired
emergency applications and worse will
occur.
582 What's safety? 12/18/2019 5:50 AM
583 The equipment is not being taking care of 12/18/2019 5:48 AM
they are running us out with damaged
equipment.
584 I'm not sure 12/18/2019 5:45 AM
585 All crew boards are short handed 12/18/2019 5:40 AM
586 I have a constant fear of a car derailing 12/18/2019 5:38 AM
with me on it or as it's going by. There
is also a huge problem with being
exhausted. They have cut crews down to
beyond skeleton crews so there is a
minimal crew amount to choose from. So
broke down cars and locomotives make for
consistent 12 hour days and then not
ample rest time til I go back out because
of too small of crew boards. Inconsistent
call times is also a problem.
587 A lot worse 12/18/2019 5:22 AM
588 I was retired. 12/18/2019 5:13 AM
589 No more safety meetings. Safety concerns 12/18/2019 4:54 AM
are ignored. Managers are scared for
their jobs and will do whatever it takes
to keep bad rolling equipment moving
590 Got laid off after 4.5 years of service. 12/18/2019 4:52 AM
Management did not care about our safety
or the safety of the public. Literally
let FRA defects roll out of the yard just
to meet their numbers and reduce dwell
time.
591 Longer trains, no way of knowing if and 12/18/2019 4:52 AM
when you are going to work
592 Safety has been thrown out the window in 12/18/2019 4:42 AM
regards to train movement. We're told to
look the other way.
593 Made it extremely stressful and unstable. 12/18/2019 4:32 AM
594 I have to run longer trains, which puts 12/18/2019 4:28 AM
more mental stress on me and my
conductor. When putting some trains
together, my conductor is so far away I
can't hear him sometimes. They have laid
off numerous employees forcing the ones
left to work more frequently than we
should
595 I get really tired, fatigued. Because the 12/18/2019 4:16 AM
job I'm doing use to require 5 men. Now
we are doing it with 2. Being rushed non
stop
596 You always seem to be rushed. We are told 12/18/2019 4:15 AM
to do it safely, but get scolded if it
talks too long
597 The people I talk to say they still don't 12/18/2019 4:06 AM
know when they're going to work
598 BNSF has not adopted it. However, I can 12/18/2019 4:03 AM
theorize that with this program that with
velocity being envisioned by carriers,
safety will jeopardized.
599 It's had a impact. Less Carmen to inspect 12/18/2019 4:01 AM
cars/trains. Less maintenance to fix
issues. There are NO limos/vans to
shuttle crews around so they need to walk
everywhere. On uneven surfaces filled
with holes. All of this is dangerous
neighborhoods, where one could very
easily get robbed or shot at.
600 Has reduced manpower and created a very 12/18/2019 4:01 AM
tense environment where you are less
applicable to pay attention due to the
stress of the current situation
601 Safety is always priority one no matter 12/18/2019 3:54 AM
what goes on
602 No regard to our or public safety 12/18/2019 3:52 AM
603 None 12/18/2019 3:51 AM
604 Management does not put safety first hand 12/18/2019 3:50 AM
yet continues to blame their higher ups
when being called out on such things.
605 Safety is nonexistent since PSR has taken 12/18/2019 3:48 AM
over.
606 It has made it worse. We are having to do 12/18/2019 3:47 AM
more with less people. Most employees are
having to do work that they have never
done before that they don't know how to
do on top of their regular workload
because of all the layoffs. Also doesn't
help when your mind is wondering if your
gonna get laid off from day to day
607 Unpredictable. Forced to violate our 12/18/2019 3:46 AM
agreements and FRA And FRA laws moving
non complaint equipment. Rushed all the
time.
608 Added stress 12/18/2019 3:43 AM
609 Safety is an option and is only being used 12/18/2019 3:40 AM
to harass or fire us.
610 Laid off 12/18/2019 3:39 AM
611 Longer trains and less horsepower means 12/18/2019 3:23 AM
longer grueling days of a constant 12-14
hours on duty. Trains don't fit anywhere,
general public is mad at crossings being
blocked so anxious when having to cut
them or sit blocking them
612 Just feel rushed while working on 12/18/2019 3:22 AM
controlled tracks. The evidence is there
we have more authority violations than
ever.
613 Safety is a thing of the past 12/18/2019 3:19 AM
614 It has made it worse. Whatever is best for 12/18/2019 3:14 AM
the shareholders.
615 Safety has taken a backseat to production. 12/18/2019 3:05 AM
Managers and Supervisors conveniently
turn a blind eye to safety rules during
derailments or train delays and encourage
us to take short cuts to ``get the job
done'' or tell us ``No one is going to
get written up so forget the rules.''
When we push back and call out management
for bending or breaking safety rules,
upper management covers them up with made
up policies to cover lower management's
actions.
616 The statistics should speak for 12/18/2019 3:01 AM
themselves. More slips, trips and falls.
More run through switches. More
derailments in yards.
617 We're expected to do more with less. They 12/18/2019 2:57 AM
cut vans off to save money so we have to
wait hrs sometime to get a ride which
increases fatigue. Also we have to walk
almost all shoves and moves which allows
for more slip trip and falls. Vs just
riding in van
618 Don't feel safe at all. Extremely long 12/18/2019 2:55 AM
trains with awful engines cause the
company wants to cut corners. Track is
dilapidated because mechanics are being
laid off left and right. Cars are falling
apart because carmen are getting laid off
619 Have been told safety is not first. More 12/18/2019 2:55 AM
undependable work schedules. Tired most
of the time.
620 Less time to do jobs means having to work 12/18/2019 2:49 AM
faster which is less safe.
621 All activities are rushed and safety is 12/18/2019 2:42 AM
put as an after thought to production
622 I have less track time to complete my 12/18/2019 2:41 AM
work.
623 It's a tool for discipline and nothing 12/18/2019 2:31 AM
more. Constantly asked to bend rules or
work unsafe but when management want to
cut back or need a failure they hammer
you. Everyday is a different mindset
624 Smaller windows to work with, pressure to 12/18/2019 2:20 AM
patch a repair, not fix a problem.
625 Safety is no longer number one priority 12/18/2019 2:18 AM
626 Not much--Yet 12/18/2019 2:18 AM
627 Over worked and worried I will lose my job 12/18/2019 2:14 AM
to PSR
628 What safety. Injuries and derailments have 12/18/2019 2:11 AM
gone up
629 No longer is safety a concern until 12/18/2019 2:11 AM
someone gets hurt it's all profit profit
profit cut cut cut
630 The talk of company stock seems more 12/18/2019 2:09 AM
important than safety. Safety however, is
a concern for our track employees.
631 I have no idea. 12/18/2019 2:08 AM
632 The fatigue factor has doubled. The 12/18/2019 2:07 AM
precision scheduling is still as non
existent as it was prior to PSR. The IDAP
(attendance policy) is horrendous. It
feels like modern day slavery.
633 The carrier has made it clear and even 12/18/2019 2:05 AM
specifically said that this isn't the old
railroad and safety is no longer the
priority.
634 Makes speed a priority and safety last! 12/18/2019 2:05 AM
635 To short of people and help to do our job 12/18/2019 2:05 AM
safely. Just to make some suit, a bigger
bonus. Your life doesn't matter, even
though they preach safety.
636 Shorter work windows and being pushed to 12/18/2019 2:03 AM
work faster!
637 It's harder to get time it seems. So we 12/18/2019 2:03 AM
have to work faster to get the same job
done. Bandaid work at best.
638 It hasn't, all it has done is put 12/18/2019 2:02 AM
thousands of men and women out of Jobs no
longer able to support themselves or
their families
639 Roundhouse, car department, and crew cuts 12/18/2019 2:00 AM
make for less reliable trains. . .while
at the same time, trains are increasing
in size.
640 They want to push push push and keep 12/18/2019 1:57 AM
pushing and it's almost impossible to do
your job safely anymore because they are
pushing so hard and cutting so many
people
641 In a good way 12/18/2019 1:55 AM
642 Safety? The train crews are safe it's 12/18/2019 1:53 AM
management that's causing safety issues
643 There is total disregard for safety all 12/18/2019 1:52 AM
they're worried about is getting the work
done.
644 Worried about getting hurt 12/18/2019 1:52 AM
645 Less time to perform inspections 12/18/2019 1:51 AM
646 We used to have 3 man jobs (engineer, 12/18/2019 1:50 AM
foreman, brakeman), and now the conductor
is expected to work alone for 12 hours, 5
days a week. A lot of the work is done
overnight, adding its own unique dangers
and hazards to an already dangerous job,
for a single employee on the ground for
12 straight hours.
647 Less people on the ground creating an on 12/18/2019 1:49 AM
safe job
648 Dispatchers will only allow an absolute 12/18/2019 1:47 AM
minimum of Track Time. If a problem is
found with a switch or other equipment,
you will not be able to fix anything
properly. You will have to let every
train in the subdivision leave before you
get Sufficient Track Time, But we are
also pressured to eliminate overtime or
calls.
649 Its made it less safe. The rule book are 12/18/2019 1:40 AM
being rewritten. Rules that were written
due to death and or injury are being
erased. We are told to just get it done
650 Get the job done quick, cutting corners 12/18/2019 1:39 AM
and working in unstable conditions
651 They're expecting everything done faster 12/18/2019 1:37 AM
safety is not important to railroads
right now. You can just look at our
safety performance this year versus 5
years ago. It's all in black and white
652 It's a job stealer UP is laying people off 12/18/2019 1:35 AM
because of Precision railroading and they
are having more derailments due to
inspections being rushed
653 Safety is out the window. It's all about 12/18/2019 1:33 AM
making departure times and making sure we
hit there numbers
654 Safety isn't important unless it can be 12/18/2019 1:33 AM
used as a disciplinary tool.
655 Can't say 12/18/2019 1:29 AM
656 We have less people now so safety is out 12/18/2019 1:23 AM
the door
657 Quota of number of ties to be replaced has 12/18/2019 1:16 AM
not changed but amount of time to meet
has lessened. So sense of rush is in the
air.
658 Less track time same amount of work. Puts 12/18/2019 1:14 AM
more stress on employees
659 Cutting boards to the bare minimum and 12/18/2019 1:10 AM
making crews work constantly on their
break
660 Forced to work in places I hadn't worked 12/18/2019 1:07 AM
before with minimal introduction to the
areas. Told to just use my track chart
and rely on the other guy.
661 The extreme focus on efficiency numbers 12/18/2019 1:04 AM
has led to fewer employees being given
less time to perform tasks. Shortcuts are
overlooked (encouraged?) if they result
in better efficiency numbers. I recently
had seven employees terminated to send a
message. They had not been given
expectations to set with their employees,
or properly trained in what the carrier
was wanting.
662 It's all about getting cars out the door 12/18/2019 1:03 AM
rather than safety an quality. Moral is
at an all time low
663 Makes it harder and more stressful 12/18/2019 12:59 AM
664 PSR has 0 regard for safety, it has taken 12/18/2019 12:57 AM
a dangerous job and turned it into a
EXTREMELY dangerous place to work!!!
665 No body to balance crew boards long days 12/18/2019 12:53 AM
on trains that shouldn't happen because
of the lack of power don't know when u
are going to work low maintenance on
equipment and power sucking every dime
out of every thing and not fixing roads
with big pot holes
666 No mistakes or your gone 12/18/2019 12:50 AM
667 I was nearly killed by a inbound train 12/18/2019 12:44 AM
making way without lights, bell or horn
during night. I believe the effects on
employees is causing judgment and
oversight failures. Also fear of
derailing equipment while being near it
has increased.
668 Ridiculously horrible 12/18/2019 12:44 AM
669 less workers to do the same workload 12/18/2019 12:41 AM
670 Pretty scary moving trains down cresting 12/18/2019 12:36 AM
grade. Shaving years off the engineers
life.
671 With precision railroading can an 12/18/2019 12:27 AM
unrealistic time to complete tasks. Tasks
like getting a train from point A to B,
or 26 seconds to inspect a car with one
person driving along side a train. This
has put not only employees at risk but
the public also. Then you have the ever
so frequent 300 car coal train that's 3
miles long with mid DPU. This is becoming
normal not just with coal train's. PSR
has done nothing but put money in
shareholders pockets at the cost of
workers livelihoods.
672 Absolutely 100 percent 12/18/2019 12:20 AM
673 terrible 12/18/2019 12:14 AM
674 Safety is not a concern of the company any 12/18/2019 12:13 AM
more at all.
675 Less safe. Lots of corners cut. 12/18/2019 12:13 AM
676 Safety has been thrown out it's all about 12/18/2019 12:13 AM
running trains
677 We are seeing work events at every yard. 12/18/2019 12:11 AM
There are 4 main lines running into one
of our yards. There are multiple road
crews and multiple yard jobs working on
four radio channels trying to get their
work accomplished. It's only a matter of
time before a tragedy occurs.
678 Only safety issue for me is difficulty 12/18/2019 12:10 AM
contacting trains to verify their head
end location when getting a following
permit since some trains are 3 miles+
long.
679 Always at risk of termination if you don't 12/18/2019 12:07 AM
follow superintendent notices that are
not even rules or have anything to do
with operations again a number game
680 It seems more important now to get the 12/18/2019 12:03 AM
trains push through even while we're
working, on a derailment where they want
to get their trains through and they'll
just push them through with out no
concern for our safety and they push to
get the track back in the service as soon
as they can
681 We have lost 75 railroaders in St. Louis 12/18/2019 12:03 AM
682 About to lose my job 12/18/2019 12:00 AM
683 It has fallen to the wayside and does not 12/17/2019 11:57 PM
seem to be mentioned by management any
longer like it was stressed in the past
684 They are now lifting safety rules, saying 12/17/2019 11:55 PM
we don't need to follow some of them now
685 Better 12/17/2019 11:53 PM
686 Haven't seen any difference 12/17/2019 11:50 PM
687 Drastically 12/17/2019 11:50 PM
688 More focused on screens in front of me 12/17/2019 11:50 PM
than looking ahead on the tracks
689 Well for one no three step protection 12/17/2019 11:47 PM
Elimination of brake sticks
690 Locomotives are not receiving regular 12/17/2019 11:46 PM
maintenance. Being rushed to get a train
set up and out of a yard and to ``look
away from traditional policies'' are
becoming the norm.
691 Safety is non existent. It is production 12/17/2019 11:44 PM
over everything else.
692 Management no longer cares about safety, 12/17/2019 11:43 PM
they will instruct you to take shortcuts
solely for the purpose of making
deadlines.
693 Safety is no longer a priority it's 12/17/2019 11:43 PM
production. I feel I am being pushed more
production with little regard for my
safety and others. And with the rules
being cut back we should be doing more is
what I feel the company is pressuring me
is what to be done. I don't feel safe
with PSR.
694 We all worry about kissing our jobs so 12/17/2019 11:42 PM
Safety is not considered more than
Productive is.
695 Extremely dangerous 12/17/2019 11:40 PM
696 Made is unsafe to work more than ever. 12/17/2019 11:36 PM
697 Shorter time off and less manpower to 12/17/2019 11:29 PM
perform the same job.
698 Longer trains, less employees, overworked 12/17/2019 11:29 PM
699 We are expected to rush as fast as 12/17/2019 11:26 PM
possible to any trouble. Multiple phone
calls asking where we are while we're
trying to drive. I have to jump out of
bed like a fireman and get out the door
within 5 min or risk discipline.
700 Lola. There is no such thing as precision 12/17/2019 11:21 PM
scheduling on the railroad. You never
know when your going to work. May get
there and wait hours on the train to
arrive. It's a joke.
701 Railroads emphasis is safety, well At 12/17/2019 11:21 PM
least on paper Truth is they truly don't
give a shit about the man, all the care
about is their numbers and will push,
enforce and abuse the work face to do
whatever is possible to do just that You
can't stress safety, and have manpower is
the absolute bare minimum, eliminate
safety committed, safety programs and
rewards, lack of maintenance on equipment
and work the living shit out of your
employees and threaten them to do
whatever, break whatever contractual
agreement or threaten discipline against
them, it's pathetic
702 Less people More contracting cut cut cut 12/17/2019 11:16 PM
703 Twice the train, short mechanical people, 12/17/2019 11:14 PM
everything is rushed. No concern for the
public or work force.
704 You are asked as a carman not to get bad 12/17/2019 11:12 PM
orders on certain safety appliances and
when you do you are Discriminated against
705 Less time to make repairs. 12/17/2019 11:11 PM
706 Worse. So much worse. 12/17/2019 11:08 PM
707 Forced to work out side boundaries of 12/17/2019 11:07 PM
contract.
708 The extra days away from family to work 12/17/2019 11:03 PM
the same hours as before are difficult
and cause stress in my personal life. I
feel that coworkers are more irritable
about the z-5 & z-6 schedules also.
709 The railroad has a total disregard for 12/17/2019 11:00 PM
safety since it has started
710 Everyone looks the other way now. Safety 12/17/2019 10:59 PM
is not important. Get the work done as
fast as you can.
711 Safety has become number 4. Just as their 12/17/2019 10:59 PM
slogan shows it.
712 Safety has dropped severely down the list 12/17/2019 10:58 PM
of importance Everyone knows it. In fact
it's listed as #4 or #5 on an actual
company list.
713 It has made it impossible to talk to 12/17/2019 10:58 PM
engineer, when I'm 10000 feet back
working a broken knuckle.
714 Layoffs 12/17/2019 10:58 PM
715 What safety. They couldn't care less about 12/17/2019 10:57 PM
their employees safety are conditions of
equipment
716 Makes it more difficult to get time and 12/17/2019 10:56 PM
feel rushed all the time
717 By cutting the boards we do not get enough 12/17/2019 10:54 PM
rest
718 management uses contractors with no 12/17/2019 10:52 PM
training and no clue.
719 It has affected our job to a great deal. 12/17/2019 10:52 PM
It even affects the crews, and the
public. We always had a partner to work
with knocking cars. Now we work alone
more than ever. We are told constantly to
work faster, get yelled at for bad
ordering cars. Get written up for tagging
legitimate wheel. Get reprimanded for
doing our job the way the FRA wants us
to.
720 Worse than previously 12/17/2019 10:52 PM
721 Gotten worse more stops due to bigger 12/17/2019 10:51 PM
trains and job cuts have employees
working under high stress situations and
accidents are on the rise
722 Constantly worried about being furloughed. 12/17/2019 10:48 PM
Job schedules changed every other week
723 Less regard to safety 12/17/2019 10:46 PM
724 It's no longer about safety, it's about 12/17/2019 10:43 PM
profits. Always rushed to leave the crew
room, terminal with incorrect paperwork
or no paperwork, even when hauling
hazmat.
725 Inspection are down push to violate hours 12/17/2019 10:42 PM
of service to hide recess
726 Lack of safety and compliance with FRA 12/17/2019 10:36 PM
rules
727 Safety measures in retrospect to actual 12/17/2019 10:30 PM
employee safety is nonexistent. the
safety program has been dismantled. PSR
idea of safety is install cameras on the
crews to shift the blame off of them and
onto the crews.
728 Company don't seem to much care about 12/17/2019 10:30 PM
safety as I see it
729 I can't perform my duties safely when 12/17/2019 10:28 PM
drastic schedule changes are made
730 I haven't noticed an impact on my safety 12/17/2019 10:24 PM
in my current job.
731 yes, I report problems with engines all 12/17/2019 10:22 PM
the time and I get the same engine the
next night. After coming in off the job I
request to take the engine to the shop
and the won't let me. The FRA is no where
to be found these days. My conductor has
to handle multiple hand brakes and we
don't have them on CSX. Having to climb
on these cars over and over again in a
night I'm shocked no one has been hurt
yet.
732 PSR being implemented throughout the 12/17/2019 10:21 PM
service units is going to prove
detrimental to UP. The only persons to
gain anything out of PSR is the
stockholders. If I may ask you, what
would you do without the dedicated
employees that you are taking complete
advantage of?
733 I think Precision railroading has been a 12/17/2019 10:18 PM
big waste of time.
734 I already work long hours with little 12/17/2019 10:17 PM
sleep between runs. PSR has made it
harder to make good judgements
735 The safety standards and expectations are 12/17/2019 10:17 PM
the same however; the workforce is
greatly reduced. This puts more strain
and higher expectations for a gang with
less men to acquire. I feel as if the
railroad as a whole is younger now than
it has been in 25 years. My concern is
how railroads will adjust to an aging
workforce.
736 Larger and heavier trains with same amount 12/17/2019 10:16 PM
of power is effecting train speed and
safety due to power breaking down, which
in turns stops movement of all trains
because of they are non-clearing trains.
Second, trains that normally did not pick
cars before are picking up cars that
really effect train handling to a
dangerous point.
737 I believe the railroad is using it as a 12/17/2019 10:14 PM
way to gather data on cutting crew
consist down.
738 Boards have been cut so deep that it's 12/17/2019 10:12 PM
impossible to be fully rested and
prepared for a 12 hour shift. Company has
cut the use of limos to a point where
crews are walking to and from trains
carrying their bags and coolers. Crews
are forced to walk through towns after
lining a main line switch. Trains are
doing multiple pickups and setouts within
1 tour of duty risking injury. Train
sizes have nearly doubled causing longer
walking trains if there is a problem,
more risk of knuckles being broken,
crossings being blocked much longer
causing a risk for medical help having to
wait at crossing or finding a different
way. The thought of 1 man crews is
ridiculously unsafe for the crew members
and public alike. If a crew member has an
medical emergency, he/she will be cold
before help arrives. Risk of a horrible
accident with chemicals or oil is greatly
increased due to one overworked, unrested
person being at the controls. Technology
fails, and the thought of 1 person being
there to run a train if that were the
case is crazy
739 Yes makes you have to feel hurried to 12/17/2019 10:05 PM
finish.
740 Safety doesn't matter anymore. As long as 12/17/2019 9:58 PM
the car makes its deadline.
741 Safety doesn't seem to be a concern like 12/17/2019 9:54 PM
it once was. It was more of a ``it will
make it send it'' kind of philosophy
742 Getting called for a train that is not on 12/17/2019 9:54 PM
the lineup makes it impossible to be
properly rested.
743 It personally has not effected my job YET. 12/17/2019 9:51 PM
744 I was pulled out of service as retaliation 12/17/2019 9:46 PM
for asking for a block on the main so
that I could work safely. I was denied a
block as trains whizzed by at 60mph and
charged with ``not following
instructions.''
745 It has made it less productive in the fact 12/17/2019 9:45 PM
the windows are not always meet.
746 managers want us to cut corners and ignore 12/17/2019 9:43 PM
problems to get thing done e quicker.
747 Safety is out the window so they can get 12/17/2019 9:42 PM
work done with half the people
748 It doesn't seem to be top priority, hurry 12/17/2019 9:40 PM
up get out of the way, and get the trains
moving.
749 They say it's better, we have less 12/17/2019 9:40 PM
injuries. The reality is we have half the
employees, so roughly half the injuries.
Employees are afraid to report them when
they happen.
750 Nothing has really changed 12/17/2019 9:38 PM
751 Seems like morale is down, and that we are 12/17/2019 9:38 PM
constantly trying to ``catch up'' with
unrealistic goals
752 Killed all morale and morally is key for a 12/17/2019 9:33 PM
safe productive workplace
753 Less men makes work hard sometimes you get 12/17/2019 9:28 PM
wore out a d makes safety harder,
especially working overtime for broken
rails and other defects cause we are
losing sleep trying to help keep trains
moving.
754 The longer trains beat up the track more. 12/17/2019 9:26 PM
I guess that is job security. It puts
added work in that doesn't need to be
there though. Walking both sides of a
15000 foot train to check the track after
a draw bar comes out. Living in a town
with the track going through it is where
is really hits home. Waiting for that
train to pass going 10-25mph. It can 10-
15 minutes or more. Traffic backs up.
Utilizing yards that were never designed
to handle the car loadings that they are
getting. More derailments in yards.
Switches get beat up more. Constantly
going back to the same places because
things can't get fixed properly. It seems
like PSR is forcing us to band aid
things.
755 Longer, heavier trains. Not inspecting 12/17/2019 9:24 PM
fully, everything is becoming unsafe.
756 Well being overwhelmed and overworked with 12/17/2019 9:17 PM
issues on infrastructure. Less workers
but more work and expectations being set.
757 Longer train lengths have caused more 12/17/2019 9:15 PM
walking on no idea walking conditions.
Longer trains take longer to build and
test causing major delays and longer work
days.
758 We are working more due to a large number 12/17/2019 9:14 PM
of Employees being laid off, as well as
being fatigued from working with no set
time off
759 Safety is the last thing they think about 12/17/2019 9:10 PM
now
760 gutting our workforce is not the answer to 12/17/2019 9:08 PM
satisfying their investors. a full
workforce will get the job done safely
and efficiently.
761 They say their about safety but in the end 12/17/2019 9:08 PM
it's still production first
762 People are tired and minds are else where 12/17/2019 9:04 PM
because they have no time with family
it's sleep a few hours go back to work
763 N/A 12/17/2019 9:03 PM
764 Safety has been deemed 4th in importance. 12/17/2019 9:01 PM
765 Terribly. 12/17/2019 8:59 PM
766 Safety takes a back sit to PSR 12/17/2019 8:59 PM
767 The elimination of it 12/17/2019 8:58 PM
768 In regards to safety. I feel shorter 12/17/2019 8:58 PM
trains are easier to do work in route.
PSR has gotten rid of a lot of people to
do the maintenance on the machinery and
the infrastructure. definitely not safe
to be running bigger longer trains on
antiquated unmaintained equipment
769 They only care about one thing. The 12/17/2019 8:52 PM
stockholders. Safety is a charade.
770 Many trains combined, job cuts, more 12/17/2019 8:48 PM
stressful
771 Better quality of life and heightened 12/17/2019 8:48 PM
awareness and focus on safety
772 It's number 4 on the list according to 12/17/2019 8:47 PM
management in Atlanta
773 Made it more dangerous always rushed 12/17/2019 8:46 PM
equipment in I'll repair. No way to time
rest
774 longer hours less rest building trains 12/17/2019 8:46 PM
three times longer with no assistance on
poorly maintained tracks.
775 There is no safety anymore. Get it done 12/17/2019 8:45 PM
fast and now or ignore it. Can no longer
mark off weather if roads are bad. Get to
work now matter what or how.
776 Made it harder we are rushed to do things 12/17/2019 8:45 PM
in an unsafe manner. We are not to be
believed when we have problems the
company sends managers to ``help'' and
verify we really have issues. Mechanical
issues and air issues incidents have
risen
777 Worrying about if you will have a job 12/17/2019 8:45 PM
tomorrow just because you have greedy
management looking to abolish your job
while talking about record profits. I
would like to discuss this with anyone
that has been put in the same situation
as we have been as employees of the Union
Pacific Railroad. Think about it, it
would continually affect your thoughts,
being able to concentrate on your job and
ultimately effect safety.
778 Much less safe. 12/17/2019 8:43 PM
779 Pressure to do job quicker, not 12/17/2019 8:42 PM
necessarily safely.
780 The company regularly ask crews to break 12/17/2019 8:41 PM
rules to meet measurements.
781 Safety is an afterthought. They act Like 12/17/2019 8:39 PM
that's not the case but push comes to
shove we have seen the bottom dollar is
all that matters
782 Equipment and track wore out and company 12/17/2019 8:39 PM
always has us in a hurry
783 Disregard safety to hurry and get the job 12/17/2019 8:38 PM
done.
784 Not letting anyone have time to work on 12/17/2019 8:37 PM
the track in a safely manner
785 Longer trains. Less workers. Doing more 12/17/2019 8:30 PM
with less.
786 Seems that moving trains is a bigger 12/17/2019 8:29 PM
concern than if it's safe to move that
train. It's getting harder to say I don't
think this is safe to do without getting
blow back. Then they give us initials and
think that will solve the problem. I
don't mind fixing what is wrong with the
trains like under power or placement
issues, but they hardly ever want to take
the time to fix them. Putting a bandaid
on the problem is not fixing it. If
anything causes more worry and doubt
about the safety of operations
787 Not a change 12/17/2019 8:27 PM
788 Not enough time to do your job safely when 12/17/2019 8:24 PM
you are always being rushed to hurry up
789 They don't care for rest periods if called 12/17/2019 8:18 PM
out at night.. questions everything you
do and when you ask for help they ask why
do you need help when they preach if you
need help you'll get it
790 Longer trains are a hazard to the public. 12/17/2019 8:16 PM
Road crossings are blocked longer.
Mechanical failures are more common.
791 Safety is no longer viewed as a way of 12/17/2019 8:16 PM
life. Forced to run trains long hood due
to engines being mothballed and fuel
conservation.
792 They don't care about safety. 12/17/2019 8:12 PM
793 Due to PSR, safety is commonly overlooked 12/17/2019 8:10 PM
due to the need to service a customer or
something as simple as updating our rit
device.
794 You are spread thin a lot of times and 12/17/2019 8:07 PM
pulled from your bid in job to do another
which can put you at risk where you are
use to doing your job but put in one that
you haven't done in a while.
795 It's made everybody doing everybody else's 12/17/2019 8:04 PM
job because there is not enough people to
do their jobs
796 More things to learn and take care of 12/17/2019 8:04 PM
797 Negatively 12/17/2019 8:03 PM
798 Move faster less time for safety 12/17/2019 8:00 PM
inspections and due diligence.
799 PSR is not safety conscious. Intimidation 12/17/2019 7:59 PM
is used to rush us into getting things
done quicker. Some things cannot be done
quicker on the railroad, no matter how
much they want it to be. And then we are
bullied and asked if we are working slow
on purpose and trying to push back, when
all we are trying to do is want we were
initially taught. The safe way we were
trained. The way that keeps us alive and
gets us home to our families every day.
800 Yes, they don't have enough people cause 12/17/2019 7:58 PM
they furloughed everyone to make it look
like our expenses are low and everyone
left is doing theirs and everyone else's
work. They're forcing overtime on you.
801 Overwhelmed it's very hard to work with 12/17/2019 7:55 PM
two yards calling at the same time on the
radio and the phone ringing off the hook.
Trying to keep up with where everyone is
located and the moves needed to be made
safely.
802 Rushed for time to complete projects 12/17/2019 7:52 PM
because of time restraint. Doing more
with less people causes unnecessary
stress both mentally and physically to
all employees.
803 Less workers rushed to do more with little 12/17/2019 7:51 PM
regard to safety.
804 Everyone pushes for take your time and be 12/17/2019 7:50 PM
safe but when trains are being slowed
down, that all goes out the window. They
want to know why things took so long and
how we could have done it better, faster
or prevented it.
805 I personally do the job of 3 different 12/17/2019 7:49 PM
foreman and sometimes machine operators
806 None 12/17/2019 7:44 PM
807 Less workers where it is more important of 12/17/2019 7:41 PM
the field is a battle that we cannot win
our help in numbers will always prevail
and make better future for us all it's
next to impossible to get the things done
that we do when we have less help we
ignore the most important task looking
out for each other when we get overworked
by deadlines and safety is what always
gets affected first
808 We don't have personal to keep equipment 12/17/2019 7:37 PM
working right with all the layoffs
809 Measures used to gauge performance have 12/17/2019 7:36 PM
been introduced which essentially force
individuals to take shortcuts or face
repercussions from leadership, largely
sacrificing safety as a whole.
810 There is no precision scheduled railroad. 12/17/2019 7:35 PM
it's impossible to achieve scheduling
that can be counted on to be properly
rested for a call. All PSR is is a way to
make the shareholders appear to make
money.
811 For years the carriers have preached 12/17/2019 7:33 PM
safety now with PSR, the carrier has
loosened the restrictions on safety in
some aspects in hopes of being more
productive. Safety will always be a
railroaders top priority.
812 We have no safety meetings any more. we 12/17/2019 7:29 PM
don't hear about injuries on the system
which in turn could prevent a accident
somewhere else just by bringing to light
what might have happened. And this is due
to lack of personnel which they have sent
home for no other reason than to pad
their pockets.
813 Larger trains without capacity, often 12/17/2019 7:26 PM
leading to the loss of communication with
the EOT or dp and being instructed to
continue.
814 It has helped. Because there's less time 12/17/2019 7:22 PM
for work
815 We are not allowed to do our jobs the 12/17/2019 7:21 PM
right way. We just have to do our jobs
the quickest way possible
816 Just feel like my on track safety is 12/17/2019 7:15 PM
jeopardized with untested crews
817 Less concerned and no access to safety 12/17/2019 7:15 PM
supplies. Reduced supplies and cut
supplies in some cases.
818 Every safety rule implemented in the past 12/17/2019 7:14 PM
10 to 12 years has been removed or
modified to move cars.
819 It is less safe. Nothing gets fixed. 12/17/2019 7:10 PM
Rushed to get job done.
820 Massive maintenance of way, carman, track 12/17/2019 7:10 PM
inspectors has made this industry more
dangerous than it was 100 years ago
821 More problems. More issues. More finger 12/17/2019 7:09 PM
pointing. Lost of jobs.
822 I'm loosing seniority everyday. When I 12/17/2019 7:01 PM
hired Put the carrier advised me when I
have 5 years of seniority I would Be
comfortable and not worry about being
laid off. Now I'm very close to being
laid off
823 Rules don't matter, train size is 12/17/2019 7:00 PM
ridiculous and control of train and work
events dangerous.
824 They're speeding up trains giving us less 12/17/2019 6:59 PM
time to do our jobs.
825 We are taking short cuts and not following 12/17/2019 6:54 PM
FRA rules. We are forced to. Either do it
or get fired. And the FRA is behind the
company
826 Safety is only brought up when 12/17/2019 6:52 PM
investigations are scheduled after
Carrier caused derailments, or incidents
.. Other than that it is non existent
827 I no longer feel safe at work 12/17/2019 6:52 PM
828 Made it worse. Do more with less is the 12/17/2019 6:50 PM
common takeaway. Less to do the same job
so people are rushed or threatened to be
furloughed.
829 Worse less employees to maintain equipment 12/17/2019 6:50 PM
and tracks to work safely
830 Railroading is an inherently dangerous 12/17/2019 6:49 PM
occupation. The added pressure, due to
time constraints and increased workload,
can only have a negative impact in
various ways.
831 Our new safety policy is essentially as 12/17/2019 6:49 PM
long as you don't get hurt and get the
job done we don't care. If you get hurt
expect to be out of work for years.
832 Trying to rush everyone on moving cars. 12/17/2019 6:48 PM
Trains to long, which is a safety concern
also due to might cause a derailment
because trains are 15,000 ft.
833 The use of contractors is a safety 12/17/2019 6:46 PM
concern, Union pacific is using a lot of
them that are not familiar with what we
are doing
834 Absolutes. Reducing the people but 12/17/2019 6:46 PM
increasing the workload of remaining
employees, manufactures additional and
unrealized stressors
835 It's obvious that safety is no longer a 12/17/2019 6:41 PM
primary concern, but secondary to moving
trains on schedule. Plus there have been
reactionary rule implementations that do
nothing for our safety but can be used as
a tool for discipline
836 Break test are getting thrown out the 12/17/2019 6:40 PM
window to save time.
837 It has made my job much more unsafe. 12/17/2019 6:38 PM
838 I don't have a job. 12/17/2019 6:38 PM
839 Less men, more hours working. 12 hours 12/17/2019 6:36 PM
plus every time you go to work
840 The safety of walking longer trains over 12/17/2019 6:34 PM
hazardous walking conditions affects my
job everyday especially when our railroad
is not designed for 10,000 plus feet
trains
841 I feel that safety is overlooked just to 12/17/2019 6:32 PM
keep on schedule cars don't get
maintained as needed in far they might
sit too long in one yard
842 It has forced me to be in several jobs 12/17/2019 6:29 PM
that I have to drive over two hours and
live in my car!!
843 Hasn't affected one way or the other 12/17/2019 6:26 PM
844 Its pretty bad. We are rushed out the door 12/17/2019 6:23 PM
after coming on duty. Trainmasters wear
stopwatches and time crews. If they think
you're going too slow you will be
reprimanded.
845 Far less safe than before. Less man power. 12/17/2019 6:20 PM
But they expect the work to be done in
less time. Forcing crews to get in a rush
in fear of retaliation from the company
846 It has made it worse!! PSR has done 12/17/2019 6:18 PM
nothing but made employees worry about
there jobs every minute of every day.
There's constant worry about loosing your
job making it very unsafe to do your job
because of the worry!
847 It's made it way more dangerous 12/17/2019 6:17 PM
848 Safety at CSX is non existent 12/17/2019 6:14 PM
849 Made it a lot tougher by trying to run 10- 12/17/2019 6:13 PM
15000 ft trains. The stress level of
trying to keep it together while
traversing the territory! The jobs that
have been cut and eliminated and the
safety that each cut craft has placed on
train crews and the public
850 It has took many safety aspects out of the 12/17/2019 6:12 PM
job. Getting the job done fast is more
important than safety.
851 Safety is of no concern 12/17/2019 6:12 PM
852 We are pressured to ramp up fast and work 12/17/2019 6:11 PM
in all conditions.
853 More stress, not only in the headaches of 12/17/2019 6:10 PM
running these outrageously long trains
but also it's putting stress on us while
we are home.
854 Longer trains has caused us to walk 12/17/2019 6:08 PM
further on ballast no roads to walk on or
even the fact that we block a lot of
crossings causing emergency crew delays
855 Seems like safety has been thrown out the 12/17/2019 6:03 PM
window
856 No carmen to inspect anything, switches 12/17/2019 6:03 PM
aren't being oiled, pin couplers won't
fall, lighting is burned out everywhere
in dupo ill. Can't hardly see to switch
cars at night, nobody to replace bulbs
857 Amped up the danger lack of reporting FRA 12/17/2019 6:02 PM
reportable incidents, and cars of hazmat
with known defects are getting moved with
holds on them.
858 Safety is about the same 12/17/2019 6:00 PM
859 I'm more nervous at work than I am 12/17/2019 5:59 PM
relaxed. Its cause anxiety and depression
among me and my co workers.
860 Crews are never rested. 12/17/2019 5:56 PM
861 The scheduling has made me manage my time 12/17/2019 5:55 PM
differently creating a fast pace work
environment along with the rarity of
getting a lunch break or a break at all
during a 12 hr shift in the yard.
862 It's a hard transition to go from days to 12/17/2019 5:53 PM
nights and back to days the next week you
never know.
863 The success of PSR implementation, even if 12/17/2019 5:53 PM
manipulated, takes precedence over
safety, despite any safety-first lip
service. Even the company-sponsored PSR
propaganda lists safety 4th
864 More tired hard to take vacations they 12/17/2019 5:51 PM
always say we need you here
865 Changes in work schedule, five times this 12/17/2019 5:49 PM
year. Not very much track time. Pressure
to get projects done with substandard
timing.
866 Safety has gone out the window and 12/17/2019 5:49 PM
disregarded in the name of productivity
and greed
867 Less is more is never good. From the 12/17/2019 5:48 PM
equipment, to the rails everything is
starting to show the signs of stress from
neglected maintenance. Which in turn,
causes way more probability for safety
incidents.
868 Negatively in nearly every aspect. We have 12/17/2019 5:48 PM
been forced to work with less staff than
is necessary to do our jobs when it gets
a little bit busy. Quantity is chosen
over quality by management every time.
This is putting employees safety at risk.
It doesn't matter what problems you
found. What matters is trains leaving on
schedule. Railroading is dangerous enough
when you are give an ample amount of time
to do your work. It is extremely
dangerous when rushed.
869 Hurry hurry hurry. No time for safety or 12/17/2019 5:48 PM
maintenance just go.
870 I feel less safe when near passing trains 12/17/2019 5:46 PM
871 Furlough 12/17/2019 5:45 PM
872 Safety is speech only. Job briefings 'take 12/17/2019 5:43 PM
too long'. Get on and go. Inspections
have gone by the wayside.
873 It has made my job much more dangerous. 12/17/2019 5:43 PM
Union Pacific doesn't maintain equipment,
and they don't care about how the work is
done as long as they don't lose money.
874 Management is increasingly asking the 12/17/2019 5:42 PM
crews to do things that are against
company rules and FRA rules all in the
name of getting trains departed on time
or getting a train moving again.
875 Overall made it worse, cutting jobs to 12/17/2019 5:42 PM
satisfy shareholders bottom line.
876 This is easy as well as frightening, 12/17/2019 5:42 PM
countless safety rules are implemented
and enforced strictly. But when it's
crunch time we are almost shamed if we
don't do what we have to to get the job
done. I have been with managers on
trouble several times when we just foul
the track to get something done real fast
not to mention the fact that due to lack
of bodies hours of service law is
continually violated. You feel like a
snake if you drop your tools at 12 hours.
There needs to be more employees to allow
us to uphold all the rules as well as the
law
877 Other than else people on the job to get 12/17/2019 5:37 PM
hurt I have no idea Most people don't
report if fear of being charged with rule
violations
878 Because of PSR, mechanical employees have 12/17/2019 5:32 PM
been cut off and there is equipment
running around that is unsafe. Operating
one of these monster trains with unsafe
equipment puts us all in jeopardy.
879 Long stretches of the hotel with less time 12/17/2019 5:30 PM
at home. Before we work nights now we
work 12 hours on duty with 24 in the
hotel then back on for 12 . Its hard to
get good rest during that 24 . The only
way I found to make it work is to take a
short nap then try to get a good sleep
before the next shift
880 Safety is still a priority. At the end of 12/17/2019 5:30 PM
the day the railroad still wants to run
trains.
881 It's all about how fast they can get the 12/17/2019 5:29 PM
work done, safety is out the window, and
if you take your time and try to be safe
they are trying to write you up
882 Less pay because of all the cuts no way to 12/17/2019 5:27 PM
plan rest because no idea when your going
to work
883 PSR takes the proactive affect out of 12/17/2019 5:26 PM
safety. Example walking a train that's
10,000+ feet long multiple times. Doing
work with just a conductor and engineer
after 10+ hours of getting to the
location on a short call because boards
are so cut back.
884 Pretty much answered that in question 1. 12/17/2019 5:25 PM
Your just consistently being pushed and
rushed by your supervisor to finish and
get to the next job.
885 Everything is about making trains quality 12/17/2019 5:21 PM
is a thing of the past and your
constantly as if your done yet or that
your taking to long
886 As aforementioned the work load as a 12/17/2019 5:21 PM
result of a reduced workforce has placed
the burden of working more days
consecutively raising the issue of
fatigue in the workplace. The increased
size of the trains handled is also a
potential for an accident. Even with the
implementation of technology in our
industry the chance for a derailment goes
up with a system that is expected to run
trains instead of an engineer.
887 There is a greater push for moving trains 12/17/2019 5:16 PM
at any cost if a train is delayed
employees are threatened with being taken
out of service
888 They care nothing about safety 12/17/2019 5:14 PM
889 More rushed, and scared for your job 12/17/2019 5:14 PM
890 It has no effect on me 12/17/2019 5:13 PM
891 Longer trains have longer walks to the 12/17/2019 5:11 PM
rear. We recently had a conductor stabbed
checking out his train. We now park
hazmat placard cars outside of the yard
to keep the yard ``static'' we are now
timed on everything we do so we feel
forced to rush around. Since PSR I have
seen more details and bumper post
accidents then ever before, I have
personally been involved in 2 this year.
My first derailments.
892 Long time on duty waiting to get off at 12/17/2019 5:10 PM
terminals.
893 Before PSR, a bad ordered rail car was not 12/17/2019 5:07 PM
questioned. It was removed from the
train, and sent to a repair facility FOR
REPAIR. Now, cards are being removed for
not being bad ``enough'' because of time
restraints.
894 Workload increases while headcount 12/17/2019 5:06 PM
decreases. Leads to shortcuts and safety
issues when 1 person is doing the work 2
or even 3 people used to do
895 Most things that weren't safe before are 12/17/2019 5:04 PM
safe now because it speeds things up. To
make it work. On and off moving equipment
for example
896 Safety is important but whenever there is 12/17/2019 5:02 PM
a problem it mainly goes out the window
because it takes longer to do a job
safely
897 Less people still the same amount of work. 12/17/2019 5:01 PM
898 Less Carmen inspecting trains more trains 12/17/2019 4:59 PM
running with out inspections very unsafe
899 Fatigue from longer runs at slower than 12/17/2019 4:59 PM
transcon speeds. Multiple crew exposure
to safety risks due to inability to get
crews to terminal within hours of
service.
900 More with less and it will continue to 12/17/2019 4:58 PM
kill people
901 Affected each and every job on railroad, 12/17/2019 4:56 PM
unnecessary harassment on name of safety
by managers just to grab their bonus
902 Safety is only a concern when it benefits 12/17/2019 4:55 PM
the railroad
903 unsafe 12/17/2019 4:54 PM
904 Company doesn't care about safety anymore 12/17/2019 4:54 PM
905 The only safety is protection of their 12/17/2019 4:53 PM
bottom line, period!
906 Having to work 3 or 4 people jobs at once 12/17/2019 4:53 PM
because of layoffs and not filling the
positions
907 They've eliminated several safety rules 12/17/2019 4:52 PM
and now hurry everyone to do their job
faster.
908 It has dumbed the employee down. All the 12/17/2019 4:49 PM
responsibility is given to the software.
As matriculation occurs, Sound train
handling experience, practices and
options diminish. It's about saving fuel
not moving freight or customer
satisfaction
909 Management almost forces you to do 12/17/2019 4:48 PM
something unsafe to get the job done.
910 It's difficult at times to think and work 12/17/2019 4:47 PM
safely due to concerns about losing your
job. Your mind continues to veer off on
the thought of not being able to provide
for your family.
911 Everything is rushed and I am constantly 12/17/2019 4:46 PM
looking over my shoulder thinking that
someone is watching me.
912 We're running on skeleton crews and they 12/17/2019 4:43 PM
hardly ever have people anymore. Clearly
not safe at all. I hardly see M&W
inspecting rail anymore. It's a disaster
waiting to happen.
913 Saftey has went down hill in a lot of ways 12/17/2019 4:43 PM
because of the PSR because we don't get
as long of a work window needed for the
day but yet they still want record
numbers! More work is not possible with
less time!
914 They are pushing bigger trains through in 12/17/2019 4:43 PM
weather that is unsafe. 13-15 thousand
foot trains that have multiple breakdowns
and air problems in areas that are
accessed only by foot due to deep snow
and terrain in below zero weather.
Maintenance is at an all time low. Have
personally found multiple defects and
safety issues in cars that were
reportedly just inspected. I have never
worried about my safety at work till the
last 3-4 years on the job. Now I am
worried every day that I will be injured
or killed.
915 As far as safety goes. Nothing is in the 12/17/2019 4:39 PM
budget when simple stuff that needs
repair or replaced. Switches are not
being maintained and hard to throw.
Aerial lighting in terminals is not being
repaired and we work in the pitch black
at night. Track maintenance jobs are
pushed back 3 years on some tracks
because they don't have the manpower.
Locomotive maintenance is pathetic
because all the engine shop employees are
being furloughed and simple repairs such
as burnt out light bulbs, overflowing
toilets aren't being dumped and the
sanders on the locomotives are not being
filled and repaired. Locomotive
maintenance is a thing of the past
because the shop doesn't have enough
people to do their job properly and
efficiently.
916 What safety 12/17/2019 4:39 PM
917 Other than less manpower to help with the 12/17/2019 4:39 PM
workload the biggest safety concern for
me is the threat of having to stay late
or work my rest days to get a job done
that would easily be done if more help
were there. The threats could cause you
to hurry or lose focus that could lead to
mistakes.
918 Rule changes have created a more unsafe 12/17/2019 4:36 PM
work environment such as being forced to
max speed shoves, getting on and off
moving equipment and air brake
inspections have suffered due to
decreased workforce
919 Rules like getting on and off moving 12/17/2019 4:36 PM
equipment were strictly a no go and now,
for the sake of faster movement t, they
are now allowed I am almost certain that
the UPRR has also changed the programming
of how flow in a train is measured
because it seems all at once the flow in
very long trains mysteriously became
much, much better!!
920 Laid off, they don't need safety. 12/17/2019 4:36 PM
921 We used to have 3 assistant foreman per 12/17/2019 4:35 PM
gang to cover form B clearance. Now there
is only one to Cover the entire gang.
That is spread out over 2 miles.. Way to
much to cover for 1 guy.. It's just a
ticking time bomb before someone gets run
over.
922 Safety is just an option all that matters 12/17/2019 4:35 PM
is getting tracks inspected
923 I feel it is less safe due to the fact 12/17/2019 4:34 PM
that things that need to be fixed are
being put off due to cost, and fewer
crews are doing more work so there is a
fatigue factor.
924 It has cut jobs left and right. PSR 12/17/2019 4:33 PM
railroading is a joke and it's just
another name for corporate greed. If it
wasn't for us moving freight then those
big wigs wouldn't get paid.
925 PSR made many many cuts, seems to affect 12/17/2019 4:30 PM
attitudes and morale of the employees
that are left to pick up the pieces
926 Less time to accomplish tasks 12/17/2019 4:29 PM
927 No change 12/17/2019 4:29 PM
928 T & E are not needed to be qualified per 12/17/2019 4:26 PM
say. The company just signs off and you
go to work. The supervisor that tests you
can't pass the test and cannot answer
questions and test are rarely updated.
929 I can no longer hold my home terminal with 12/17/2019 4:24 PM
almost 6 years of service. Very close to
being cut off, and even a year ago I was
holding my home terminal very
comfortably. I now work 300 miles from my
Place of residence and am home for about
40 hours a week. Driving 650 miles each
week just to go see my family. How's that
safe? I travel, sometimes very under
rested. Just to get a few hours at home.
930 Not enough time to perform proper FRA 12/17/2019 4:24 PM
inspections
931 It's get the job done and get it out no 12/17/2019 4:24 PM
matter what until something happens
932 I can no longer hold a road job I work in 12/17/2019 4:23 PM
the yard. I would have never worked in
the yard because I was not familiar with
the yard practices or the paperwork. 2
months ago I was on a board and I told
them I was not qualified and they said it
would be okay because the engineer was
familiar with the territory.
933 Precision railroading has cut many jobs 12/17/2019 4:22 PM
and people forcing everyone else to try
to pick up the slack leaving more work
for less people and more pressure to get
it all done, again leading to more
accidents and injuries. As a conductor in
a terminal that focuses mainly on
switching out customers industries this
has especially affected the way we work
we are constantly exhausted often times
skipping lunch or being forced to not
even take one just to try to get all of
the industries serviced in our 12 hour
time limit. Most of the jobs that used to
get a brakeman no longer have one due to
the slashing of jobs which means what
used to be the work of two people now
falls on one person's shoulders.
934 It has put vastly underqualified people on 12/17/2019 4:22 PM
the ground making my duties as an
engineer much more difficult as it takes
my focus away from operating to babysit
these people
935 Computers have failed to recognize 12/17/2019 4:22 PM
switches and signals. For instance, a
train ran a red and a PTC light power
test train opposing was never put into
suppression. PTC will however throw the
train into suppression for every other
switch or signal it doesn't recognize
while doing track speed.
936 PSR is actually a practice that promotes 12/17/2019 4:20 PM
chaos. The management for Union Pacific
cannot make any plans for future
scheduling, so you are asked to do work
in places you typically wouldn't and
don't have time to plan out what action
you are going to take.
937 It affected it a lot and it affected our 12/17/2019 4:19 PM
safety.
938 It is unsafe. Longer trains to walk in an 12/17/2019 4:19 PM
emergency with terrible handheld radios.
Reduction in maintenance of way people
makes bad walking conditions even worse.
Then the company can't understand why
injuries are increasing when all this is
going on.
939 Safety seems to be a secondhand concern. 12/17/2019 4:19 PM
940 Working with equipment with bad ordered 12/17/2019 4:18 PM
dynamic brakes, RCL comm losses and
longer trains to walk.
941 I am young on the rosters and the more 12/17/2019 4:17 PM
jobs being ``cut'' the tighter I am from
being bumped or furloughed from a senior
man.
942 Management preaches safety yet always 12/17/2019 4:14 PM
adding more work to be done in less time.
Disregarding safety!
943 The boards are always exhausted, so we 12/17/2019 4:09 PM
work way more hours. We wait hours on
rides, after we have reached our hours.
We are forced to run trains that are
beyond our train length permitted by rule
in our SSI, even when we protest. We have
had zero training on 15000 ft trains, and
very little on PTC or trip optimizer,
both we are required to use. In general,
no regard for our mental well being, due
to the erratic board adds and cuts we are
all worried about our jobs, we have no
work line up that is any where near
accurate. As a matter of fact the line
ups have gotten so bad that a man can
just ignore them and plan on going to
work exhausted, and driving home in the
brink of passing out.
944 95 percent of the defects get let go! 12/17/2019 4:08 PM
Roseville yard had an average of 200 Bad
Orders in the yard everyday. Now they
agarrate 10 Bad Orders in the yard.
945 Too many people doing things the fast way 12/17/2019 4:08 PM
instead of the right way.
946 Overall good but with less brothers on job 12/17/2019 4:06 PM
and trying keep track time to a level of
doing a job and keeping trains moving
puts more strain on our brothers of same
work but with fewer brothers
947 It has cut manpower to the point that 12/17/2019 4:05 PM
people are being over worked. More
accidents come from exhaustion than
anything else and then the railroad
blames us for the mistake
948 Safety is all out the window. Only 12/17/2019 4:04 PM
managers number matter now
949 They preach Safety but they Don't practice 12/17/2019 4:03 PM
it one bit at all
950 They'll fire/charge you for not following 12/17/2019 4:03 PM
rules or charge you for not getting the
job done. Follow the rules when it fits
their needs
951 There are fewer trains running therefore 12/17/2019 4:02 PM
we work less. The longer trains require
more power and time to charge the air
lines. Management is harassing us into
taking short cuts when it comes to the
inspection process. We are losing pay,
stress levels are high. Moral is down.
952 Call windows have shifted, rest rules are 12/17/2019 4:02 PM
often violated because of the `schedule'.
The constant desire to do more with less
is injuring or killing more workers than
ever.
953 I choose to work at a safe pace, but many 12/17/2019 3:56 PM
let the bosses rush them through their
daily tasks
954 See question one. 12/17/2019 3:54 PM
955 Seams with all the furloughs it's gotten 12/17/2019 3:54 PM
worse derailments everywhere, safety
isn't there anymore it's we need this
done wether you need a break, haven't
slept etc.. They don't appreciate the
workers anymore. Only care about money
for the higher ups
956 With longer trains it's putting more train 12/17/2019 3:53 PM
men on the ground & effecting the public
by blocking crossing for longer delays.
957 It's made my job more dangerous they don't 12/17/2019 3:53 PM
care about safety just moving cars from
point a to point b and if you point out
that something is unsafe they ask of you
are refusing to do your job and they
force you to do it or face being pulled
out of service
958 Safety is an after thought. 12/17/2019 3:53 PM
959 It's much more dangerous working in the 12/17/2019 3:52 PM
yards now, since PSR they have done away
with thousands of jobs like yard masters,
and shop guys.
960 Safety is of no concern when compared to 12/17/2019 3:51 PM
profits .
961 Safety takes a back seat to getting a 12/17/2019 3:50 PM
train moving. It seems the only thing
that matters now are the shareholders
962 Very much so 12/17/2019 3:49 PM
963 They pound it in to your head that safety 12/17/2019 3:48 PM
is our #1 job but when it isn't safe we
are forced to do or get an ass chewing
from the MTO
964 I feel that trip optimizer and energy 12/17/2019 3:48 PM
management are good tools but demanding
their use 80 percent of the time can
become a safety concern. There are times
the system runs too aggressive and I am
forced to take over control of the train
or I would be enforced by PTC. However, I
face discipline if I don't use the two
systems 80 percent of the time. This
causes excessive stress and train
scheduling is less predictable as well.
965 A little worse. They still push, push, 12/17/2019 3:46 PM
push to make out times. Regardless of
safety but if something goes wrong, it's
all you.
966 Concern, because the railroad is more 12/17/2019 3:45 PM
worried about production over safety.
967 It is not safe everything is hurry up 12/17/2019 3:45 PM
968 Safety s now only lip service. Upper 12/17/2019 3:42 PM
management doesn't care about safety
anymore
969 Looking for a job now 12/17/2019 3:39 PM
970 Inspections and repairs are expected to 12/17/2019 3:39 PM
take less time.
971 Basically the same as my answer to 12/17/2019 3:36 PM
question one. Safety is virtually non
existent on the company part. All they
care about is hurry up and go, no
inspection, no detectors matter anymore.
972 It's get it done or else 12/17/2019 3:35 PM
973 Our work environment is less safe because 12/17/2019 3:35 PM
we are always being rushed. Trains are
being built to long and makes it
dangerous in some of the territories we
have to travel.
974 Trying to get more done with less people 12/17/2019 3:35 PM
leads to more fatigue
975 It hasn't managers and more safety rules 12/17/2019 3:34 PM
affects it more
976 Much like in the past, the only time they 12/17/2019 3:32 PM
worry about safety is when managers need
e-test failures they will write you up on
Tuesday for the exact thing they
instructed you to do on Monday.
977 Longer, heavier, underpowered trains 12/17/2019 3:32 PM
create unsafe conditions especially on
heavy grades and colder weather. More
derailments equals less safe.
978 Safety used to be a primary concern, now 12/17/2019 3:31 PM
the primary concern is production, safety
has taken a back seat of late.
979 Safety is just used as a scare tactic now. 12/17/2019 3:31 PM
980 It's harder because there is less workers 12/17/2019 3:29 PM
more work and less time to get it done
981 Mechanical forces have been cut 3/4's 12/17/2019 3:28 PM
since 18 yrs. Ago! Very few in the car
dept. Now! which leads to not able to
catch all or much of France defects,
dept. Employees are told they can't bad
order air defects only FRA!? So much for
preventive maintenance. And now there is
no one to repair them on main lines.
Trains are being air tested at
originating points and at industries, by
the crew who are not mechanically trained
for FRA defects, which means the RR is
running a lot more FRA defects! Believe
me!
982 What job? Thanks to precision railroading 12/17/2019 3:27 PM
we can barely feed our family and my wife
who is 9 months pregnant is trying to
work full time to support us until I can
find something. But apparently I don't
qualify for unemployment so there's that.
983 Safety has taken a back seat to profits. 12/17/2019 3:26 PM
Incidents numbers up
984 In the maintenance of way department I 12/17/2019 3:25 PM
think safety is the same
985 As stated in question one, safety is no 12/17/2019 3:25 PM
longer at the top of the list. Trains are
dangerously long and heavy but any
mention of it being a public safety issue
falls on deaf ears
986 Safety is less of a concern. Timing and 12/17/2019 3:23 PM
productivity is top priority now. I
constantly feel rushed to complete my
job.
987 Same work load, less people. Same 12/17/2019 3:22 PM
expectations
988 Less yard crews leads to me having to 12/17/2019 3:22 PM
build trains and do my own utility work.
Being unfamiliar with yards and time it
takes becomes a safety hazard as well as
delays for train departures.
989 Just don't get hurt, the concept that our 12/17/2019 3:21 PM
safety is a an actual concern to the
company is just a mirage.
990 Managers rush is to get things done and 12/17/2019 3:21 PM
threaten us if we don't do these things
in the time frame they want. Safety has
been thrown out the window
991 It is giving the RR a excuse to eliminate 12/17/2019 3:21 PM
it.
992 More work less manpower 12/17/2019 3:21 PM
993 Fatigue is an everyday occurrence, safety 12/17/2019 3:20 PM
is not a number 1 priority anymore. Train
length and average train speed is
priority. With added train length public
crossings are block with no regards to
emergency egress routes for safety of the
public
994 Yes it has in a negative way, constantly 12/17/2019 3:19 PM
being gouged by road foreman's,
TrainMasters, and dispatchers . Motors
are being sent through terminals in
disrepair, with worn brake shoes and poor
functioning heat
995 With Precision Scheduled Railroading, 12/17/2019 3:18 PM
there is no safety
996 Safety, there is definitely less safe 12/17/2019 3:18 PM
actions being followed. Seems mgmt wants
more shortcuts taken, especially on road
trains. This has caused more trains
stopped due to wayside detectors catching
issues. The length of trains are
extremely out of hand. The company wants
to use just enough power to move the
trains instead of properly handling the
trains. So reduced man power due length
of trains, causing fatigue. Due to
unpredictable train schedules. As
compared to prior of 10 yrs ago.
997 They still preach safety but will rush you 12/17/2019 3:18 PM
and will surreptitiously imply to take
short cuts in the name of production.
998 Furlough 12/17/2019 3:17 PM
999 3 mile long trains. People constantly 12/17/2019 3:17 PM
coming to the lead engine to ask if we
can get off their crossing. The answer is
always sorry, we can't move!
1000 As the previous asked same answer. Average 12/17/2019 3:17 PM
length we run is around 14000 feet and up
to 30000 tons. Longer trains I make less
trips and money.
1001 Now made to the work in shorter periods of 12/17/2019 3:16 PM
time with less people impacting safety.
1002 The long, brutal hours, and being left on 12/17/2019 3:16 PM
a train to hog, and not being removed
from the train feels like punishment. The
lineups are completely bogus, and almost
useless, as to there is no rhyme or
reason as to what will be called and how,
as it seems all pools will work any and
everything, even though it is not
advertised that way. Tired, wore down,
and harassed is how the implementation of
Precision Scheduled Railroading has
affected ALL JOBS!!
1003 A lot. more than normal 12/17/2019 3:11 PM
1004 We are constantly pressured to bend or 12/17/2019 3:11 PM
flat out break the rules. New systems
like DP and PTC are being implemented
with little to no training. I remember
the first time we were told to set up DP
down. No one knew how to do it, not even
our supervisor. We were only told it had
to be done and to 'figure it out'. How
did we learn to set up this complex
system that was in control of hazardous
materials and thousands of pounds of
deadly steel? A Outnumber video.
1005 It has reduced safety by increasing 12/17/2019 3:10 PM
emphasis on moving equipment and lowering
inspection frequency and quality.
1006 We always feel rushed whenever we do have 12/17/2019 3:10 PM
track time. You can't make an inspection
without being pushed.
1007 We are told not to order items the budget 12/17/2019 3:09 PM
is cut.
1008 Less crews, less rest, more time dealing 12/17/2019 3:08 PM
with crew Mgmt and than at home
1009 Overworked, understaffed 12/17/2019 3:06 PM
1010 Air tests not being properly performed in 12/17/2019 3:05 PM
order to make the next outbound train.
Block illegal block swapping being handed
air slips from the inbound train after it
was split up and ordering you to go with
that information. Being told to bottle
the air on tracks instead of dumping it
so they can save time by not pumping the
track up. In one instance the Trainmaster
was under so much strain to get the train
out he told me he was going to ``attend
my equipment'' in Buffalo NY So it would
alleviate me putting handbrakes on my
train to secure it. After I cut away and
he was ``attending my equipment''. He
further tried to speed up my move by
putting a air ground line on the train to
pump it up so he could get me out of the
yard faster. Before the track had time to
get pumped up and start rolling away with
no brakes on it. I yelled at him before
it pumped up and released the brakes. He
then realized what he did and pulled the
ground line back off the train and let it
dump back into emergency.
1011 Negative 12/17/2019 3:03 PM
1012 It caused my position to be cut due to 12/17/2019 3:02 PM
less need for work force.
1013 Well we have to work more days travel more 12/17/2019 3:02 PM
days means more risk off getting into
accidents
1014 Moving a lot more. Getting bumped a lot 12/17/2019 3:02 PM
more. Wanting parts for machines and
being told to wait.
1015 Safety is fourth according to the 12/17/2019 3:02 PM
railroad. Rules are thrown out the window
when it comes to precision railroading.
Rules are only enforced when it is
convenient for officials to pad their
monthly packets for rules checks.
1016 Just get train out. 12/17/2019 3:01 PM
1017 Everyone is exhausted and stressed and 12/17/2019 3:01 PM
that's when accidents happen.
1018 PSR is making maintenance second priority 12/17/2019 2:59 PM
to train traffic increasing the danger to
the public and railroad workers.
1019 Always in a hurry to get job done! 12/17/2019 2:58 PM
1020 The stress of the carrier wanting more 12/17/2019 2:57 PM
production in less time and trying to
force the employees to spent more time
away from home for the same pay!
1021 Safety rules are and have been reduced, 12/17/2019 2:56 PM
removed or are over looked in the pursuit
of moving trains with less manpower Until
something goes wrong and someone is
injured or worse then it becomes fault of
the injured person
1022 Almost no track maintenance, car and 12/17/2019 2:53 PM
engine inspections are non-existing.
Managers are forcing hard to throw
switches and doing minor repairs like
break shoes and lubricants.
1023 Drastically. Working off rest constantly. 12/17/2019 2:52 PM
Intentionally resetting starts so we have
to work every day because they have
furloughed so many employees. Taking out
vacation days. Sending us back to hotel
after performing work coming out of the
hotel with no notice.
1024 It has made it less safe. Employees are 12/17/2019 2:52 PM
being forced by the fear of possible
repercussions. PSR ideologies have
removed previously implemented policies
that aided to safety and cared for
individuals work life and home life.
1025 Gone from every day to not plus laying off 12/17/2019 2:51 PM
people due to cutting jobs to make the
higher ups richer
1026 Bad order cars on every train with 12/17/2019 2:50 PM
multiple hot boxes every trip.
Locomotives are worse than they've ever
been.
1027 They don't care about safety until you get 12/17/2019 2:48 PM
hurt. If you get hurt they fire you!!
1028 I've been furloughed 12/17/2019 2:48 PM
1029 Longer trains, more dispatching mileage 12/17/2019 2:48 PM
given to dispatchers. Forget about good
dispatching it's just not there without
it fitting your train places you have in
the past becomes highly stressful dodging
speed sensitive detectors and busy road
crossings leaves the crew more vulnerable
to explaining themselves. Removal of the
wayside signals compounds this.
1030 Yes. Being rushed to meet departure 12/17/2019 2:47 PM
schedules, disciplined if schedules not
met
1031 To many job cuts leading to over worked 12/17/2019 2:46 PM
employees
1032 They no longer care about Saftey all the 12/17/2019 2:45 PM
sudden
1033 Because of train frequency we rarely have 12/17/2019 2:43 PM
enough time to repair tracks properly.
1034 Feels like the company just wants the work 12/17/2019 2:43 PM
done at the cost of our safety. Sometimes
feels like we're denied the tools we need
to do the job safely which also puts more
strain on our body's.
1035 Safety pretty close to the same probably a 12/17/2019 2:43 PM
little worse
1036 None 12/17/2019 2:42 PM
1037 The prioritization of maintenance getting 12/17/2019 2:42 PM
done more rapidly or neglected depending
on what is most convenient at the time.
Quality and safety seem to have taken a
back seat.
1038 Unpredictable work schedule and over 12/17/2019 2:41 PM
consumed with technology
1039 It's more unsafe. we're constantly rushed 12/17/2019 2:36 PM
and that is a recipe for disaster.
1040 Making it harder but the human element is 12/17/2019 2:34 PM
still there
1041 ive worked a considerable about more since 12/17/2019 2:33 PM
it has been implemented, quite a few
times I've went over two months on call
24-7 with zero off days. currently, I'm
working every day I'm available and on
the verge of furlough.
1042 Safety is out the window 12/17/2019 2:31 PM
1043 Less safe 12/17/2019 2:31 PM
1044 We don't get as much work done even though 12/17/2019 2:31 PM
we're out in the field more
1045 They have gotten rid of rules that made 12/17/2019 2:29 PM
the job safe in order to make it more
efficient.
1046 The bosses do not care about safety and 12/17/2019 2:29 PM
only care about the money they can make!!
Safety use to be first but now it's 4th
on the list while profit is 1st on the
list posted in our on duty locations.
1047 Never know when to be rested 12/17/2019 2:29 PM
1048 They push us harder, the line ups are 12/17/2019 2:29 PM
worse, they put us in bad situations and
unsafe conditions.
1049 Higher exposure to injuries. Attitude is a 12/17/2019 2:27 PM
huge factor. Track time is horrible,
deferred maintenance leads to future
incident exposing the railroad and the
FRA as irresponsible in their duties, FRA
must tighten up their inspections, their
review should not lay blame on
engineering employees as they can only
maintain track with the materials and
workforce that's made available.
1050 Too much rushing and pushing things 12/17/2019 2:26 PM
forgetting safety when it's convenient
1051 No improvement on call times 12/17/2019 2:25 PM
1052 Safety is no longer first getting trains 12/17/2019 2:25 PM
out of the yard is first. The company has
the attitude that if someone gets hurt
the lawyers will handle it
1053 We are in a less safe environment due to 12/17/2019 2:25 PM
lack of employees, air testing cars,
train inspections non of this happens
anymore
1054 We have to do unsafe practices with the 12/17/2019 2:24 PM
little track and time that we have
1055 Less rest, under staffed which in turn 12/17/2019 2:23 PM
means we work more, at home less and
unable to get needed rest
1056 Personally I don't think I have been 12/17/2019 2:22 PM
affected by this program on the BNSF
1057 safety last period. total disregard for 12/17/2019 2:21 PM
rules.
1058 Being rushed to read our bulletins and 12/17/2019 2:21 PM
forced to stand while we do this. Because
no chairs allowed in our breakroom. While
yard master is constantly telling you to
get on your train is a safety risk. We
can't study our bulletins and it could
cause over speeds and work zone
violations.
1059 Gravely worse the job is so much worse 12/17/2019 2:19 PM
1060 Patched up rebuild equipment is the new 12/17/2019 2:13 PM
standard. Work trains are constantly
having issues making a schedule seems the
locos are turned out broken from their
shops. If it didn't get written up for an
issue that is discovered don't fix
anything more than what was originally
found.
1061 Safety went from a priority to a secondary 12/17/2019 2:13 PM
discussion if that. Quick response and
maintain train speed and maximize planned
outages are all listed before safety in
there ``four key disciplines.''
1062 Safety left 1st thing when trains weren't 12/17/2019 2:13 PM
moving
1063 Harder and more dangerous 12/17/2019 2:11 PM
1064 Everything is rush rush hurry up. Less 12/17/2019 2:11 PM
employees doing more work and being
rushed to get it done. Yard jobs being
rushed to finish all work without over
time. Crews, yardmasters and trainmaster
face punishment up to dismissal if crews
make even 1 minute of overtime unless
approved by upper management i.e., an
Network opps manager or higher.
1065 The railroad I work for hasn't cared about 12/17/2019 2:11 PM
safety since the Harriman award was
retired. Safety is now a tool to fire
you. That's it.
1066 Rushed to do work with less people making 12/17/2019 2:10 PM
it unsafe to work in certain situations.
1067 Makes us have to rush or work longer with 12/17/2019 2:08 PM
junk because them trying to save money
1068 Less men. Same work. 12/17/2019 2:06 PM
1069 I honestly feel like safety is a thing of 12/17/2019 2:05 PM
the past with the railroad. When I first
hired versus right after PSR was
implemented safety has dropped and the
company is pushing the rules to further
their personal views while risking not
only employees but everyday civilians
1070 Longer and heavier trains. Have to retrain 12/17/2019 2:04 PM
myself how to run.
1071 It affected my job by doing away with it. 12/17/2019 2:02 PM
PSR only helps shareholders. The
principle behind PSR is a good idea, but
the actions of the companies isn't.
1072 It has thrown safety out the window and 12/17/2019 2:01 PM
focused its energy on fooling the
shareholders they are actually making
money.
1073 You only take the safe course of action if 12/17/2019 2:01 PM
it's not going to effect productivity.
1074 Negative. I'm tired all the time. Running 12/17/2019 2:00 PM
massive 28k ton trains. Trying to help
younger people that have had poor
training. All the time fighting with
management over rule violations.
1075 Has made it more unsafe management 12/17/2019 1:59 PM
constantly pushing employees to rush,
rush, rush got to get cars switched out,
make origination time. Sometimes told
leave yard with no paper work that a TM
will bring it out to you. Consist
discrepancies because cars missing, have
extras, out of order. Had tool to tie
handbrakes from the ground and in a
effort to cut cost eliminated the brake
stick
1076 Crews are being rushed out the door 12/17/2019 1:57 PM
without being able to properly go over
their paperwork.
1077 Constant temptation for shortcuts 12/17/2019 1:57 PM
1078 Many rules have changed as well as on the 12/17/2019 1:54 PM
train department side. No one is focused
out here because we are all afraid of
losing our jobs and starting over
somewhere else. We do not know what to
expect now.
1079 Safety is no longer an issue when the 12/17/2019 1:54 PM
finally give track time. It's go go at
all costs.
1080 Worse. Unfortunate incident cutting a 12/17/2019 1:53 PM
fellow employees leg off. Operations over
safety.
1081 With having to do more with less workers, 12/17/2019 1:53 PM
it is stressful. The extra day away from
my family is stressful. Makes me wonder
why I even applied at this job, if they
are just going to take take take.
1082 It has made safety secondary in the name 12/17/2019 1:49 PM
of profit and efficiency
1083 stress 12/17/2019 1:48 PM
1084 3 mile trains cutting crews more fatigued 12/17/2019 1:45 PM
no proper airtest
1085 Out of work due to less man power for 12/17/2019 1:45 PM
profits
1086 The focus has went from safety to 12/17/2019 1:45 PM
production with the cuts in other crafts
we are being forced to perform work
previously preformed by other more
specialized and qualified people.
1087 Safety has been precisely placed behind 12/17/2019 1:44 PM
numbers and work quotas.
1088 Negatively 12/17/2019 1:44 PM
1089 Poorly 12/17/2019 1:44 PM
1090 Most managers don't want to here that what 12/17/2019 1:43 PM
they are asking us to do is unsafe. They
want the job done
1091 Made it more stressful 12/17/2019 1:43 PM
1092 Get it done! 12/17/2019 1:43 PM
1093 It adds pressure to get the job completed 12/17/2019 1:41 PM
in a small window, which in return
diminishes safety
1094 Extremely long trains. Railroad seems to 12/17/2019 1:40 PM
be trying to do more with less and while
there has to be a balance for this to be
sustainable, I worry that something
catastrophic is just around the corner.
1095 Very high 12/17/2019 1:39 PM
1096 I don't have a job anymore because of this 12/17/2019 1:39 PM
horrible practice
1097 Up hill slow. Down hill fast. Tonnage 12/17/2019 1:39 PM
first and safety last
1098 Safety went out window 12/17/2019 1:36 PM
1099 Hasn't affected me personally 12/17/2019 1:34 PM
1100 It hasn't effected me just yet, but I hear 12/17/2019 1:33 PM
it is not helping and only going to hurt
us moving forward
1101 It's not safer, it's just about her way to 12/17/2019 1:32 PM
get fired and to micro manage
1102 No need for 10,000 foot trains 12/17/2019 1:29 PM
1103 They don't even care about use or won't 12/17/2019 1:28 PM
use any more
1104 The focus has been taken off of safety 12/17/2019 1:27 PM
altogether. From how cars are inspected
to how many cars can be pulled out of the
bowl. Power isn't inspected properly and
if something is found we have been told
it's a failure in route and take it
anyway
1105 Less people working leads to exhausted 12/17/2019 1:27 PM
crews which are less safe. Again quality
of life doesn't matter and the Union
allows this to continue Being represented
by a paper tiger with no teeth
1106 Negatively, company tries to hold us 12/17/2019 1:27 PM
accountable when PTC or TO fails
1107 Nil 12/17/2019 1:27 PM
1108 Very little rest, being rushed, problems 12/17/2019 1:26 PM
and rules being overlooked to benefit RR.
I see a decline in the concern of safety
for workers and public.
1109 It has become worse 12/17/2019 1:26 PM
1110 I am more stressed and always expecting 12/17/2019 1:26 PM
the worst. It would seem that Norfolk
Southern is more interested in turning a
dollar than my safety and well-being. I
have an inescapable feeling of guilt
while I'm at work or not. Guilty of not
spending more time with my family and not
moving fast enough while at work, and
guilty at home that I'm letting the
company down. It causes me to lose focus
of what's important during the task at
hand and my situational awareness.
1111 Safety is on the back burner. Everything 12/17/2019 1:26 PM
revolves around company profits. Most
rule violations and discipline is because
of PTC.
1112 They are setting us up to be unsafe 12/17/2019 1:25 PM
1113 Hurry up get this done same work half men 12/17/2019 1:23 PM
hurry hurry hurry
1114 With the inception of do more with less 12/17/2019 1:23 PM
people it is causing what employees that
are left to work more with less rest and
LESS time for their families. . . .
1115 With no hump yards, flat switching is the 12/17/2019 1:22 PM
norm. Officials look away to be sure cars
are switched to meet the new
requirements.
1116 Before I could tell within a few hours 12/17/2019 1:22 PM
when I was going to work. Now who knows.
1 train runs 8 hours ahead. 1 train gets
laid down for 12 to 18 hours for
``congestion'' and other trains working
ahead
1117 Longer on duty times and less home time. 12/17/2019 1:22 PM
Inability for trains to make it from
point A to point B
1118 Furloughed so many employees the ones that 12/17/2019 1:20 PM
are still working are working non-stop
1119 Everything seems to be more time based and 12/17/2019 1:19 PM
less about the safety procedures in
place. Just want the job done In a faster
manner.
1120 They cut so many people that things are 12/17/2019 1:16 PM
being looked over and trains are being
sent out unsafe for the crew and the
public
1121 No regard for customers needs or employees 12/17/2019 1:16 PM
1122 Working shorthanded isn't safe! 12/17/2019 1:14 PM
1123 We are always rushed And safety is no 12/17/2019 1:13 PM
longer the focus of up
1124 They preach safety but have no regard for 12/17/2019 1:12 PM
it. Move the freight with no delay at all
costs.
1125 I've been an engineer since 2016 and since 12/17/2019 1:10 PM
PSR I've been a conductor since June
1126 Yes 12/17/2019 1:09 PM
1127 Precision Schedule Railroads leaves no 12/17/2019 1:07 PM
room for safety. Nor time to thinking
about and discussing your next move with
the crew.
1128 No 12/17/2019 1:01 PM
1129 More dangerous 12/17/2019 1:00 PM
1130 Engines & cars are not properly taken care 12/17/2019 1:00 PM
of. Haven't sat out a bad order in over a
year except on main line cause there are
no round house or car men to work on
them.
1131 Younger guys aren't as focused on their 12/17/2019 1:00 PM
jobs because they're too worried about
getting bumped or being furloughed.
1132 Safety had gone out the window . . . poor 12/17/2019 12:57 PM
maintenance and power is always breaking
down.
1133 Not really much on the maintenance side 12/17/2019 12:53 PM
1134 I believe that it's made it worse you're 12/17/2019 12:52 PM
trying to do more with less people
1135 I don't know 12/17/2019 12:52 PM
1136 PSR itself hasn't necessarily affected the 12/17/2019 12:50 PM
safety aspect of my job. If anything I
would say it has improved safety as far
as an OTS stand point
1137 The Trainman should be worried. They are 12/17/2019 12:49 PM
the ones riding on the tracks
1138 Cutting jobs has affected my ability to 12/17/2019 12:48 PM
sleep well before work.
1139 Negatively. We are rushed to finish our 12/17/2019 12:46 PM
work and safety is not a priority.
1140 Safety is out the window it is all about 12/17/2019 12:46 PM
making the money, keeping the trains
moving and the shareholders happy.
1141 Yes more work less people 12/17/2019 12:42 PM
1142 In regards to safety, it really hasn't 12/17/2019 12:41 PM
1143 Seems like track time is compressed 12/17/2019 12:37 PM
1144 Safety is only important on paper. When it 12/17/2019 12:36 PM
comes down to it, safety only seems to be
mentioned by the company because they
thing it will protect them from lawsuits.
1145 They just cut rules. I was always told the 12/17/2019 12:27 PM
reason for the rule was someone got hurt
doing it, or something broke. It is like
we are surprised when we cut rules that
were for our safety we have more
accident.
1146 BNSF is in the early stages. I do not 12/17/2019 12:26 PM
believe there is much change yet.
1147 Less money allocated for the right safety 12/17/2019 12:23 PM
resources. Little to no mention of
safety, like there was 5-10 years ago.
1148 Worse 12/17/2019 12:23 PM
1149 Worsened it. The feeling of safety has 12/17/2019 12:21 PM
gone out the window.
1150 Fears of losing my job 12/17/2019 12:20 PM
1151 Safety is out the window. Safety meetings 12/17/2019 12:19 PM
are rushed to get workers on the floor
quicker, Repairs are being ignored on
locomotives. Fewer people to do the work.
Making employees perform other craft
tasks for which they have no training to
do said tasks.
1152 My territory has gotten more signal 12/17/2019 12:18 PM
equipment including CTC and PTC as well
as all new Xing upgrades and not enough
help to cover all the work required.
1153 It's a lot more dangerous with more 12/17/2019 12:16 PM
switching
1154 Lone worker/reduced workforce now common. 12/17/2019 12:16 PM
Less ability to respond to track safety
issues due to reduced staffing.
1155 Lost seniority. Lost wages. Walk longer 12/17/2019 12:14 PM
trains
1156 My schedule has become 100 percent 12/17/2019 12:13 PM
unpredictable, and I'm constantly worried
about if I have a job.
1157 Didn't know we had it 12/17/2019 12:13 PM
1158 More time on the ground repairing these 12/17/2019 12:06 PM
12,000-16000 ft trains but conductors in
the danger zone for longer periods of
time and more often. Having to walk a
train that's 12,000-16,000 ft is beyond
unsafe, it's insane
1159 Safety on my job, a conductor, has become 12/17/2019 12:01 PM
nonexistent. 2 and 3 mile long trains,
many with HAZMAT, cars that should be bad
ordered leaving the terminals, the list
goes on and on. PSR has without a doubt
eliminated safety.
1160 I feel that the railroads are more 12/17/2019 12:01 PM
concerned with PSR then safety issues
that need to be addressed
1161 more rushed 12/17/2019 12:00 PM
1162 With less people working we put ourselves 12/17/2019 11:54 AM
in more danger now.
1163 Made OT. much less safe 12/17/2019 11:45 AM
1164 Less safe. 12/17/2019 11:43 AM
1165 Some for the better and some for the worse 12/17/2019 11:42 AM
1166 Took me from riding and looking at my 12/17/2019 11:36 AM
track 7 days a week to maybe 2 it makes
it harder to do our jobs and protect the
railroad
1167 The safety is the same 12/17/2019 11:36 AM
1168 PSR has cut jobs and boards across the 12/17/2019 11:31 AM
region, so it put a lot of people out of
work and I am close to having to find
another job again.
1169 As a logistical engineer I am now expected 12/17/2019 11:22 AM
to operate 10k feet trains with no
additional training. I'm expected to run
PTC and Fuel Management systems with only
online training.
1170 It sucks 12/17/2019 11:16 AM
1171 Longer hours and pressured to more than 12/17/2019 11:09 AM
just your job
1172 Safety isn't a high priority anymore 12/17/2019 11:04 AM
1173 Reduced focus on safety 12/17/2019 11:01 AM
1174 Nothing precision about only greed 12/17/2019 10:58 AM
1175 There is no safety program. Its just smoke 12/17/2019 10:55 AM
and mirrors. We are pushed to exhaustion
then threatened if we take time off or
denied layoff. If anything happens there
carrier finds a way to blame employees so
they are held responsible for lack of
maintenance.
1176 As of this moment, I, personally, have not 12/17/2019 10:53 AM
been put at risk due to PSR.
1177 Locomotive, track and general maintenance 12/17/2019 10:51 AM
are at an all time low.
1178 Safety has become the bottom the bottom 12/17/2019 10:51 AM
priority. With less workers and more
pressure on management, the environment
has become more hostile.
1179 We don't get enough time to do our job 12/17/2019 10:48 AM
safely and effectively, we have had more
injuries due to running around not taking
the time to watch where our feet are
1180 More safety oversight. The carriers want 12/17/2019 10:43 AM
to reduce human involvement, safety
inspections, increase train lengths,
force reduced workforce to keep up with
volume. Unsafe!
1181 Safety is secondary to production. 12/17/2019 10:28 AM
1182 PSR requires smaller work windows that 12/17/2019 10:10 AM
create an unnecessary sense of urgency
when performing a task.
1183 I don't use the train 12/17/2019 10:06 AM
1184 They seem to care less about safety and 12/17/2019 10:01 AM
more about production.
1185 From my perspective as a ground employee, 12/17/2019 9:50 AM
I first hand see that the implementation
of PSR has effected safety in the most
negative aspect possible. If something is
not done, corporate greed will continue
to drive safety to record lows and fatal
incidents including innocent bystanders
to an all time high.
1186 safety is number one at my job 12/17/2019 9:36 AM
1187 Made it worse!! Longer trains longer trips 12/17/2019 9:35 AM
terrible lineups!
1188 It's a morale killer, and when the morale 12/17/2019 9:03 AM
is down everything else good goes down
with it
1189 Furloughed 12/17/2019 9:02 AM
1190 They no longer even pretend to care about 12/17/2019 8:53 AM
safety, they used to provide incentives
and seemed like they cared. Now it's
nothing more than lip service.
1191 Get the job done at whatever cost. FRA 12/17/2019 8:52 AM
defects in yard are classified as in
route failures.
1192 It is not a top priority, unless something 12/17/2019 8:52 AM
happens then it seems to be important
again.
1193 Threatening 12/17/2019 8:41 AM
1194 It is a much more dangerous place to work 12/17/2019 8:39 AM
now the emphasis on hurry hurry hurry has
everyone cutting corners and violating
safety rules just to get the work done
and trains out in time because of the
overwhelming pressure from management.
The constant worry and stress about being
fired for anything and everything has
some trainmen so flustered that they
forget what they are doing they go into
wrong tracks they run switches because
they are trying to look 4 and 5 moves
ahead instead of focusing on the task at
hand
1195 Less sleep at home and harder to judge 12/17/2019 8:31 AM
call times
1196 Yes. made it easier. a lot more down time 12/17/2019 8:29 AM
now.
1197 Safety is a joke when you try to do more 12/17/2019 8:27 AM
with less. Pretty simple
1198 Less about safety and more about 12/17/2019 8:26 AM
production. let job security
1199 We are expected to be able to comply with 12/17/2019 8:17 AM
these schedules working 12 hour on a
daily basis due to the company reducing
manpower! We are threatened and
intimidated by management to make sure
that they are on time without delays
regardless of the situation.
1200 Safety is secondary. 12/17/2019 7:59 AM
1201 No one is worried about safety anymore. 12/17/2019 7:58 AM
The company just wants all the work down
with as few people to do it.
1202 The company continues to dump the workload 12/17/2019 7:56 AM
of multiple people/crews into one person/
crew. Regardless of the impact that has
on safety.
1203 It has affected my job as a conductor/ 12/17/2019 7:55 AM
locomotive engineer trainee in a very
negative way. Everything is now rush,
rush, rush. It doesn't matter how
inaccurate the paperwork is as long as we
are out the door in 30 minutes. The
training period for both ACTs and LETs is
woefully too short. Nobody has time to
learn the hows or the whys of the job and
it has become monkey see/monkey do.
Safety, as a priority to NS, dropped from
number 1 down to number 4. Service
metrics and shareholder value rule the
day. And the FRA is letting them do
whatever the hell they want to, however
the hell they want to do it.
1204 As the company tells us Safety is our 12/17/2019 7:52 AM
responsibility. But get the job done no
matter if you are short on personal.
1205 Safety has become low priority and the 12/17/2019 7:47 AM
bottom line is all that matters. It's a
haphazard environment that has me
constantly anticipating an accident
1206 Safety has fallen second to ``average 12/17/2019 7:47 AM
train speed''. Track procedures that have
been in place for decades are being
changed and/or overlooked (slow orders),
as well as safety and operating rules
being changed to accommodate higher train
performance. (i.e. operating angle cock
while reaching across train draw head is
now permissible)
1207 Not good. Too much pressure creating 12/17/2019 7:30 AM
stress and unsafe conditions
1208 Carriers are so worried it has made safety 12/17/2019 7:27 AM
and rules go right out the window. These
massive 15,000ft trains are unsafe. Had
one the other day without DPUS and the
air on the rear of the train never got
above 80psi. They are falsifying air
slips and making their workers perform
illegal brake test so their freight can
make it on time with their ridiculous
schedule.
1209 Less safe. Fewer employees so we are 12/17/2019 7:19 AM
working unfamiliar territories more often
and not getting the rest we need. More
train breakdowns because of size which
means the conductor is on the ground more
often walking two mile trains, getting
out of radio comms. Unsafe
1210 Seems one of the main safety focuses has 12/17/2019 7:13 AM
been slips, trips and falls. However with
increased train lengths it seems to be
putting conductors more at risk with 5 to
6 mile walking round trips in the
wonderfully sloped ballast. Public
crossings at grade could be blocked for
hours before a conductor is able to get
back to the crossing.
1211 Not at all 12/17/2019 7:10 AM
1212 We are expected to make safety shortcuts 12/17/2019 7:10 AM
in order to make up for time lost caused
by excessive switching. Trains now have
to stop and make multiple set outs/
pickups because they are cutting the
amount of trains being run. More time on
the ground allows for more incidents to
occur.
1213 None that I know of 12/17/2019 7:07 AM
1214 Lot better 12/17/2019 7:05 AM
1215 Everything is a rush, just to move train 12/17/2019 7:05 AM
bending rules wherever they can
1216 Working longer trains with less help. Is 12/17/2019 6:54 AM
our trains or tracks really safe with
less people inspecting or fixing them?
Not to mention with 9 yrs of seniority my
job is still unsure if I will be able to
hold a job
1217 There is no safety. Just move it 12/17/2019 6:53 AM
1218 This crap doesn't work. I've watched 12/17/2019 6:53 AM
United rail services work on the UPRR
right here next to my house. It took them
8 hours to respond to a broken rail. Not
to mention the welders failed to use a
jumper wire while shooting their Welds. I
watched traffic go around the gates on
Collins Ave. For 3 hours unprotected.
Precision railroading is a joke. You need
strategically placed maintenance crews.
Especially in areas where the temperature
fluctuates over 100 during the course of
a calendar year.
1219 Longer hours, less communication, poorly 12/17/2019 6:47 AM
maintained power and cars
1220 Lol, they passed each other when PSR came 12/17/2019 6:43 AM
thru the door
1221 Unpredictable work schedule prevents a 12/17/2019 6:41 AM
healthy sleep schedule. New technologies
required without proper training.
1222 Made work more stressful not knowing if 12/17/2019 6:40 AM
I'll have a job come next week.
1223 Longer trains. More stress. Greater chance 12/17/2019 6:36 AM
for derailment. Unorthodox handling of
equipment. Forced on unfamiliar territory
due to cutbacks.
1224 Less preventative maintenance, working 12/17/2019 6:35 AM
crews fatigued, and no sign of
improvement.
1225 Walking conditions worse. Appropriate 12/17/2019 6:24 AM
lighting at night is non existent
1226 When issues come up with the train such as 12/17/2019 6:15 AM
power or placement issues management
either doesn't care or becomes hostile to
the point of threatening loss of
employment.
1227 Rushed to get the job done so trains are 12/17/2019 6:10 AM
not stopped. Even if it means the job was
not done to standard.
1228 They preach safety, but not when cars have 12/17/2019 6:09 AM
to make connection.
1229 FRA boots on the ground greatly concerned. 12/17/2019 6:09 AM
Have been told there upper management
doesn't care anymore. Zero concern for
safety, 15000 foot 20000 ton trains half
of them have hot wheels on the 1st
detector. PTC works on 1 third of UP
engines.
1230 It has fallen. 12/17/2019 6:05 AM
1231 Less people working causing a hardship on 12/17/2019 6:04 AM
the few remaining. They bring in contract
that are not rules or safety qualified
they do not wear proper safety gear or
know any of the dangers around them.
1232 Risk exposure has increased exponentially 12/17/2019 6:01 AM
1233 Furloughed 12/17/2019 6:00 AM
1234 It has caused safety to take a backseat to 12/17/2019 5:58 AM
profits. Union Pacific doesn't care about
employees
1235 Placing productivity over safety is a 12/17/2019 5:54 AM
dangerous thing. It will be bad in the
long run. Not just to employees but the
communities we service.
1236 my job is the same at this time 12/17/2019 5:52 AM
1237 You're kidding, right? The railroad has 12/17/2019 5:47 AM
taken away 1 out of 7 rest days for the
benefit of the railroads profit margin.
When you travel on your time you lose an
entire day. When you travel hundreds or
even 1,000 or miles one way the railroad
in effect is giving the employees that
keep the tracks safe a big middle finger.
Try to explain to your child why you can
only stay home for one or two days and
then leave for ten. It's not right and
again I guarantee no employee would
tolerate that little detail for a second.
Why must we be treated so badly. I recall
at some point the railroad said they were
a family oriented company. REALLY? We
have less rest time, more on the road
time for what? So the railroad can make
more profit. Unbelievable! FYI--IT is
literally just a matter of time before
the speed rest reductions pile up to a
point of no return and then we're in real
trouble; derailments, property and
product loss and loss of life/lives. Hey,
what the hell as long as the railroad is
making profit.
1238 With less people I'm working longer hours 12/17/2019 5:40 AM
and the work of three people
1239 Exhaustion at home terminals and extreme 12/17/2019 5:39 AM
layovers at away from home effect
alertness and response time
1240 Safety is preached, but in the bigger 12/17/2019 5:32 AM
picture, expecting more work with less
manpower is more dangerous.
1241 It makes us worried about losing our jobs. 12/17/2019 5:31 AM
We can not function when worried. PSR is
a threat to losing your job and that is
not a good feeling when you are trying to
work for a company who is trying to get
rid of you.
1242 We were told rules were written in blood, 12/17/2019 5:29 AM
yet now we don't have to do this or that
any longer, example getting on/off moving
equipment.
1243 Furloughed. 12/17/2019 5:26 AM
1244 Doubling our work loads, cutting crews, 12/17/2019 5:23 AM
forcing us to work jobs we weren't called
for, pressuring us to complete bigger
jobs quicker with half the manpower.
Turning and looking the other way to
encourage shortcuts to speed up
production. Fear of losing a job because
our performance isn't making the ``PSR''
grade. We feel used for their corporate
greed
1245 Bad. Looking over my shoulder everyday and 12/17/2019 5:21 AM
worrying about if I will have a job the
next day
1246 Takes jobs away less time at home 12/17/2019 5:21 AM
1247 I asked my train master if the issues of 12/17/2019 5:20 AM
safety have been brought up in regards to
the growing amounts of accidents
happening all over. I was told no. That
we should be able to handle the changes
and still be safe. That's very hard to
do. We are worked as hard as possible for
12 hours and not allowed sufficient
breaks. We are threatened with punishment
if we aren't able to get the work done in
the time that they deem appropriate.
1248 Low man count means safety is compromised. 12/17/2019 5:18 AM
Also safety is not No.1 anymore. Tools
and trucks are not reliable and not
getting repaired as they should which is
a safety hazard to employees. Most every
job is rushed due to no track time
1249 Less safe. Rules that would have got you 12/17/2019 5:18 AM
fired before PSR, are now gone and
emphasis is on production above all else.
1250 It is not as fail proof as they would like 12/17/2019 5:18 AM
everyone to believe that it is.
1251 It hasn't made it any safer or more 12/17/2019 5:15 AM
predictable as for scheduling
1252 Made it more rushed. 12/17/2019 5:11 AM
1253 More fatigue poor training and preparation 12/17/2019 5:08 AM
1254 It is much safer but more work to do 12/17/2019 5:07 AM
1255 It's not as safe as it was. Trying to do 12/17/2019 5:03 AM
more with less people. With all the cuts
to personnel more climbing up and down a
lot of retracing foot steps in the yard
because when they had a utility to help
they could stay at the front and you
could switch out the cars when picking up
or setting out.
1256 I feel less safe I felt safer in a war 12/17/2019 5:03 AM
zone when I was deployed then I do daily
out here
1257 Being told to continue working on loco 12/17/2019 5:02 AM
when other engines are being moved on the
same track. Because they have a schedule
to keep
1258 Doubled our work while cutting other jobs 12/17/2019 5:00 AM
1259 It is always a rush to get to tie counts 12/17/2019 4:58 AM
1260 Safety has gone out the window 12/17/2019 4:54 AM
1261 The equipment and infrastructure are not 12/17/2019 4:54 AM
maintained to the standards Norfolk
Southern had even just five years ago let
alone 17 years ago when I hired out. The
railroad is more concerned with trains
departing on time and fuel savings than
maintenance and rule compliance. As a
result in the past two years I have had
to stop more trains on the line of road
because of detector alarms than ever
before in my career.
1262 Decreased safety 12/17/2019 4:53 AM
1263 They are dismissing most safety issues to 12/17/2019 4:50 AM
get production up.
1264 More focus on trying to find you doing 12/17/2019 4:48 AM
something not necessarily wrong but
doesn't suit upper supervision
1265 I've been asked to ignore FRA defects to 12/17/2019 4:43 AM
run trains
1266 Not at all 12/17/2019 4:40 AM
1267 It is becoming the last item on the list, 12/17/2019 4:26 AM
it's becoming overlooked.
1268 Only have 6 days off. They still want same 12/17/2019 4:26 AM
production in 10 hr day. With 5 to 6 hrs
on track
1269 Safety is the lowest priority 12/17/2019 4:23 AM
1270 We have seen more concern over production 12/17/2019 4:20 AM
than safety
1271 The only good thing about PSR is you know 12/17/2019 4:16 AM
what siding your gonna sit in, the
computers constantly go down, the
conductor can't use the screen so the
engineer has to scroll through the slow
orders while doing everything else with
his job. It is just very unreliable!!
1272 HA! Safety only matters when something 12/17/2019 4:16 AM
goes wrong
1273 Hurry up to do things 12/17/2019 4:13 AM
1274 Unpredictable line ups 12/17/2019 4:10 AM
1275 With all the cuts across the board, 12/17/2019 4:08 AM
including regular maintenance, it's made
the job much more dangerous. Highballing
rail cars that need repair and as
mentioned above, basic maintenance,
ultimately leads to unsafe working
conditions in rail yards across the
Nation. These cars go to different
carriers and interchanges, trainmen and
conductors need to have our heads on a
swivel even more so because of the lack
of basic maintenance. Combined with
working long hours, fatigue sets in
sooner than years ago. Especially when
your call mark moves up with a simple
click of the refresh button.
1276 There is no safety and there hasn't been 12/17/2019 4:06 AM
any for some time now
1277 company more concerned about moving 12/17/2019 4:05 AM
freight and not about safety and rest
cycles.
1278 I believe PSR has put safety as a 12/17/2019 4:01 AM
secondary concern. Profit is put before
safety of not only employees, but the
general public as well.
1279 Safety is an afterthought. Speed and 12/17/2019 4:01 AM
efficiency are king. Safety supplies are
even hard to obtain. Vests, gloves, etc.
These things were once readily available
and now, a company official may even
chuckle and tell you good luck.
1280 I'm running trains so long, I couldn't 12/17/2019 3:56 AM
communicate with my conductor if he had
to go to the rest of the train.
1281 PSR has increased the number of rule and 12/17/2019 3:54 AM
safety violations on Amarillo terminal.
Engineers running past red blocks and
conductors derailing and side swiping
cars is at an all time high.
1282 Not at all 12/17/2019 3:52 AM
1283 Crew fatigue is very high because of all 12/17/2019 3:51 AM
the job cuts causing us to work more with
little to no home time
1284 less work, more layoffs and upset 12/17/2019 3:51 AM
employees
1285 It has not affected my safety at all 12/17/2019 3:50 AM
1286 Less time to do job safely 12/17/2019 3:50 AM
1287 I feel that PSR is affecting the safety in 12/17/2019 3:48 AM
a negative way, the computers are taking
away the work that an engineer used to
perform which allows them to become
distracted easier. Instead of watching
the route ahead we are instead focusing
on several screens and the possibility of
missing something important ahead of the
train increases.
1288 Going from midnights to day shift then 12/17/2019 3:47 AM
back to night shift then to evening shift
then back to a midnight shift that starts
a 3 in the morning is terrible for the
safety of works and the health of workers
1289 Safety is gone. Management isn't checked 12/17/2019 3:46 AM
out and only go through the motions. Any
concerns are shrugged off.
1290 Longer hours 12/17/2019 3:46 AM
1291 Less M of W employees and the same amount 12/17/2019 3:46 AM
of work leads to more stress and lower
morale.
1292 Negatively it cost money to supply PPE. 12/17/2019 3:45 AM
CSX is constantly not providing basic
PPE, respirators. What are respirators?
1293 Just get the job done 12/17/2019 3:43 AM
1294 No face to face rules classes any more, 12/17/2019 3:41 AM
even as rules change with no explanation.
Dangerous
1295 More dangerous 12/17/2019 3:41 AM
1296 Rush rush, fudge numbers, no regard to 12/17/2019 3:41 AM
safety.
1297 N/A 12/17/2019 3:38 AM
1298 Employees forced to work alone in 12/17/2019 3:36 AM
dangerous tasks, at times without being
trained for task.
1299 Safety went out the window. Managers 12/17/2019 3:36 AM
threaten and intimidate employees to do
more and more because of there Jon's
being on the line while big wigs act they
are safety oriented
1300 Less Carmen and bigger trains to inspect 12/17/2019 3:35 AM
equals a non safe railroad
1301 Negative 12/17/2019 3:35 AM
1302 No overtime and less schedule work orders 12/17/2019 3:34 AM
1303 Cuts cuts and more cuts! Everyone is 12/17/2019 3:34 AM
scared for their job
1304 We still had bad ties, poor management, 12/17/2019 3:32 AM
low productivity, and ridiculous
requirements from the safety stand point
that cause tasks to be unsafe.
1305 They restructured our TSC process which 12/17/2019 3:30 AM
eliminated around 50 jobs in engineering.
The union never really acknowledged these
jobs and still don't but when they did
this it sent a message to the guys on the
ground that the carrier wasn't as focused
on safety as they say they are. The guys
we have left are doing their best but
they are only 24 facilitators in all of
engineering so some of those aren't even
in our union but the majority are.
Management talks safety but when it comes
down to it they push production every
time.
1306 I believe we are starting to see an uptick 12/17/2019 3:30 AM
in incidents and close calls. When
managers can't find enough guys to
complete a project and the managers are
jumping on machines and striking an
employee (fact), your asking for trouble.
1307 It has devastated the blue collard working 12/17/2019 3:29 AM
class.
1308 More and more useless paperwork. The local 12/17/2019 3:27 AM
customers is being overlooked for through
trains.
1309 Safety is a thing of the past. Since 12/17/2019 3:27 AM
implementing PSR safety isn't cared
about. NS now cares more about there
customers and equipment than there
employees and there safety. They have
laid off employees and cut off jobs which
ends up putting more work on the
employees left while having less rest.
1310 Has not affected My position 12/17/2019 3:26 AM
1311 None. Precision railroading does not seem 12/17/2019 3:24 AM
to affect safety conditions at work.
Safety is a condition in which each
employee must strive to perfect daily.
1312 Safety is only important when it's 12/17/2019 3:23 AM
convenient to the railroad
1313 Less safe 12/17/2019 3:17 AM
1314 There is a sense of the work has to be 12/17/2019 3:17 AM
done regardless of safety issues. If you
don't feel comfortable with performing a
task, it feels intimidating to state your
concerns for fear of being targeted by
management.
1315 Reduced safety. Brought rules back and 12/17/2019 3:16 AM
tell us we can do it daily Just a few
short months ago, if we did these
practices would've gotten us fired
1316 The company cares nothing about safety. 12/17/2019 3:14 AM
They want brake test done in vans at 20
mph and are discipline employees for
taking too long on safety inspection
1317 Time is limited on the track to fix any 12/17/2019 3:14 AM
problem. If you run over time then you
have to give an explanation as to why.
1318 Profits over safety, we are told to 12/17/2019 3:12 AM
sidestep rules I'm the sake of moving
trains.
1319 Most things are not being maintained and 12/17/2019 3:10 AM
workers are getting away with more
because they want more with less
1320 Here again less people more working long 12/17/2019 3:08 AM
hrs and getting exhausted
1321 It seems they ``talk safety'' but when 12/17/2019 3:04 AM
it's time to get the job done it is all
thrown out the window. Anything to get it
done faster before we delay a train.
1322 Job cuts It's much harder for less men to 12/17/2019 3:03 AM
do the same job
1323 Same amount of work less people, less 12/17/2019 3:01 AM
jobs, and less safety
1324 About to loose my job. The union Pacific 12/17/2019 2:58 AM
cut so many people it is unsafe. I had a
class 1 air test on an 11,000 ft train by
rule should have done it and the
dispatcher ordered us not to do it and
gave us the corridors initials to take
the train. Imagine if something would
have happened. That's my life on the line
to not including 100 of thousands of
people in cities
1325 I feel like it is less safe. 12/17/2019 2:56 AM
1326 I believe it has led to the cutting of 12/17/2019 2:56 AM
jobs.
1327 3 12/17/2019 2:56 AM
1328 One man trains are going to get someone 12/17/2019 2:55 AM
killed just because the company is trying
to save money.
1329 It has put added stress on being on spare 12/17/2019 2:53 AM
board and train lineup are not what is
stated and not being rested for trains
1330 Sucks. 12/17/2019 2:52 AM
1331 Safety is only when they see fit and does 12/17/2019 2:50 AM
not apply to the cowboy contractors they
hire, especially during derailments.
1332 My railroad hasn't implemented PSR by name 12/17/2019 2:50 AM
but is implementing practices in that are
like PSR. Two and three mile trains are a
big issue. Rules that were for safety
before have been removed to make these
trains work. These trains make it more
dangerous because the infrastructure is
not designed for their length, so now you
have to do air tests and other work on a
regular basis in areas not designed for
it.
1333 If you even mention safety in the CSX 12/17/2019 2:50 AM
terminal that I work you better have
another job waiting somewhere else cause
you will be gone.
1334 The company is putting profits over safety 12/17/2019 2:49 AM
with cutting jobs, crews, carman, and
people who ensure trains are properly
built and tested. The company pushes
unsafe train lengths, and unsafe airbrake
tests.
1335 Always being rushed to get to work. We 12/17/2019 2:48 AM
used to get around 30 minutes job
briefing and prep time before starting
our shift. Now they want you out the door
in less than 20 minutes.
1336 fewer carrier employees with extensive 12/17/2019 2:47 AM
knowledge of safe operations as opposed
to outside construction companies
obtaining short, 1 day classes to perform
the repairs that all of North America
relies on
1337 Worse 12/17/2019 2:47 AM
1338 Safety is not a priority. Railroad 12/17/2019 2:43 AM
implements safety program for show
1339 I have 12 years of seniority and have been 12/17/2019 2:43 AM
displaced from the normal direction I
have usually worked the last 3 years.
1340 I see workers empowering themselves to 12/17/2019 2:43 AM
work safely. I see exempt officers
pushing us to do questionable things,
bending rules or being out right asked to
break them to suit company needs. Workers
only course of action is to respond in a
manner that forces us to empower
ourselves.
1341 As most know safety is now our #4 on core 12/17/2019 2:42 AM
principles. I think that says it all.
1342 Conditions are less safe, more rushed do 12/17/2019 2:41 AM
more with less
1343 Erratic schedules, insufficient help or 12/17/2019 2:39 AM
tools for tasks, managers leading jobs
they don't understand.
1344 It seems far more accidents are occurring 12/17/2019 2:39 AM
and I believe everything from reductions
in track maintenance to length of on job
training play a role
1345 Less man power and less sufficient 12/17/2019 2:38 AM
equipment. People don't concentrate on
there job and quality work anymore the
focus is always how to not get fired and
how to not hold up fluidity of train
operations
1346 A lot now I have to be the truck driver, 12/17/2019 2:38 AM
welder foreman and be more productive
1347 A lot no safety out here 12/17/2019 2:36 AM
1348 To be honest in my opinion you can address 12/17/2019 2:36 AM
a safety concern and nothing will be done
about it. So horrible.
1349 Push us to get 3 hours of work done in 1 12/17/2019 2:35 AM
hour of time has put us all at a lot of
risk
1350 Doing more with less, you constantly feel 12/17/2019 2:33 AM
rushed to complete tasks. Just get it
done, don't care how
1351 The theory of working smarter, not harder 12/17/2019 2:32 AM
and doing things correctly and safely
means absolutely nothing if we are going
to ``hold up'' a train. Every worker out
of every craft whether it be
Transportation, Engineering, or
Mechanical will all agree that management
has taken a dark turn only caring about
making money and not the safety or
working conditions of the labor force. In
addition, the few good managers that
actually treat their employees with
respect end up losing their jobs.
Coincidence?
1352 Work a lot of night shift work which is 12/17/2019 2:29 AM
inherently dangerous and the inability of
many workers not being able to get proper
sleep during daylight hours
1353 We are doing more work with less man power 12/17/2019 2:29 AM
1354 I'm not sure just yet. I believe that it 12/17/2019 2:28 AM
will be a safety hazard for sure. Soon
enough
1355 Very unsafe 12/17/2019 2:28 AM
1356 They have cut crews and now a area that 12/17/2019 2:27 AM
had five jobs two years ago is trying to
do it with two jobs. Move, move, move is
what they want. No time to think about
what your doing. Just get it done now!!!
1357 A lot less men so it take a physical and 12/17/2019 2:27 AM
mental toll on us more now.
1358 Way less focused on safety and more on 12/17/2019 2:22 AM
moving more fright with less employees to
save money
1359 Safety has taken a backseat to the all 12/17/2019 2:21 AM
might dollar. Get it done and out of the
way no matter what. How many deaths this
year as opposed to other years? I know of
at least 4.
1360 Corners are being cut now 12/17/2019 2:19 AM
1361 We are rushed more to switch out trains 12/17/2019 2:19 AM
more now than I have ever seen it.
1362 Expected to rush in fear of loosing my job 12/17/2019 2:19 AM
1363 More focused on production over safety 12/17/2019 2:17 AM
forced to work I adverse conditions at
night in the dark without any artificial
like except the beam of my hard hat light
1364 We still do what we have to do safely. 12/17/2019 2:17 AM
They do get mad if it's not done when
they want it done.
1365 Less time to do quality control so the 12/17/2019 2:16 AM
schedule can be met. I know we are told
quality is numbers one but the next
statement is usually hurry up
1366 There are times that we are rushed and 12/17/2019 2:14 AM
it's just a matter of time that someone
takes a short cut or halfway does
something that causes a disaster.
1367 Safety is not a concern anymore with 12/17/2019 2:13 AM
workers forced to do the work of two jobs
1368 As stated in my first answer. We feel 12/17/2019 2:12 AM
rushed. If and when we do get track time
we are under the gun and hurried. Corners
are cut not only in safety but in the
actual repairs also.
1369 More work & less time at home 12/17/2019 2:12 AM
1370 Harder cause do to jobs cut off it's less 12/17/2019 2:12 AM
men working on the jobs
1371 Safety has been compromised for production 12/17/2019 2:11 AM
1372 Union Pacific doesn't care about safety 12/17/2019 2:11 AM
any longer
1373 Makes it very un safe. They push to get 12/17/2019 2:11 AM
more and are not worried about safety
1374 maintenance of the cars and engines over 12/17/2019 2:09 AM
all seem to be less important than moving
more freight.
1375 Made it worse 12/17/2019 2:08 AM
1376 Rushed or no train inspections at all. 12/17/2019 2:08 AM
Managers forging double coal bucket air
tests for the second half of the train
which was split and given a new train
symbol. Half the rail workers in every
Department means half the maintenance is
being done thus much higher derailment
and accidents vs previous years.
1377 Safety is almost nonexistent due to the 12/17/2019 2:08 AM
fact that they DO NOT want to fix
anything because it might slow down
production. I say production because they
are running it like a factory. We are
only aloud a 20 min. lunch break in 8 to
12 hr work day and if we stop just for 5
min, we are being yelled at to get back
to work, which is causing GREAT fatigue.
1378 Move rail cars without fail 12/17/2019 2:08 AM
1379 My employer doesn't practice PSR on the 12/17/2019 2:07 AM
same level as other carriers but I'm sure
it's coming soon enough. I hope at my age
I will be able to retire with a full
retirement as I'm too old to start a new
career.
1380 Less time to be prepared for my job, I 12/17/2019 2:06 AM
don't feel safe.
1381 Trains are operated at lengths that exceed 12/17/2019 2:05 AM
the abilities of the railroad provided
equipment. Hand-held radios do not have
the capability of working for the length
of the entire train. Communication
between managers/dispatchers and crews,
regarding unscheduled work is
nonexistent. This prevents crews from
planning their trips to accommodate for
the needs of their assignment.
1382 What safety? Get hurt and you're gone 12/17/2019 2:04 AM
1383 We have less time to rest and obviously 12/17/2019 2:02 AM
harder to focus at work
1384 Stretched everyone to thin. Doing more 12/17/2019 2:01 AM
with less keeps everyone over worked.
1385 Less time off with strict availability and 12/17/2019 2:00 AM
implementation of a ``low man hours''
intimidation and discipline dismissal
program that varies from employee to
employee with no published rules or data.
Just a ``DON'T be the one with the least
hours'' approach to employees.
1386 Completely negatively. No emphasis on 12/17/2019 1:59 AM
safety, just move the freight. Job cuts
has caused people to be burned completely
out.
1387 Injuries and even deaths have risen 12/17/2019 1:58 AM
1388 It seems access to quality tools and 12/17/2019 1:57 AM
safety equipment has stopped.
1389 It has not 12/17/2019 1:57 AM
1390 It's not safe at all. I had a friend I 12/17/2019 1:56 AM
grew up with get kill this year while on
the job.
1391 So much that my job is gone. 12/17/2019 1:55 AM
1392 Safety is second, production is pushed at 12/17/2019 1:53 AM
all times
1393 Hasn't 12/17/2019 1:51 AM
1394 Because of PSR I don't have a job! 12/17/2019 1:51 AM
1395 Safety has completely been thrown out the 12/17/2019 1:50 AM
window it is no brainer
1396 They calculated how many hours it takes to 12/17/2019 1:50 AM
do a job there way now there's always
problems with the job that's when
precision railroad doesn't work we're not
Perfect railroading out here
1397 Safety is no longer a concern. We used to 12/17/2019 1:49 AM
have a designated safety man and meetings
to address any safety issues but all that
went out the door when Hunter Harrison
took over.
1398 Less safety rules, pushed to do unsafe 12/17/2019 1:48 AM
action more and more injuries.
1399 Less safe, more with fewer people. 12/17/2019 1:48 AM
1400 Getting the trains moving by any means 12/17/2019 1:47 AM
necessary is the goal of the railroad
now, no matter what shortcuts are needed
to do so.
1401 Production is more important 12/17/2019 1:47 AM
1402 As far as safety goes PSR has affected my 12/17/2019 1:46 AM
job by being rushed
1403 As an inspector, wit an ever-growing work 12/17/2019 1:46 AM
load, the work hours put in are
intensive. The contract I am currently
under does not satisfy a schedule. The
company changes inspectors hours at will,
meaning, compensation for Intensive hours
is minimal. The expanded territories due
to less manpower is overwhelming and the
inspector may not be able to inspect as
thoroughly as possible to ensure safe
operation. Failure to promote inspectors
due to the reductions means there is no
vacation relief and basically doubles an
inspectors workload to cover,
inspections, and response to service
interruptions and weather related events.
1404 Made it more dangerous. Heavier and longer 12/17/2019 1:46 AM
trains. More work with less people and
not enough rest in between shifts now.
1405 ust ass safety last 12/17/2019 1:45 AM
1406 Made it more dangerous because we have 12/17/2019 1:40 AM
less time to get jobs completed
1407 More work less days off! Longer trains 12/17/2019 1:40 AM
1408 More dangerous. So many rule changes to 12/17/2019 1:39 AM
get production over safety
1409 Precision railroading has made my job much 12/17/2019 1:39 AM
worse. Out mechanical personnel and
locomotive shops have been reduced to
skeleton crews. Inspections are being
overlooked and we are operating with
dangerous equipment. They have cut many
trainmen jobs as well and the pressure is
on. We are disciplined for taking time
off and getting run into the ground. The
railroad has turned its back on safety in
my opinion.
1410 They claim safety is most important, but I 12/17/2019 1:39 AM
believe that money is more important to
them. They have cut the workforce and
still expect the same amount of work to
be done.
1411 It has made it more stressful and 12/17/2019 1:39 AM
dangerous and I'm worried that it's only
going to get worse. The change in the
schedule has affected my home life and my
wife is ready for me to find something
closer to home. Traveling long distances
for work cuts the amount of time at home
down also.
1412 It basically cut 5 years of my seniority 12/17/2019 1:39 AM
off and now I work in unfamiliar
territories with little to no
familiarization training
1413 Less safe. Management no longer conducts 12/17/2019 1:38 AM
face to face safety meeting relating to
new rules or on the job accidents.
1414 There is no such thing as safety all the 12/17/2019 1:38 AM
company cares about is production
1415 Too much travel. Being away from home so 12/17/2019 1:37 AM
much makes employees distracted and
unsafe
1416 We as track inspector are not given enough 12/17/2019 1:36 AM
time to do a quality inspection on
mainline and heavily used yard leads
there rushing through an inspection then
having to sign off on conditions
1417 More time away from the family can't plan 12/17/2019 1:36 AM
anything don't know if you will be
working nights days 4-10s 5-8s 8-6s
1418 As far as my safety I see more cuts in 12/17/2019 1:35 AM
jobs so therefore I go to work wondering
when my job will be next.
1419 These people leading the money grab do not 12/17/2019 1:34 AM
care about employees one bit. 15 years
ago when I hired safety trumped profits.
Not anymore
1420 If properly educated and trained on it's 12/17/2019 1:32 AM
implementation and use, it will help very
minimally in normal operation, but would
be beneficial in bad situations.
1421 I'm a nervous wreck they got rid of the 12/17/2019 1:32 AM
carman and the round house personnel. So
the locomotives are getting no
maintenance we keep complaining that the
brakes are bad locomotives do t stop
we're told to keep using them or were
fired.
1422 Safety has been affected by trying to get 12/17/2019 1:32 AM
as many task completed as possible
because of the lack of man power and
extra travel times to get to job site
1423 Over worked and under rested. Nothing 12/17/2019 1:32 AM
maintained makes everything unsafe to be
around.
1424 Some safety measures have been thrown out 12/17/2019 1:31 AM
the window to get things done
1425 Don't know that it's any safer when the 12/17/2019 1:30 AM
shit hits the fan all the safety goes out
the window just like it has for 20 years
1426 I'm now forced to do several jobs every 12/17/2019 1:29 AM
single day to try and keep up with
expectations. If we can't do the work
then we are threatened with being
abolished. With how many jobs have
already been cut I have no doubt my job
could be next just so upper management
and investors get bigger bonuses
1427 It spreads our employees thinner and makes 12/17/2019 1:29 AM
it dangerous overall.
1428 Less people less engines and pushing for 12/17/2019 1:28 AM
us to do more
1429 25 years on job, 22 as engineer and 2019 12/17/2019 1:28 AM
has been the absolute worst by far as
total time on duty and workforce morale.
1430 We are rushed to complete test in minimal 12/17/2019 1:26 AM
time. rather than completing a thorough
test of safety sensitive equipment, we
must rush through tests in order to
complete them before their due date.
Maintenance often takes a back seat,
something to try and complete later, if
it's completed at all before things
completely break.
1431 We are required to complete jobs in a 12/17/2019 1:26 AM
shorter timeframe. Windows are smaller
and require extra stress to complete
tasks. I think a higher stress faster
pace has lowered repair integrity.
1432 I think that it's made it harder to get 12/17/2019 1:26 AM
work done accordingly because of the
scheduling . . . no consistency of
schedule . . . nights to days to nights
to days.
1433 A lot more hazardous!! Union Pacific had 12/17/2019 1:24 AM
increased the risk of injury by cutting
the manpower down to almost nothing. All
our managers have taken on more work. In
turn we hardly see them anymore.
1434 Certain aspects of the job due to PSR is 12/17/2019 1:24 AM
unsafe
1435 Feel like you have to walk on eggshells 12/17/2019 1:24 AM
around management
1436 I retired in 2016, prior to this new 12/17/2019 1:23 AM
application
1437 It makes it so much more safer. Gives that 12/17/2019 1:22 AM
layer of safety you wouldn't have other
wise. Can't wait to see what the future
has in store for PSR
1438 They only care about moving more cars 12/17/2019 1:21 AM
faster and faster so they can close down
other facilities. It is much more
dangerous.
1439 Longer trains are too dangerous. If one 12/17/2019 1:21 AM
derails now it's almost always a major
derailment.
1440 It is huge, with the pressure to get the 12/17/2019 1:21 AM
job done at whatever cost and less people
it affects mow employees as well as
engineers and conductors, I have seen
roadmasters tell track supervisors not to
place slow orders to keep traffic moving
1441 They've cut out all of our safety awards 12/17/2019 1:20 AM
1442 There are less eyes to watch out for one 12/17/2019 1:19 AM
another.
1443 I've lost money, mental health and it's 12/17/2019 1:16 AM
taken a toll on my family. I come to work
bitter and leave even worse. They have
cut jobs which is what's put more work
load and stress on me and it's expected
to get done no matter what. They don't
even care if it's done right. Just sign
your name to it.
1444 They preach safety, safety, safety, but I 12/17/2019 1:16 AM
feel they do not care about us they just
care that something don't happen to us,
because they might lose a dollar! We are
treated as if we are robots that do as
they are told and can't say anything
back. I feel there is no pride left In
our job! Just make the owners as much
money as you possibly can. Morale is
down, so of coarse safety is too! It's a
disaster waiting to happen!
1445 What job. At this point we will be lucky 12/17/2019 1:16 AM
to have a job in three years
1446 less people to do the jobs but expect the 12/17/2019 1:16 AM
job to be done in same amount of time
when we had double the people.
1447 Rushed at doing everything, results in 12/17/2019 1:16 AM
dangerous practices
1448 Track condition are declining making 12/17/2019 1:15 AM
switching operation unsafe because of
settling ballast making tripping hazards,
also when they do fix track they do not
replace the ballast.
1449 None 12/17/2019 1:15 AM
1450 Pretty much non existent. Injuries speak 12/17/2019 1:14 AM
for themselves
1451 Not enough time allowed for what needs to 12/17/2019 1:14 AM
be done. Always rushed.
1452 It's definitely made my job much less 12/17/2019 1:12 AM
safe.
1453 Furloughed because of it. 12/17/2019 1:11 AM
1454 The railroad want more work in less time 12/17/2019 1:10 AM
at no cost to the workers safety.
1455 Too many layoffs but they talk about 12/17/2019 1:09 AM
record profits safety has went out the
window
1456 Less safety, more production. Safety had 12/17/2019 1:09 AM
taken a back seat the last few years.
Maintenance is lacking and we are being
pushed to Alfas air tests and other
safety related items
1457 No change at all in regard to safety. 12/17/2019 1:08 AM
1458 Worse. Safety doesn't matter. Not that it 12/17/2019 1:07 AM
ever has. It's always been do as we say
regardless of the rules only difference
now much of it has been removed from the
rule book.
1459 Forces people to break the law to move 12/17/2019 1:07 AM
trains out of fear, when they should not
move. Forces ee's to not report injuries
due to threat of being fired. This is a
fact.
1460 Hasn't changed much. Safety always goes 12/17/2019 1:07 AM
out the window when production slows
1461 Safety isn't a priority at all. The 12/17/2019 1:05 AM
company only cares about cutting costs
and making their stock prices go up.
Cutting jobs and horribly neglecting
their tracks, bridges and structures are
just a couple of ways they are doing
this.
1462 Obtaining required parts and PPE for safe 12/17/2019 1:05 AM
operating conditions is starting to
become difficult without an extensive
explanation of why they are needed.
1463 Example: we had half the tie gang in the 12/17/2019 1:04 AM
hole to tie down for the night when a
call came in from management to back out
and keep traveling in the dark and in the
rain in an unfamiliar area so we could
get some ties put on the next day. Rather
than calling it a day when we should
have, we had to travel through a very
large city at night in the rain (a lot of
busy crossings) in equipment that's not
easy to see out of in those conditions,
but we had to get production the next
day.
1464 I am currently laid off because of it. 12/17/2019 1:04 AM
1465 Messed up our work schedule and time home 12/17/2019 1:04 AM
with family
1466 Safety has clearly taken a huge step 12/17/2019 1:03 AM
backwards. the focus has shifted to
profit at all cost. to hell with the
employees and the small customers. only
thing that seems to matter is
shareholders and Wall Street.
1467 You look over your shoulder more looking 12/17/2019 1:02 AM
for a manager that is going to write you
up for a minimal violation.
1468 None so far 12/17/2019 1:02 AM
1469 Safety dropped off the list. Employees are 12/17/2019 1:02 AM
pushed into jobs without training on
dangerous machinery
1470 More work not enough time. More safety 12/17/2019 1:02 AM
items noticed wrong.
1471 Safety has went out of the window with 12/17/2019 1:01 AM
PSR, the rules and safety are the last of
their wants.
1472 Safety is the expectation, but if it gets 12/17/2019 1:01 AM
in the way of profit, find another way.
Safety programs are obsolete because it
cost money to run programs and give
incentives to employees. For instance,
tools meant to help reduce injury
climbing on and off rail cars to tie hand
brakes and no longer allowed to be used.
Bottom line they cost money. Less
manpower is another issue, who doesn't
want more with less but your pushing the
people you have to the brink of
exhaustion to pick up the slack, this
causes accidents and is not safe at all.
1473 Safety is virtually back to how it was 15- 12/17/2019 1:01 AM
20 years ago
1474 With all the cuts to manpower and access 12/17/2019 1:00 AM
to proper equipment it's created a rush
rush, unsafe environment.
1475 None 12/17/2019 1:00 AM
1476 A lot the rules only apply when they want 12/17/2019 12:59 AM
too
1477 Safety has become an afterthought. The 12/17/2019 12:59 AM
reintroduction of mounting/dismounting
moving equipment and doing away with
brake sticks are the two biggest things
that come to mind.
1478 More rushing 12/17/2019 12:59 AM
1479 They expect you to do more, get the same 12/17/2019 12:59 AM
production with fewer men!!!!!
1480 Force to do far more with much less. 12/17/2019 12:58 AM
Stretched far too thin.
1481 It has put a price on my safety. 12/17/2019 12:58 AM
1482 In regards to safety, PSR has had a hugely 12/17/2019 12:58 AM
NEGATIVE impact. How? Train schedules
have become so tight that work on the
core route needs to be done in blocks or
windows. Any little problem or difficulty
(which happens often on this line of
work, by nature) and you will exceed your
window. Some dispatchers get downright
rude and disrespectful demanding their
track back when this happens. Try to do
the right thing and do quality work, but
shouldn't have to be under the gun all of
the time. Precision railroading has
everyone strung tighter than a fiddle
string.
1483 Very little 12/17/2019 12:57 AM
1484 Please refer to the previous response. It 12/17/2019 12:57 AM
sums up the things that have changed in
just the last two years. All of the years
before PSR we're not nearly as bad as
they are now.
1485 Management is more demanding regarding 12/17/2019 12:57 AM
production at the expense of safety
1486 I believe that due to consistently 12/17/2019 12:55 AM
changing schedules, i.e. vast swings in
start times and short notices of changes
in start times and overall schedule,
there is a drop in employees being at
optimum rest and focus. I feel this can
be directly seen in the amount of machine
collision that have been happening on SPG
1487 Very little maintenance was done 12/17/2019 12:55 AM
1488 Cut my job. 12/17/2019 12:55 AM
1489 I feel far less safe at work due to labor 12/17/2019 12:54 AM
and materials being in short supply.
1490 It has management focus on cars, instead 12/17/2019 12:53 AM
of safety
1491 Have to do more tasks over more miles. 12/17/2019 12:52 AM
Elevated risk to injury.
1492 All tracks generally speaking have been 12/17/2019 12:51 AM
neglected due to lack of manpower. The
company only has their stockholders
interests in mind
1493 The concern and distraction of losing my 12/17/2019 12:50 AM
job on a daily basis. Profits over
people.
1494 The reduction of the car men, diesel shop 12/17/2019 12:50 AM
employees and MOW make it less safe for
me as a TEY employee. The remaining
employees can't keep up with the amount
of work that more employees used to do.
With less track maintenance and car
maintenance, I have more delays and more
issues than when than normal.
1495 Safety has gone away. They want to get 12/17/2019 12:50 AM
everything done as fast as possible and
say do it safely. But they've gotten rid
of most of the rules that keep us safe.
If we don't do something quick enough we
are in trouble.
1496 Tremendously, track time is hard, 12/17/2019 12:49 AM
dispatchers are pressuring you to get
track back sooner than they gave it to
you for
1497 my job is a bus driver so it doesn't 12/17/2019 12:48 AM
affect me personally but I believe the
morale the guys is down and this is a
huge safety issue
1498 More dangerous for the employees and the 12/17/2019 12:48 AM
communities in which they service.
1499 I've been in a train wreck due to poorly 12/17/2019 12:48 AM
inspected cars, if that is what you mean.
I've spoken to other employees, on my
district and another, who have told me
about very near misses after the Sherman
Hill incident. I was also ordered to take
a train out of Green River with no air
test done at origination. I've been told
(and overheard the conversation with)
management still threatens jobs if you
try to refuse to move a train because of
air problems.
1500 It's safer than it was because we get less 12/17/2019 12:47 AM
track time to fix things
1501 Laid off. 12/17/2019 12:46 AM
1502 Seem to be more of a rush to get work 12/17/2019 12:46 AM
completed even when short staffed.
Bouncing employees from job to job an
machine to machine.
1503 We don't get the track so it's very good 12/17/2019 12:46 AM
1504 More risked less men no time to do the 12/17/2019 12:45 AM
work properly telling us to cut corners
1505 Safety has taken a back seat to 12/17/2019 12:43 AM
shareholder profits. Engines, equipment,
rails, etc are not being maintained. We
are now constantly been forced to work
after were dead. The latest farse is the
carrier refusing to order rides unless
absolutely necessary which means we are
being forced to deadhead on our own
trains even after we're dead.
1506 Bout the same 12/17/2019 12:43 AM
1507 Everything is a rush job safety is out the 12/17/2019 12:42 AM
door when it comes to PSR.
1508 It has become second or maybe third. With 12/17/2019 12:38 AM
the more with less mentality, middle
management is under pressure to keep the
numbers up and that pressure is exerted
down the ladder.
1509 Hasn't 12/17/2019 12:38 AM
1510 A lot of pressure to get the job done with 12/17/2019 12:38 AM
less men
1511 The numbers speak for themselves. Look at 12/17/2019 12:38 AM
any safety record before PSR and look
after, I'm sure it has back to question 1
.
1512 I feel my brothers and sisters as well as 12/17/2019 12:37 AM
my life have been taken for granted in
that we are no longer humans but risks
and money makers to the carriers. The
carriers should focus more on their
workforce rather than their profit
centers and shareholders.
1513 I do not have a job any longer. I do not 12/17/2019 12:36 AM
insurance anymore either. I am worried
how I'm going to afford prescriptions for
my wife.
1514 We are never told by management to go 12/17/2019 12:36 AM
fast. But the implementation of cameras
everywhere, and the threat of our yards
being closed down because of low
production forces many of us to skip on
safety. For example, in order to get out
the door in 20 minutes and begin work,
RCL crews are completing just the light
running brake test. Nothing else.
1515 Safety has been put on the back burner, no 12/17/2019 12:36 AM
safety meetings and management doors not
stress it.
1516 Doesn't seem to really be number one any 12/17/2019 12:36 AM
more. Sure we talk about it but in
practice management doesn't care just
want the job done quickly.
1517 Gone from holding an engineer's spots back 12/17/2019 12:36 AM
to a conductor with a few away being
furloughed.
1518 Constant injuries being reported 12/17/2019 12:34 AM
1519 Made it more stressful and very unsafe. 12/17/2019 12:34 AM
1520 They will over look safety violations as 12/17/2019 12:33 AM
long as it's making work go faster. Even
Federal violations are not taken
seriously when reported to management or
yardmasters.
1521 The company won't allow time to make 12/17/2019 12:32 AM
needed repairs. When they do, it isn't
enough and we are expected to get it done
quickly not safely.
1522 Worse 12/17/2019 12:31 AM
1523 It makes employees afraid to do their 12/17/2019 12:31 AM
jobs. It has also resulted in short
staffing and deferred maintenance.
1524 Much more unsafe 12/17/2019 12:31 AM
1525 Want more done in less time. To please 12/17/2019 12:30 AM
stockholders
1526 We all have to do more with less. More 12/17/2019 12:30 AM
hours at work less rest less safe. Bosses
are cut throat trying to hang anyone for
anything
1527 I've been furloughed 12/17/2019 12:30 AM
1528 Faster pace. Better have your head on a 12/17/2019 12:30 AM
swivel
1529 I don't have a job at the moment 12/17/2019 12:28 AM
1530 A lot less workforce, and same amount of 12/17/2019 12:27 AM
work or more expected, much more worried
about production than safety.
1531 We are going by the same rules as before 12/17/2019 12:27 AM
1532 There are not as many people to do the 12/17/2019 12:27 AM
work. A 4 man team now is expected to do
the work of what use to be a 7 man team.
In my opinion it has negatively affected
safety.
1533 I get little to zero time to make sure 12/17/2019 12:27 AM
that we have a proper job briefing on the
railroad after PSR. We also are being
pressed to do our tasks faster and less
thoroughly.
1534 What safety??? With PSR ``safety'' is just 12/17/2019 12:27 AM
another way to say ``slow'' or ``lazy.''
Trains were not meant to be built like
they have been since PSR and it just puts
the public and employees in danger.
1535 We feel like Safety is second maybe third 12/17/2019 12:26 AM
to the running of trains and production.
Quality of life is out the window and
stress is high and morale is the lowest I
have ever seen in my 10 plus years here
with U.P.
1536 It just hit us recently I am currently 12/17/2019 12:26 AM
furloughed over it in regards to safety
it cut welding jobs and added more
territory for the welders to cover so if
2 frogs need welded at the same time 1 is
getting done and it puts workers in
unfamiliar territory
1537 More stress myself on others in my craft 12/17/2019 12:25 AM
afraid that the end is near.
1538 We are now expected to do more work in a 12/17/2019 12:25 AM
smaller time frame. That leads to
rushing, which is unsafe.
1539 Once again expecting more and more out of 12/17/2019 12:25 AM
everyone forcing shortcuts
1540 Safety seems to take a back seat compared 12/17/2019 12:24 AM
to getting trains moving. They are more
concerned on moving these 10000' long
trains weather it is rolling them over
defected rails or even broken rails it
seems that it is more important to keep
them rolling than actually getting the
work that needs to be done, done!
1541 Safety is worse. Pushing people to work 12/17/2019 12:24 AM
harder with less people. They tell you in
the morning meeting to take your time
warm up in the truck but really they get
mad because you not working to take a
break.
1542 Takes more time away from the rails. When 12/17/2019 12:23 AM
PSR errors, it n becomes a distraction.
1543 We still work far too many hours without 12/17/2019 12:22 AM
rest many times.
1544 Less time to do a job safely and correct 12/17/2019 12:22 AM
1545 It has created yet another layer of 12/17/2019 12:19 AM
distraction and further movement away
from the core of safe, efficient
railroading. this is coupled with a sense
of NO job security.
1546 It has lowered the safety standards 12/17/2019 12:18 AM
because the company has cut jobs so we
don't have enough people to do the job
safe and efficient
1547 Made it not as safe due to working bye 12/17/2019 12:16 AM
yourself and not an extra set of eyes to
look out for you.
1548 has not 12/17/2019 12:15 AM
1549 Safety seems to be of little concern to 12/17/2019 12:14 AM
management
1550 Hasn't 12/17/2019 12:14 AM
1551 6 12/17/2019 12:13 AM
1552 Real. Bad 12/17/2019 12:12 AM
1553 Directly, it hasn't. Indirectly the 12/17/2019 12:12 AM
confusion and uncertainty has made people
feel like they're walking on eggshells.
1554 Safety is preached. As soon as it's not 12/17/2019 12:10 AM
convenient to have safety over production
it's overlooked.
1555 Much more pressure from management and 12/17/2019 12:10 AM
train masters because they get calls for
any hold ups. Leads you to doing
``favors'' just to get it out! We have
had lots of safety go away for efficiency
1556 We as train men are constantly told we 12/17/2019 12:10 AM
need to be moving more freight faster to
get more done in a shorter time period. I
have over heard carmen say they are
worried that if they bad order cars for
legitimate reasons that they will lose
there jobs.
1557 They putting more stress on the employees 12/17/2019 12:09 AM
1558 Hurry and get the job done. Safety is no 12/17/2019 12:05 AM
longer foremost. Management doesn't want
to hear that work isn't capable of being
done because it's unsafe for a single
person to do.
1559 Yes. Furloughed with 6 years experience 12/17/2019 12:05 AM
1560 Safety is preached a lot, but the bottom 12/17/2019 12:04 AM
line is it's all about the money. And if
MOW is not receiving enough track time
then it's not as safe.
1561 Not very comfortable with always changing 12/17/2019 12:04 AM
safety programs
1562 Laid off 12/17/2019 12:04 AM
1563 Seems like everything gets hurried up when 12/17/2019 12:04 AM
time starts getting close to going in the
clear to the whole. And then there is the
night time work again. It's hard to see
from one end of a stick of rail that is
1440 feet long in the dark to the other
end of it.
1564 Turned it upside down 12/17/2019 12:04 AM
1565 We get told to do more with less. Less 12/17/2019 12:04 AM
time, material and man power
1566 I seem to have trains pop up or fall off 12/17/2019 12:03 AM
the train lineup without notice. Planning
rest accordingly has become increasingly
difficult
1567 Overloading us, fewer resources, more 12/17/2019 12:03 AM
anxiety, stress, anger, retaliation
1568 Same 12/17/2019 12:02 AM
1569 So sad 12/17/2019 12:02 AM
1570 Turned this job into one of the most un 12/17/2019 12:01 AM
safe jobs I've ever had
1571 I have had to go back to extra board and 12/17/2019 12:00 AM
furlough at times with 10 years
seniority. I'm currently seeking other
employment opportunities because a person
should not have to worry about furlough
with a decade of service.
1572 I'd say adversely, I don't feel very 12/17/2019 12:00 AM
secure in my job after 24 and a half
years of service
1573 No change just less time off 12/17/2019 12:00 AM
1574 Working more hours with less people 12/16/2019 11:59 PM
1575 More unsafe account not as many employees 12/16/2019 11:59 PM
doing there job, to many shortcuts i.e.,
Track worse shape etc.
1576 Not ample time to do job correct and lack 12/16/2019 11:59 PM
of workforce to do job correctly and
effective
1577 Too much pressure 12/16/2019 11:58 PM
1578 Running longer trains and fewer trains has 12/16/2019 11:58 PM
furloughed me so I wouldn't know.
1579 Working on an SPT has been challenging. 12/16/2019 11:57 PM
Once again you never know where you'll
be, days or nights, it's not a healthy
life style.
1580 I was a facilitator for TSC, when safety 12/16/2019 11:55 PM
was seen as a expendable line item my job
was abolished. What's even more troubling
is we were under the impression that we
would be a part of the management cuts of
30 percent across the board but in
reality the cuts to safety were closer to
75 percent.
1581 Track inspectors on 7 day coverage is 12/16/2019 11:55 PM
stressful
1582 A less safe work environment. Less people 12/16/2019 11:54 PM
to do more work. Corners are being cut.
1583 Lack of maintenance (rail, Locomotives, 12/16/2019 11:54 PM
cars, etc.)
1584 Shorter maintenance windows causing 12/16/2019 11:53 PM
employees to do twice the work in shorter
amount of time.
1585 PSR basically made safety take a back seat 12/16/2019 11:53 PM
. . . crew cuts . . . longer trains . . .
with end of train set outs . . . pretty
much a thumb pressing down on you
constantly
1586 There has always been a lack of training 12/16/2019 11:51 PM
for my entire career. The focus is more
on punishment than training.
1587 Negatively with hours of waiting on 12/16/2019 11:51 PM
trains, followed by a all out frantic
rush to complete work before the end of a
curfew.
1588 None 12/16/2019 11:51 PM
1589 I've gone to a split shift working 12/16/2019 11:50 PM
midnights and afternoons after being able
to work the day shift for more than 10
years. I now don't see my family most of
the week. I get forced on a lot of double
shifts. My sleep pattern is messed up and
I often can't sleep when I need to making
it very hard to concentrate properly at
work.
1590 I've seen more brothers laid off and we're 12/16/2019 11:50 PM
having to work every 10 hours on longer
pools when we used to get 2-3 days off in
between
1591 Safety is not a priority, keeping cars 12/16/2019 11:50 PM
moving is
1592 It's to much to have to do, as a Engineer 12/16/2019 11:49 PM
I am being overloaded. I am only one
person. We need the conductor to help
1593 Safety only matters when it's their time 12/16/2019 11:49 PM
but as soon as a project starts safety
does not matter until something bad
happens or the projects are done.
1594 It's not about getting our work done, it's 12/16/2019 11:48 PM
not about being safe, it's all about and
only about moving trains. Track
inspectors have to defend every single
slow order like it's the end of the
railroad to have one out there. A 10 mph
is blasphemy and has to be taken off, but
sections are out of hours of service and
can't come in, they except you to simply
hightail the whole way, as if drivers who
are legally too tired to drive are
suddenly less tired on the rails, risking
their lives and jobs at every crossing,
not to mention the public. When a person
retires, many positions are being done
away with rather than put back up for
bid, leaving territories to slowly be
peeled away to nothing with no one to
help out. A safety assist in program was
pared down 34 percent strictly due to
cost savings when the year before was
praised as one of the main contributing
causes to the unprecedented safety
record. People feel as though the
companies don't care about our safety
because they continue, again and again,
prove the train traffic flow is their
1st, 2nd, and 3rd priority. 1st--track
windows are rarely given for greater than
2 hours, even when far advanced notice is
given and the needs for them expressed
over and over again. 2nd--dispatchers/
chief dispatchers only want you out there
to fix what is absolutely necessary to
keep trains going; maintenance of way
doesn't perform maintenance, we simply
bandaid the issues to get off their
tracks. 3rd--if you DO get time to do
work, you are pressured on all levels to
get it done and get off the track as
quickly as possible; perceived pressure
is real pressure.
1595 CSX has taken out siding so we ha e to 12/16/2019 11:47 PM
travel love g distance on the rail to get
to safety.
1596 Constantly distracted by not knowing if 12/16/2019 11:47 PM
you'll have a job the next day.
1597 I comment 12/16/2019 11:46 PM
1598 More added stress 12/16/2019 11:46 PM
1599 No answer 12/16/2019 11:45 PM
1600 It's hurry and go Shitty hrs And 8-6's 12/16/2019 11:44 PM
suck 15-16 hrs from the house starting
8pm working all night Not much of a life
when you have a family
1601 Seems all that matters is moving cars 12/16/2019 11:43 PM
1602 Due to layoffs, combining jobs, and job 12/16/2019 11:42 PM
cuts in general I now have more
responsibilities, less time off, work
longer hours everyday and that is
affecting me being able to work safely.
1603 Less man power is always a struggle. 12/16/2019 11:42 PM
Safety in numbers has always been a good
thing. People there to help share the
work load. A lot of the stuff we work
with needs to be team lifted.
1604 Laid off 12/16/2019 11:39 PM
1605 Mentally exhausting and frustrating. Again 12/16/2019 11:38 PM
the company is destroying the morale and
the home life of its employees.
1606 Come and spend a day on the ballast line 12/16/2019 11:37 PM
and tell me LoL
1607 Trains are way to long to communicate with 12/16/2019 11:37 PM
headend of train with the radios that we
have. They are ok for 1 mile trains, but
3 mile long trains the conductor cannot
communicate with head in. Also three mile
long trains are to long for public safety
it takes conductor to long to get
crossing unblocked.
1608 Definitely taken the emphasis off of 12/16/2019 11:37 PM
safety and on to train times being the
most important.
1609 safety is not a priority anymore, cut 12/16/2019 11:37 PM
corners, less money spent on upkeep of
equipment
1610 Work is now very unsafe and rushed quality 12/16/2019 11:36 PM
and safety have gone down dramatically
1611 Negatively 12/16/2019 11:36 PM
1612 More stress to produce 12/16/2019 11:36 PM
1613 My job is considerably less safe due to 12/16/2019 11:35 PM
PSR. Less rules, less employees, less
maintenance, and longer trains have all
contributed to this.
1614 Precision railroading has caused us to 12/16/2019 11:34 PM
have to do our job in half the time we
normally have to do it so causing us to
rush and sacrifice safety was less man
count to but this is just my opinion of
what I've seen of precision railroading
1615 I feel it has made it much more unsafe. 12/16/2019 11:34 PM
It's rush, rush rush. Let's work days,
let's work nights Flip everyone's
schedule upside down, leaving people
short on sleep. Which is dangerous to
everyone involved. Passing trains at
faster speeds puts people at risk as
well.
1616 Not really. Harder to get sufficient track 12/16/2019 11:33 PM
time ( both controlled & non-controlled
track).
1617 I feel like safety has been put second 12/16/2019 11:33 PM
behind production
1618 Less safety/maintenance more production 12/16/2019 11:33 PM
1619 Budget priority is for track materials, 12/16/2019 11:32 PM
NOT PPE. workforce reduction has never
been higher. Vacations and other
vacancies are routinely left unfilled w
no relief provided. This is a planned
strategy used by all managers to boost
their budget. Production expectations and
track times to perform work is unchanged
despite significant vacancies/lack of
manpower putting MORE pressure on the
employees to get the job done. Safety is
truly a dog and pony show for my
railroad. It is ALL smoke and mirrors
with no sincere concern by management for
employees safety.
1620 Longer trains with more mixed freight have 12/16/2019 11:32 PM
left the trains with uneven weight. At 1
time most loads were towards the front,
now with PSR, the weight is mostly
towards the rear were the setout or
pickup is. Trains more than 5500 feet are
unsafe, period
1621 Constantly picking up derailment because 12/16/2019 11:32 PM
instead of humping they are trimming on
switches that aren't large enough for
their bog trains. way over loaded
1622 Bunch, no help, 2 guys doing rail changes, 12/16/2019 11:32 PM
if trains are projected to leave or come
into terminal they won't allow work in
front of them causing to hurry when time
allowed
1623 Well, people are now allowed to do pretty 12/16/2019 11:31 PM
much anything they want and they barely
get a slap on the wrist. I am not saying
it needs to be super strict, but many
safety rules are being completely
ignored. The newer railroaders have no
idea what old heads are referring to when
we explain why they should be careful
when doing certain activities. They just
say ``well, we can't get in trouble for
it, so we aren't worried.'' I see newer
engineers who have no idea how to run a
train, and conductors not taking the
extra second to check their surroundings.
Safety has all but disappeared. This is
mostly due to what I explained in
question 1.
1624 The railroad doesn't care about safety 12/16/2019 11:31 PM
anymore
1625 Doing the same thing. 12/16/2019 11:30 PM
1626 Puts us in risk of our safety and the 12/16/2019 11:30 PM
public safety
1627 When I'm severely fatigued I would call in 12/16/2019 11:30 PM
sick for my safety the publics the
company's and my coworkers now you are
not allowed to mark off as much without
fear of being punished.
1628 have to walk longer trains on worse track. 12/16/2019 11:29 PM
and there are few if any sidings big
enough to fit. we have also moved more
and more away from serving local
customers. also track maintenance has
become an after thought at best. we are
dealing with tacks that have been wide
gage for 6 months. but the supervisor
continues to walk us over it instead of
fixing it
1629 It seems like safety is more of a CYA for 12/16/2019 11:29 PM
the company. They tend to put unrealistic
expectations on projects but only talk
about safety when it's an issue. Not a
problem, until it's a problem.
1630 Its has got worse. We are always in a rush 12/16/2019 11:28 PM
to get a job done to pass trains.
Normally it takes a 6 hrs to put a switch
in and there pushing us to do it in less
the 2 hrs
1631 I don't feel like my safety is the number 12/16/2019 11:27 PM
one priority of my employer due to PSR:
1632 Have not really heard much about it on the 12/16/2019 11:27 PM
railroad I work for.
1633 Crews are exhausted. Trains are sitting at 12/16/2019 11:27 PM
the original terminal waiting long
periods of time to depart and trains are
waiting long periods of time to get into
other terminals to do work.
1634 Doing more work with fewer eyes and 12/16/2019 11:26 PM
expecting ``better'' (by better I mean
fewer defects) results
1635 Do more with less people equals a lot more 12/16/2019 11:25 PM
rushing and working unsafe to meet the
demands
1636 Trains are longer and heavier than ever. 12/16/2019 11:25 PM
The company will violate any rule to keep
trains moving. There is no concern for my
safety.
1637 None 12/16/2019 11:24 PM
1638 The ``it will be there tomorrow'' 12/16/2019 11:24 PM
mentality has become the norm. Leading to
almost emergency mind sets. Hurry up and
get this done because it's over due/need
a slow order off. With limited track
time.
1639 We run longer, heavier trains today, so 12/16/2019 11:22 PM
when they do have a problem, finding and
fixing it takes longer and is more
hazardous to those searching for the
problems, i.e., Conductors walking
trains.
1640 The carrier expects the same amount of 12/16/2019 11:21 PM
production with less personnel and
resources
1641 I'm currently having to relocate jobs! 12/16/2019 11:21 PM
Forced reduction
1642 We must do more work, faster, with less 12/16/2019 11:20 PM
training and less manpower. If we fail to
do so our jobs are threatened. This makes
the work place more dangerous and puts
unnecessary stress on the employees.
1643 Any time you have time restraints you are 12/16/2019 11:20 PM
rushed to finish your work. This leads to
shortcuts and carelessness. PSR has only
hindered an already outdated railroad.
(Average yard material 80 years)
1644 Running on tired. Will be rested 1st our 12/16/2019 11:19 PM
at 6am and get called at 9 pm when I'm
ready to go to bed. Fatigued majorly.
1645 Production first, safety a distant 2nd 12/16/2019 11:19 PM
1646 Way less safety they used to be all about 12/16/2019 11:19 PM
in till this PSR was implemented now all
about cutting employees and saving money.
1647 Less manpower with higher production 12/16/2019 11:19 PM
expectations. Safety expectations doesn't
change
1648 always looking over your back to see who 12/16/2019 11:19 PM
is watching so much that you can't
concentrate on doing your job
1649 I am home fewer hours due to fewer 12/16/2019 11:18 PM
engineers. I have lost more seniority
than gained in my 16 years experience due
to cuts.
1650 1. no weekly re-focus call 2. more work 12/16/2019 11:18 PM
with less employees 3.
1651 There is no safety all that is cared about 12/16/2019 11:18 PM
is moving cars
1652 Its made it much less safe. They are 12/16/2019 11:17 PM
lifting a lot of safety rules in order to
make numbers.
1653 As stated above workers are pushed around 12/16/2019 11:17 PM
to get more work done in less time. When
people are rushing injuries are far more
likely as it is more likely to take
shortcuts
1654 Rushing to complete inspections. 10 years 12/16/2019 11:16 PM
ago we actually had the experience and
did the job right now it's a quick fix
that will not last
1655 Management seems to have stepped back on 12/16/2019 11:16 PM
the rule checking and just want the work
done
1656 Ha ha. Production over safety. They preach 12/16/2019 11:16 PM
safety at job briefings, but then as soon
as that's over it's production,
production, production. They change hours
that you're used to working and take away
a day off, in order for it to work for
them and their precision railroading. It
has physical as long as mental health
problems. You and your family suffer
because you're home less, and your body
suffers because of more work. When they
change hours it's even worse on you
physically. Every employee out here that
I know that's not in management would
agree that PSR has only hurt all of us
employees. Shows the company is only
about profit and could care less about
it's hard working employees
1657 Safety? what safety it's about getting 12/16/2019 11:16 PM
your job done fast before that train gets
here!
1658 We don't even have a foreman now 12/16/2019 11:16 PM
1659 Less time to do inspections rushed through 12/16/2019 11:16 PM
them threaten 1.13 failure to comply
critical rule violation if not rushing
through cars
1660 Line ups have never been worse it's 12/16/2019 11:15 PM
pathetic
1661 Safety is not a priority anymore. 12/16/2019 11:14 PM
1662 As far as rules PSR hasn't changed any 12/16/2019 11:14 PM
rules in my opinion but it has hurt
employees morale which causes a huge
safety concern. Employees feel like they
are just a number now and not a person
and they feel like the only thing the
company cares about are the stockholders.
Yes I understand a company's goal is to
make money and grow and employees get a
nice paycheck but sometimes a paycheck
isn't enough. A thanks award or a bonus
day off for safety or attendance or a
turkey or Christmas ham goes a long way.
We used to get those things before PSR
1663 They don't schedule enough time to do the 12/16/2019 11:14 PM
job traffic is down and they dictate what
should be done, bad planning on there
part does not make it an emergency.
1664 Don't get hurt, you'll be fired. The 12/16/2019 11:14 PM
carrier's don't care, you're just a man
number. You're only as good as your last
15 minutes.
1665 I don't think it's affected at all 12/16/2019 11:14 PM
1666 It isn't near as safe due to the fact if 12/16/2019 11:13 PM
we don't meet productivity goals more PE
ok people are going home therefore
shortcuts are being taken.
1667 Safety is no longer the main focus 12/16/2019 11:13 PM
1668 Even though I am currently only working 12/16/2019 11:13 PM
part time on what is called the AW board.
I see the others that have more seniority
than I do. They all seem tired and
exhausted because of the boards cut as
short as they can and working right of
their rest, in places they are not
familiar with due to the fact people
laying off because they are tired.
1669 I lost my job . . . did away with safety 12/16/2019 11:12 PM
stops . . . train crews inspected their
own freightcars and not trained . . .
unsafe for public . . . and America
1670 No pilots. Not familiar? Tough. You're 12/16/2019 11:12 PM
``qualified'' figure it out.
1671 Terrible manager 12/16/2019 11:12 PM
1672 Yes. Productivity is now being pushed more 12/16/2019 11:11 PM
than safety.
1673 Majority of my department laid off. 12/16/2019 11:11 PM
1674 Made it more dangerous. 12/16/2019 11:10 PM
1675 Safety seems to have taken a backseat to 12/16/2019 11:10 PM
speed and production. They more-or-less
did away with the safety committee at our
shop. All safety prizes and safety meals
have been terminated as well.
1676 The locomotives are not getting serviced 12/16/2019 11:09 PM
which puts us at risk for sickness and
derailments and other accidents, cars are
not maintained, air tests are not done
properly, track conditions are not being
addressed, the safety of myself, crew and
general public are I. The back burner.
Safety rules have been changed to speed
up production and some of those put
employees at risk of injury
1677 With the shortened windows, everything 12/16/2019 11:08 PM
seems to be much more rushed. We are told
to take our time and not take shortcuts,
but when it comes down to the wire on the
main line, attitudes and tunes from
management change real fast.
1678 Due to the constant schedule change and 12/16/2019 11:08 PM
work hours fatigue is a problem and can
affect our personal safety
1679 Far less safety meetings, safety concerns, 12/16/2019 11:08 PM
safety chats, safety conferences, and
safety gear.
1680 It has made track time more difficult 12/16/2019 11:08 PM
which in turn has managers pushing harder
for production when time is given. Safety
no longer seems to be a concern other
than on calls but definitely not in the
field.
1681 Same work load forced to do it faster 12/16/2019 11:06 PM
1682 There are less ppl to do inspection so 12/16/2019 11:06 PM
they don't get done as they should
1683 There are less jobs with tracks being sold 12/16/2019 11:05 PM
off.
1684 It is so much more unsafe now. 12/16/2019 11:04 PM
1685 More pressure on doing things faster and 12/16/2019 11:04 PM
skip safety
1686 Work longer hours with less people. Track 12/16/2019 11:04 PM
and car maintenance have been jeopardized
for cad dwell and velocity.
1687 They don't give the material to do the job 12/16/2019 11:04 PM
right we still don't have the horse in
front of the cart just playing catch up
1688 Safety is the lowest priority at this 12/16/2019 11:04 PM
point. Good to preach it but production
is all that matters.
1689 Less people, less safety, yet somehow they 12/16/2019 11:03 PM
want more work.
1690 Safety not spoke of until someone gets 12/16/2019 11:02 PM
hurt
1691 Same all they want is the job done. they 12/16/2019 11:02 PM
say don't break the rules, but when you
follow them they scream at you for taking
to long
1692 You get rushed 12/16/2019 11:00 PM
1693 Safety is talked about but not practiced, 12/16/2019 11:00 PM
just a word to throw out there every once
and a while. We have cut into our man
power so much that trains are delayed. I
have never seen this many in route
failures before. Our car department is a
shell of itself, our maintenance away
department is non existent seems like,
but we are asked to move freight on
tracks that are falling apart.
1694 Less jobs means more overtime which means 12/16/2019 11:00 PM
fatigue!
1695 Can't see a difference in my every day 12/16/2019 10:59 PM
tasks
1696 Depreciated 12/16/2019 10:59 PM
1697 Unsafe not rested more work 12/16/2019 10:59 PM
1698 The cutting of the carmen scares me seeing 12/16/2019 10:58 PM
all the flat wheels etc going by on the
track beside us that's what scares me
1699 Refer to one, can't hold a job. PSR is a 12/16/2019 10:57 PM
joke and the need to work on local
business
1700 Safety is no longer a concern. Trains are 12/16/2019 10:57 PM
instructed to move freight without proper
paperwork or brake test. Crews are sent
into territory they are not qualified on.
1701 Not knowing when your going to work. Due 12/16/2019 10:57 PM
to crews being cut off and furloughed
1702 Less overtime 12/16/2019 10:57 PM
1703 It's made my job very tough. 12/16/2019 10:56 PM
1704 I've been with the railroad for over 12/16/2019 10:56 PM
Seventeen years and I have never felt
more pressure to get a job done then I do
now and I have never felt more like the
enemy then I do now
1705 PSR is a failure due to reducing the 12/16/2019 10:56 PM
manpower which in turn increases the
risk. PSR is no friend of SAFETY, it is a
friend of PRODUCTION and lining the
pockets of stockholders.
1706 Not good. Less workers. Cutting off Carmen 12/16/2019 10:56 PM
and all our mechanical forces means if we
have a problem now that cannot be fixed
over the radio we are on our own. No road
truck to assist with broken down trains.
Having to do our own class 1 air tests
with no van or Carmen at the originating
terminal.
1707 Being on the outside precision railroad 12/16/2019 10:55 PM
has not improved the safety of
railroading. More derailments have
occurred and blocking of intersections
through towns
1708 Lots of rolling and cut offs. Workers who 12/16/2019 10:55 PM
haven't done a certain job in quite a
while need re training and just training
on a machine to do a job
1709 With running longer trains now when you 12/16/2019 10:55 PM
have a break in two, it is difficult to
carry knuckle or if your blocking a town
and nobody can get around then it becomes
a danger to the public. They should only
run trains long enough for what the
infrastructure can hold.
1710 Makes you wonder if you will have a job 12/16/2019 10:55 PM
next year while the rich and comfortable
Management sit in their offices
1711 I work more fatigue with more 12/16/2019 10:55 PM
responsibilities. Naps are against the
rules even when your stopped, so you have
no relief if you're tired.
1712 Safety is only important when it's 12/16/2019 10:55 PM
convenient for managers. Other than that
they create ``gotcha'' tools/programs
1713 They constantly preach safety, but when 12/16/2019 10:55 PM
asked about break sticks to prevent us
from climbing up and down cars at
frequent tie down locations cost becomes
more of an issue than the slip trip fall
human factor incidents. (Our highest
employee injury rate)
1714 I don't really know how to answer this. 12/16/2019 10:54 PM
Track time is at an all-time premium. The
workforce is at an all-time low. Moral is
down the tubes. I feel over-worked and
under-paid. My wife is tired of me
getting called out all the time.
1715 Taken away any perk that may have existed. 12/16/2019 10:54 PM
1716 I've changed locations to have a better 12/16/2019 10:54 PM
work life balance. In Galesburg, IL,
there is no work life balance.
1717 Do more with less people and equipment 12/16/2019 10:54 PM
1718 The BNSF hasn't went all in because they 12/16/2019 10:52 PM
know the business model is corrupt and
they are picking up more traffic from the
other RR's
1719 Lowering man count puts more strain on the 12/16/2019 10:51 PM
remaining workers, more exposure
1720 Has made my job harder because we get less 12/16/2019 10:51 PM
time, because moving trains takes
priority over safety.
1721 It scares me. You can't rely on PTC to 12/16/2019 10:51 PM
work as a safety backup because half the
trains can't get the system to
initialize.
1722 Never heard of it 12/16/2019 10:51 PM
1723 The push to have times meet or forcing us 12/16/2019 10:51 PM
to lie is putting all in danger to make a
quick buck and act like we are always
doing something
1724 I believe safety has always been of 12/16/2019 10:51 PM
importance to the railroad. I believe 10
years ago is was more closely monitored
and preached. After PSR only time safety
seems important is after an injury
1725 Everything is a rush 12/16/2019 10:51 PM
1726 Made it more difficult to accomplish our 12/16/2019 10:51 PM
jobs and to do them safely
1727 Less rest time, more dropped turns, added 12/16/2019 10:50 PM
fatigue to lack of predictable train
schedules
1728 So far it is still on the horizon, but 12/16/2019 10:50 PM
definitely a looming threat
1729 It is absolutely less safe. Remember the 12/16/2019 10:50 PM
old adage that there are ``safety in
numbers''. That is exactly how it should
be when working on the railroads. More
eyes, more hands, more safety conscious
minds to help each of our brothers and
sisters out. Not to mention the physical
exertion of a 3 man crew trying to
complete in a few hours what historically
6-7 guys did in the same time. Some days
I feel like I'm literally killing myself
out here.
1730 Cars in the yard are not being properly 12/16/2019 10:50 PM
inspected because all car inspectors have
been cut. Now a single road switcher
conductor is expected to do this on top
of all his other duties. Things are being
overlooked because if he finds something
wrong w a car he then has to dig it out
and set it over to a RIP track.
1731 It's declined in safety. They are running 12/16/2019 10:49 PM
trains so long that failures are
guaranteed. One conductor was just hurt
having to tie down a 3 mile coal train in
fort Worth
1732 Working long hours 12/16/2019 10:48 PM
1733 MORE PRESSURE FOR PRODUCTION 12/16/2019 10:48 PM
1734 A lot. Safety is not a priority to the 12/16/2019 10:47 PM
railroad
1735 Safety is not at the forefront of what is 12/16/2019 10:47 PM
driving the upper management in my
opinion.
1736 Work schedules are more erratic than ever 12/16/2019 10:47 PM
before. No assigned jobs just general
pools and extra list. We are running
trains sleep deprived and they are longer
and heavier.
1737 Harder to predict when you'll get called. 12/16/2019 10:47 PM
Interfere with getting proper rest
1738 Track is in horrible condition and follow 12/16/2019 10:47 PM
employees are worried about their job and
not concentrating on the task at hand.
Less time at home. Less time at home to
recover. It's just travel work travel
work travel work.
1739 There is none, get the work done how and 12/16/2019 10:47 PM
what it takes. Depart trains without
proper air test, showing work done when
it's not so the can still charge the
customer etc!
1740 Seem more worried about trains moving on 12/16/2019 10:47 PM
time than anything
1741 Cannot get track time in areas of the 12/16/2019 10:46 PM
yards because of nonstop switching
operations.
1742 Night shifts are dangerous--try sleeping 12/16/2019 10:46 PM
in a cheap motel room during the day you
are always fatigued
1743 After 5 years of dedication service I am 12/16/2019 10:46 PM
furloughed.
1744 It seems we're always in a hurry we've got 12/16/2019 10:45 PM
to get as much done as we can in very
short work outages
1745 Luckily BNSF hasn't gone to precision 12/16/2019 10:45 PM
railroad but the people I know that work
for UP don't like it
1746 Cuts critical jobs and safety standards we 12/16/2019 10:45 PM
used to have derailments are higher then
I have ever seen since I hired out
1747 Given us maintenance workers less time on 12/16/2019 10:44 PM
the tracks.
1748 Building on my last response there is 12/16/2019 10:44 PM
always a heightened sense of urgency,
because we are unable to keep up with the
work load.
1749 Not enough men 12/16/2019 10:43 PM
1750 Equipment is not being maintained as well 12/16/2019 10:43 PM
as it should be for safety
1751 Safety only matters once someone is hurt 12/16/2019 10:42 PM
or when they are trying to find a reason
to fire someone.
1752 Less safe because we are expected to 12/16/2019 10:42 PM
produce the same quota and goals as
before but with less time.
1753 It has driven a profit margin over safety 12/16/2019 10:41 PM
attitude from the management
1754 Has driven the risk of injury higher due 12/16/2019 10:41 PM
to less manpower
1755 I am a safety assistant, so our positions 12/16/2019 10:41 PM
have also been cut back forcing the few
of us that remain to travel further
distances with more people. Leaving less
and less time for us to meet with our
coworkers who we are suppose to be
helping.
1756 Again. A lot worse. More with less forcing 12/16/2019 10:41 PM
poorly performed inspections and forces
train crews to violate crossing rules
which greatly affects cities and towns
safety.
1757 Precision railroading has affected my job 12/16/2019 10:40 PM
by jacking my start time around from day
to day and week to week. Start Monday at
630 then by Thursday you are starting at
1030. A worker's sleep schedule and rest
time are not important.
1758 yes 12/16/2019 10:40 PM
1759 Less equipment inspections, and when they 12/16/2019 10:40 PM
are done they are not as thorough.
1760 It feels like safety is still important if 12/16/2019 10:40 PM
it doesn't get in the way of production.
1761 Less men means more work for one 12/16/2019 10:40 PM
individual. They don't put up extra track
men for summer spike
1762 Production is first budget is second and 12/16/2019 10:39 PM
safety is last
1763 Officials will tell you to violate rules 12/16/2019 10:39 PM
if the train is close to missing an
origination. CSX
1764 We are forced to work in unsafe conditions 12/16/2019 10:39 PM
1765 More Max speed trains being sent by 12/16/2019 10:39 PM
working gangs
1766 The large cutting of jobs and lack of 12/16/2019 10:39 PM
personnel to do proper jobs like good
thorough air tests.
1767 Safety is still the number one priority! 12/16/2019 10:39 PM
1768 It has made it less safe in every way you 12/16/2019 10:38 PM
can think of. We don't get the track when
we need it instead we get it when they
let us have it and for the length of time
they want us to have it leading to us
getting in a hurry to get the work done
or doing sub par work.
1769 It's affected my job in every way 12/16/2019 10:38 PM
possible. All the company cares about is
that my butt is in that seat and the
train's moving. I've read rules straight
out of the rule book or from the FRA to
them and they told me brake them and move
the train or do whatever it is that they
wanted or I was up for termination for
insubordination. They have no regard for
safety at all.
1770 By doing more unneeded and unnecessary 12/16/2019 10:38 PM
setouts and pickups the crews are more at
risk for possible injury or death. This
is not only due to exposure to more work
on trains but also due to the fatigue
that the long delays cause.
1771 my current work group is approaching 1000 12/16/2019 10:37 PM
days and we are proud of this. We look
after each other. With the abolishment of
safety captains there does seem to be
less participation in safety observations
and total safety culture as a whole. PSR
has never been shown to be great for
safety numbers from what I've seen.
1772 Job cuts 12/16/2019 10:35 PM
1773 I'm not sure. 12/16/2019 10:35 PM
1774 It hasn't affected my safety 12/16/2019 10:35 PM
1775 More time away from home working nights 12/16/2019 10:34 PM
less sleep
1776 Cheaper PPE, less tools, and harder to get 12/16/2019 10:33 PM
safety equipment.
1777 Defects are being covered up. It isn't 12/16/2019 10:33 PM
until a FRA inspector finds the problem
that it is addressed
1778 Bad lineups. Rejected vacation requests 12/16/2019 10:33 PM
due to short staffing. Longer hours
because they don't care if your tied up
at your tie up location within your hours
of service. Throttle restrictions and
isolation requirements slow down freight
drastically, up to three hours longer
than needed at times.
1779 No future at getting a job at home 12/16/2019 10:32 PM
1780 Yes it has made it harder and more 12/16/2019 10:32 PM
dangerous.
1781 Less safe 12/16/2019 10:31 PM
1782 It has decimated employee morale and 12/16/2019 10:31 PM
caused a deep cut in local and yard jobs
which others must work harder to make up
for
1783 Track time is more scarce. Everyone is in 12/16/2019 10:31 PM
a hurry now more than ever. Managers are
beat with numbers everyday and that
trickles down to the craft employees.
Understandably, working safe is for our
own good, the good of our families too
but a lot of managers want to scrutinize
procedures now to cover up for their lack
of planning
1784 Supervisors will blatantly ask workers to 12/16/2019 10:30 PM
break rules for various reasons. More
often than not it's due to short work
force.
1785 More risk, 12/16/2019 10:30 PM
1786 Since PSR rail road safety seems to be 12/16/2019 10:29 PM
less important. With reduction in labor
boards are now always shot you've
furloughed I've half the workforce to
save a couple of pennies to over work
everyone
1787 Greatly, I have almost seen some close 12/16/2019 10:29 PM
friends almost killed over productivity
1788 Safety is less of a priority. 12/16/2019 10:29 PM
1789 Employees are expected to show up to work 12/16/2019 10:29 PM
on the 10th hour of rest nullifies the
FRA undisturbed rest policy. Employees do
not get 10 hours when this is required.
1790 Work harder and more to make up for the 12/16/2019 10:28 PM
lost jobs and people, leading to fatigue
and injuries
1791 My job is the same. We don't train for OTS 12/16/2019 10:28 PM
or MOW rules. It's all CBT.
1792 Made it worse if you bring up any type of 12/16/2019 10:28 PM
safety concern you are a trouble maker.
There's been lots of new technology
implemented and if the carriers shows you
1 video they document that you are
trained or qualified. They have no time
for proper training anymore
1793 Safety has been thrown out the window for 12/16/2019 10:28 PM
profits plain and simple
1794 It affects me in the aspect that I don't 12/16/2019 10:28 PM
have any say on how my defects or concern
areas get repaired. It use to be the
track supervisors would plan and have a
hand in how things were done on their
territory.
1795 Everything is rushed or half finished to 12/16/2019 10:28 PM
get trains running. We are not supposed
to cut corners but their expectations
make it necessary to complete the task in
the small amount of time given. Sometimes
in the same sentence they will tell you
that you will be held to the rules and
then tell you to break one to get the job
done.
1796 It has taken me away from my home and 12/16/2019 10:27 PM
family more and more. More time from
family is more time that I'm not thinking
about my job, I'm wondering if everything
is ok at home
1797 Cut overtime, still working same amount of 12/16/2019 10:27 PM
hours but not allowed to get paid for the
overtime. PSR has taken away company
vehicles and equipment
1798 Less track time, so you have to work 12/16/2019 10:26 PM
faster to try and get job done
1799 Cars are no longer safely inspected and 12/16/2019 10:26 PM
there is constant pressure to hurry up
which is anything but safe.
1800 There is no more safety first. Safety last 12/16/2019 10:26 PM
will fix it if we derail.
1801 I am finding more defects in route due to 12/16/2019 10:26 PM
laxer/faster inspections by carmen and
trains handle worse because of how they
are being built
1802 PSR has affected track outages to 12/16/2019 10:25 PM
accommodate train/crew schedules and the
work we do is dependent on available
track time. A lot of times darkness comes
into play which increases the exposure to
hazards.
1803 I now enjoy the same seniority I had five 12/16/2019 10:25 PM
years ago. People are second to profit.
Our water supply lays on pallets out on
the street in the sun because the company
no longer wants to pay someone to stock
our fridges. We are constantly asked to
do more with less. Even when that makes
it harder to do my job safely.
1804 We are doing more with less. Running 12/16/2019 10:25 PM
longer trains that are prone to more
problems. This is not safe.
1805 More production less safety 12/16/2019 10:25 PM
1806 More jobs have been cut to improve profits 12/16/2019 10:24 PM
1807 Not enough people to do the jobs it's hard 12/16/2019 10:24 PM
on everyone
1808 Seniority going backwards 12/16/2019 10:23 PM
1809 Hurried constantly. Safety rule changes. 12/16/2019 10:23 PM
Working over a week straight on odd shift
while staying in hotels creates lack of
sleep situations due to loud disturbances
in hotels on weekends
1810 Negatively, longer trains mean being held 12/16/2019 10:22 PM
up in a sighting for multiple hours
waiting on one long train that can't fit
anywhere. Then required to stay awake
after sitting on your butt
1811 Slower trains and longer trains, longer 12/16/2019 10:21 PM
hours, more hours for guys that are still
working, more fatigued, less safe, more
willful violations by carrier, more
hostile, morale has gone down hill.
1812 Nothing has changed other than more rules 12/16/2019 10:20 PM
they can charge you with. Also pressuring
management to wright more people up.
1813 people are afraid to mention anything in 12/16/2019 10:20 PM
fear of jobs being replaced with
contractors
1814 They have let safety fall in a level I've 12/16/2019 10:20 PM
never seen before. Myself alone was
trained so rapidly to get on and off
moving equipment that I was trained
wrong, by the ``DRO'' of Englewood yard.
They continually want longer; and heavier
trains on the rail, at what point does
that become a noticeable enough risk?
Trains breaking in half seems to be a
much more frequent thing due to this.
It's only a matter of time before one of
these breakaparts becomes a full on
chemical incident killing someone.
1815 It has gotten much worse. Employee head 12/16/2019 10:20 PM
count had gone down do fewer people are
taking on more and more jobs. It is
extremely unsafe.
1816 BNSF hasn't implemented this yet in my 12/16/2019 10:19 PM
area but technology is taking away our
abilities to run the trains until it
messes up and then we are supposed to
take over and do something. The
technology they have implemented a not
safe and I s making it more dangerous for
our safety as well as the publics safety
1817 Short cuts are taken. I've been told to 12/16/2019 10:18 PM
skip an air test cause I didn't have any
haz-mat on our train. I have been hi-
balled by a manager on a roll by when I
know he didn't observe all cars.
1818 Less safer now than ever 12/16/2019 10:18 PM
1819 Safety is the last thing on the company's 12/16/2019 10:18 PM
mind.
1820 Safety is overpreached and under 12/16/2019 10:18 PM
implemented
1821 We push to do your inspection, and push to 12/16/2019 10:18 PM
stay ahead of traffic. Dispatchers cut
back so much you have a hard time getting
authorities or questions answered.
1822 working with equipment that is 12/16/2019 10:17 PM
comprised..past due inspections not
properly inspected..
1823 Less track time means we are rushed when 12/16/2019 10:17 PM
we get track.
1824 No where close to spending the time needed 12/16/2019 10:17 PM
to maintain tracks the right way again
taking shortcuts
1825 More pressed for track time to make 12/16/2019 10:16 PM
repairs, more hurry up
1826 Seems like they took the safety aspect out 12/16/2019 10:16 PM
completely.
1827 Bullshit scheduling. They aren't worried 12/16/2019 10:16 PM
about safety
1828 Stress is higher because of not having the 12/16/2019 10:15 PM
track as long.
1829 Constantly worried about layoffs. Takes 12/16/2019 10:15 PM
people's minds away from the task on
hand.
1830 Tremendously, after 5 and 1/2 I no longer 12/16/2019 10:15 PM
have one.
1831 Safety has gotten worse because they have 12/16/2019 10:14 PM
cut every paid safety coordinator
position off that used to come around and
update us on things now they don't have
them. Also our safety meetings are
complete gone away with, and our town
halls went from two days to one on rules
training tell me how we are going to do
the same amount of federally mandated
rules from two days to one?
1832 Employees voices are silenced. No more 12/16/2019 10:14 PM
safety meetings or safety men. Rushed to
complete work. Never have right materials
or equipment to safely do jobs. Easier
for them to call in contractors to do are
large scale work
1833 Everything is based on doing more with 12/16/2019 10:14 PM
less. Jobs have been cut and expected
production goals have increased.
1834 The motto of ``Do more, With less'' rings 12/16/2019 10:13 PM
truer everyday
1835 The cutbacks some of the managers don't 12/16/2019 10:12 PM
have safety equipment and tools and a lot
of us are not working
1836 Feel like you have to hurry doing the job 12/16/2019 10:12 PM
as to not delay trains.
1837 I don't even know what it is 12/16/2019 10:11 PM
1838 It makes the work more rush and harder to 12/16/2019 10:11 PM
accomplish.
1839 It's definitely had a negative affect! I 12/16/2019 10:11 PM
see myself and my co workers more tired
and More agitated! It has definitely put
a strain on work and more importantly
family life!!!
1840 Safety went out the window when PSR rolled 12/16/2019 10:10 PM
in.
1841 The only time they care about safety is if 12/16/2019 10:10 PM
they have a injury turned in!
1842 Negatively! Workers are constantly rushed 12/16/2019 10:09 PM
and threatened if timelines aren't met.
Supervisors have been on the radio
telling us when we will clear the track
and pushing us to work faster and thus
unsafe to make sure the track is clear.
1843 Haven't felt the effects yet but I'm sure 12/16/2019 10:09 PM
we will
1844 It has affected my safety by everyone 12/16/2019 10:09 PM
being pushed to move faster and unsafe to
get jobs done.
1845 Safety only matters after something 12/16/2019 10:09 PM
happens
1846 The lack of manpower in all areas has made 12/16/2019 10:08 PM
for poorly maintained equipment, less
predictable work schedules because of
vacancies, and an omission of safety
rules that used to be in place have now
been discarded for more production.
1847 No one around to handle any problems. 12/16/2019 10:08 PM
Burned out headlamps, overflowing
toilets, engines days past due on
inspection.
1848 Greatly! Took away yard vehicles and cut 12/16/2019 10:07 PM
vans. Much more walking involved even in
inclement weather.
1849 Safety is now cared for less. We are not 12/16/2019 10:07 PM
getting the proper safety gear like
gloves, prescription safety glasses, or
adequate hand warmers to complete our
tasks. The carrier now punishes workers
for stopping unsafe work. They believe we
stop unsafe work to disrupt their
operations which is not true. Safety has
went down and production up because we
are constantly harassed to work faster.
1850 A lot less resources & not enough man 12/16/2019 10:06 PM
power.
1851 Didn't know BNSF was using precision 12/16/2019 10:06 PM
railroading
1852 I feel safety is an extremely important 12/16/2019 10:05 PM
job, not just for me, for my coworkers as
well. I also feel it shouldn't be
something the railroad's hold over your
head while your job is at stake.
1853 They hurt my feelings 12/16/2019 10:05 PM
1854 Before PSR the employees were cared for 12/16/2019 10:05 PM
and extra steps were taken to ensure the
arrive home safe after a days work. Now
employees are seen as expendable and if a
life is lost in the name of the dollar,
then so be it.
1855 I work more often, farther from home. I 12/16/2019 10:04 PM
have personally been placed for a
derailment that was broken rail. They
also have less carman causing the Carmen
to drive like mad men in the yard to keep
up with demand. I've walked more trains
with more air problems this year. I've
had cars humped into tracks I was
allegedly blocked in. I've rode older
locomotives that have caught fire. I've
had to pick ticks off from my body due to
the lack of maintenance in the foliage
along the tracks which was never a
problem before. The consideration for my
life and my fellow railroaders lives is
non existent now. It's all about more
with less, and the words non compliance
have become all encompassing in regards
to claiming unsafe work practices. So if
you don't work unsafely then your not
complying and if you're not willing to
comply then they want to fire you.
1856 Lay off of carman has created a problem of 12/16/2019 10:04 PM
equipment not being inspected. Train
length has put my life in jeopardy.
1857 Negatively 12/16/2019 10:03 PM
1858 Well it messed with my schedule not as 12/16/2019 10:03 PM
home much it gave a lot of people a bad
attitude And they use a lot more
contractors.
1859 It makes us feel rushed and like the only 12/16/2019 10:03 PM
thing that matters is production first
safety seems like just words from most of
upper management
1860 Yes, see #1 12/16/2019 10:03 PM
1861 Safety has always been to look out for 12/16/2019 10:01 PM
yourself.
1862 Crews are being rushed to get the job done 12/16/2019 10:01 PM
with disregard to safety
1863 I'm fortunate to have some seniority but 12/16/2019 10:01 PM
our gangs have been cut down
1864 Safety has remained the same in my 12/16/2019 10:01 PM
opinion. But know it feels like someone
is always watching trying to find a
reason too fire you
1865 My safety is at risk and I have been cut, 12/16/2019 10:01 PM
sent 4 hours away from home, then back
because they cut to deep. The carrier is
squeezing every cent out of the company
by denying claims and putting my fellow
brothers and sisters at risk. It is
disgusting when hard workers are cut back
to line shareholders pockets.
1866 This has taken a devastating toll on the 12/16/2019 10:01 PM
morale and the overall workplace
mentality. Everything has become us
against them and will continue to be a
distraction until the carriers stop
worrying about shareholders and worry
about treat the safety and care of its
employees first.
1867 Not enough of men on job 12/16/2019 10:01 PM
1868 Current conditions are laughable. 12/16/2019 10:00 PM
Everything is neglected and money
diverted to drive stock prices up.
1869 Hurry hurry, go go get it done 12/16/2019 9:59 PM
1870 Building and handling trains that are 12/16/2019 9:59 PM
extremely unsafe. Trying to make a joint
in a yard track while holding onto 8+K
feet is extremely problematic.
1871 It had affected it tremendously. 15,000 12/16/2019 9:58 PM
foot train are not safe for anyone.
Employees and the public are put at a
major risk and if you don't work as a
conductor or engineer yes you can say
that it's safe but it's not. Walking on
ballast when there is a problem with the
train for that long is most definitely a
huge safety concern. Trains have to stop
for meets or for various reasons and it's
impossible to stay off crossing when your
train is 3 miles long. Many people are
considering leaving working at the
railroad just because of the safety
concerns with PSR. Another factor is they
keep the boards so low that dropped turns
are inevitable and they force you to live
either on a train and at your hotel being
home minimal amounts of time with no time
of denying or refusing layoffs and
threatening you if you try to make any
time at home to see your family
1872 Seems to just care about getting the 12/16/2019 9:58 PM
trains built at any means necessary.
Safety rules have definitely decreased.
1873 The cuts that coincided with it have made 12/16/2019 9:58 PM
job much more unsafe.
1874 Longer trains hurt public safety since we 12/16/2019 9:58 PM
are having to learn where 10,000 ft
trains will fit off crossing with no
heads up they we are stopping from
dispatch
1875 I'm constantly worrying when's the next 12/16/2019 9:57 PM
cut off due to PSR. My mind is on that
rather than focused on my job and safety.
The jobs cut are now being performed by
someone different almost to a day to day
bases. So now whoever takes on the job
that's been cut now has to worry about
his own job and the one he's filling in
for.
1876 Some has made it easier, but removing the 12/16/2019 9:56 PM
human factor of actually putting eyes on
the effected area is the only way in my
opinion of determining what is accurately
going on at a particular area
1877 Safety is a facade. It is nothing more 12/16/2019 9:55 PM
than a cover story to point blame at an
employee when something happens. Simply
say they broke a rule that had they been
complying with and no harm would have
come. In the end the company couldn't
care less about their employees as long
as they show up and don't tear anything
up.
1878 I believe that working this way we are 12/16/2019 9:55 PM
forced to rush to get our work done, and
this is where safety can be overlooked,
or injuries can arise due to trying to
get work completed.
1879 Terribly, the company has been ``trying to 12/16/2019 9:54 PM
do more, with less'' longer trains, less
crews and less critical information about
what is on our train.
1880 Made it a lot worse. Running trains over 3 12/16/2019 9:54 PM
miles 40 thousand pounds. No way to know
what your train is doing. No way to
control it. Added stress. Still never
know when you're going to work. Line ups
are all over the place
1881 Management has been cut, and you can't get 12/16/2019 9:53 PM
them I tested in any safety issues
1882 In the matter of safety it has gotten so 12/16/2019 9:53 PM
bad. The engines are not getting
repaired, cars are not being repaired
1883 They don't care about you all they worry 12/16/2019 9:53 PM
about is there production and how much
more they can get out of you tomorrow.
1884 Have to do the job much quicker and try to 12/16/2019 9:53 PM
still get done safely. Making a accident
to eventually happen.
1885 Yes fewer workers longer trains more break 12/16/2019 9:53 PM
downs both locomotive and cars unable to
communicate with employees walking or
working on trains
1886 Safety is out the window. The carrier 12/16/2019 9:53 PM
doesn't care about safety. That's the
biggest lie they tell.
1887 Jobs must he completed faster with less 12/16/2019 9:52 PM
man power. Work conditions are more
dangerous than before.
1888 Safety is completely gone out of the 12/16/2019 9:52 PM
window. All CSX cares about is saving
money and getting what they need done,
and get it done fast. Every aspect of the
operation, from conductors being rushed
to build the trains in the yards, to car
inspectors not having enough time to
properly do Class 1 brake tests. Even the
Yardmasters are being constantly
pressured to keep us moving as fast as
possible. Something simple as the tone of
their voices, you can tell they are
stressed by train masters steadily
keeping the pressure on everyone to go
fast, go fast!! Forcing us to change
crafts from foreman to switchman, or
assisting road trains when that has
nothing to do with our job (violating our
contracts).Crews feel constantly
threatened of losing their jobs if
they're not getting what the management
wants, and it's never enough.
1889 Safety? There's no such thing as safety 12/16/2019 9:52 PM
1890 It has made it harder to work safely. 12/16/2019 9:52 PM
Morale affects focus. More work with less
people creates more fatigue.
1891 1. Safety is all talk, in the field it is 12/16/2019 9:51 PM
always about production and what benefits
the company.
1892 Employees are expected to hurry and finish 12/16/2019 9:51 PM
job task in less time than required to
complete it safely.
1893 I think the safety in my home area hasn't 12/16/2019 9:51 PM
changed much but it does feel like safety
is no longer as important as keeping up
production
1894 I haven't ``seen'' or ``felt'' any safer 12/16/2019 9:51 PM
then I was before PSR was implemented.
1895 Company needs to just learn how to use its 12/16/2019 9:51 PM
employees where they are the strongest
and not just cut everyone has a skill
1896 Hasn't affected anything. Don't really 12/16/2019 9:50 PM
know what precision railroading is.
1897 Trains are to long and are at risk for big 12/16/2019 9:50 PM
problems
1898 Precision railroading has threatened my 12/16/2019 9:50 PM
safety and the safety of all those near
our operations
1899 I can never complete a job to the highest 12/16/2019 9:50 PM
standard that ensures safety.
1900 Less people doing more work is not my idea 12/16/2019 9:49 PM
of safety
1901 Overwhelmed by work load by being 12/16/2019 9:47 PM
undermanned.
1902 It doesn't really change our safety that's 12/16/2019 9:47 PM
up to us as workers to work safely
1903 Production has taken place of work place 12/16/2019 9:46 PM
safety threats of cutoffs or discipline
for not meeting quotas
1904 It has made these mega trains that when I 12/16/2019 9:44 PM
have to set a car out it is very
difficult to control that much tonnage.
It's also extremely hard and long to walk
a train. Very easy to break them in two
and derail. Made the job really hard.
1905 No 12/16/2019 9:44 PM
1906 More danger, all PSR cars about is getting 12/16/2019 9:44 PM
the cars off dwell time, rules and safety
don't matter, fatigue doesn't matter,
quality of life doesn't matter!
1907 Management doesn't care if a train is 12/16/2019 9:43 PM
properly tested, all they care about is
the OS, and if the train is on time! I
could bet an FRA official inspecting ANY
of these MONSTER 2--3 mile trains would
find all sorts of bad order cars, and
missing placards! Conductors are being
yelled at to HURRY UP, and IT DOESN'T
TAKE ANYONE ELSE THIS LONG, because
management has their favorite crews
working that completely disregard proper
procedures, so when the newer guy, or
someone who's been working in a different
area gets on the job, he's bird dogged by
managers, and threatened for delaying a
train!
1908 3 12/16/2019 9:43 PM
1909 Railroads don't care about safety, all 12/16/2019 9:42 PM
they care about is moving trains
1910 It makes it harder to put slow orders in 12/16/2019 9:42 PM
and do daily work because we as field
personnel have not had the training to
know exactly where control points are.
1911 Less manpower expectations of the same 12/16/2019 9:41 PM
production not safe
1912 Less safe 12/16/2019 9:41 PM
1913 Man power cut in half. Do whatever 12/16/2019 9:40 PM
necessary to keep trains running!!!!
1914 We keep getting tasked to do more with 12/16/2019 9:40 PM
less. Less employees to share the work
load on the section is taking it's toll.
1915 Less Carmen to safety inspect, less mow to 12/16/2019 9:39 PM
maintain rails and now no vans, that
means almost 12-15 miles everyday just to
switch and spot cars.
1916 Rushed now more than pre-recession even 12/16/2019 9:37 PM
thou car loadings are low
1917 Seems like safety is only an issue at the 12/16/2019 9:36 PM
top level. The want to implement and
focus on safety but when it comes down to
the work it's more like get the job done
and don't get hurt. More about production
than safety.
1918 Poorly 12/16/2019 9:36 PM
1919 There is no safety anymore. Do what you 12/16/2019 9:36 PM
gotta do to get done. Even if it's doing
it without any track safety
1920 Less time off. Less sleep. Less time at 12/16/2019 9:36 PM
home more drive time
1921 I feel the carriers are increasingly 12/16/2019 9:36 PM
reliant on computer overlay in place of
experienced individuals.
1922 Every move is a rush. Take less and do 12/16/2019 9:36 PM
more with it in every aspect imaginable.
1923 I can get hurt much more easier. 12/16/2019 9:35 PM
Incomplete and not fully applied safety
checks have been seen by myself
1924 Doing more with less men is compromising 12/16/2019 9:35 PM
our inspection of cars and trains, moving
cars with less men means taking shortcuts
that the new rules allow, hauling longer
trains up to 20 thousand feet make it
difficult to monitor and control
1925 Its affected me to the point where five 12/16/2019 9:35 PM
been cut off for the time being.
1926 Safety has certainly taken a backseat. 12/16/2019 9:34 PM
Night work is the biggest indicator of
this shift as studies have proven that
night work is detrimental to employee
health.
1927 It hasn't really other than we are a 12/16/2019 9:33 PM
little more pressured because of the
smaller Windows
1928 Made it 10 times worse. And no family life 12/16/2019 9:33 PM
1929 Immensely. Before we could follow rules 12/16/2019 9:33 PM
and take the correct time to build trains
or do work, now it's all about getting
things moving without regard to safety.
Things don't get worked by proper
mechanical forces
1930 Everything is a rush 12/16/2019 9:33 PM
1931 The Railroads don't even talk Safety 12/16/2019 9:32 PM
anymore, all about keeping the cars
moving!!
1932 Safety seems to no longer be a factor now 12/16/2019 9:32 PM
that PSR has been implemented. All that
matters is how fast you can get it done
1933 Job cuts 12/16/2019 9:30 PM
1934 It's always about the operating Dept Hrs 12/16/2019 9:29 PM
and Maintenance schedules don't matter to
them
1935 No security in my job if I walked in 12/16/2019 9:27 PM
tomorrow and they closed the doors I
wouldn't be surprised!
1936 Made it much worse. Safety is just a word 12/16/2019 9:27 PM
they use-they only worry about it when
officials are around or there is an
accident
1937 PSR-run less trains longer with less power 12/16/2019 9:27 PM
and less employees to fill the invested
pockets with gold. Turn away business
now, then we beg for it later except we
furloughed all the manpower. Get rich
quick scheme only works for so long.
1938 Fair 12/16/2019 9:27 PM
1939 A lot more people get hurt. A lot goes 12/16/2019 9:27 PM
unreported because they do not want to be
targeted.
1940 Implemented business decisions vs the way 12/16/2019 9:27 PM
we use to do it
1941 It has caused undue stress working 12/16/2019 9:25 PM
unfamiliar territories and the
uncertainty of my job. I am told to do
certain tasks even though I feel that
some are unsafe just to get the train out
of the yard and meet departure times.
Slips trips and falls are a major concern
for injury, and now we have to walk
longer trains and more walking in the
yard putting the train together due to
getting rid of vans to assist in making
your train
1942 Safety has definitely taken a back seat 12/16/2019 9:25 PM
after PSR was implemented. There seems to
be no time for safety issues because
getting the train out on time is much
more important.
1943 Not helped. Longer days with more FRA 12/16/2019 9:25 PM
violation due in large part of the
company forcing the worker to go against
the rule book to better their profits
1944 Working very short handed 12/16/2019 9:25 PM
1945 Made it worse 12/16/2019 9:24 PM
1946 I'm not working now been furloughed again 12/16/2019 9:24 PM
for about 3 months now. They have cut
several utility jobs across the division
that greatly helped crews with train
work.
1947 Safety Rules have went out the window 12/16/2019 9:24 PM
1948 It's put more stress and work on fewer 12/16/2019 9:24 PM
employees. It's getting to the point each
employee is having to do different tasks
they don't normally do.
1949 To an extent, we had to do a little more 12/16/2019 9:24 PM
night work because of daytime traffic
levels. Although we were a little more
tired and a little less rested for work,
we never saw a large influx of injuries
on the job at night.
1950 This is the first time I've heard the term 12/16/2019 9:23 PM
precision scheduled railroad. So I'd have
to say it has zero affect so far.
1951 Not as safe 12/16/2019 9:23 PM
1952 More stressful. Forced to rush 12/16/2019 9:23 PM
1953 Crews are having their numbers slashed, 12/16/2019 9:23 PM
leaving us more tired and less
concentrated on the task/safety
1954 Everything is a rush. Safety is just a 12/16/2019 9:23 PM
number.
1955 Safety? Move trains #1 safety #2 12/16/2019 9:23 PM
1956 Unsafe, rushed, only want us to rush 12/16/2019 9:21 PM
around and hurry hurry hurry
1957 Less track and time, more parked trains 12/16/2019 9:20 PM
1958 Supervisors will do what ever it takes to 12/16/2019 9:20 PM
get job done and run trains
1959 The job I worked was cutoff because they 12/16/2019 9:20 PM
felt like they didn't need replace switch
ties.
1960 Handling bigger and longer trains. Safety 12/16/2019 9:19 PM
is an afterthought behind production/
train departures/etc..
1961 Safety hasn't gotten any better they have 12/16/2019 9:19 PM
us doing a lot of different tasks that
are not our craft and working us longer
hours and that's when accidents happen is
doing things that people are not familiar
with when they are 10 hours on duty or
more
1962 CSX claims safety is the number one 12/16/2019 9:19 PM
concern but it has went out the window
with PSR. numbers and production is at
top of list now due to the way they treat
employees. They want more production but
keep cutting manpower
1963 We sometimes have trains come into the 12/16/2019 9:19 PM
yard that are so long that they block
many crossings. Vans sometimes cannot get
around because of said blocked crossings.
1964 When company backhauls most freight 12/16/2019 9:18 PM
instead of switching at an initial
terminal and putting on trains northward
or southward to its destination. Wasting
resources to backhaul freight. All
because the company doesn't want a
switching crew at an initial terminal
1965 Not much 12/16/2019 9:18 PM
1966 Read answer from question 1. Much much 12/16/2019 9:17 PM
longer hours because everything breaks
now. Much longer trains which in turn
break more often which then adds to the
physical stress on your body and exposes
you to lots of unsafe conditions more
frequently.
1967 Yes, it's definitely a work environment 12/16/2019 9:17 PM
just waiting for a accident. When
management times different jobs and gets
the fastest times for certain jobs and
expects everyone to go by that, it's a
unsafe and stressful work environment
because they are constantly standing
close by and writing down times and
comparing us to the fastest times to see
how we compare or are doing. It's all
about how fast can we get 15 different
things done with less people.
1968 Made it more difficult with new PTC 12/16/2019 9:17 PM
equipment in our crossing cabins, control
points, and switches, lost a position as
well
1969 In addition to always being exhausted, the 12/16/2019 9:17 PM
Carrier has backed off on general
maintenance in all aspects. Employees are
constantly rushed and threatened if they
don't work fast enough. There has been
more injuries and fatalities since PSR
has taken over than the entire rest of my
career.
1970 has caused job layoffs, less men, more of 12/16/2019 9:16 PM
a chance of getting injured on the job
1971 What safety! 12/16/2019 9:15 PM
1972 Union Pacific are rushing crews out the 12/16/2019 9:15 PM
door without proper job briefings. You
can not be safe if you don't start safe.
Also, they've cut boards and jobs so deep
that men and women are getting called off
their assigned boards to protect other
boards. This is not allowing employees to
get properly rested. Train lineups have
always been an issue, due to PSR that
issue has been exasperated.
1973 Safety does not seem to fit the PSR model. 12/16/2019 9:14 PM
Trains have grown to three miles in
length.
1974 It hasn't. 12/16/2019 9:13 PM
1975 Longer trains more setting out and picking 12/16/2019 9:13 PM
up on line.
1976 We are being forced to overlook safety 12/16/2019 9:13 PM
rules to speed up train building and
departures of trains not having proper
air test performed.
1977 Fewer people equals more workload on 12/16/2019 9:13 PM
remaining crews. More responsibility,
more stress, more mistakes.
1978 Hasn't hit me yet 12/16/2019 9:12 PM
1979 Hurried and rushed with no support from 12/16/2019 9:12 PM
management
1980 Less people working creates the hazard of 12/16/2019 9:12 PM
fatigue. Also we are losing a person
because he must provide our protection by
flagging, whereas before we had a
dedicated flag man.
1981 Safety has taken a back seat to profit! 12/16/2019 9:11 PM
1982 Short staffed and exhausting 12/16/2019 9:11 PM
1983 Safety is no longer a concern only how 12/16/2019 9:10 PM
quickly you can get the job done and they
encourage corners to be cut to get that
job done
1984 it hasn't 12/16/2019 9:09 PM
1985 It hasn't affected my job 12/16/2019 9:09 PM
1986 Fewer employees less rest 12/16/2019 9:09 PM
1987 Force us to do things like move cars to be 12/16/2019 9:07 PM
placed in trains and I never think they
receive brake test
1988 Safety is only an issue until a job needs 12/16/2019 9:06 PM
to be done. Then safety is an
afterthought
1989 They preach safety and have many safety 12/16/2019 9:06 PM
related meetings but still expect us to
go out and do more with less under
pressure.
1990 We are having more break downs. Having 12/16/2019 9:06 PM
longer trains with less power is making
trains have more air problems in route.
They make the car department do faster
car inspection in yard so having more
problems in route.
1991 Longer trains, more switching, cut off 12/16/2019 9:06 PM
yard vans, having to wait for a ride up
to an hour or walk to the yard office to
tie up.
1992 We work more because of so many furloughed 12/16/2019 9:04 PM
we have to work almost every day
1993 About the same 12/16/2019 9:03 PM
1994 Production is put ahead of safety. 12/16/2019 9:03 PM
1995 Well I got laid off so I'm assuming the 12/16/2019 9:03 PM
safety has gone down trying to keep
production with half the workers
1996 It has created chaos to be honest. The 12/16/2019 9:03 PM
windows of track time keep getting
smaller and more strict, which is leading
to rushed solutions when issues arise. A
lot of workers will ``rig'' up equipment
to just get the job done because we can't
afford to fix an issue on track. Working
in low light situations has become a
normal fixture of the job. This year
alone I have spent multiple hours working
by headlamp and headlights at 4am and
after dark. It all comes down to
scheduled outages that benefit train
crews and dispatchers and put our men at
risk. Honestly it seems like a lazy and
unimaginative way to just give us track
time to satisfy the department heads
without having to actually work out a
proper solution.
1997 They cut my adjoining inspector/signal 12/16/2019 9:02 PM
tech off. Now I have double the job I had
before and I cannot keep up with my
safety related engineering safety
bulletins. No one seems to care.
1998 Safety is out the window as long as the 12/16/2019 9:02 PM
carrier gets their freight moved.
1999 Awake all day work all night 12/16/2019 9:01 PM
2000 Longer trains means more derailments and 12/16/2019 9:01 PM
train causes problems
2001 Rush rush hurry hurry like I said safety 12/16/2019 9:00 PM
is not important anymore they could care
less about you and your family
2002 Safety is out the window. Managers just 12/16/2019 9:00 PM
want to the trains out the yard so they
don't have to answer why the train didn't
make it origination.
2003 I feel safety isn't as much of a concern 12/16/2019 9:00 PM
as it was before PSR. It's almost as if
the railroads will put you in harm's way
to run trains
2004 There is no safety unless something 12/16/2019 9:00 PM
happens and it's a chargeable offense
2005 Safety has taken a backseat to profits. 12/16/2019 8:59 PM
2006 It has not 12/16/2019 8:59 PM
2007 Go go go How many ties did you get in 12/16/2019 8:59 PM
today? We need more.
2008 The company is more worried about volume 12/16/2019 8:59 PM
and car counts then moving freight that
we as engineers can actually handle
safely with the abilities that we are
accustomed to.
2009 No 12/16/2019 8:57 PM
2010 None 12/16/2019 8:57 PM
2011 RR is so concerned with departure times 12/16/2019 8:56 PM
they have trains pull out of yards to
appear to depart before addressing
problems
2012 Making gangs work Sunday-Wednesday Work on 12/16/2019 8:55 PM
days close to holidays when we're
supposed to be off
2013 Safety only matters as long as production 12/16/2019 8:54 PM
doesn't decrease. Then safety is out the
window.
2014 No different 12/16/2019 8:53 PM
2015 Doing more with less, I understand the 12/16/2019 8:53 PM
business side, however in some instances
safety is being compromised for the
betterment of the company. Not only in
man power but also track maintenance and
repairs. Time constraints are the nature
of the business, but not when it comes to
production.
2016 Yes manpower and material cuts to meet 12/16/2019 8:51 PM
unrealistic operating ratios has us
working more hours every year and with
less of what's needed to safely perform
our jobs.
2017 Has downsized our workforce to where it is 12/16/2019 8:51 PM
unsafe. It is unsafe to have 2 men go
work on bridge in fall protection. If one
falls there is now way one guy can
retrieve another guy in a good amount of
time especially if he is hurt.
2018 Expecting more production with less man 12/16/2019 8:50 PM
power causing more fatigue
2019 I haven't really seen a change in our 12/16/2019 8:50 PM
operations in maintenance except shorter
work windows.
2020 Less time to do more work. We work shorter 12/16/2019 8:50 PM
days with less rest days and no overtime.
= rushed
2021 Significantly more dangerous 12/16/2019 8:50 PM
2022 Trying work safe under more pressure 12/16/2019 8:50 PM
causes mistakes in judgement and opens
the door to accidents. Which now the
company just don't care about that just
to point out the person or decision that
cause it and remove it. They talk risk
assessment but don't listen
2023 The company is worried more about band 12/16/2019 8:49 PM
aiding the tracks and not actually fixing
them correctly.
2024 Production first. 12/16/2019 8:49 PM
2025 No visible affect. 12/16/2019 8:49 PM
2026 Fewer employees means fewer eyes and more 12/16/2019 8:49 PM
responsibility per employee. PSR is about
maximizing profit. Safety is not
prioritized in any way. Everyone is
terrified to speak up because of
retaliation. Managers know their jobs
depend on being able to squeeze one more
drop of blood out of the railroad rock.
Dissent (even safety related) will not be
tolerated.
2027 Its reduced the amount of time in a given 12/16/2019 8:49 PM
day to accomplish tasks given. When you
don't get your work done it's hard on
all, not just because you didn't
accomplish what was given to you but the
fact that you're being seen as unneeded.
Or, being setup for failure
2028 PSR seems to throw up unknown work events. 12/16/2019 8:48 PM
A crew goes to work, gets train
information and makes decisions on who
what where when and how. With PSR it is
all out the window as you never know what
might happen with any given train.
2029 Safety is still a priority but is going 12/16/2019 8:47 PM
away due to not enough men to do some
jobs safely
2030 Not truly aware of it as of yet. But the 12/16/2019 8:47 PM
direction it is going is tough.
2031 Things seemed to be rushed today. Steps 12/16/2019 8:47 PM
have been removed to get repairs done
faster which equals less quality
2032 Working more and longer hours 12/16/2019 8:47 PM
2033 They speak on safety, but us working out 12/16/2019 8:46 PM
there can tell you otherwise. They care
about production first. Hurry hurry all
the time. That right there throws safety
out
2034 Safety has taken the back set to the 12/16/2019 8:45 PM
bottom dollar.
2035 Few employees have been kept on for 12/16/2019 8:45 PM
inspections and repairs. We now haul
longer trains on rail that is not
inspected or repaired as well.
2036 Longer hours, more stressful 12/16/2019 8:44 PM
2037 Consider 1st answer 12/16/2019 8:43 PM
2038 Wondering when will I get sent home 12/16/2019 8:43 PM
2039 They're making us double empty coal trains 12/16/2019 8:43 PM
at least two or three times a day. They
expose crews unnecessarily every day to
build three mile long trains. They block
crossings folding them over, then when
the trains don't link up correctly, they
act like it's a malicious attempt to try
and prove a point.
2040 Job cuts 12/16/2019 8:43 PM
2041 I have not noticed any difference 12/16/2019 8:43 PM
2042 Nothing 12/16/2019 8:42 PM
2043 Not sure what it is 12/16/2019 8:42 PM
2044 The railroads don't and never will care 12/16/2019 8:42 PM
about safety.
2045 A good example is we have to work in 12/16/2019 8:41 PM
between trains as to when we would get
curfews to do our work safely. Working in
between trains is more pressure and
accidents waiting to happen.
2046 It seems like all they want is to run 12/16/2019 8:40 PM
trains so when we do get track and time
we only get small shots so it's like were
in a hurry to get the work done
2047 We are in a hurry to complete task as time 12/16/2019 8:40 PM
is hard to get with the rush of trains.
2048 There is no regards to safety anymore. Too 12/16/2019 8:40 PM
many hours a. No help.
2049 The safety standards as applies to me have 12/16/2019 8:40 PM
remained consistent
2050 It has turned safety instilled practices 12/16/2019 8:39 PM
into an after thought. A get the job done
at all cost attitude
2051 lots of winks and nudges when safety 12/16/2019 8:39 PM
procedure is brought up
2052 Trains are longer and we have had a lot 12/16/2019 8:39 PM
more issues. I have been stopped for
hours trying to find a Solution only to
be told to take faulty equipment to town.
2053 Less people on the job to do the job 12/16/2019 8:38 PM
2054 I've seen safety take a back seat to 12/16/2019 8:38 PM
production. All they want is for us to
get more work done with fewer people and
resources.
2055 Absolutely everything is govern by 12/16/2019 8:38 PM
budgetary expectations. Staffing, relief,
even ordering vital PPE by mgmt dictates
at times that they cannot order safety
required PPE this month (as common
example) w no replacements available
because of budget shortfalls. Positions
are often eliminated w budget as reason
putting more work on less people, also
forcing people unfamiliar w territory to
bump into new, unfamiliar workgroups.
Elimination of division mobile jobs that
provide hotel & expenses puts employees
far from home w no hotel or expenses.
Expenses are disputed and slow to pay by
mgmt to employees using expense sheets
all due to budgetary demands.
2056 Greatly 12/16/2019 8:37 PM
2057 I'm not really aware of what ``precision 12/16/2019 8:36 PM
railroading'' is.
2058 Made it more stressful and unsafe due to 12/16/2019 8:36 PM
the lack of manpower
2059 Moving more work to be done at odd hours 12/16/2019 8:35 PM
of the day and night with a lot of hurry
up and poor planning
2060 We are short handed and they are afraid to 12/16/2019 8:35 PM
spend any money to fix the railroad
2061 Safety is absolutely on the bottom of the 12/16/2019 8:35 PM
list now, heck just look at the trigger
sheet and see for yourself it's literally
at the bottom.
2062 Limited work windows create high stress 12/16/2019 8:35 PM
among gangs to get work done without the
thought of safety
2063 Plainly put: negatively. Expected to work 12/16/2019 8:34 PM
more productive than ever and curtail
every minute of overtime possible.
2064 Safety is usually brought up and then out 12/16/2019 8:34 PM
the door when the work begins.
2065 Less man power to do more work, more work 12/16/2019 8:34 PM
piled on top of already busy employees.
2066 Do more with less 12/16/2019 8:33 PM
2067 personally safety is on me, they do not 12/16/2019 8:32 PM
care, it's all lip service when the right
person is listening. overnight change the
rules and testing. WOW
2068 There's no precision to it, it's just cuts 12/16/2019 8:32 PM
to make the operating to cost ratio get
to their 58 percent
2069 I'm Not Sure, First I've Heard Of It! 12/16/2019 8:32 PM
2070 A lot of pressure. Senior employees 12/16/2019 8:32 PM
showing me short cuts that the rules do
not allow for in order to meet numbers
such as dwell time.
2071 we've learned to work safe before PSR I 12/16/2019 8:31 PM
feel it's not as important
2072 It's very stressful witch effects safety 12/16/2019 8:31 PM
2073 Push push push! With less Manpower. 12/16/2019 8:31 PM
2074 When they keep cutting people off and 12/16/2019 8:31 PM
expecting the same or more work with less
people the safety goes down hill. You are
rushed all the time to do stuff and
always under stress and it allows more of
a chance for someone to get hurt
2075 I think it hinders a job. Larger work load 12/16/2019 8:30 PM
for fewer people. To hurry and get job
done to proceed to next with little to no
time at home
2076 Always tired and sleepy. Never know when 12/16/2019 8:30 PM
going to work. No home life.
2077 I was told to hurry up today while going 12/16/2019 8:30 PM
restricted speed
2078 Lost it 12/16/2019 8:29 PM
2079 Well I started with 9 people on the gang. 12/16/2019 8:29 PM
Now we are 5 so heck yes it was safer
with more people.
2080 Trains are extremely less safe. Cars are 12/16/2019 8:28 PM
not being identified for repair. Trains
are too long and reaching the breaking
point. EOTs do not work half the time at
extreme distances. Engineers are stressed
and tired. If a problem occurs the
conductor's exposure is elevated by the
extreme length of these trains. You walk
2 miles billy goat style thru ballast and
then 2 miles return trip.
2081 We move locations from job to job way to 12/16/2019 8:28 PM
often. Then we return to the same spot a
few weeks later.
2082 More fatigue, less downtime to recharge 12/16/2019 8:28 PM
2083 Yes. More stress. Low overall morale. 12/16/2019 8:27 PM
2084 More defects are getting repaired with 12/16/2019 8:27 PM
less quality and production seems much
more important than safety
2085 Not me but a lot of guys got their job on 12/16/2019 8:27 PM
their mind don't know if they will have
one..
2086 Worse, less people means we work harder to 12/16/2019 8:26 PM
try and produce same amount of work,
increasing risk of injury
2087 Field forces are the ones making things 12/16/2019 8:26 PM
safe or bringing up safety, management
doesn't care about safety until they look
bad
2088 Things are worse lighting. etc 12/16/2019 8:26 PM
2089 We are doing more work with half the of 12/16/2019 8:26 PM
the workforce. Working more hours,
fatigue, little to no time off.
2090 Less time to perform work, less people. 12/16/2019 8:25 PM
Machine operators are providing
protection and communicating with
dispatchers, management, and other work
group while also being expected to
operate a machine safely.
2091 It's effectively made it impossible to do 12/16/2019 8:23 PM
any work, particularly in the winter. The
carrier expects grand things for ``Winter
Action Plans,'' but due to the furlough
and cuts of our brothers and sisters,
there's little we can do to meet those
goals.
2092 They cut off 3 of are gangs now have more 12/16/2019 8:23 PM
area to cover and can not keep up
2093 Seems to be less important now we are 12/16/2019 8:23 PM
rushed with these short work windows
trying to do 8 hrs work in 4 or less
people are so rushed mistakes are bound
to happen.
2094 It's horrible now with less people they 12/16/2019 8:23 PM
expect you to all jobs and not just the
job you was awarded on bid even if your
not qualified to do so, and will not
spend any money on items as tools or
people to make the job safer with longer
hours and less people
2095 I have almost no care for my job anymore 12/16/2019 8:23 PM
2096 Forced me out of a job. 12/16/2019 8:23 PM
2097 Many jobs we have to skip our lunch, and 12/16/2019 8:22 PM
we are forced to work almost right up to
the last minute regardless of us
outlawing on the line of road.
2098 Safety is out the window and it is all 12/16/2019 8:22 PM
about Production
2099 Safety should always first 12/16/2019 8:21 PM
2100 an only work on track in the window 12/16/2019 8:20 PM
2101 Very unsafe practices have been introduced 12/16/2019 8:20 PM
in order to save time and money. The
latest one being, not having hazmat info
in our paperwork in order to save on (ink
and paper). We are told to use our
emergency response book in case of an
emergency which still makes me scratch my
head, we can put ourselves in great
danger trying to find the chemical that's
possibly being leaked.
2102 Wait for hours to get the work only to be 12/16/2019 8:20 PM
told to rush through it. No time for
quality work when they will fire anyone
bold enough to delay a train.
2103 less maintenance leading to a more 12/16/2019 8:18 PM
hazardous environment
2104 Don't work because of PSR 12/16/2019 8:17 PM
2105 There has been a lot more derailments in 12/16/2019 8:17 PM
our hump yard since PSR, working a lot of
late nights repairing track on top of
maintaining the defects in the yard with
fewer people has been very stressful. Its
only a matter of time before someone is
injured.
2106 Lee's track and time means narrow work 12/16/2019 8:17 PM
windows. Company is in a rush rush rush
to get production and safety lags.
2107 I feel like I am a walking zombie because 12/16/2019 8:16 PM
it is work. Minimum rest work minimum
rest until I decide to mark off to keep
my family and sanity
2108 Don't see no difference 12/16/2019 8:16 PM
2109 Well currently I am furloughed right now, 12/16/2019 8:15 PM
but since this implementation if you have
an issue on a monster train, radio
communication only goes to about 7,500
ft. If you have an issue passed that
certain length radio communication with
the head end engineer is very difficult.
Plus now that they're trying to do more
with less you really have to look at
fatigue with train crews. There is a lot
of safety hazards involved.
2110 Safety is just a word thrown around when 12/16/2019 8:15 PM
it benefits the carrier. When it costs,
wether that be time or money, all avenues
are taken to shame, berate, or dismiss
what's needed.
2111 They want to preach safety but when it 12/16/2019 8:15 PM
comes down to it it's not on the top of
the list, longer trains mean longer walks
on uneven terrain with the possibility of
injuring yourself, longer trains having
to ``stage'' and block crossings, which
in turn prevents first responders from
doing their jobs, the safety of our
communities are of no concern.
2112 PSR has made my job on the maintenance 12/16/2019 8:15 PM
department a lot more difficult do to the
fact that the transportation department
crews are on all different hrs and
schedule. So there is no one to
communicate when and where we are out
working at.
2113 My direct assignment has not been 12/16/2019 8:15 PM
affected. I do see that other positions
and work groups we assist suffer from
being undermanned. Also, concerning
moving forward as experienced managers
and senior craft workers have been driven
from the industry by the changes
implemented.
2114 It has definitely been pushed towards the 12/16/2019 8:14 PM
bottom of the priority list. Lack of
people and maintenance greatly effects
our safety.
2115 Saftey is on the back burner 12/16/2019 8:14 PM
2116 Seeing more coworkers injured 12/16/2019 8:14 PM
2117 Don't understand 12/16/2019 8:14 PM
2118 Cut jobs lots of people furloughed or 12/16/2019 8:14 PM
working very far from home living out of
their car.
2119 Yea when our boss tells us to work under a 12/16/2019 8:13 PM
watchman look out and there clearly not
enough clear time to watch under watchman
look out! And he has a shirt attitude
about saying I'll have to enforce it.
2120 Safety went from first priority to fourth. 12/16/2019 8:13 PM
Literally.
2121 Want more with less people, jobs being cut 12/16/2019 8:12 PM
off
2122 We have less people to help making it more 12/16/2019 8:12 PM
taxing physically l.
2123 Fatigue, more stressful less home time. 12/16/2019 8:11 PM
Causing a more dangerous work environment
2124 Way more unsafe. Working under fear takes 12/16/2019 8:11 PM
away from safety
2125 We are often forced to rely on equipment 12/16/2019 8:11 PM
that does not function as intended and
are forced to go to our own means to
complete the trip OR report issues to
U.P. instead of during FRA tie up to
prevent FRA from seeing issue with in
route issues
2126 We are required to do more with less, man 12/16/2019 8:10 PM
power is down, not aloud a minute of
overtime with out repercussions.
2127 I am currently furloughed for the 9th time 12/16/2019 8:10 PM
in less than a year along with fellow
brothers and sisters that have been
working for over 5 years. So it has
affected jobs severely
2128 I have way more job responsibility, 12/16/2019 8:10 PM
including jobs that were other crafts.
2129 Safety has taken a back seat to production 12/16/2019 8:09 PM
and profit. Neglected yards, lack of
maintenance, and the overhaul lack of
caring for safety have turned going to
work on a daily basis into a game of
chance. Not knowing if today will be the
day that you're hurt due to the railroad
neglect makes it challenging to continue
working in these conditions.
2130 Safety has gone from being the most 12/16/2019 8:09 PM
important to 4th behind maintaining train
speed, responding quickly and maximizing
planned outages.
2131 It's gone down seems more like less 12/16/2019 8:09 PM
maintenance on the tracks which in turn
leads to danger of trainmen tracking on
unsafe track. More trains, more weight,
should equal more maintenance to maintain
safe railroad. Ultimately it's gonna be
more dangerous after time.
2132 Moving around a lot more. Seems to. Each 12/16/2019 8:09 PM
aimlessly at times. More miles on the
road than staying somewhere and working.
2133 With PSR in affect things have become 12/16/2019 8:09 PM
production, quality, and safety coming in
last
2134 Less safe 12/16/2019 8:09 PM
2135 Worse 12/16/2019 8:08 PM
2136 Stressful 12/16/2019 8:08 PM
2137 It has hindered safety because the company 12/16/2019 8:08 PM
expects us to do the same work with less
people. That puts a strain on every
working person out here.
2138 Now it's run and gun mentality. As fast as 12/16/2019 8:08 PM
you can no matter the cost. And now if
you turn in an injury you get punished by
working 5x8s or nights.
2139 It's a lot worse. They won't acknowledge 12/16/2019 8:08 PM
safety concerns I bring up.
2140 Hours wise my days have become way longer. 12/16/2019 8:08 PM
Money wise I make less and it's become
harder and harder for the employees
they've hired to keep working because of
PSR.
2141 They don't care about the workers 12/16/2019 8:08 PM
2142 Safety is talked about and the focus until 12/16/2019 8:08 PM
the work needs to be done. Mangers are
out trying to coach every one for
everything
2143 It has killed the morale of employees in 12/16/2019 8:08 PM
which they no longer care about their job
as much. This attitude has made employees
work unsafe. Also with all the cuts of
employees management is wanting more
production with less people causing
employees to be physically and mentally
drained.
2144 No time on the tracks. They don't consider 12/16/2019 8:08 PM
trains break down or rails break and that
screws up their schedule.
2145 Job has become unstable 12/16/2019 8:07 PM
2146 It's terrible. Half the time it doesn't 12/16/2019 8:07 PM
even work then you're evaluated off of it
when it doesn't work.
2147 Made it worse. 12/16/2019 8:07 PM
2148 It's still a safe place excluding the 12/16/2019 8:07 PM
night work but the pressure from
management to get more with less time is
a challenge.
2149 We still do the safe thing. 12/16/2019 8:06 PM
2150 A lot more stressful, with the constant 12/16/2019 8:06 PM
fear of being reprimanded for minor
infractions
2151 Safety is worse 12/16/2019 8:06 PM
2152 Safety is bring overlooked to make more 12/16/2019 8:05 PM
money for the investors. But we are only
one bad derailment away from bringing
down UP. Longer Unsafe trains and tracks.
And if it's not that then it's longer
hours and bad morale that will play a key
affect in making that happen.
2153 Safety has been thrown out! The company 12/16/2019 8:05 PM
would rather force us to do jobs with
less people as opposed to before
2154 I feel less safe and am generally worried 12/16/2019 8:05 PM
that I will make it home uninjured every
day I work.
2155 See previous statement 12/16/2019 8:05 PM
2156 I haven't noticed anything different as 12/16/2019 8:05 PM
far as safety is concerned.
2157 I believe quality railroads are a thing of 12/16/2019 8:04 PM
the past now. In turn I think that
affects the overall safety of anyone
traveling on the railroad and also anyone
working near one. Things that would have
been deemed immediate repairs are now
been seen as allowable deferred repairs
2158 Production over safety. I got told we move 12/16/2019 8:04 PM
cars so people tend to turn a blind eye
if your friends with them
2159 Tremendously! We no longer have safety 12/16/2019 8:03 PM
captains or facilitators and it gets
harder and harder to even get basic
safety equipment due to ``budget cuts''.
2160 Myself nor my coworkers feel secure if we 12/16/2019 8:03 PM
may have a lasting job on the railroad.
Turning into a prison, can not even have
our cell phones in our lunch boxes.
2161 Yes get it especially on derailments 12/16/2019 8:02 PM
safety doesn't matter
2162 Safety has taken a back seat to getting 12/16/2019 8:02 PM
the work done as fast as possible.
2163 It has not affected the job I perform as 12/16/2019 8:02 PM
much as others, but the scheduling of the
work to specific areas of ``importance''
has left other areas that we used to work
on regularly without the attention it
needs.
2164 Since PSR I seldom do my job. We are short 12/16/2019 8:02 PM
handed so everyone had to switch jobs as
needed.
2165 It has caused the workforce numbers to 12/16/2019 8:01 PM
dwindle so now the workers that remain
have to pick up the slack causing injury
and stress. Plus that tracks are not
being repaired the way they should be
because we have limited resources due to
low budgets.
2166 It's worse now there are trains that 12/16/2019 8:01 PM
handle horrible the actual railroading
has gone out the window with it train
handling is horrible and before long
their will be more accidents and
derailments because of it
2167 Switching blocks of cars with several 12/16/2019 8:01 PM
other crews doing same. Increased radio
traffic. Bigger trains engineers are
struggling to be able to hear his/her
conductor.
2168 Do more with less 12/16/2019 8:01 PM
2169 Derailments are up, injures are up, people 12/16/2019 8:00 PM
are getting killed.
2170 I love that they got rid of a bunch of 12/16/2019 8:00 PM
stupid rules bud
2171 In regards to safety, PSR has placed too 12/16/2019 8:00 PM
much pressure and workload on the front
line employees. Management expects
frontline employees to do far more with
far less while hamstringing employees
with fuel and speed restrictions that
make accomplishing their goals nearly
impossible.
2172 Trains are now longer and heavier, and 12/16/2019 8:00 PM
they often are ran with distributed power
(DP). This causes a lot more distractions
for the engineer.
2173 To much pushing to get done. 12/16/2019 7:59 PM
2174 Time limits on everything you do or you 12/16/2019 7:58 PM
will get reprimanded. Have so much time
to switch a car, air test a car, and be
ready to go. I was told by management
several time I don't have time to do an
air test and it's not `that important'.
The company only wants results they don't
care how safe it is for employees. I was
told by a company official ``if you don't
follow the program then there isn't room
for you here''
2175 Less track time 12/16/2019 7:57 PM
2176 Scheduales have gotten worse and equipment 12/16/2019 7:57 PM
is not maintained
2177 What safety?? 12/16/2019 7:57 PM
2178 Its caused workers to double work there is 12/16/2019 7:56 PM
no consistency on when you will get
called
2179 Seems as safety has taken a second to 12/16/2019 7:56 PM
moving cars. We have 20000 ton trains
with set outs that are two thirds to the
rear or at the rear and shoving on
grades.
2180 Longer trains no regards to the safety of 12/16/2019 7:56 PM
public or staff. Unstable train line-ups,
2181 It has made it horrible. They want as much 12/16/2019 7:56 PM
or more accomplished with half the help.
Them laying all these people off is
putting a stress on everyone not only
physical but emotional as well. Hard to
stay focused and do your job with all
this on our minds. Track maintenance is
not the spot to make cuts and cut safety.
2182 It doesn't seem to work 12/16/2019 7:56 PM
2183 Unsure as of now 12/16/2019 7:56 PM
2184 Saftey and time issues have suffered 12/16/2019 7:56 PM
2185 I inspect track and there are a lot of 12/16/2019 7:55 PM
trains that are having issues w/stuck
brakes and other car dept issues and we
are having to help out trains all the
time taking focus off of my job!
2186 I lost my job. They shut down my yard. I 12/16/2019 7:54 PM
had to place myself into a lower paying
position. I've lost around $35,000
dollars annually.
2187 Our safety has dropped tremendously since 12/16/2019 7:54 PM
the company has cut off yardmaster jobs
and implemented PSR by creating a lot of
flat switching in the railyard with
nobody to oversee all the jobs working
inside the terminal. There's been many
occasions of trains meeting head on in
tracks while traveling through the yard,
I know of one incident recently where a
train was shoving into a track and
couldn't see a set of engines sitting in
the middle of the track and they almost
had a collision.
2188 More dangerous, requiring more done with 12/16/2019 7:54 PM
less people leads to long days and weeks
2189 I don't understand the scheduling part. 12/16/2019 7:54 PM
Nothing works on a schedule other than
harassment from management. If crews were
left to do their jobs and not be
constantly surveilled, stress level would
decrease and production would increase.
Morale is at an unprecedented low
industry wide.
2190 Hard to keep up with production with less 12/16/2019 7:54 PM
people on the fang and less machines to
do the job. More tiring and harder on the
body
2191 None 12/16/2019 7:54 PM
2192 Well more trains with less people to 12/16/2019 7:54 PM
maintain the maintenance and less track
and time to work with but they want that
PSR to work
2193 Less safe with unproven DP power 12/16/2019 7:53 PM
2194 I am now retired, but a life member of the 12/16/2019 7:53 PM
BMWED-T. I hear some good feedback at the
Lodge mtgs.
2195 Our safety has decreased in the sense that 12/16/2019 7:53 PM
we are expected to do the same work in
less time. So that trains can run as
planned for PSR. The infrastructure is
and will continue to suffer due to this
as well as trying to do more with less
employees/material to aid in padding
pockets of high officials throughout the
railroad.
2196 It hasn't been implemented on the BNSF 12/16/2019 7:52 PM
yet!
2197 With the implementation of PSR the duties 12/16/2019 7:52 PM
of my job hasn't changed. What has
changed is the mentality that we need to
get this work done or else we are going
to get written up. Despite having less
people to assist with railroad work the
workload is still expected to be complete
on time. This in turn Causes our
mentality to work faster making it
stressful.
2198 The railroads put profits before safety 12/16/2019 7:52 PM
2199 I am asked to expedite inspections to no 12/16/2019 7:52 PM
more than 40 seconds per car (s) or I
will be reprimanded. Work stress to meet
carriers demand while working exhausted.
2200 Went south, having to work more hours 12/16/2019 7:52 PM
having to do twice as much work at
terminals where they cut off yard jobs.
2201 With the implementation of PSR safety has 12/16/2019 7:52 PM
gone by the wayside. It is clear in our
everyday work that it is to do as we are
told and not to question anything that
may be a safety issue. If not done as
told the members of the organization will
be held accountable and at times removed
from service at the carriers request.
2202 UPRR stopped testing and letting us do 12/16/2019 7:51 PM
whatever we want. They just care about
numbers.
2203 Stressing 12/16/2019 7:51 PM
2204 According to BNSF management we aren't PSR 12/16/2019 7:51 PM
2205 Big time affected, safety only is spoken, 12/16/2019 7:51 PM
management don't give ah damn about
safety, once job briefing ends, safety is
out the door, fuck safety production
first, you speak out, you're trouble
maker instigator
2206 Not better not worse 12/16/2019 7:51 PM
2207 Again with less people and less time and 12/16/2019 7:50 PM
material it becomes a matter of time for
injuries and catastrophic events to
occur.
2208 The way it is now as far as engineer I 12/16/2019 7:50 PM
can't tell when I'm gonna get called for
work. We use to could see what we would
catch or who we will work with. Not now
2209 Everything now is about how fast and cheap 12/16/2019 7:50 PM
can the railroads do it and with the
least amount of manpower.
2210 N/A 12/16/2019 7:50 PM
2211 It's less safe as whole because our track 12/16/2019 7:49 PM
infrastructure is deteriorating,
continuing of just ``bandaid' problems to
save a quick buck puts everyone at risk,
including the public
2212 Affected it greatly. Not a fan of the 12/16/2019 7:48 PM
different times we are required to do
now. Hard to have a family and a life.
2213 It has cut our jobs and getting cut off 12/16/2019 7:48 PM
earlier and earlier. Railroad don't care
about Maintenance side of things
2214 More push to get the same amount of work 12/16/2019 7:48 PM
done with fewer people than needed
2215 More dangerous! Bigger longer trains more 12/16/2019 7:48 PM
difficult to stop less power available to
run
2216 Safety is secondary to velocity. 12/16/2019 7:48 PM
2217 Everyone comes to work tired. Management 12/16/2019 7:48 PM
is always rushing us to do more with
less.
2218 Safety is of less importance it seems. 12/16/2019 7:47 PM
Since PSR was implemented every one seems
to rush you to get all you can without
taking pride in your work
2219 Safety is no longer an issue. it's all 12/16/2019 7:47 PM
about running longer trains with less
crews. carman craft and electric craft
are getting cut off to safe money and
trains are running without proper
inspections and proper air test because
management just wants to move trains.
2220 Safety is not even an option anymore. 12/16/2019 7:47 PM
2221 Safety is only talked about and applied 12/16/2019 7:46 PM
correctly in classroom. Everything
changes once your out on the field
2222 No difference 12/16/2019 7:46 PM
2223 it is all about getting the job done and 12/16/2019 7:46 PM
expecting us to do the SAME OR MORE WITH
LESS PEOPLE
2224 It has gone as far as taking away 2 of my 12/16/2019 7:45 PM
off days. UP essentially said we won't be
giving these guys all the time we use to
give them to fix the track in one day.
Since they're receiving the track for
less time, let's just bring them in for
more days but less time on the track.
This just puts me more at risk since I am
on the road more exposing myself to the
road travel hazards.
2225 BNSF hasn't gone into it like other 12/16/2019 7:45 PM
railroads have. From what I've seen and
heard the railroads that are doing it are
having huge issues. So much so that they
are loosing customers and money. Not to
mention closing yards and laying off
maintenance personnel. Seems that these
companies have had issues with
derailments and whatnot.
2226 Its not as safe every job task is done 12/16/2019 7:45 PM
alone.
2227 Just reduction of workforce. Over worked. 12/16/2019 7:45 PM
Welders running backhoes, putting in rail
and wielding it. Having to do section
work and weld.
2228 There's no regard for my safety Union 12/16/2019 7:44 PM
Pacific is doing everything they can to
make sure I come home in a Body bag after
each shift
2229 Yes men are getting run into the ground 12/16/2019 7:44 PM
causing short cuts with fatigued
employees which in turn is going to lead
to injuries and possibly deaths.
Equipment is getting run down without
proper or timely repairs. All of which is
can and is putting the public at risk of
a catastrophic accident.
2230 Personal safety is not a concern of 12/16/2019 7:44 PM
railroads unless it affects their
``numbers'' as in their beloved ratios
2231 As spoken on the last question, Management 12/16/2019 7:44 PM
puts all of the responsibility on the
workers, the gets upset when someone
brings up equipment safety or workplace
hazards.
2232 Most times when we climb onto a locomotive 12/16/2019 7:44 PM
there is usually a mechanic/electrician
still on board. When you ask what if
anything needed fixed the answer is
always the same. I fixed a couple things
but was told by management to not do most
of the stuff that needed checked/fixed.
So you really don't know what hazards to
expect every single trip. It's the game
of will this locomotive blow up/catch on
fire this trip or not
2233 Not near as safe. Always a push to get 12/16/2019 7:44 PM
more done with less and less. Fatigue is
getting to be a bigger and bigger factor.
2234 Projects are scheduled in shorter windows 12/16/2019 7:43 PM
of time, resulting in a more rushed and
hectic work atmosphere
2235 The perceived sense of urgency makes it 12/16/2019 7:43 PM
difficult to remember to take the time to
work safely
2236 It has hurt the crews. Machines and 12/16/2019 7:43 PM
computers can't do what humans can;
analyze and evaluate a situation
2237 Precision Railroading has inhibited us 12/16/2019 7:43 PM
from doing our job effectively and
safely. Track conditions which need
immediate attention are not fixed due to
keeping trains moving thus putting our
jobs at risk by not fixing defects when
they are found.
2238 Longer trains, less maintenance 12/16/2019 7:43 PM
2239 Cutting man power has affected us. The 12/16/2019 7:43 PM
company wants more with less.
2240 Made me feel very uneasy when requesting 12/16/2019 7:42 PM
time to perform maintenance, almost to
the point of feeling threatened
2241 Pushed to get more work done in less time 12/16/2019 7:42 PM
and less safely.
2242 They will preach safety to you but they 12/16/2019 7:42 PM
will be the ones to break the rule or
change it to fit the company
2243 It's made time way less efficient but 12/16/2019 7:42 PM
overall more safe I suppose.
2244 A lot. Less maintenance on equipment, less 12/16/2019 7:42 PM
people to perform tasks in a timely
manner. Very poor upkeep and maintenance
on locomotives. Terrible working
conditions in locomotive cabs. Leaking
toilets, bad seats
2245 Less man power due to corporate greed. 12/16/2019 7:41 PM
There is no since of accomplishment due
to lack of jobs. Over all morale is at an
all time low.
2246 Every thing is a rush if u do not rush you 12/16/2019 7:41 PM
could loose your job
2247 It's definitely made it more stressful! 12/16/2019 7:41 PM
2248 They put the product movement of pick ups 12/16/2019 7:41 PM
and set outs over safety. To push harder
to get freight across the road and
lowering manpower in the yards.
2249 Made safety a back burner issue. 12/16/2019 7:41 PM
2250 Fewer workers more work on my shoulders 12/16/2019 7:40 PM
less time to do it.
2251 My home time has become next to none and 12/16/2019 7:40 PM
now if we take off holidays which are not
paid we are facing termination
2252 There again, the new emphasis of the 12/16/2019 7:40 PM
company is profit and production with the
fewest number of employees involved.
Everywhere I've worked the last few years
has been short handed. We are to we need
to do more with less.
2253 Dangerous train lengths more fatigue and 12/16/2019 7:40 PM
increased danger to the public and
blocking road crossings
2254 Transportation is solely running the work 12/16/2019 7:40 PM
schedule of MOW. Hedge Fund controlled
all aspects. Corners cut to insure Hedge
got its money when time came. Employee
work schedule and safety was disregarded
2255 I feel rushed, that sometimes safety 12/16/2019 7:39 PM
guidelines are overlooked so my work can
be done sooner. I feel less safe and more
stressed.
2256 Coworkers are having to take shortcuts to 12/16/2019 7:39 PM
get the same amount of work done because
we don't have the tools for the job.
2257 Have been ordered out of the yard before 12/16/2019 7:39 PM
with no one to watch the train leaving,
having brakes put on cars in random
places where utility brakemen were able
to handle that.
2258 More dangerous 12/16/2019 7:39 PM
2259 Every ``accident'' that occurs brings out 12/16/2019 7:39 PM
a new set of rules or PPE that makes job
more difficult
2260 There is no regard whatsoever is all a 12/16/2019 7:39 PM
theater just to have the FRA at arm
length they don't give two hells what
could happen to us is always our fault.
2261 Yes. Safety is a afterthought. It's all 12/16/2019 7:39 PM
about production.
2262 Safety seems to be a distant second to 12/16/2019 7:39 PM
production.
2263 Having more contractors on site, and job 12/16/2019 7:39 PM
turmoil causing experienced employees to
seek greener pastures has reduced safety.
2264 Everything is rushed, gotta hurry 12/16/2019 7:39 PM
everyday, as trains are on a very tight
schedule. carrier does care about safety
they care about making a lot of money
2265 Safety does not seem to be the priority 12/16/2019 7:38 PM
over get off the track and out of the way
for a train
2266 It has had no influence on safety at all 12/16/2019 7:38 PM
in matter of fact it has got worse
2267 A lot more. They focus less on safety and 12/16/2019 7:38 PM
workplace hazards and try to rush you for
everything.
2268 It's made it worst with the shortage on 12/16/2019 7:38 PM
man power. Less people doing the same
jobs they required before all lay offs.
Makes for everyone else work harder and
faster to do the job that requires more
men
2269 Safety has gotten worse in my opinion due 12/16/2019 7:37 PM
to the longer hours and lack of material
and tools trying to do a lot with a
little and our direct supervisor just
told us this morning that ``sleep is over
rated wash your face and get back to
work''
2270 Production production production and less 12/16/2019 7:37 PM
safety
2271 A 12 hour day without any consideration to 12/16/2019 7:37 PM
fatigue, is hard. When working fatigue
and maintaining safety causes slower
work, first line management adopts a
mindset that the fatigued worker is
slowing down in protest to the work. That
is not true with all workers.
2272 Precision railroading is the number one 12/16/2019 7:37 PM
distraction among the groups. The
employees know the company ``truly'' does
not care for quality of home life. The
men (and women) were painted a very clear
picture. Either work what we want or find
another place to work. So with that
president set, knowing how little the
company actually cares for the well being
of it's people, that is the single
largest safety issue presented to us
today.
2273 They cut jobs off and now people have to 12/16/2019 7:37 PM
so several jobs that are not theirs.
2274 Harder working conditions. If something 12/16/2019 7:36 PM
happens on a 2 plus mile long train I as
a conductor have to walk the train to
figure out the problem regardless of the
conditions outside. Be it weather,
nighttime, or terrain.
2275 We can now get on and off moving 12/16/2019 7:36 PM
equipment. Which was taken away due to
safety. Now told to run as fast as
possible. 10-15k foot trains that have to
be walked. Creating more dangerous
conditions for conductors and the public
alike
2276 The lack of man power is a safety issue. 12/16/2019 7:36 PM
Workers are pushing there bodies to the
max . This creates unsafe conditions.
2277 Always asking how much longer or expect 12/16/2019 7:35 PM
you to get a job done faster than normal
so people end up cutting corners
2278 Profits first safety second 12/16/2019 7:35 PM
2279 It has taken my job 12/16/2019 7:35 PM
2280 Greatly, the get it done with less is 12/16/2019 7:35 PM
jeopardizing safety every day since PSR
began
2281 Safety is Disregarded and less people to 12/16/2019 7:35 PM
do more work. We are threatened with
contractors if we don't work overtime
calls after working a full week and need
the two days off to rest.
2282 When working it has given us an extra tool 12/16/2019 7:34 PM
for safe operation of trains have had
several issues with system not working
and failure en route
2283 Less track time. Long trains blocking 12/16/2019 7:34 PM
roads and sitting in working limits.
Causing people to feel more pressure and
make mistakes
2284 Less knowledge of when you are working so 12/16/2019 7:34 PM
harder to get rested for.
2285 None 12/16/2019 7:34 PM
2286 Speeds everything up ''have to rush to get 12/16/2019 7:34 PM
it done''
2287 A lot! They cut jobs and Force guys to do 12/16/2019 7:33 PM
extra work with less guys.. It's no
longer a Safe Atmosphere
2288 It has taken away from hands on 12/16/2019 7:33 PM
inspections to rail defect cars
2289 More work less employees 12/16/2019 7:33 PM
2290 Unsafe 12/16/2019 7:33 PM
2291 New rules are put in place to go around 12/16/2019 7:32 PM
the safe thing to do. Psr efficiencies
quarterly shareholder profits. Has
nothing to do with safety
2292 Feel rushed and the focus level has 12/16/2019 7:32 PM
diminished.
2293 Every day is a rush now railroad wants 12/16/2019 7:32 PM
more done faster with less time
2294 I see talk the talk without anyone doing 12/16/2019 7:32 PM
the walk. There is a big silence on
safety where it benefits the railroad
especially money wise.
2295 Everything is a big rush, defects are 12/16/2019 7:31 PM
stacking up workforce cut to nothing, the
stress on our minds and body are taking a
toll on the actual hands on workers
2296 Highest concern is running trains and 12/16/2019 7:31 PM
meeting deadlines, safety is secondary
2297 Lack of safety and safety awareness 12/16/2019 7:31 PM
2298 Less work 12/16/2019 7:31 PM
2299 Less time to complete the job and working 12/16/2019 7:31 PM
a lot more overnight shifts.
2300 Working with old worn out tools. Upper 12/16/2019 7:30 PM
management is not buying new tools due to
loss of funding in their budget.
2301 What safety? Union Pacific looks past 12/16/2019 7:30 PM
safety on a constant basis. Profits and
work scheduling come 1st. If there's an
injury it's blamed immediately on the
employee.
2302 Been tired a few times since working 12/16/2019 7:29 PM
nights one week and back to day shift the
next week. Can't get in a routine because
you're work hours change constantly
2303 Managers push to get more done with less 12/16/2019 7:29 PM
people. They turn a blind eye to safety
as long as the job is getting done.
Safety rules are only used against poor
performing employees.
2304 It's rushed. There is no 'safety' concerns 12/16/2019 7:29 PM
anymore. It's all about numbers and how
many trains can be pushed out in a day
2305 Because of the above we are exhausted 12/16/2019 7:28 PM
which has proven to be the same as
operating drunk. We are hauling dangerous
communities while too tired to function
properly
2306 My job is much more rushed due to smaller 12/16/2019 7:28 PM
windows and understaffing
2307 They constantly preach safety. But I don't 12/16/2019 7:28 PM
think it's because they care about their
employees well being. They are more
worried about how much is going to cost
them if you get injured on the job. With
less and less people to do the same
amount of work it is just a matter of
time before they start getting more
injuries. If you do get injured you have
to be fearful for your job. They will try
and find a way to blame the incident on
you saying you did something wrong and
then reprimand you.
2308 I don't feel I work any less safe 12/16/2019 7:27 PM
2309 Absolutely, more stress on employees to do 12/16/2019 7:27 PM
more, with less. Work faster, continuous
relaxation of safety rules on the job,
locomotives leaving the shop with repairs
not done, cars not being repaired as the
should be because Of the lack of Car men
2310 Well they laid off all the extra 12/16/2019 7:27 PM
employee's and expect two guys one on day
shift one on second shift to work
overtime everyday to get it done I work
till 4am every day and I am tired every
time I go to work
2311 Refer to the first answer. We are doing 12/16/2019 7:27 PM
more work more responsibilities with less
people. It affects safety in a negative
way. I'm a bid in welder, who also
operates and runs a dump truck when the
boss needs it. I don't operate equipment
everyday so I'm not as good as others.
That's unsafe.
2312 Less people. Less concern about safety 12/16/2019 7:27 PM
2313 It's created scheduling chaos. On the 12/16/2019 7:27 PM
other hand I get overtime now waiting on
trains
2314 Safety is no longer the priority 12/16/2019 7:26 PM
2315 It has made safety secondary to numbers 12/16/2019 7:26 PM
and production
2316 It has put more of a rush on jobs when we 12/16/2019 7:26 PM
do them. If it would be more preventative
maintenance it wouldn't be this bad
instead of run till it breaks.
2317 Reduced the number of people working and 12/16/2019 7:25 PM
the number of jobs available
2318 BNSF hasn't gone to the same lengths as 12/16/2019 7:25 PM
other railroads, but with all the new,
young management they put production in
front of safety.
2319 Defects are being purposefully overlooked 12/16/2019 7:24 PM
because they don't have enough people to
make the repairs. They refuse to put out
slow orders.
2320 Get it done or be laid off 12/16/2019 7:24 PM
2321 As a track inspector I was instructed to 12/16/2019 7:24 PM
call off heat runs even when rail temps
were well in excess of the required
limits for track buckling prevention. It
was stated that the reason was that no
one was to work overtime on numerous
occasions. This is a continued issue as
we can not get over all of our territory
within a normal work day at times due to
the reduced forces causing us to fill
other positions such as taking the sperry
car or getting track time for any other
reason that comes up. It is being refused
by our Director of Track Rex Carter here
at CSX to order fire snake because of the
price and instead we are being forced to
use cellulose mixture with diesel fuel
which puts off a heavy black smoke that's
not only harmful to the environment but
also the workers health as we are forced
to breathe it and the cancer causing
agents it produces in without any form of
respiratory protection. Fire snake is a
much safer alternative for both the user
and the environment since it does not
produce smoke the way cellulose mixture
does.
2322 Production over safety 12/16/2019 7:24 PM
2323 It has made me more fatigued with getting 12/16/2019 7:24 PM
less sleep and poor eating habits.
2324 The railroad will ask employees to, and do 12/16/2019 7:23 PM
some themselves, cut corners and speed
through training in order to make profit
2325 It has made the job more frustrating. More 12/16/2019 7:23 PM
derailments, more problems with trains
breaking down. Budgets are tighter, so
tools are cheaper and break, you are
expected to do more with less time.
Breaking tools can cause injuries
2326 I work in a yard and track speeds have 12/16/2019 7:23 PM
increased since PSR, given less time for
track maintenance
2327 More work and less time to fix's the 12/16/2019 7:23 PM
tracks. The dispatchers are not giving
much time front of these trains.
2328 Work more home less. UPRR doesn't care 12/16/2019 7:23 PM
about balance of life.
2329 Increased workload with less man power and 12/16/2019 7:23 PM
always being rushed
2330 I feel less safe due to the dispatchers 12/16/2019 7:23 PM
being rushed to move trains, I feel the
likelihood of mistakes being made greatly
increases
2331 Screw our payroll sometimes we travel 12/16/2019 7:22 PM
three times on one paycheck it bad. I
good
2332 The company is trying to the best of their 12/16/2019 7:22 PM
ability to throw safety out the window
for higher profits for shareholders.
2333 So far I'm not sure that there has been a 12/16/2019 7:22 PM
direct impact locally. With workforce
reductions that it seems to lead to, our
railway is going to have to choose
between honoring the union contract or
reneging and creating an unsafe
environment.
2334 Less people working, more emphasis on 12/16/2019 7:22 PM
efficiency and profit
2335 Less men more work. They rush us to get it 12/16/2019 7:22 PM
laid rush us to the hole.
2336 We don't get to maintain the tracks as 12/16/2019 7:21 PM
well as we used too. Dispatch and yard
masters won't give us the time.
2337 Me personally I don't believe it's 12/16/2019 7:21 PM
affected me
2338 Safety was no longer a top priority for 12/16/2019 7:21 PM
Union Pacific after PSR was implemented.
I am currently furloughed. Only
Railroaders hired in 2013 or prior are
able to hold a position. Not by personal
skill level or even near perfect
attendance.
2339 Less men more work 12/16/2019 7:21 PM
2340 It puts the gangs in a rush. They have cut 12/16/2019 7:21 PM
jobs and expect the same work.
Dispatchers also won't give you enough
time
2341 Less home time 12/16/2019 7:21 PM
2342 I haven't really but more delays for train 12/16/2019 7:21 PM
2343 Not as many trained people 12/16/2019 7:21 PM
2344 Getting less done and getting blamed for 12/16/2019 7:20 PM
getting less done
2345 It's actually made me more money but I'm 12/16/2019 7:20 PM
never home.
2346 Something to watch break or miss a 12/16/2019 7:20 PM
critical point
2347 People are doing unsafe work just to keep 12/16/2019 7:20 PM
a job so they won't cut jobs
2348 We are now expected to do the same tasks 12/16/2019 7:20 PM
but with less manpower and time, making
working faster and under stressful
circumstances a necessity if we want to
retain our jobs.
2349 It feels about the same in terms of 12/16/2019 7:20 PM
safety. The only thing I've noticed is a
significant delay in train traffic and a
decrease in track time availability.
2350 Again, lack of manpower tends to ask more 12/16/2019 7:19 PM
of each man to complete a task,
exhaustion leads to injury. Men are asked
to do jobs they're unfamiliar with
because of the lack or manpower
2351 We are expected to do more work with less 12/16/2019 7:19 PM
workers in a smaller time frame. It is
not safe it is not precision. It is
dangerous and detrimental to mental and
physical health.
2352 It's made it more dangerous, always trying 12/16/2019 7:19 PM
to find ways to speed up the process and
get track work done so they can run
trains.
2353 Again, you are constantly rushed, so 12/16/2019 7:19 PM
safety is not a priority and almost
always force to cut corners.
2354 Budget cuts have not only reduced the 12/16/2019 7:19 PM
manpower that used to share the work load
on large jobs, but also eliminated extra
vehicles and equipment forcing people to
do almost everything the hard way for
example boom trucks with inoperable
cranes lead to changing rail with
backhoes when operators may not be
skilled at that
2355 Push push push take shortcuts when their 12/16/2019 7:19 PM
backs are turned for productivity but
don't let them catch you.
2356 Train might not stop when working on track 12/16/2019 7:18 PM
2357 Having less people to perform a task leads 12/16/2019 7:18 PM
to several things. First, in order to get
the job done corners are cut that can
result in injuries. In addition to
corners being cut, the stress placed on
the employee to get the job done despite
being down one or two people can be
substantial. Three, the physical toll of
doing the work of three or four people
with only two employees leads to
exhaustion.
2358 Longer hours. Less understanding of new 12/16/2019 7:18 PM
regulations, less training. Less in
general for the men and women on the
ground making it work.
2359 It's gotten worse since they got rid of 12/16/2019 7:18 PM
the TSC facilitators and put all of
they're work onto the safety captains
2360 The railroad promotes safety in every 12/16/2019 7:18 PM
aspect until safety interferes with
production.
2361 Seems like there are a lot more ``knee 12/16/2019 7:18 PM
jerk'' rules in response to situations
2362 I haven't noticed an affect for BNSF side 12/16/2019 7:18 PM
of things.
2363 Night shift on spg. It is ridiculous It's 12/16/2019 7:17 PM
not safe you are tired it's dark you
can't see anything. Try and sleep at a
hotel where they are cleaning rooms and
remodeling. It's bull!
2364 Yes, it means less time on the track for 12/16/2019 7:17 PM
our large production gangs. The job is
the same but there is a push to do the
same or more with less time. This leads
to rushing or taking short cuts.
2365 Safety is now fourth on the list of 12/16/2019 7:17 PM
objectives, behind moving trains.
2366 No manpower 12/16/2019 7:16 PM
2367 Yard carman working by their self, 12/16/2019 7:16 PM
pressured to hurry up and get trains out,
2368 The way it's going you don't know if you 12/16/2019 7:15 PM
will have a job you hear every day more
and more cuts coming.
2369 PSR has been a major distraction due to 12/16/2019 7:15 PM
uncertainty of employment. Understaffing
has resulted in work groups and
individuals being stretched too thin
leaving gang operations without the
needed support to work efficiently and
safely.
2370 Saftey is absolutely not a concern. There 12/16/2019 7:15 PM
isn't time for it.
2371 Safety went out the window and the 12/16/2019 7:15 PM
programs
2372 yes, the constant fear of not having a 12/16/2019 7:15 PM
job, has made this a mad house. Not only
that, but the employees run around like a
chicken with head cut off trying to keep
up. Track authority violations have
nearly doubled
2373 Safety? It is all in the name of the 12/16/2019 7:15 PM
shareholders, not safety.
2374 Causes concerns about safety. 12/16/2019 7:15 PM
2375 Safety is less important than speed and 12/16/2019 7:15 PM
productivity.
2376 None 12/16/2019 7:15 PM
2377 It has put in a sense that the ``human'' 12/16/2019 7:15 PM
factor is not needed as much
2378 sometimes It works, sometimes it does not, 12/16/2019 7:15 PM
a lot of things come Into a daily work
schedule, although It is a good thing to
have work and projects scheduled
sometimes emergencies do come up and
depending on the crews available to do
these things out there, there needs to be
flexibility from everyone to accomplish
as much as possible and still have safety
as priority one out there at all times.
2379 More work and more hours with less 12/16/2019 7:15 PM
employees makes it more likely to get
injured on the job, therefore making the
job more unsafe.
2380 They rush us a lot of the time to get off 12/16/2019 7:14 PM
the track and in the clear, even though
we have not passed the time limit we
asked for
2381 Lower level management is doing all they 12/16/2019 7:14 PM
can with what little they have to keep
their territories operating. Our safety
has taken a step backwards since the
implementation of precision railroading.
Upper management in completely to blame.
All they care about is saving the company
money.
2382 Safety is only a concern in non emergency 12/16/2019 7:14 PM
situations
2383 Safety seems to have been put on the back 12/16/2019 7:14 PM
burner
2384 they are pushing to get work done at a 12/16/2019 7:14 PM
very unsafe pace. if a job could take
overtime they would rather not do it to
save money.
2385 Speed in rail yards increased making 12/16/2019 7:13 PM
working in yards dangerous everything
rushed
2386 Horrible 12/16/2019 7:13 PM
2387 It's taking away workers who are putting 12/16/2019 7:13 PM
more work and stress on the ones still
working.
2388 Safety is done 12/16/2019 7:13 PM
2389 Idk yet. 12/16/2019 7:13 PM
2390 More derailments, much longer trains. 12/16/2019 7:13 PM
2391 PSR has put production over safety and has 12/16/2019 7:12 PM
raised goals to unachievable levels. It
has made the railroad belligerent in its
decision making.
2392 They're too slow to implement on stuff I 12/16/2019 7:12 PM
feel the company is putting money over
the safety of their employees like
spending money on equipment people given
overtime to get the work done properly
and safely
2393 Smaller work windows. 12/16/2019 7:12 PM
2394 They preach safety, but don't want us to 12/16/2019 7:12 PM
worry about it if it slows production.
2395 The railroad is skimping necessary repairs 12/16/2019 7:12 PM
every chance they get. This not only
affects workers but the general public
also
2396 Safety has gone out the window and they 12/16/2019 7:12 PM
have put production first.
2397 Made it worse everything is much more of a 12/16/2019 7:12 PM
rush now getting any type of time on the
main line to fix defects is like an act
of God when you do get time it's half the
time you should get and it's rush rush
rush
2398 Longer days further travel because less 12/16/2019 7:11 PM
jobs around home
2399 Safety isn't a priority, unless they can 12/16/2019 7:11 PM
charge you for a violation, they preach
it in their recorded calls, but then your
local manager will push u to do anything
it takes to make a job get finished
faster
2400 It helps out a lot 12/16/2019 7:11 PM
2401 Haven't noticed a change as far as my 12/16/2019 7:11 PM
safety.
2402 It hasn't 12/16/2019 7:10 PM
2403 N/A 12/16/2019 7:10 PM
2404 They have cut safety facilitators and 12/16/2019 7:10 PM
increased territory for the ones that are
left.
2405 Safety is a joke now 12/16/2019 7:10 PM
2406 Limited time to make quality repairs. It's 12/16/2019 7:10 PM
a hurry up and get the trains moving
2407 If it has I haven't noticed because I 12/16/2019 7:10 PM
won't do the work unless it's safe to do
so
2408 Safety has taken a back seat to completion 12/16/2019 7:10 PM
of work and is really just used as
synonym for liability. Real safety is not
carried out or treated with importance,
instead the company has deferred all
liability to its employees and they call
it safety.
2409 Again increased pressure for speed of work 12/16/2019 7:10 PM
2410 More stress as to not knowing if your job 12/16/2019 7:09 PM
is ``secure'' as it once was. And also
having to do more with less due to budget
restrictions. Mental and physical safety
has worsened.
2411 It has made us all scared for our jobs. 12/16/2019 7:09 PM
Cut throat now. If you get hurt or in a
wreck you will be fired. That is what is
relayed to us.
2412 Safety ? It's all about numbers 12/16/2019 7:09 PM
2413 People worried about losing job 12/16/2019 7:09 PM
2414 It's a lot more dangerous have been a lot 12/16/2019 7:09 PM
more accidents
2415 More of a pain 12/16/2019 7:08 PM
2416 Not one bit 12/16/2019 7:08 PM
2417 Never heard of it 12/16/2019 7:07 PM
2418 It has created a lot more chance of injury 12/16/2019 7:06 PM
with the work crews going down to 3 or
even 2 man crews. Always being rushed to
get stuff done so we don't get paid
overtime always leads to more injuries
also or even mistakes within your repair
that could lead to train crew mishaps
2419 Schedules are unorganized, hours are more 12/16/2019 7:06 PM
sporadic, the amount of furloughed
employees in relation to work that needs
done is staggering I'm expected to stop
my locomotive go inside eat my lunch and
be back out to locomotives within 20
minutes, not taking into account time to
travel to the shack to clean up and eat.
2420 Safety has taken a huge step backwards. It 12/16/2019 7:04 PM
seems as if we are just concerned about
numbers and profit.
2421 It has affected my job negatively. They 12/16/2019 7:04 PM
change our work time and schedule all the
time to accommodate.
2422 Safety is just something that must be said 12/16/2019 7:04 PM
and preached but they don't really mean
it
2423 Safety isn't the highest priority anymore 12/16/2019 7:04 PM
2424 You don't hear about safety anymore unless 12/16/2019 7:03 PM
something happens. We get rushed now more
than ever to get the signal system back
up if we get called out for trouble.
2425 A lot! I want my old schedule back they 12/16/2019 7:03 PM
took 24 days per year away from me being
with my family
2426 You don't know if you have a job everyday 12/16/2019 7:03 PM
you come in, so hard to focus on job when
you don't know if they are cutting to
make shareholders more money
2427 safety has gone down. We are working 12/16/2019 7:02 PM
exhausted. The tracks aren't getting the
repairs they need and more likely to
derail
2428 You're forced not to do only your job but 12/16/2019 7:02 PM
to do the work of the people who they
have cut off which can cause some very un
safe conditions.
2429 Equipment and material budgets are nearly 12/16/2019 7:01 PM
non-existent until a major issue arises
such as a derailment or a possibility of
the track being taken out of service on
account of defects.
2430 There are so few of us left to work, 12/16/2019 7:01 PM
everyone is tired and overworked. The
main focus has shifted from performing
quality work to working slow enough to
ensure you make it through the day
without injury.
2431 The railroad is much more unsafe! Rules 12/16/2019 6:59 PM
are bent and broken anywhere they see
fit, safety programs gutted, track
inspections deprioritized, with ever
moving goal posts to accomplish a lower
head count
2432 It is less safe..pushing more production 12/16/2019 6:58 PM
with less time and cutting corners to get
it done
2433 Less certainty of employment definitely! 12/16/2019 6:57 PM
2434 Again, safety is on the back burner, it's 12/16/2019 6:56 PM
only a what can you do for me today
attitude.
2435 I feel safety has taken a back seat 12/16/2019 6:56 PM
2436 Less work groups, more for the foreman and 12/16/2019 6:56 PM
track inspectors to think about because
they're are so many tasks to be taken
care of at one time
2437 More work load on fewer workers at 12/16/2019 6:55 PM
headquartered workers. Call outs all the
time less home time.
2438 More bumping from untrained employees 12/16/2019 6:55 PM
2439 Short work windows make it a struggle to 12/16/2019 6:52 PM
meet goals
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q3 Are there benefits to working on a PSR railroad? If so, what are
they?
Answered: 2,425 Skipped: 41
------------------------------------------------------------------------
# RESPONSES DATE
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 NA 1/6/2020 3:33 AM
2 I have yet to see any benefits of working 1/6/2020 1:15 AM
for a PSR railroad. What I do see is the
effects of the railroad trying to save
money by cutting on safety in several
forms from cars to personal protective
equipment for employees. Expectations are
high to move freight at all cost even if
it means sacrificing safety.
3 The only people it benefits are 1/5/2020 4:42 PM
shareholders and executives running the
company. No one else will.
4 None that I have heard of. 1/5/2020 2:43 AM
5 None whatsoever 1/4/2020 12:18 PM
6 N/A 1/4/2020 1:15 AM
7 None 1/4/2020 1:10 AM
8 I can see where it could work with less 1/3/2020 11:56 PM
engines sitting idle and less yards but
we don't have open areas for trains
breaking down and we don't have the
manpower to fix these cars to get the
trains on the go again and then how many
crossings we block because of the size of
the trains?
9 I've yet to see any. 1/2/2020 9:42 AM
10 None 1/2/2020 6:18 AM
11 Only if you are a majority shareholder. 1/1/2020 10:38 PM
You can watch your profits increase
exponentially until no more can be
squeezed out. You can then dump your
shares for a huge profit and wipe your
hands and conscious clean of the lives
you ruined in the process.
12 None that I can see 1/1/2020 10:17 PM
13 None 1/1/2020 7:43 PM
14 The only benefits I've seen thus far are 1/1/2020 5:01 AM
for the stockholders. The crews literally
being worked to death to build longer
unsafe trains, that are being manned by
crews that are exhausted.
15 not any that I noticed 12/31/2019 7:33 PM
16 More profits for the carrier though the 12/31/2019 7:33 AM
profits are shared with shareholders.
While threatening to cut employees wages.
17 Track hrs decreased 12/30/2019 8:19 PM
18 The work schedule they have use on makes 12/30/2019 6:36 PM
time at home less and that puts a strain
on employees there for less productive
people/work for the company. We have
families with other issues besides
railroad and if we neglect home and
families then maybe something better is
out there for employment. Iv seen some
fellow employees leave after a few years
to do better.
19 Unsafe track conditions because we can't 12/29/2019 1:04 PM
get out on the tracks for proper
maintenance
20 No because their planned schedule doesn't 12/29/2019 5:37 AM
account for issues and delays. They want
us to make up for other departments
delays
21 None 12/29/2019 4:42 AM
22 none for labor, all for shareholders 12/29/2019 2:42 AM
23 None. It is just a sham to get rid of 12/29/2019 1:34 AM
workers to maximize profits after the
huge tax cuts the Trump administration
gave to corporate America. Lance Fritz
and every other railroad executive should
be ashamed of themselves for putting
profits over safety and peoples'
livelihoods!
24 There are no benefits to workers. PSR is a 12/28/2019 11:40 PM
short term corporate raid of assets. It
is a monetary windfall for majority
shareholders at the expense of long term
safety and economic sustainability. Also,
PSR railroads have mercilessly driven off
or laid off the trained and experienced
workforce. The few remaining employees
are the most senior. What will happen in
the next few years when they die or
retire?
25 no 12/28/2019 11:31 PM
26 I am not aware of any. 12/28/2019 5:49 PM
27 Nope (only if you are a shareholder, then 12/28/2019 4:41 AM
it's only monetary)
28 If you're a stockholder, ABSOLUTELY. If 12/28/2019 1:54 AM
not, no
29 Not that I have seen 12/27/2019 4:29 PM
30 None that I can see. We have less time at 12/27/2019 3:36 PM
home, working with less employees on the
gangs means more work for everyone else.
31 An early death, so my torture is over, 30 12/27/2019 2:56 PM
year sentence with no parole
32 not that I see 12/27/2019 1:27 PM
33 N/A 12/26/2019 5:55 PM
34 None that I've seen 12/26/2019 8:53 AM
35 no benefits, I spend less time at home 12/26/2019 2:39 AM
with my family. also we spend less time
on track. we work 5 hours on track a day.
the other schedule we worked, we worked 6
to 8 hours a day on trek
36 No 12/26/2019 12:32 AM
37 None I can see. 12/25/2019 5:11 PM
38 At this time my railroad does not 12/25/2019 4:49 PM
implement it but they seem to be under
the pressure to do something similar to
be ``efficient'' by cutting costs.
However, I have heard from workers from
other railroads that implement it that it
has drastically brought down morale and
job security.
39 Not really. Other than the threat of being 12/25/2019 2:14 PM
fired for safety violations is far less.
40 I don't know yet. 12/25/2019 12:17 PM
41 I don't know. 12/25/2019 7:44 AM
42 You never get anything done in the time 12/25/2019 7:14 AM
allotted No over time. Price gouging has
reduced traffic. Stocks are going up.
43 No benefits for the front line worker 12/25/2019 5:52 AM
44 No, the increased work is not producing 12/25/2019 5:12 AM
any additional pay or benefits for
workers, detracts from safety. And
currently companies are entering
bargaining with the stance that workers
need less pay and benefits despite record
profits and record numbers of layoffs
45 None for the RR worker unless you like 12/25/2019 5:09 AM
stress and unsafe working conditions.
46 None whatsoever. 12/25/2019 4:17 AM
47 None that I'm aware of, so far. 12/25/2019 2:50 AM
48 There are none that I have seen. 12/24/2019 10:45 PM
49 No 12/24/2019 6:33 PM
50 None 12/24/2019 6:00 PM
51 Benefits are for the stockholders. Do more 12/24/2019 5:04 PM
with less doesn't help the crews out.
52 If a truck sets on the wrong track PSR can 12/24/2019 4:00 PM
save someone life
53 No none at all just take a look at the 12/24/2019 3:57 PM
number of derailments that have happen
since PSR has taken place! Get out here
to the field and walk around and talk to
our employees I'm sure they would be more
than happy to tell you how Psr is failing
we are losing business Period!
54 No. We've been doing this PSR for over a 12/24/2019 3:11 AM
year, I haven't seen a benefit yet. I've
seen the opposite.
55 Yea, we sit around more, doing less work, 12/24/2019 3:00 AM
because we have to wait for the
``sacred'' intermodal trains to go
through our work areas (Form B's, Track
and Time) before we can get to work!
56 None 12/24/2019 1:44 AM
57 The only benefit I can honestly tell is in 12/24/2019 12:06 AM
my 401K.
58 No 12/23/2019 10:54 PM
59 Nothing that I have seen. Seems entirely 12/23/2019 8:48 PM
the opposite.
60 None to the union worker Managers getting 12/23/2019 8:43 PM
30-40 percent bonuses
61 If you own stock in the railroads. 12/23/2019 7:49 PM
62 Not one benefit I have seen yet. Unless a 12/23/2019 7:27 PM
hostile work environment is one.
63 I have seen no benefit to PSR. 12/23/2019 7:23 PM
64 Have not seen any yet. It is only designed 12/23/2019 5:57 PM
to increase bottom line for the
stockholders.
65 None. I'm watching guys I've worked with 12/23/2019 5:51 PM
for years getting cut and going jobless
while the company makes record profits
EVERY. YEAR. It only weighs on the
workers having to be scared if they'll
have a job the next day. They also are
firing ppl for anything!
66 I haven't seen any. But I'm sure the 12/23/2019 4:21 PM
shareholders love it. That's all it's
about is money to the shareholders.
67 No. 12/23/2019 4:00 PM
68 No 12/23/2019 3:23 PM
69 Investors make more money 12/23/2019 2:58 PM
70 Same answer as question 2 12/23/2019 2:33 PM
71 Better track time during day hours but 12/23/2019 2:25 PM
pushing employees beyond a safe boundary.
72 None that I came see 12/23/2019 2:15 PM
73 Not sure they are any for the union man. 12/23/2019 2:05 PM
74 None 12/23/2019 1:59 PM
75 None from my experience. 12/23/2019 1:31 PM
76 I don't think there are any benefits to 12/23/2019 1:20 PM
it.
77 None 12/23/2019 1:04 PM
78 None 12/23/2019 1:02 PM
79 Only for management, bigger bonuses for 12/23/2019 12:33 PM
not spending money, low over time, keep
the guys from reporting issues an
injuries.
80 I don't see any. 12/23/2019 12:20 PM
81 No, except maybe to make these 12/23/2019 10:58 AM
shareholders richer.
82 No 12/23/2019 10:51 AM
83 No benefits 12/23/2019 10:50 AM
84 I don't see any benefits to the working 12/23/2019 8:57 AM
man on the ground with PSR in effect. It
seems to help the management though
because trains on time equals bigger
bonuses.
85 None I have seen. If it lowers the 12/23/2019 6:22 AM
operating ratio enough that layoffs in
our department won't be so bad and I keep
my job then PSR all the way
86 I can't see the advantages other then pay 12/23/2019 6:05 AM
less and squeeze more profits
87 Not for the people actually doing the 12/23/2019 5:30 AM
work.
88 I haven't seen any benefits to it yet 12/23/2019 3:55 AM
89 Stock price. Less red tape because of less 12/23/2019 3:40 AM
employees. No long term plan of capital
expenditures or safety committees. There
is no long term or anything, other than
pump up the stock price. Our local cars
used to be switched once and delivered
locally for customer. Now goes 100 miles
out of way and switched 3 times to save a
train crew.
90 No 12/23/2019 3:39 AM
91 N/A 12/23/2019 3:20 AM
92 No. Realistically no. 12/23/2019 3:16 AM
93 Nope 12/23/2019 2:53 AM
94 None for the worker. We are told to follow 12/23/2019 2:53 AM
the rules at all times and will be
punished for not doing so unless breaking
the rules in a certain situation benefits
the company and then we are urged to do
so.
95 The benefits occur if you own the company 12/23/2019 2:36 AM
stock and can take advantage of the stock
gains due to the lower operating ratio.
96 Nope. 12/23/2019 2:35 AM
97 NO 12/23/2019 2:22 AM
98 No. nothing is perfect 12/23/2019 2:18 AM
99 None 12/23/2019 2:12 AM
100 None that I know of. 12/23/2019 2:05 AM
101 None that I have noticed. 12/23/2019 2:04 AM
102 I hope so. It should mean a safer place to 12/23/2019 2:01 AM
work if done correctly.
103 NO! 12/23/2019 1:50 AM
104 None 12/23/2019 1:46 AM
105 None that I know of..except the money the 12/23/2019 1:43 AM
stockholders get doe the lack of
maintenance and man power to make them
look good.
106 None that I have seen as of yet 12/23/2019 1:40 AM
107 In haven't seen any. 12/23/2019 1:39 AM
108 None I'm aware of 12/23/2019 1:36 AM
109 Probably but too soon to tell 12/23/2019 1:32 AM
110 No. 12/23/2019 1:20 AM
111 None that I can see. They discipline for 12/23/2019 1:19 AM
the smallest and most ridiculous things
112 Benefits to shareholders. That's about it. 12/23/2019 1:10 AM
The ``head hunting'' and constantly
worrying about having a job is very
stressful and counterproductive. If your
mind is focused on that, mistakes are
inevitable.
113 I don't know if any 12/23/2019 12:58 AM
114 I see no benefit to working on a PSR 12/23/2019 12:54 AM
railroad. Not only are the conditions
much more unsafe, but now we have less
employees to do the work. Ground level
employees do not benefit at all from PSR.
The only people who benefit are the
stockholders, plain and simple.
115 None for the workers because it's doing 12/23/2019 12:49 AM
away with a lot of jobs.
116 No, haven't seen any benefits for 12/23/2019 12:47 AM
employees
117 It makes you really like your time away 12/23/2019 12:46 AM
from work.
118 I will say, getting track authority does 12/23/2019 12:34 AM
seem easier. However, that could be
attributed to the loss in business from
demurrage and other charges to past
customers.
119 Unknown yet 12/23/2019 12:24 AM
120 Yes, if you are a Stockholder. 12/23/2019 12:15 AM
121 None that I can determine compared to pre 12/23/2019 12:13 AM
PSR work conditions
122 None that I can think of 12/23/2019 12:08 AM
123 None at all. 12/22/2019 11:57 PM
124 No benefits 12/22/2019 11:45 PM
125 None . . . line ups are no better and 12/22/2019 11:21 PM
there are fewer crew to run trains
126 not sure on the benefits of it as it may 12/22/2019 11:05 PM
not be fully implemented on my railroad.
127 Not for the employees, just major 12/22/2019 10:53 PM
stockholders
128 Absolutely none 12/22/2019 10:49 PM
129 Only thing it has helped is scheduled 12/22/2019 10:07 PM
outages we seem to get the track time we
need.
130 There isn't any 12/22/2019 9:09 PM
131 Modern technology will make certain tasks 12/22/2019 7:21 PM
fail safe but not when we a given tools
(tablets, laptops, GPS etc) of the lowest
quality to use.
132 Not at Norfolk southern at least. My shop 12/22/2019 6:37 PM
location has lost 250 craft employees
this year alone
133 Trains run shipments on time 12/22/2019 6:24 PM
134 None that I'm aware of as of yet 12/22/2019 6:23 PM
135 No we don't get the track time we use to. 12/22/2019 6:21 PM
So it's hard to perform our duties
because they put trains first
136 No 12/22/2019 6:18 PM
137 vv (male sign) 12/22/2019 6:16 PM
138 No benefits at all 12/22/2019 5:40 PM
139 Not trying to be negative but I can't 12/22/2019 5:35 PM
think of 1 single benefit.
140 Can't get time to do as much work as we 12/22/2019 5:22 PM
need to.
141 No 12/22/2019 5:21 PM
142 No benefits as to the employees and their 12/22/2019 5:13 PM
safety and safe working environment.
143 None 12/22/2019 5:12 PM
144 No 12/22/2019 5:02 PM
145 Increased profits if you are one of the 12/22/2019 4:54 PM
carriers or stockholders!
146 None 12/22/2019 4:43 PM
147 The only benefit it to the shareholders. 12/22/2019 3:41 PM
They make more money.
148 No 12/22/2019 2:49 PM
149 None, longer trains is having a negative 12/22/2019 2:31 PM
effect in cities
150 None if you think less people more work is 12/22/2019 2:29 PM
good something is wrong
151 Not that I can see other than the money 12/22/2019 2:06 PM
savings that goes straight to investors.
At what cost though? Other people's
livelihoods and lives?
152 Benefits? Seriously? Our workforce has 12/22/2019 1:57 PM
been cut in half. Our fleet has been cut.
We don't have enough power to pull trains
and everyone is full of anxiety waiting
to see if we're going to lose our jobs.
We are working in a fear based company
now
153 Two hurt or killed 12/22/2019 1:50 PM
154 The benefits go directly to the majority 12/22/2019 1:23 PM
shareholders.
155 I haven't seen any benefits. 12/22/2019 12:59 PM
156 None 12/22/2019 10:54 AM
157 All we work on is evolution units now. 12/22/2019 10:49 AM
158 No benefits from mechanical side. Less 12/22/2019 10:38 AM
people and given less time to do the job.
159 Less stopping during trips, hardly any 12/22/2019 7:53 AM
trains to meet
160 Why would there be? Laying off man power. 12/22/2019 7:36 AM
Forcing people to quit. Cause that's
awesome
161 There are none. 12/22/2019 7:22 AM
162 NO 12/22/2019 7:10 AM
163 I have worked for the railroad for 14 12/22/2019 7:02 AM
years and this is the most stressful and
the worst functioning I have ever seen it
on the mechanical side of things. To much
firing of employees. Not a safe work
environment physically or mentally. I
don't know PSR meant lay off half the
workforce and expect 3 times more work in
half the time. Don't make sense.
164 None 12/22/2019 5:41 AM
165 I agree with being more efficient and if 12/22/2019 4:57 AM
things need to be reworked to make that
happen then so be it, but I don't think
that the safety of ourselves should be
jeopardized just so that happens.
166 Only the company and major stockholders 12/22/2019 4:54 AM
are happy.
167 I haven't found any yet. Don't get me 12/22/2019 4:47 AM
wrong. Everything is better at its most
efficient state but when safety of
employees and public are being sacrificed
for that efficiency it's not worth it.
168 None 12/22/2019 4:46 AM
169 No the theory of 1 man train crews is a 12/22/2019 4:44 AM
serious safety hazard
170 No schedules have been met, no freight has 12/22/2019 4:44 AM
left on time, and no goals have been met
but if they had been, they would just
lower the goals. The whole system is
setup for failure.
171 None 12/22/2019 4:37 AM
172 None, if there are any benefits, I have 12/22/2019 4:22 AM
not seen or been witness to any. Loss of
business.
173 No 12/22/2019 2:49 AM
174 None 12/22/2019 2:48 AM
175 I do not see any. 12/22/2019 2:38 AM
176 There aren't any. 12/22/2019 2:37 AM
177 I think knowing how to utilize your assets 12/22/2019 2:22 AM
is a good thing. That being said PSR
focuses too much on making shareholders
money at any cost at any cost to your
most important assets, your employees
178 There are none 12/22/2019 2:18 AM
179 In my opinion, no 12/22/2019 2:14 AM
180 None that I have seen as a railroad worker 12/22/2019 2:14 AM
181 I have seen no benefit to anyone but the 12/22/2019 2:10 AM
stockholder
182 Fewer people to work with, injury on the 12/22/2019 2:07 AM
job, less hourly rate and paying more for
insurance.
183 Rotating dead wait supervisors that's it. 12/22/2019 2:05 AM
184 Stockholders get rich 12/22/2019 1:53 AM
185 So far the only benefit is almost a 12/22/2019 1:43 AM
guarantee that you will Be furloughed in
the name of shareholder profit.
186 Move trains quicker but at what cost. 12/22/2019 1:40 AM
187 None that I'm aware of. Only benefits seem 12/22/2019 1:39 AM
to be for the hedge funds, shareholders
and the upper management that get paid in
stocks as part of their pay.
188 More down time I guess if that's a 12/22/2019 1:35 AM
benefit. If they don't want you to write
it up and fix defects then you get to
loaf off.
189 None that I have seen. Only if you want to 12/22/2019 1:34 AM
work in an environment that's uncertain
if you'll have a job in a week.
190 None. 12/22/2019 1:31 AM
191 No 12/22/2019 1:17 AM
192 None 12/22/2019 1:07 AM
193 Yes. Better customer service, more 12/22/2019 1:05 AM
profitable, more overtime.
194 None whatsoever 12/22/2019 1:03 AM
195 We have zero benefits of PSR it's all 12/22/2019 12:55 AM
about the money
196 We have only lost benefits and work. 12/22/2019 12:52 AM
197 Not sure I think it could if I still had 12/22/2019 12:41 AM
my job.
198 None that I have seen as of yet. 12/22/2019 12:26 AM
199 Poor morale, poor safety, unhappy 12/21/2019 11:05 PM
employees, zero incentives, a lot of
petty rules. Those are not benefits.
200 None that I've seen yet 12/21/2019 10:53 PM
201 You still get a good paycheck for those 12/21/2019 10:52 PM
that are still around. A lot of good
workers and people in general lost their
jobs because of greed. It was uncalled
for
202 None that I have personally noticed. 12/21/2019 10:37 PM
203 Nope 12/21/2019 9:18 PM
204 No 12/21/2019 7:33 PM
205 No 12/21/2019 6:56 PM
206 I haven't seen one worth noting. All the 12/21/2019 3:21 PM
made up statistics. We fun bigger trains
but takes 2 crews to get across the road
because we can't move. Where is the
improvement? I guess stockholders are
happy.
207 Zero benefits 12/21/2019 3:00 PM
208 I have not seen the benefits yet. 12/21/2019 2:01 PM
209 Not unless you are a shareholder!!! 12/21/2019 9:24 AM
210 I sure don't know of any benefits 12/21/2019 8:56 AM
211 None 12/21/2019 4:26 AM
212 We will still have a job during the next 12/21/2019 3:21 AM
recession, while every one will be
getting laid off
213 It helps my stock go up. If I had any. Ha 12/21/2019 2:24 AM
ha.
214 Since I have seen no evidence of 12/21/2019 1:14 AM
performance based values, I can only say
what I've seen is more machine failures
and trackman having to work much harder
then they should have to for the quotas
being placed on us.
215 there is no trains so they try to work 12/20/2019 11:28 PM
employees all day long.
216 None. 12/20/2019 11:11 PM
217 No 12/20/2019 11:06 PM
218 No absolutely none!!! 12/20/2019 10:27 PM
219 More reliable scheduled curfews for MOW. 12/20/2019 10:26 PM
220 Not that I have seen.. it creates higher 12/20/2019 9:50 PM
unemployment rates
221 No answer 12/20/2019 5:16 PM
222 No 12/20/2019 5:07 PM
223 Job security! 12/20/2019 4:57 PM
224 I don't think there is. The only people 12/20/2019 4:10 PM
that it benefits is the stockholders.
Customers and workers are left behind.
225 Perhaps increased switch and backtrack 12/20/2019 4:09 PM
inspection time on foot.
226 I haven't seen any benefits. Less people, 12/20/2019 4:01 PM
harder to get time to do maintenance.
227 For the shareholders I suppose 12/20/2019 3:39 PM
228 No 12/20/2019 3:32 PM
229 I see no benefits to the workers at all. 12/20/2019 3:14 PM
The UPRR is making money hand over fist.
While the new Psr is sucking the workers
pride from them. We use to be a proud
work force, I was excited to say I work
for UPRR, no longer the case it's just a
job now.
230 The only benefits I see for working for a 12/20/2019 2:53 PM
PSR railroad (at this time) is being a
stockholder. This of course could easily
change if the Railroads continue to cut
spending on its infrastructure.
231 Not currently. Sacrifice maintenance to 12/20/2019 2:26 PM
run trains.
232 None that I know of 12/20/2019 12:49 PM
233 No!! It cost me my job, Furloughed!! 12/20/2019 12:32 PM
234 None that I have seen so far. 12/20/2019 12:29 PM
235 No 12/20/2019 11:47 AM
236 None for us 12/20/2019 11:19 AM
237 If you're at the top getting multi million 12/20/2019 10:59 AM
dollar bonuses and have no conscious or
concern for the employees on the front
lines then yes PSR is great!!
238 No there aren't. 12/20/2019 10:56 AM
239 Yes more wait time with my feet kicked up 12/20/2019 10:36 AM
sleeping because things can't move from
point A to point B because train don't
fit into sidings anymore.
240 As of now I'd say not everyone's career is 12/20/2019 9:48 AM
disappearing as they cut jobs and lose
business to pad the pockets of the ones
who sit back and watch us the ones who do
the work suffer
241 None that I can see 12/20/2019 6:07 AM
242 None 12/20/2019 5:34 AM
243 have no clue. What is PSR? 12/20/2019 3:57 AM
244 Share price increase 12/20/2019 3:47 AM
245 No benefits at all 12/20/2019 3:39 AM
246 None unless unemployment is a benefit 12/20/2019 3:37 AM
247 Maybe for the stockholders but not for the 12/20/2019 3:08 AM
company's future or its employees.
248 No. Before PSR, dispatchers could actually 12/20/2019 2:37 AM
do their job. They didn't have 3
supervisors telling them how to do it.
They knew the territory, knew the guys
working on the tracks, knew the
bottleneck areas and knew how to keep the
flow of trains going without totally
shutting off the maintenance and
production.
249 I have not seen any, less time on track 12/20/2019 2:31 AM
means more days added. less time with
families
250 In time it will save the carrier money and 12/20/2019 2:19 AM
would be more likely that they would turn
around and put more money in the capital
budget
251 Not sure 12/20/2019 2:01 AM
252 There is no benefit to the employees that 12/20/2019 1:33 AM
I saw. The only ones that benefit with
the PSR is the people who own stock in
the railroad.
253 none I know of 12/20/2019 12:42 AM
254 Initial terminal delay is mostly down. 12/20/2019 12:37 AM
255 It has increased our track time. However 12/19/2019 11:44 PM
not enough people.
256 None! Tonnage over safety 12/19/2019 11:40 PM
257 I haven't seen any current benefits as of 12/19/2019 11:19 PM
yet
258 Just more work less people. More 12/19/2019 11:11 PM
derailments because just can't keep up
with the demands
259 none 12/19/2019 10:53 PM
260 No the benefits are not working. The only 12/19/2019 10:30 PM
people benefiting from PSR is Executives
and shareholders.
261 I don't think so, I haven't seen it 12/19/2019 10:15 PM
262 No. Unless you like giving 100 percent and 12/19/2019 10:07 PM
they want 150 percent
263 Only for the shareholders. The 12/19/2019 10:00 PM
stakeholders are taking losses.
264 No no no no no no no no no no no no!!! 12/19/2019 9:53 PM
265 NO IT'S NOT 12/19/2019 9:52 PM
266 More OT money 12/19/2019 9:40 PM
267 I see no benefits. 12/19/2019 9:09 PM
268 Only for the shareholders and CEOs 12/19/2019 8:15 PM
269 There are none 12/19/2019 8:11 PM
270 No 12/19/2019 8:04 PM
271 N/A 12/19/2019 7:43 PM
272 Not sure 12/19/2019 7:40 PM
273 Sorry in my eyes I don't see it. 12/19/2019 7:30 PM
274 No 12/19/2019 7:16 PM
275 None 12/19/2019 7:16 PM
276 None that I see. We are having a lot more 12/19/2019 6:59 PM
broke down trains. Causing delay.
277 Yes more pressure to get the job done 12/19/2019 6:40 PM
faster, so you'll more than likely chain
smoke or get high blood pressure from
stress. So you won't live as long. If you
consider that living less is a benefit
278 From the standpoint of getting track time 12/19/2019 6:32 PM
to do maintenance and/or repair in a
terminal setting there does NOT seem to
be any benefit to PSR. Because cars are
scheduled to arrive or depart at a
certain time, and the overall reduction
of active tracks in our multiple yard
location, the concentration of train
traffic on the remaining in-service
tracks and the unwillingness of any
Transportation official or Yardmaster
(union job) to be charged with train
delay has made it nearly impossible to
work on more than 1 or 2 segments of
track for any extended periods of time. I
would guess we are adjusting to doing as
much as we can in the short bursts of
time we are given, and nothing more.
279 No, not unless you are a major 12/19/2019 6:12 PM
stockholder.
280 There isn't 12/19/2019 6:06 PM
281 It seems to make no difference to me at my 12/19/2019 5:57 PM
level of responsibilities. I am only
impacted by train length and quantity of
them.
282 Have not seen them yet 12/19/2019 5:37 PM
283 No 12/19/2019 5:00 PM
284 Haven't seen any 12/19/2019 4:59 PM
285 For shareholders and corporate superiors 12/19/2019 4:56 PM
yes. For the men and women on the ground
doing the jobs to keep trains moving. No
benefit whatsoever.
286 N/A 12/19/2019 4:47 PM
287 Yes. The shareholders profit, the CEOs 12/19/2019 4:37 PM
profit, the RR Co. makes more money due
to lack of maintenance. There is more
money in the pot for Company bonuses.
Smaller workforce gets to pick up the
slack. Workforce gets a warm feeling when
we see the ``huge profits'' the
``Company'' makes. Told no OT in order to
increase profits but again there is
always money for management bonuses.
288 I haven't noticed any yet. We, track 12/19/2019 4:34 PM
workers, were told we would start to see
a schedule that each train would run
daily. This would allow us to know the
best times for us to get track time and
some work done. There is no set work
windows no different than twelve years
ago. The scheduled work windows is what I
thought the biggest advantage would be
but haven't seen it yet. So no, I do not
see any advantages for PSR. It's just a
term used so stockholders can make big
money
289 If there are any benefits from PSR it's 12/19/2019 4:21 PM
strictly for the railroad and its
shareholders.
290 IDK 12/19/2019 4:16 PM
291 None to use. 12/19/2019 4:10 PM
292 No none 12/19/2019 4:08 PM
293 Nope 12/19/2019 4:01 PM
294 None 12/19/2019 3:57 PM
295 Dealing with less train traffic can 12/19/2019 3:26 PM
certainly improve safety.
296 No, less people to help and to much 12/19/2019 3:23 PM
pressure on workers
297 Nothing is beneficial about PSR 12/19/2019 3:22 PM
298 The only thing I like is having a weekend 12/19/2019 3:03 PM
off
299 Unsure 12/19/2019 3:00 PM
300 I see none now or in the past. It's a 12/19/2019 2:56 PM
mess, to be honest.
301 No 12/19/2019 2:55 PM
302 I have no idea 12/19/2019 2:53 PM
303 We have an idea of what trains to expect 12/19/2019 2:50 PM
and when to expect them during our shifts
304 I don't know but there is a lot of 12/19/2019 2:37 PM
contractors out here
305 No 12/19/2019 2:27 PM
306 None. 12/19/2019 2:27 PM
307 Only if you're a greedy shareholder that 12/19/2019 2:16 PM
cares nothing about the company and its
workforce but simply your profits
308 none that I can think of 12/19/2019 1:50 PM
309 Good question 12/19/2019 1:44 PM
310 Sorry not a shareholder 12/19/2019 1:34 PM
311 No. 12/19/2019 1:10 PM
312 Really never noticed any difference 12/19/2019 12:53 PM
313 On my end, no it has made it almost 12/19/2019 12:46 PM
impossible to get track time to get
anything done and when you do get the
track, you feel rushed to do your work.
314 Hasn't effected my job thus far. 12/19/2019 12:33 PM
315 I see no benefits to the employees 12/19/2019 12:31 PM
precision railroading only exists to make
money for the investors
316 Rich get richer I suppose 12/19/2019 11:50 AM
317 Nope. 12/19/2019 11:37 AM
318 None that I see 12/19/2019 11:27 AM
319 None PSR made our jobs way worse 12/19/2019 11:12 AM
320 None 12/19/2019 7:31 AM
321 Only if you're a stockholder and work 12/19/2019 6:36 AM
there
322 If the stockholders and the company 12/19/2019 5:09 AM
prospers the rules are obvious as long as
the mission objectives remain the same.
Move freight with the utmost efficiency
and safety and provide a quality platform
in regard to the track to ensure the
success of our company's goals.
323 None that I know of 12/19/2019 4:34 AM
324 Nope 12/19/2019 4:32 AM
325 I don't have the full picture to answer 12/19/2019 4:18 AM
this question
326 I haven't seen one, unless you're a 12/19/2019 4:15 AM
shareholder and are reaping the benefits
of stock prices
327 I still don't understand it 12/19/2019 4:12 AM
328 No scheduled time off multiple work days 12/19/2019 4:08 AM
with no time off
329 There may be positive benefits but I don't 12/19/2019 3:49 AM
really see or feel the effects on my
piece of the railroad.
330 Don't know 12/19/2019 3:46 AM
331 No not on the MOW side maybe for the 12/19/2019 3:42 AM
company
332 I would imagine there is but I'm not sure 12/19/2019 3:21 AM
what. One huge disadvantage is less
people to do more work which equals
greater burnout and an increased risk of
incidents and injuries.
333 Short term benefits for stock prices with 12/19/2019 3:18 AM
long term consequences such as losing
customers.
334 No 12/19/2019 3:18 AM
335 I haven't seen any benefits yet 12/19/2019 3:17 AM
336 I do not see the benefit of putting the 12/19/2019 3:13 AM
company's agenda ahead of the customers
needs
337 No the trains are longer and they do more 12/19/2019 3:13 AM
damage to the track
338 What is considered precision RR or high 12/19/2019 3:11 AM
tech??
339 No 12/19/2019 3:10 AM
340 Don't know enough of it to say. Just all 12/19/2019 3:03 AM
hearsay
341 Absolutely no benefits to this management 12/19/2019 3:02 AM
style
342 None at all 12/19/2019 3:00 AM
343 None 12/19/2019 2:49 AM
344 More money to be made due to smaller 12/19/2019 2:45 AM
workforce.
345 no 12/19/2019 2:36 AM
346 Not unless you are a shareholder. 12/19/2019 2:36 AM
347 No different 12/19/2019 2:36 AM
348 No 12/19/2019 2:35 AM
349 I doubt it 12/19/2019 2:34 AM
350 None 12/19/2019 2:20 AM
351 If you are a major stockholder you can 12/19/2019 2:14 AM
fudge numbers or buy back shares to goose
the stock price. Other than that no.
352 No idea 12/19/2019 2:05 AM
353 The benefits are for the companies to make 12/19/2019 1:59 AM
more money with less people. They have
also changed some of our rules that are
safety sensitive to run trains faster
after work has been done.
354 Not for the rank and file employees that I 12/19/2019 1:57 AM
have seen.
355 I don't feel like there are any more 12/19/2019 1:56 AM
benefits than before we were a ``PSR''.
356 none!!! 12/19/2019 1:49 AM
357 No, 12/19/2019 1:46 AM
358 Nope. 12/19/2019 1:36 AM
359 No 12/19/2019 1:34 AM
360 The only benefit is to the major 12/19/2019 1:34 AM
stockholders!
361 None as I know of 12/19/2019 1:25 AM
362 Unsure 12/19/2019 1:23 AM
363 No. 12/19/2019 1:22 AM
364 No. 12/19/2019 1:21 AM
365 Not that I know of 12/19/2019 1:17 AM
366 Micromanagement 12/19/2019 1:16 AM
367 Yes, it all depends on what territory 12/19/2019 1:10 AM
you're working on, some territories has
more time to work on track than other
busy territories.
368 I don't believe there are any benefits to 12/19/2019 1:05 AM
working for a railroad pushing PSR.
369 I have yet to find anything good. I still 12/19/2019 12:56 AM
think of the crew that lost their lives
on Sherman hill 3 or 4 years ago. That
was the beginning
370 No 12/19/2019 12:50 AM
371 I haven't seen a successful model of PSR 12/19/2019 12:49 AM
that is truly customer and employee
centric. All PSR does is cut everything
down to the Bone and run on fumes until
it quits. Make money from capital gains
and call it a success, sure. But PSR is a
long way from succeeding if vulture
capitalism is involved.
372 No 12/19/2019 12:47 AM
373 I'd like know as well. 12/19/2019 12:45 AM
374 None 12/19/2019 12:44 AM
375 Not really any benefits to the worker. 12/19/2019 12:38 AM
376 About the same 12/19/2019 12:26 AM
377 Not sure. 12/19/2019 12:26 AM
378 ?? 12/19/2019 12:25 AM
379 None 12/19/2019 12:25 AM
380 Yes if I am a major share hold but not for 12/19/2019 12:23 AM
the employees on the ground
381 No 12/19/2019 12:21 AM
382 It's business as usual, I don't see any 12/19/2019 12:20 AM
difference at all
383 N/A 12/19/2019 12:19 AM
384 No 12/19/2019 12:14 AM
385 No 12/19/2019 12:13 AM
386 No 12/19/2019 12:12 AM
387 Absolutely not 12/19/2019 12:11 AM
388 No 12/19/2019 12:11 AM
389 I have not seen evidence of increased 12/19/2019 12:10 AM
efficiency. I have seen poor morale and
working conditions.
390 Some what safe 12/19/2019 12:06 AM
391 I get a lot of time to sleep in the truck 12/19/2019 12:05 AM
392 More many for the company I guess. Doesn't 12/19/2019 12:05 AM
help the maintenance side. Makes it
harder.
393 None that I can think of. Matter of fact 12/19/2019 12:02 AM
morale and man power are at an all time
low!!
394 No 12/18/2019 11:59 PM
395 Maintenance can take advantage of bigger 12/18/2019 11:59 PM
track time windows so less rush to
complete jobs
396 Being an investor in stocks it should help 12/18/2019 11:56 PM
the company in regards better service to
customers and in turn better stock
increases. But in my opinion we are not
getting the increases in stock either.
397 None that I'm aware of 12/18/2019 11:51 PM
398 1 12/18/2019 11:49 PM
399 There are no benefits. I work harder and 12/18/2019 11:47 PM
as a machine operator have been burdened
with tasks at the foreman level.
400 No benefits to my job 12/18/2019 11:47 PM
401 Nope! 12/18/2019 11:43 PM
402 No 12/18/2019 11:41 PM
403 Less jobs worker have to do more with 12/18/2019 11:39 PM
less, worry about if they are working or
sitting at home
404 I think so if you're a shareholder 12/18/2019 11:35 PM
405 No 12/18/2019 11:35 PM
406 For any maintenance of way worrier, there 12/18/2019 11:34 PM
is no benefit to PSR
407 I don't see any 12/18/2019 11:34 PM
408 Not that I can discern. 12/18/2019 11:34 PM
409 Job security because rarely are problem 12/18/2019 11:33 PM
areas fixed permanently
410 Don't notice any difference 12/18/2019 11:33 PM
411 If you're thinking having your job cut is 12/18/2019 11:30 PM
a benefit then maybe
412 NO 12/18/2019 11:30 PM
413 Not that I have seen 12/18/2019 11:29 PM
414 Not from a MOW position 12/18/2019 11:29 PM
415 I can't think of any. 12/18/2019 11:29 PM
416 Not sure. Maybe production is up. But 12/18/2019 11:27 PM
safety and morale are down
417 None 12/18/2019 11:27 PM
418 I believe yes, getting the product or 12/18/2019 11:25 PM
commodity to the consumer or business on
time is Key to healthy business! But
there are rules and regulations on train
sizes, speeds, and track requirements for
a reason and when you start to overlook
that just to save a few dollars, you are
going to fail, hard!
419 Don't think so 12/18/2019 11:24 PM
420 None that I can honestly say 12/18/2019 11:22 PM
421 Don't do much work so you're safe 12/18/2019 11:21 PM
422 Nothing consistent with trains that I have 12/18/2019 11:19 PM
seen. I would love to know what the
benefits of PSR are.
423 FUCK NO!! It's costing people their 12/18/2019 11:19 PM
livelihood.
424 Not from a craftsman perspective. 12/18/2019 11:19 PM
425 No 12/18/2019 11:18 PM
426 Higher standard makes a better and safer 12/18/2019 11:18 PM
railroad
427 Yes. Cost efficient, and better 12/18/2019 11:17 PM
opportunities for planning work.
428 Yes there are benefits to PSR railroad 12/18/2019 11:16 PM
it's more money for the carrier and
shareholders, and the same short end of
the stick with the employees
429 None 12/18/2019 11:14 PM
430 None whatsoever 12/18/2019 11:13 PM
431 None, it just guts the railroads for 12/18/2019 11:11 PM
profit
432 No 12/18/2019 11:11 PM
433 None 12/18/2019 11:11 PM
434 I suppose our corporate leaders and 12/18/2019 11:11 PM
shareholders are enjoying their new found
income
435 None 12/18/2019 11:10 PM
436 There are no benefits 12/18/2019 11:09 PM
437 If there is we don't see them. We feel 12/18/2019 11:09 PM
that we still cannot get enough time to
do our jobs
438 They haven't fired me yet 12/18/2019 11:09 PM
439 Unsure 12/18/2019 11:09 PM
440 None that I can see 12/18/2019 11:08 PM
441 Nothing 12/18/2019 11:08 PM
442 None that I have seen no benefit to the 12/18/2019 11:08 PM
worker only longer harder hrs because
when we do get time to work it's faster
less quality repairs.
443 Not that I know of 12/18/2019 11:08 PM
444 haven't seen any yet 12/18/2019 11:07 PM
445 I haven't seen it. No 12/18/2019 11:07 PM
446 None 12/18/2019 11:06 PM
447 Benefit would be is in my area it seems to 12/18/2019 11:06 PM
have better track time windows
448 At this time BNSF has not adopted PSR 12/18/2019 11:06 PM
449 None from a trackworker prospective no 12/18/2019 11:04 PM
money less people company has no problem
using contractors to do our work
450 No there's not 12/18/2019 11:04 PM
451 The only ones that seem to be benefiting 12/18/2019 11:02 PM
are the shareholders. We do more with
less at the same rate of pay with less
overtime unless it's emergencies which is
commonly referred to as blood money.
452 None that I can think of 12/18/2019 11:02 PM
453 No, the company has decided that making 12/18/2019 11:01 PM
employees work so many different
schedules, i.e., one week days, then the
next nights, then change work times by
several hrs, and causing people not to be
able to rest properly. In my 12 years out
here, these last 4 years have started
wearing employees down like I have never
seen.
454 Not that I can see. To the BMWED it means 12/18/2019 11:01 PM
job cuts and do more with less men and
equipment
455 No 12/18/2019 11:00 PM
456 None 12/18/2019 11:00 PM
457 I make more money 12/18/2019 10:59 PM
458 Nope 12/18/2019 10:58 PM
459 Not sure 12/18/2019 10:58 PM
460 No 12/18/2019 10:57 PM
461 None that I have seen, other than the 12/18/2019 10:56 PM
adverse schedule that we receive because
of it
462 No 12/18/2019 10:55 PM
463 No benefits. 12/18/2019 10:54 PM
464 None 12/18/2019 10:54 PM
465 Can't think of any. More money on the 12/18/2019 10:54 PM
pockets of the stockholders
466 I see the benefits of less waste for train 12/18/2019 10:53 PM
movements, no benefits for maintenance
workers thus far
467 No 12/18/2019 10:52 PM
468 Supposedly freight on time to business. 12/18/2019 10:52 PM
Which means less maintenance time for us
cause they won't let us work.
469 It would not be bad if they would not 12/18/2019 10:49 PM
expect 12 hours work in 4
470 No. If there are we ain't seen nothing 12/18/2019 10:47 PM
471 Train crew getting to the depot faster, 12/18/2019 10:47 PM
track side none.
472 More traffic could be run but still need 12/18/2019 10:47 PM
to improve on process
473 Higher profits which hopefully reflect in 12/18/2019 10:46 PM
our raises.
474 None that I can see. 12/18/2019 10:45 PM
475 I'm not sure 12/18/2019 10:45 PM
476 No 12/18/2019 10:45 PM
477 Only if you are in 401 programs or a 12/18/2019 10:45 PM
stockholder.
478 No. 12/18/2019 10:45 PM
479 No 12/18/2019 10:45 PM
480 None 12/18/2019 10:44 PM
481 Having a better idea of when certain 12/18/2019 10:44 PM
trains will be called. But only a few,
and there are no benefits otherwise.
482 None that I have seen from the engineering 12/18/2019 10:44 PM
dept
483 Haven't seen any 12/18/2019 10:43 PM
484 Unsure 12/18/2019 10:43 PM
485 No 12/18/2019 10:43 PM
486 No. It's frustrating 12/18/2019 10:42 PM
487 No 12/18/2019 10:42 PM
488 Bigger checks due to derailments 12/18/2019 10:41 PM
489 An abundance of overtime 12/18/2019 10:40 PM
490 No it's the reason I'm home I was 12/18/2019 10:40 PM
suspended for making a video about the
scheduling and how PSR and the schedule
to supplement that type of Railroading
has affected time from our families and
we didn't have a say in it
491 None 12/18/2019 10:40 PM
492 Only if you're a shareholder 12/18/2019 10:39 PM
493 Just need more communication and planning. 12/18/2019 10:34 PM
494 Nothing I can see. 12/18/2019 10:26 PM
495 None. 12/18/2019 10:15 PM
496 No 12/18/2019 10:02 PM
497 If there are. I've yet to see them 12/18/2019 9:41 PM
498 Short term money. But tomorrow they try to 12/18/2019 9:34 PM
take it away
499 I have seen NONE!!! 12/18/2019 9:19 PM
500 Not a lot has changed from my standpoint. 12/18/2019 8:45 PM
501 Not really. You have to live in constant 12/18/2019 8:35 PM
fear of getting furloughed on top of the
lack of rest. It's become much more
stressful as well as more dangerous than
before.
502 None 12/18/2019 8:23 PM
503 No 12/18/2019 8:20 PM
504 Absolutely not, unhappy management, 12/18/2019 8:03 PM
unhappy workforce, unhappy customers.
It's a joke.
505 I can't see any 12/18/2019 7:50 PM
506 There are none. 12/18/2019 7:48 PM
507 No. They're running off the few customers 12/18/2019 7:47 PM
we have left.
508 No comments 12/18/2019 7:27 PM
509 None that I've seen in 23 years 12/18/2019 7:18 PM
510 None that I can tell 12/18/2019 7:11 PM
511 Maybe 12/18/2019 7:10 PM
512 There are none that I have witnessed this 12/18/2019 6:49 PM
far.
513 No more stress on families with the 12/18/2019 6:31 PM
uncertainty of job status, more stress on
families requiring employees to travel
further to perform their work and make up
for the shortcomings as a result of
continual staff reductions
514 None 12/18/2019 6:23 PM
515 No. 12/18/2019 6:21 PM
516 Plenty of Benefits for the corporate men. 12/18/2019 6:19 PM
Nome for the working man. Railroads don't
care about us.
517 None 12/18/2019 6:12 PM
518 Shareholder and Company Officers make more 12/18/2019 6:08 PM
money.
519 None that I have seen. Feel like I'm being 12/18/2019 6:08 PM
watched more and pressured to complete
tasks unsafely.
520 NO! None whatsoever 12/18/2019 5:48 PM
521 No. The only benefit is profit for the 12/18/2019 5:16 PM
company because PSR isn't common sense
railroading, it's a profit driven model
to maximize productivity with the minimum
cost possible.
522 No benefits 12/18/2019 5:09 PM
523 Absolutely NOT 12/18/2019 4:47 PM
524 I don't see any 12/18/2019 4:44 PM
525 don't see any 12/18/2019 3:55 PM
526 Have not seen any benefits as of yet 12/18/2019 3:46 PM
527 Trains are longer 12/18/2019 3:22 PM
528 None that I can see. 12/18/2019 3:17 PM
529 I guess it's better for shareholders 12/18/2019 3:17 PM
530 No 12/18/2019 3:12 PM
531 Yes plenty of benefits if you're a major 12/18/2019 2:49 PM
stockholder. This whole system is
designed to mothball motive power,
furlough in every department and
discontinue customer service. The only
people who are benefiting are the
stockholders and the trucking industry.
532 I have not noticed any benefits except cut 12/18/2019 2:43 PM
expenses for the carrier.
533 N/A 12/18/2019 2:28 PM
534 You get to work alongside scabs everyday. 12/18/2019 2:25 PM
535 Yes there are benefits Longer blocks of 12/18/2019 2:13 PM
time If you can get the supervision to
schedule work
536 Not from my experience 12/18/2019 2:13 PM
537 I see no benefit for either party, both 12/18/2019 2:05 PM
sides will eventually pay a steep price
from all the cost cutting
538 The only benefit is for the stockholders 12/18/2019 2:04 PM
and company.
539 No benefit I see 12/18/2019 1:49 PM
540 No. 12/18/2019 1:46 PM
541 No I can think of none 12/18/2019 1:44 PM
542 None 12/18/2019 1:44 PM
543 If there are benefits only shareholders 12/18/2019 1:38 PM
see them and they are smoke and mirror
numbers. Customers and employees do not
see any benefits.
544 No benefits for the worker that I'm aware 12/18/2019 1:09 PM
of
545 None, it's all at the expense of the 12/18/2019 1:07 PM
customers and the employees. Only the
board of directors reap the benefits
546 The shift to PSR may mean some customers 12/18/2019 12:13 PM
who operated unit trains will now shift
to manifest service. But that shift
yields an important advantage:
547 Yes Bigger bonuses for remaining 12/18/2019 11:51 AM
management Higher profit margins for
stockholders
548 I think yes there is. I think in certain 12/18/2019 11:50 AM
areas we are a safer railroad, we just
haven't got it all fine tuned yet.
549 No 12/18/2019 11:45 AM
550 The stockholders make more money. The 12/18/2019 11:39 AM
executives get to run a railroad into the
dirt so the government can bail them out
(too big to fail) and our CEO gets a
golden parachute when he is fired. Other
than that, the results of PSR have
already been shown at another railroad
more derailments, more injuries and less
happy customers.
551 I certainly don't see any because I'm not 12/18/2019 11:13 AM
a shareholder.
552 No 12/18/2019 11:12 AM
553 No workers are working harder, faster. 12/18/2019 10:50 AM
Taken shortcuts in efforts to get work
completed
554 Not sure 12/18/2019 10:42 AM
555 No unless you are in management 12/18/2019 10:30 AM
556 No, zip, zero! 12/18/2019 10:17 AM
557 I don't know 12/18/2019 10:07 AM
558 There could be if they established regular 12/18/2019 9:37 AM
assigned jobs, but at this time no.
559 I see none for the employees. 12/18/2019 9:34 AM
560 Not really 12/18/2019 9:24 AM
561 No, morale is low, there are a lot of 12/18/2019 9:10 AM
employees either laid off from the
company, or had to choose new careers,
losing all their invested work hours
562 I get tow-in, lots of tow-in 12/18/2019 9:09 AM
563 No 12/18/2019 8:46 AM
564 None 12/18/2019 8:45 AM
565 No, none. It's killing the customer 12/18/2019 8:36 AM
service. You can't run trains when there
are no customers.
566 I do not know. 12/18/2019 8:36 AM
567 Some trains run at around the same time 12/18/2019 8:31 AM
everyday. So you know they are going to
try to run them.
568 Technology is inevitable and a good thing, 12/18/2019 7:49 AM
PSR as run by CSX is smoke and mirrors to
increase stock price short term.
Customers are getting worse service than
ever, rail cars go by industries multiple
times before spotted all just to keep
cars moving so they look productive. I
want my company to be profitable and
grow, not sold off to pump up stock
prices then cash out and run when nothing
left to sell and stocks tank
569 No 12/18/2019 7:33 AM
570 No change 12/18/2019 7:28 AM
571 Absolutely not. 12/18/2019 7:21 AM
572 Sitting at home for 50 hours 12/18/2019 7:18 AM
573 Stock increases for shareholders, but only 12/18/2019 7:06 AM
for a short term period. This business
plan cannot sustain. Have watched the
entire fleet degrade in reliability as
well as maintenance and safe operation in
a very short time.
574 No, shutting down American production 12/18/2019 6:31 AM
575 Stretching the gangs to thin, don't know 12/18/2019 6:30 AM
where you're going to be working from
week to week, buying plane tickets is
impossible. Stock price up, morale is
low. No benefits to a PSR RR
576 Sure! If you're a shareholder or have a 12/18/2019 6:26 AM
significant amount of stock invested and
want to cash out on a high note, then
surely that's a benefit!
577 There are but the cons far outweigh the 12/18/2019 6:08 AM
pros
578 The extra computer screen helps to 12/18/2019 6:02 AM
identify crossing locations and speed
restrictions in advance. This
particularly helpful in dense fog.
Otherwise another computer screen is very
distracting.
579 No 12/18/2019 5:58 AM
580 None 12/18/2019 5:50 AM
581 Nothing that I have seen or witnessed 12/18/2019 5:48 AM
582 NO 12/18/2019 5:45 AM
583 None 12/18/2019 5:40 AM
584 I'm sure there are monetary benefits for 12/18/2019 5:38 AM
stockholders and upper management, but I
have not seen anything positive about it.
585 None 12/18/2019 5:22 AM
586 No, too dangerous, no one to watch over 12/18/2019 5:13 AM
safety programs as before.
587 Even the company doesn't benefit. It's 12/18/2019 4:54 AM
being raped and pilfered for all its
assets. Senior staff is getting huge
bonuses for killing the company
588 None, unless you're a shareholder. All it 12/18/2019 4:52 AM
takes is one derailment to cause
catastrophic events for reversal of PSR.
HIRE BACK MECHANICAL EMPLOYEES
589 No 12/18/2019 4:52 AM
590 0 benefits 12/18/2019 4:42 AM
591 Not that I can see other than the profits 12/18/2019 4:32 AM
for shareholders.
592 Haven't seen anything other than the 12/18/2019 4:28 AM
shareholders making more money.
593 None 12/18/2019 4:16 AM
594 I haven't found any 12/18/2019 4:15 AM
595 A regular schedule would be the only 12/18/2019 4:06 AM
solution
596 Never have worked one. 12/18/2019 4:03 AM
597 The only advantage I can see to PSR, is 12/18/2019 4:01 AM
that the company (Union Pacific) has
relaxed on the rules.
598 None 12/18/2019 4:01 AM
599 I have not benefited whatsoever from PSR, 12/18/2019 3:54 AM
I can't even get a time claim the union
has placed restrictions against paying
out a time claim
600 None I can think of unless you are a 12/18/2019 3:52 AM
shareholder then there is tons of money.
601 No benefits 12/18/2019 3:51 AM
602 No 12/18/2019 3:50 AM
603 None. 12/18/2019 3:48 AM
604 Only people benefiting from PSR are the 12/18/2019 3:47 AM
CEO and stockholders that are padding
their pockets with all the money from
cutting the workforce down so much
605 I don't see how there could be any. No. 12/18/2019 3:46 AM
606 None 12/18/2019 3:43 AM
607 Benefits are only for the short-term 12/18/2019 3:40 AM
stockholders
608 Yes 12/18/2019 3:39 AM
609 None, unless you're a board member or CEO 12/18/2019 3:23 AM
of the company.
610 I don't see any, the car department has 12/18/2019 3:22 AM
taken huge layoffs due to the carrier
wanting and building trains longer
611 None 12/18/2019 3:19 AM
612 There are no benefits for the workers. 12/18/2019 3:14 AM
613 NO! PSR has absolutely no benefits in my 12/18/2019 3:05 AM
opinion. Crossings are blocked longer due
to shortage in train crews which could
prevent emergency services routes in the
event of an emergency.
614 No 12/18/2019 3:01 AM
615 None I've seen 12/18/2019 2:57 AM
616 Not that I know of 12/18/2019 2:55 AM
617 More of a point a to b travel. 12/18/2019 2:55 AM
618 I don't think so, less manpower means more 12/18/2019 2:49 AM
risk of incidents because of fatigue.
619 Only to the fund managers 12/18/2019 2:42 AM
620 No benefits have been noticed on my end. 12/18/2019 2:41 AM
621 Money if you consider it worth the price 12/18/2019 2:31 AM
of being away from home and constantly
working long hours
622 The railroad is profitable which keeps me 12/18/2019 2:20 AM
employed.
623 None 12/18/2019 2:18 AM
624 None 12/18/2019 2:18 AM
625 Only benefit would be if the Railroad can 12/18/2019 2:14 AM
make a new start after profits from PSR
and build a newer nicer Railroad empire.
We need state of the art shops that are
clean and safe. The Railroad now is a
nasty dirty environmental disaster.
626 Heck no 12/18/2019 2:11 AM
627 No the company has made it very clear they 12/18/2019 2:11 AM
don't want to employ us they want to make
as much they can and cut out the middle
man
628 The benefits of PSR seem to benefit the 12/18/2019 2:09 AM
stockholders. Even customer satisfaction
is subsidiary.
629 I don't work on one. 12/18/2019 2:08 AM
630 Only if you are a high ranking official at 12/18/2019 2:07 AM
CSX or a shareholder.
631 Trains operating on a schedule is great. 12/18/2019 2:05 AM
But the carrier never sticks to their own
schedule anyway.
632 None 12/18/2019 2:05 AM
633 No, might as well leave, and enjoy life, 12/18/2019 2:05 AM
before you're killed for the sake of some
suits bonus, and to make a buck for some
paper trader
634 No benefits I see 12/18/2019 2:03 AM
635 I don't see any. Lists more pissed off 12/18/2019 2:03 AM
civilians at road crossings.
636 No benefits 12/18/2019 2:02 AM
637 The most obvious benefit, is to management 12/18/2019 2:00 AM
and stockholders. However, with working
boards cut to minimums, to company is
more reluctant to pull crews from service
for perceived violations.
638 No it doesn't benefit us just makes the 12/18/2019 1:57 AM
stockholders and them more money
639 None 12/18/2019 1:55 AM
640 I don't see any benefits 12/18/2019 1:53 AM
641 None that I've seen whatsoever 12/18/2019 1:52 AM
642 None 12/18/2019 1:52 AM
643 No 12/18/2019 1:51 AM
644 If there are benefits, they must be 12/18/2019 1:50 AM
apparent to middle management only. After
recent changes I've basically had to tell
the industries we service ``Tough luck,
my boss says I need to do this until told
otherwise.''
645 My job is less safe so no benefits 12/18/2019 1:49 AM
646 If you have a whole bunch of stock, you 12/18/2019 1:47 AM
will benefit from PSR.
647 At this point I do not see any 12/18/2019 1:40 AM
648 None ruined my work 12/18/2019 1:39 AM
649 None 12/18/2019 1:37 AM
650 None 12/18/2019 1:35 AM
651 None 12/18/2019 1:33 AM
652 Every since ``PSR'' came in effect, there 12/18/2019 1:33 AM
has been a decline in customers, amount
of trains across the rail. It's all an
illusion of numbers for the stockholders.
Our country's unemployment rate is at an
all time low. PSR railroad unemployment
is at an all time high.
653 N/A 12/18/2019 1:29 AM
654 Other than lining the shareholders pockets 12/18/2019 1:23 AM
I would say no
655 No. I feel precision is also scheduling 12/18/2019 1:16 AM
but there are hrs of time between trains.
656 None 12/18/2019 1:14 AM
657 Not seeing any at the moment 12/18/2019 1:10 AM
658 most managers hate their jobs too so 12/18/2019 1:07 AM
everyone is in the same boat?
659 The only benefit I have seen is in the 12/18/2019 1:04 AM
value of stock I own. I would be willing
to let it grow over the next 15 years to
have the employees I've worked with for
the last 23 years be able to perform
their tasks safely and correctly.
660 None 12/18/2019 1:03 AM
661 Only cutting everything to make the 12/18/2019 12:59 AM
stockholders more money
662 Very few 12/18/2019 12:57 AM
663 No 12/18/2019 12:54 AM
664 None 12/18/2019 12:53 AM
665 I don't know the higher ups make their 12/18/2019 12:50 AM
money while the ones that give up their
lives and time suffer and there is no
money to be made
666 I work less hard because inspection isn't 12/18/2019 12:44 AM
really key any longer. FRA doesn't hold
the railroad as accountable as prior
years.
667 0 for the worker millions for big 12/18/2019 12:44 AM
stockholders
668 financially stable company, my paycheque 12/18/2019 12:41 AM
never bounces
669 If you can hold, money because these fools 12/18/2019 12:36 AM
don't know what they're doing and I work
more often now.
670 The only benefit to PSR is to the 12/18/2019 12:27 AM
shareholder. Nothing beneficial to the
worker unless they are paid with shares!
671 None 12/18/2019 12:20 AM
672 shareholders get paid, workers get played 12/18/2019 12:14 AM
673 Only monetary benefits for the major 12/18/2019 12:13 AM
stockholders.
674 None 12/18/2019 12:13 AM
675 No 12/18/2019 12:13 AM
676 None that I can see. Everything has a work 12/18/2019 12:11 AM
event tied to it; e.g., setting out
smaller blocks versus larger ones from
the past or no work events at all.
677 Supposed to have fewer trains, but I have 12/18/2019 12:10 AM
not seen a drop in traffic.
678 None 12/18/2019 12:07 AM
679 It is harder for us to get more track time 12/18/2019 12:03 AM
so I guess they're running more trains
and making more money
680 More overtime more money 12/18/2019 12:03 AM
681 No 12/18/2019 12:00 AM
682 None that are seen by the people who are 12/17/2019 11:57 PM
doing the work and constantly scared if
they will still have a job tomorrow
683 No benefits at all for the employees, PSR 12/17/2019 11:55 PM
only benefits the stockholders and higher
ups
684 Higher stock prices 12/17/2019 11:53 PM
685 no 12/17/2019 11:50 PM
686 None. Get treated worse. 12/17/2019 11:50 PM
687 No 12/17/2019 11:50 PM
688 None that I see 12/17/2019 11:47 PM
689 I haven't seen any, and I'm trying hard to 12/17/2019 11:46 PM
not be biased. We've lost many customers
I knew for years, and we have lost many
good workers that we need right now.
690 None. If I were younger I would do 12/17/2019 11:44 PM
something else
691 No, PSR has only cut jobs to the bare 12/17/2019 11:43 PM
bones creating unsafe working conditions
due to the lack of rest and overwork
required to backfill spots that they
can't man.
692 There has been less fear of losing my job 12/17/2019 11:43 PM
due to interpretation of a rule.
693 None 12/17/2019 11:42 PM
694 No 12/17/2019 11:40 PM
695 No job security 12/17/2019 11:36 PM
696 Not a damn thing!!! 12/17/2019 11:29 PM
697 None you would think that since it's 12/17/2019 11:29 PM
precision now you would be able to have a
regular call time but no it's all about
corporate greed
698 I can't think of a benefit, unless you're 12/17/2019 11:26 PM
a stockholder.
699 None that I can think of. It's asinine. 12/17/2019 11:21 PM
700 The only benefit is the shareholder gains, 12/17/2019 11:21 PM
there is nothing, and I repeat nothing
positive to PSR for an employee, nothing,
we are stripped of every asset we had and
forced to do more with an extreme less of
resources, employees being the biggest
701 No 12/17/2019 11:16 PM
702 The top brass get richer. 12/17/2019 11:14 PM
703 None that I can see!! 12/17/2019 11:12 PM
704 No, too many job cuts. Leaving crews short- 12/17/2019 11:11 PM
handed.
705 Not that I can see. None. 12/17/2019 11:08 PM
706 No. Cars are just scheduled to go further 12/17/2019 11:07 PM
with less mechanical inspections
707 I don't see any benefits for myself. I 12/17/2019 11:03 PM
don't mind working longer hours so I can
have more personal time.
708 I feel like there isn't 12/17/2019 11:00 PM
709 No rules to follow. Managers leave you 12/17/2019 10:59 PM
alone.
710 None. 12/17/2019 10:59 PM
711 I haven't yet seen a benefit for anyone 12/17/2019 10:58 PM
other than a stockholder. Neither
agreement employees nor customers seem to
be liking the change.
712 There are no benefits 12/17/2019 10:58 PM
713 No 12/17/2019 10:58 PM
714 No not at all 12/17/2019 10:57 PM
715 Scheduled maintenance 12/17/2019 10:56 PM
716 I believe we have been losing business 12/17/2019 10:54 PM
717 no 12/17/2019 10:52 PM
718 If I owned a large share of stock the 12/17/2019 10:52 PM
company would actually care about me and
I would be happy because obviously I
would be making hand over fist. Other
than that absolutely not.
719 No. 12/17/2019 10:52 PM
720 None 12/17/2019 10:51 PM
721 No 12/17/2019 10:48 PM
722 No benefits to the workers just the 12/17/2019 10:46 PM
shareholders
723 I have not seen a positive note as an 12/17/2019 10:43 PM
employee.
724 None 12/17/2019 10:42 PM
725 Not to me 12/17/2019 10:36 PM
726 Benefits of PSR in my opinion is the 12/17/2019 10:30 PM
definition of an oxymoron.
727 No 12/17/2019 10:30 PM
728 The only benefits are for shareholders. 12/17/2019 10:28 PM
729 I don't see a benefit. Carrier is 12/17/2019 10:24 PM
maximizing profit but not giving any
concessions to agreement employees.
730 none that I know of 12/17/2019 10:22 PM
731 If I was a stockholder, yes there are 12/17/2019 10:21 PM
benefits. Stockholders don't have a clue
as to what goes on out here from day to
day. All they see is $$$ signs.
732 No 12/17/2019 10:18 PM
733 No 12/17/2019 10:17 PM
734 If the railroads are making money the 12/17/2019 10:17 PM
employees are making money. If the
industry has to adjust so that they can
stay current I am willing and able to
work for the company.
735 No 12/17/2019 10:16 PM
736 Knowing signals 6 miles ahead. 12/17/2019 10:14 PM
737 Ummm. nope can't think of one 12/17/2019 10:12 PM
738 Only benefit we've seen is company 12/17/2019 10:05 PM
probably.
739 Yes, for the stockholders. 12/17/2019 9:58 PM
740 Only if you're a stockholder or someone 12/17/2019 9:54 PM
who stands to gain by cutting overhead
741 None unless you are a shareholder. 12/17/2019 9:54 PM
742 Railroad Stock is great. 12/17/2019 9:51 PM
743 No, none 12/17/2019 9:46 PM
744 You tell me 12/17/2019 9:45 PM
745 Absolutely none 12/17/2019 9:43 PM
746 I wouldn't know it's the reason I got 12/17/2019 9:42 PM
furloughed right before Christmas with
three kids to take care of
747 I guess so if you like, extra stress, 12/17/2019 9:40 PM
pressure and threats.
748 Less people working is less risk and more 12/17/2019 9:40 PM
money for the shareholders.
749 Not sure 12/17/2019 9:38 PM
750 None 12/17/2019 9:38 PM
751 More track time for repairs and 12/17/2019 9:33 PM
maintenance lower operating ratios
752 If you like being away from home for long 12/17/2019 9:28 PM
periods of the day and if you like
overtime.
753 None. 12/17/2019 9:26 PM
754 No 12/17/2019 9:24 PM
755 No. Infrastructure suffers and so does the 12/17/2019 9:17 PM
morale of employees trying to make it
better!
756 No benefits. Everything with PSR is a 12/17/2019 9:15 PM
Temporary solution that won't last long
term
757 None that I can see 12/17/2019 9:14 PM
758 None that I can see 12/17/2019 9:10 PM
759 None 12/17/2019 9:08 PM
760 Like the old way better so I'm gonna say 12/17/2019 9:08 PM
no there isn't a benefit
761 Not that I have seen 12/17/2019 9:04 PM
762 No 12/17/2019 9:03 PM
763 PSR is eliminating jobs and requiring you 12/17/2019 9:01 PM
to do more work.
764 No benefit. Well maybe one the company 12/17/2019 8:59 PM
doesn't have to contribute to pay wages
or insurance on a dead employee
765 None unless you're a major stockholder 12/17/2019 8:59 PM
766 Management has the same fear of being 12/17/2019 8:58 PM
fired we had for the last 10 years
767 The only benefit I would think has 12/17/2019 8:58 PM
happened is there is less congestion. But
when something happens things back up
pretty quickly.
768 Not a single one comes to mind. 12/17/2019 8:52 PM
769 none, schedule trains hardly leave when 12/17/2019 8:48 PM
they are supposed to.
770 Yes better quality of life 12/17/2019 8:48 PM
771 No it's all about stockholders not the 12/17/2019 8:47 PM
employees or the conditions they put us
in
772 Make more money 12/17/2019 8:46 PM
773 None 12/17/2019 8:46 PM
774 You're still paid well if you're not 12/17/2019 8:45 PM
furloughed. You have no job security
anymore.
775 None it's a shareholder scam. Trains are 12/17/2019 8:45 PM
made to move slower i.e., intermodals
pick up manifest cars and are limited to
50 mph vs 70 mph how is that precision.
The shell game extends to dwel times at
yards instead of showing an 18 hour dwel
time at one yard they show 3 separate
dwel times of 6 hours and claim better
service
776 There are not any benefits of working for 12/17/2019 8:45 PM
a PSR railroad. If you like coming to
work and wondering when your job will be
abolished, can you actually consider this
a benefit?
777 NO. NONE. 12/17/2019 8:43 PM
778 Not from an employee standpoint. 12/17/2019 8:42 PM
779 None that I can find. 12/17/2019 8:41 PM
780 None. 12/17/2019 8:39 PM
781 No benefits whatsoever it's a get rich 12/17/2019 8:39 PM
quick for hedge fund managers and upper
management at railroad
782 If there is I haven't seen it 12/17/2019 8:38 PM
783 Wish someone could tell me that, the big 12/17/2019 8:37 PM
dog are making money hand of fist full.
784 None. It's killing the industry. 12/17/2019 8:30 PM
785 As a employee I haven't seen any benefit 12/17/2019 8:29 PM
to it. When I hired out, I knew this was
what I wanted to do for my career. Now
I'm worried that I might not have a job
tomorrow. I have worked for five years
now, and have had no opportunity to move
up (engineer) since PSR. I have to go 150
(300 round trip) miles away from home,
where I hired out just so I can work.
They have cut the workforce so much that
even the new guys they hired 2 years ago
can't work. The trains are twice as long
with less guys. We end up tying down
train due to no crews to take them on.
786 None 12/17/2019 8:27 PM
787 There are none when working for a railway 12/17/2019 8:18 PM
that does PSR all they care about is
shares not the employee
788 Shareholder value has risen 12/17/2019 8:16 PM
789 I personally have not seen any benefits to 12/17/2019 8:16 PM
PSR as a T&E employee.
790 No 12/17/2019 8:12 PM
791 ? 12/17/2019 8:12 PM
792 I haven't found any yet. 12/17/2019 8:10 PM
793 The only benefit I have noticed is bigger 12/17/2019 8:07 PM
blocks of track time to get work done. A
lot of machines have lost operators in
return dropped off at sections for them
to use when needed. Not a benefit to the
person who had them bid in or to the
person made to operate it because they
have ran one in the past.
794 None 12/17/2019 8:04 PM
795 None that I can see it this time. 12/17/2019 8:04 PM
796 No; PSR has been brought in the field to 12/17/2019 8:03 PM
break the morale and backs of field
employees while driving stock prices up
fattening the pockets of corporate
797 Yes, less congestion and more planned 12/17/2019 8:00 PM
moves.
798 I see none. All I've seen are job cuts and 12/17/2019 7:59 PM
stricter work, attendance and discipline
policies. Most of which are completely
unfair.
799 None, I've been on railroad 25 years. Only 12/17/2019 7:58 PM
benefit is for the shareholder.
800 Shareholders make lots of money while the 12/17/2019 7:55 PM
working men and women are pushed to do
more with less.
801 No 12/17/2019 7:52 PM
802 None 12/17/2019 7:51 PM
803 If there are any benefits, I don't see 12/17/2019 7:50 PM
them.
804 Dumb question! 12/17/2019 7:49 PM
805 Nope 12/17/2019 7:44 PM
806 There are none the only thing it does is 12/17/2019 7:41 PM
boost the corporate nature of the
railroad itself and breaks the main
principal that built the railroad, stick
together watch out for each other work
hard and smart but number one have each
other's back from the top to the bottom.
807 None 12/17/2019 7:37 PM
808 Only if you are a shareholder, otherwise 12/17/2019 7:36 PM
the benefits belong to the executive team
at the railroad in question.
809 No because PSR doesn't exist. The same 12/17/2019 7:35 PM
trains never run at the same time day
after day.
810 The only benefits I see go straight to the 12/17/2019 7:33 PM
carrier and so forth.
811 I personally cannot believe that there are 12/17/2019 7:29 PM
any benefits to this PSR unless you are a
shareholder. For the actual railroad
employees PSR IS NOTHING SHORT OF
DEVASTATION!
812 None that I can think of. 12/17/2019 7:26 PM
813 No 12/17/2019 7:22 PM
814 None 12/17/2019 7:21 PM
815 None, scared that job may be cut any day 12/17/2019 7:15 PM
816 No. 12/17/2019 7:15 PM
817 There are benefits. The only people who 12/17/2019 7:14 PM
benefit are top executives and
shareholders.
818 No 12/17/2019 7:10 PM
819 Absolutely not! 12/17/2019 7:10 PM
820 Profits for upper management 12/17/2019 7:09 PM
821 No benefits. The only one the benefits is 12/17/2019 7:01 PM
top executives and shareholders
822 Nothing except poor morale and working 12/17/2019 7:00 PM
conditions.
823 N/A 12/17/2019 6:59 PM
824 Nope. It's all about the shareholders. 12/17/2019 6:54 PM
They running 12k to 13k foot trains.
That's combining 2 to 3 trains in 1. Then
telling the carman they only have 30 secs
a car to inspect it. They have to follow
or get fired. It's been reported to the
FRA several times and nothing happens. So
the real question is who does the FRA
really care about the companies or the
public safety. It's clear they don't care
about public safety.
825 If there is, I have not seen any by the 12/17/2019 6:52 PM
actions of the Carrier
826 None 12/17/2019 6:52 PM
827 None. 12/17/2019 6:50 PM
828 None at all 12/17/2019 6:50 PM
829 I believe the benefits to this occupation 12/17/2019 6:49 PM
were better prior to PSR.
830 I guess with PSR there are less employees 12/17/2019 6:49 PM
to worry about. Depending on how you want
to look at it that is a benefit. I don't
see how this program benefits anyone
other than shareholders.
831 NONE 12/17/2019 6:48 PM
832 Absolutely none 12/17/2019 6:46 PM
833 To date, do not see any. It has become 12/17/2019 6:46 PM
purely math, not safety
834 Not really for the workers. Stockholders 12/17/2019 6:41 PM
are happy. Railroad retirement is going
to take a major hit with a lot less
people paying into it.
835 No 12/17/2019 6:40 PM
836 No 12/17/2019 6:38 PM
837 None to me. 12/17/2019 6:38 PM
838 None 12/17/2019 6:36 PM
839 Stock has went up is the only benefit that 12/17/2019 6:34 PM
I'm aware of.
840 None 12/17/2019 6:32 PM
841 None 12/17/2019 6:29 PM
842 No 12/17/2019 6:26 PM
843 No, it's all about profits to the 12/17/2019 6:23 PM
shareholders there are no benefits to the
employees
844 None at all. The customers are suffering 12/17/2019 6:20 PM
and the workers are suffering. IT'S all a
numbers game.
845 Sure if you're the ones getting the big 12/17/2019 6:18 PM
bonuses. There is NO benefit for the
craftsman at this job! Worse job ever!!
Horrible company to work for!
846 Absolutely None 12/17/2019 6:17 PM
847 Well at beginning believed that there was 12/17/2019 6:14 PM
due to fact we knew what time we had to
be somewhere and we would be but if we
was 5 hours early then we just sit and
rot waiting for our turn. Which in itself
hurts employees
848 None that I see except to pad the pockets 12/17/2019 6:13 PM
of a few upper management and the
shareholders
849 No. 12/17/2019 6:12 PM
850 None 12/17/2019 6:12 PM
851 No benefits. Just more work less pay. 12/17/2019 6:11 PM
852 Absolutely not!!! 12/17/2019 6:10 PM
853 I haven't seen any positive results when 12/17/2019 6:08 PM
it comes to the conductor, engineer side
of the company and customers are upset
also
854 Don't see any benefit at all 12/17/2019 6:03 PM
855 None! Thousands out of jobs, short handed 12/17/2019 6:03 PM
on everything.
856 None it's all a plot to cut jobs and edge 12/17/2019 6:02 PM
out safety for profit.
857 I don't know of any 12/17/2019 6:00 PM
858 I have seen no upside to it. It cause 12/17/2019 5:59 PM
longer wait times for crews and
customers. If something goes wrong it's
going to slow the flow even more
859 There is nothing better about PSR. They 12/17/2019 5:56 PM
company could care less about the
customer
860 I understand the benefits for the 12/17/2019 5:55 PM
Railroad. I thought PSR would make our
regularly scheduled trains in and out
near the same time daily. They still show
up and are sent out at different times
day to day. PSR has had a benefit of
nothing to me as a new hire Conductor.
861 Not that I can tell 12/17/2019 5:53 PM
862 I have yet to notice any benefits 12/17/2019 5:53 PM
863 None 12/17/2019 5:51 PM
864 Absolutely none. 12/17/2019 5:49 PM
865 None whatsoever 12/17/2019 5:49 PM
866 Not that I have seen 12/17/2019 5:48 PM
867 esignating certain tracks for certain 12/17/2019 5:48 PM
trains is a good idea. Having trains due
to be serviced arriving on schedule is a
great concept. If the trains truly
arrived at the same time everyday and if
needed manpower was available. It could
be a benefit to all. Unfortunately I see
varying arrival times and insufficient or
no staff to work the trains at all.
868 None that I can see 12/17/2019 5:48 PM
869 Stockholders are making more money 12/17/2019 5:46 PM
870 None that a I have seen killing jobs and 12/17/2019 5:45 PM
wasn't to safe
871 Overtime if you want it due to the lack of 12/17/2019 5:43 PM
employees working, otherwise none yet.
Exhausted by the end of the day.
872 Management has been more laid back and 12/17/2019 5:43 PM
they treat you a little more fairly,
otherwise it's a joke. The cons out weigh
the pros all day. I'd actually consider
going back to railroading if it wasn't
such a joke now.
873 I'm not sure if anyone that is on the 12/17/2019 5:42 PM
ground in a conductor/engineer position
benefits from PSR it seems like we are
getting less time at home with a more
unpredictable schedule.
874 No there's not. Lack of sleep more work 12/17/2019 5:42 PM
has to be done with less people
875 Sure if your higher up the food chain. 12/17/2019 5:42 PM
Every year we hear about record profits
yet in the field we are replacing junk
with junk a lot of the time. Need
something to do our job? Well the answer
is more than likely we don't have any
money to spend. If we are making record
profits why are we so poor where the
money is needed the most
876 If you're a contractor yes 12/17/2019 5:37 PM
877 If you are a shareholder in the company, 12/17/2019 5:32 PM
the stock is doing very well. Other than
that there's no benefit to this operating
method.
878 I make more money due to the foldaway for 12/17/2019 5:30 PM
being in the hotel for 24 hours
879 Just blessed to have a job. That's the 12/17/2019 5:30 PM
advantage.
880 No 12/17/2019 5:29 PM
881 None that I have seen 12/17/2019 5:27 PM
882 Absolutely not 12/17/2019 5:26 PM
883 Huh! Noooooo! Only benefit is to the 12/17/2019 5:25 PM
shareholder
884 None 12/17/2019 5:21 PM
885 No. The plan is not a successful business 12/17/2019 5:21 PM
model that could grow business.
Everything about it is designed to
extract as much capital by whatever means
available to insure an increased stock
price. Some of the companies previous
leaders knew that to run a business it
needed to grow and expand. The PSR plan
does none of this. Along with driving
down the morale of the employees it also
alienates the customer. I see no benefit
to this plan and with having said that,
if the plan was so successful every
railroad in the country would be or would
continue to be running it today. From all
accounts,the Class 1's who formerly tried
the plan have had to spend years and
countless numbers of dollars to return to
a more effective business model.
886 There are ``natural windows'' that mow can 12/17/2019 5:16 PM
get track time
887 None we have been lost jobs pay and 12/17/2019 5:14 PM
constantly threatened and rushed
888 None, less workers more work on what's 12/17/2019 5:14 PM
left
889 I don't know 12/17/2019 5:13 PM
890 Railroad unemployment. 12/17/2019 5:11 PM
891 Stock price 12/17/2019 5:10 PM
892 I am thankful to have enough seniority to 12/17/2019 5:07 PM
still have a job. Though I do not agree
with PSR, I am thankful to be working.
893 None 12/17/2019 5:06 PM
894 None 12/17/2019 5:04 PM
895 In our area not really. We service the 12/17/2019 5:02 PM
coal mines which can only load so fast
and can't really be set to a schedule
896 None 12/17/2019 5:01 PM
897 There is none safety goes out the window 12/17/2019 4:59 PM
they don't inspect trains anymore the
crews are doing it and they ain't
qualified
898 I do not feel anyone benefits from PSR. 12/17/2019 4:59 PM
The carriers can not get freight moved.
The customers can not get their product
on time.
899 Not at all. Compromises safety 12/17/2019 4:58 PM
900 None 12/17/2019 4:56 PM
901 None 12/17/2019 4:55 PM
902 none 12/17/2019 4:54 PM
903 No 12/17/2019 4:54 PM
904 No benefits, for employees. The only 12/17/2019 4:53 PM
benefits is equity extraction for the
company.
905 There is none 12/17/2019 4:53 PM
906 You don't have to pay to see a circus, 12/17/2019 4:52 PM
when they pay you to show up and work for
one.
907 Depends on the perspective. From 12/17/2019 4:49 PM
corporate--sure. Fewer employees, lower
overhead. From the train crew--absolutely
NOT. Rules are being rolled back/
eliminated to expedite. Being rushed out
of the crew rooms often without proper
paperwork. Less transport/more time on
the ground. Consolidated service units
where senior management is in a state
hundreds of miles away and uses rules
designed for local situations. It's
DANGEROUS and irresponsible
908 I don't believe so. 12/17/2019 4:48 PM
909 Not as a maintenance of way employee 12/17/2019 4:47 PM
910 No I do not believe there is the only 12/17/2019 4:46 PM
benefit is to the stockholders. More is
done with less and it's dangerous. I
talked to an engineer and it's the worst
he has seen the railroad in 40 years.
911 Supposed to get on and off trains quicker 12/17/2019 4:43 PM
to be home w our families right? Well
I've had back to back to back 17hr,
15.5hr and then 14.5 hour days with
hardly any traffic on the district.
912 I don't see any benefits for the MOW 12/17/2019 4:43 PM
besides less actual working hours a day
on the track. Plenty of benefits apply to
the transportation side because they are
allowed to run more trains a day.
913 None. Zero. Unless you are a shareholder 12/17/2019 4:43 PM
or executive management.
914 Still waiting to find one if any benefits. 12/17/2019 4:39 PM
There are none.
915 Not in my book 12/17/2019 4:39 PM
916 My company stock is making money. So my 12/17/2019 4:39 PM
401k looks good.
917 Only if you are a shareholder 12/17/2019 4:36 PM
918 I cannot see any, if I were a shareholder 12/17/2019 4:36 PM
I'm sure I would see a big benefit.
919 Getting laid off 12/17/2019 4:36 PM
920 I have found absolutely nothing beneficial 12/17/2019 4:35 PM
for a rail road worker..
921 N/A 12/17/2019 4:35 PM
922 No. 12/17/2019 4:34 PM
923 No absolutely no benefits for the railroad 12/17/2019 4:33 PM
worker. Only the men and woman on top are
the only people benefiting from this
924 Short-term maybe long-term no 12/17/2019 4:30 PM
925 No, faster railroading 12/17/2019 4:29 PM
926 Don't know 12/17/2019 4:29 PM
927 None 12/17/2019 4:26 PM
928 none 12/17/2019 4:26 PM
929 If there are any, I haven't seen them. 12/17/2019 4:24 PM
Unless you are a shareholder. Longer
trains, our equipment is no longer
maintained, and if it's in the shop it's
``get this locomotive or car out now''.
The company has no regards for blocking
crossings. So no, there are no benefits
for the ground employees to work for a
PSR Railroad.
930 No 12/17/2019 4:24 PM
931 NOOOOOOOOO 12/17/2019 4:24 PM
932 yes, If your seniority is high enough you 12/17/2019 4:23 PM
will still have a job, and you don't have
to work unfamiliar territory. I get to
walk all over the yard because we have 1
van for 2 yard jobs and all train crews
departing and incoming on trains and
still expected to get my work done in 8
hours.
933 On road trains it is convenient to be able 12/17/2019 4:22 PM
to see what is going on in front of you
especially with the lack of communication
we usually get from the dispatchers.
934 No. None whatsoever. 12/17/2019 4:22 PM
935 Better anticipation of signals. 12/17/2019 4:22 PM
936 No, PSR is all about artificially 12/17/2019 4:20 PM
inflating numbers yo make shareholders
happy. This is an unsustainable practice.
937 No it's no benefits. 12/17/2019 4:19 PM
938 No. None whatsoever. Unless you are a 12/17/2019 4:19 PM
sadist hedge fund baby looking for a good
time.
939 It is more predictable when being called 12/17/2019 4:19 PM
as a train crew member. Unsure about
customer satisfaction.
940 None at all. Unless you're a shareholder 12/17/2019 4:18 PM
941 No. All the money that is being saved we 12/17/2019 4:17 PM
as of MW want a piece of the pie. We work
with men we have left deserve to live a
better life to provide for our family's.
942 Only if you are a shareholder! 12/17/2019 4:14 PM
943 None 12/17/2019 4:09 PM
944 Absolutely not. No benefit at all. 12/17/2019 4:08 PM
945 None 12/17/2019 4:08 PM
946 The railroad was making record profits 12/17/2019 4:05 PM
before PSR. To abuse the workforce to the
point of failure should be against the
law
947 So far on my seniority district I can't 12/17/2019 4:04 PM
see a benefit
948 Is this question a joke? 12/17/2019 4:03 PM
949 NO! Unless you are a stockholder 12/17/2019 4:03 PM
950 There are no benefits. It's a short term 12/17/2019 4:02 PM
high profit scam. Hedge funds are pulling
out all the profits and then dumping the
stocks. Those of us that survive the job
cuts will have to work twice as hard
after the bottom falls out. Maintenance
crews are being cut. Mechanical is being
cut. Customers are frustrated yet
corporate executives only see the
dollars..
951 No. You can't schedule a freight railway. 12/17/2019 4:02 PM
952 None 12/17/2019 3:56 PM
953 None 12/17/2019 3:54 PM
954 Nope 12/17/2019 3:54 PM
955 If you're a shareholder. 12/17/2019 3:53 PM
956 None at all it's going to cripple this 12/17/2019 3:53 PM
industry and railroad retirement and the
Wall Street rats will just go ruin
another company and thousands of other
people's lives
957 None 12/17/2019 3:53 PM
958 No benefit that I can see. We are 12/17/2019 3:52 PM
shrinking not growing.
959 Absolutely not 12/17/2019 3:51 PM
960 Zero! None if you are an employee. 12/17/2019 3:50 PM
However, if you are a shareholder plenty
961 None at all. 12/17/2019 3:49 PM
962 Maybe moving trains faster 12/17/2019 3:48 PM
963 I know of zero benefits. I am currently 12/17/2019 3:48 PM
seeking employment elsewhere. I will be
happy to leave my employment on a PSR
railroad. Too much stress and I face
discipline if I don't do exactly what
they want despite safety concerns.
964 Nor. We have made so many customers mad 12/17/2019 3:46 PM
and they have left because we won't
service them everyday. We pick when we go
and by doing that we cause them to pay
more for our crappy service. We know we
getting more money based on how bad our
service is to them
965 As a stockholder the there is a benefit of 12/17/2019 3:45 PM
a stock price going up, but not at the
expense of safety of the employee.
966 No 12/17/2019 3:45 PM
967 Honestly no. 12/17/2019 3:42 PM
968 If only I had enough seniority 12/17/2019 3:39 PM
969 None whatsoever 12/17/2019 3:39 PM
970 No!!!! 12/17/2019 3:36 PM
971 Track time seems to be available more 12/17/2019 3:35 PM
972 I don't see any benefit 12/17/2019 3:35 PM
973 You get to stay at home with no pay when 12/17/2019 3:35 PM
you get laid off
974 I don't see any changes 12/17/2019 3:34 PM
975 The stock in my 401K has gone up in value, 12/17/2019 3:32 PM
thats about it.
976 None I have seen. 12/17/2019 3:32 PM
977 I haven't seen any yet. 12/17/2019 3:31 PM
978 The only positive thing I see is inflating 12/17/2019 3:31 PM
the profit margin quick and temporarily
979 None 12/17/2019 3:29 PM
980 I believe that all RR's should stay on 12/17/2019 3:28 PM
schedule, for the customers and for the
traffic on main lines, mechanical forces
helps to ensure that tasks and hope to
prevent accidents, human or mechanical.
981 None that I have seen or heard about. 12/17/2019 3:27 PM
982 Not unless you are a high level executive 12/17/2019 3:26 PM
983 None that I have seen 12/17/2019 3:25 PM
984 If there are benefits I have not seen 12/17/2019 3:25 PM
them.
985 More profit and an increase in stock 12/17/2019 3:23 PM
prices.
986 I do not see any benefits. Alienating our 12/17/2019 3:22 PM
people and our customers at the same time
driving our equipment into the ground by
not maintaining it.
987 Haven't noticed any. Only decline in 12/17/2019 3:22 PM
trains and being furloughed.
988 As of yet I haven't seen any and what I've 12/17/2019 3:21 PM
read about it from other railroads it
does not appear to be a positive way to
run a railroad.
989 I haven't seen any yet. 12/17/2019 3:21 PM
990 Being able to ``see'' ahead 5 miles. 12/17/2019 3:21 PM
991 No 12/17/2019 3:21 PM
992 It doesn't benefit employees, it compounds 12/17/2019 3:20 PM
problems with running trains in excess of
2miles and being discipline or at least
questioned and interrogated as to why
something is not going running in the
schedule they implemented
993 None that I've noticed. I live in a 12/17/2019 3:19 PM
constant fear of losing my job.
994 No 12/17/2019 3:18 PM
995 Higher paychecks. Due to the trains not 12/17/2019 3:18 PM
being able to complete their run due to
time and meet locations.
996 Thinning of the herd (sarcasm here). None 12/17/2019 3:18 PM
I can think of but my stocks going up.
997 Better time frames for customers. 12/17/2019 3:17 PM
998 No 12/17/2019 3:17 PM
999 Not for the conductors and engineers. 12/17/2019 3:17 PM
1000 Haven't seen any 12/17/2019 3:16 PM
1001 The benefits could be there if the 12/17/2019 3:16 PM
consideration for employees lives, rest,
and work were cared about even a small
percent. There is no so called schedule,
only bigger trains, that create more
issues.
1002 No. None 12/17/2019 3:11 PM
1003 It's nice being on a road train and not 12/17/2019 3:11 PM
wondering if you're going to get a good
run. The old saying used to be, ``they
only have you for 12 hours.'' Now that
you go dead and they have you sit on your
train for another 2 hours because they
don't want the relief to have to untie it
the saying is now, ``they only have you
for 13, maybe 14 hours.''
1004 Less track time, but everything is way 12/17/2019 3:10 PM
more rushed so safety is more difficult.
1005 N/A 12/17/2019 3:10 PM
1006 So far I am unsure. I am constantly 12/17/2019 3:09 PM
worrying about being let go. Not enough
jobs.
1007 Maps give you a heads up 12/17/2019 3:08 PM
1008 None for workers 12/17/2019 3:06 PM
1009 I have seen no evidence that their have 12/17/2019 3:05 PM
been any Benefits. Just selling of assets
and pressuring crews to do more with
less. And pressuring them to violate
rules . In order to make it work.
1010 No 12/17/2019 3:03 PM
1011 If the conditions stay the same no. With 12/17/2019 3:02 PM
cuts to boards and the want of a company
to cut a crew down to 1 man crew I see no
relevant benefits only decline in
workforce and work place mentality.
1012 Don't understand the question 12/17/2019 3:02 PM
1013 None. Money grab that has destroyed lives, 12/17/2019 3:02 PM
local companies like our grain elevator
in town complains about how bad the UPRR
service has been.
1014 The one and only benefit is originating 12/17/2019 3:02 PM
trains are called on time. All others are
still (solid/empty commodity trains) are
completely random and usually ghost
trains.
1015 No 12/17/2019 3:01 PM
1016 No absolutely not trains are to long hours 12/17/2019 3:01 PM
on duty are to long it's just a matter of
time till something goes wrong and people
die.
1017 Higher volumes of train traffic give some 12/17/2019 2:59 PM
stability to our jobs but the profits
these company's make do not trickle down
to the crafts. They are making billions
of dollars and are shaking OUR pockets
for change to pay for Healthcare that
they are putting our health at risk and
asking us to pay for their wear and tear
on our bodies we sacrifice for these jobs
to keep our families healthy and not
struggling to survive.
1018 No 12/17/2019 2:58 PM
1019 It pays the bills . . . And the retirement 12/17/2019 2:57 PM
but it's isn't all it's cracked up to be.
Buts it's like selling your sole to the
devil!
1020 None that I can see What I see is an 12/17/2019 2:56 PM
industry hell bent on cooking the books
on train times and rules indorser to give
the illusion of more profit. Selling off
existing property and equipment is not
operating profits
1021 It's the old Wild West on the U.P. No 12/17/2019 2:53 PM
managers watching, crews don't follow
basic safety rules. Managers are hiding
injuries and decerts.
1022 No. None 12/17/2019 2:52 PM
1023 No. There are no benefits. The detriment 12/17/2019 2:52 PM
of putting money above life never has
good consequences. PSR is about doing
more with less. It is not about doing
better with what is necessary to reach
the goal.
1024 No 12/17/2019 2:51 PM
1025 No. 12/17/2019 2:50 PM
1026 No there isn't. Take shortcuts, managers 12/17/2019 2:48 PM
let bad orders go. Not enough people to
work safely!!
1027 I've been furloughed 12/17/2019 2:48 PM
1028 None. It simply has everybody concerned 12/17/2019 2:48 PM
about keeping their jobs.
1029 None that I can see actually negative 12/17/2019 2:47 PM
results
1030 No 12/17/2019 2:46 PM
1031 No 12/17/2019 2:45 PM
1032 Decent pay, decent benefits. 12/17/2019 2:43 PM
1033 No, only benefit in my eyes is if you are 12/17/2019 2:43 PM
a wealthy share owner.
1034 None 12/17/2019 2:43 PM
1035 N/A 12/17/2019 2:42 PM
1036 The PSR holds ourselves and costumers more 12/17/2019 2:42 PM
accountable to efficient train movement
and on time maintenance windows. However
we have had a process in place to hold
ourselves accountable on track windows
for the last 10 years and things haven't
changed all that much.
1037 None in my opinion 12/17/2019 2:41 PM
1038 You'll make more money because more people 12/17/2019 2:36 PM
are laid off and the ones there work all
the time even on holidays.
1039 None 12/17/2019 2:34 PM
1040 the only benefit I can see from working on 12/17/2019 2:33 PM
a PSR RR is if you own stock or have 30
years seniority. they don't seem to want
to take care of their employees thats
stuck it out through 5-10 furloughs in
the last 15 years.
1041 Not that I have seen 12/17/2019 2:31 PM
1042 No 12/17/2019 2:31 PM
1043 Unclear so far 12/17/2019 2:31 PM
1044 There are more parking spots due to the 12/17/2019 2:29 PM
high number of people furloughed.
1045 NONE!! 12/17/2019 2:29 PM
1046 Nope 12/17/2019 2:29 PM
1047 Someone else is probably getting rich off 12/17/2019 2:29 PM
it.
1048 Only if your goal is to rid yourself of 12/17/2019 2:27 PM
the small customers, works ok for the
transportation group if your goal is to
move traffic at the cost of depleting
equipment and infrastructure. Short term
managing. Hedge fund lovers.
1049 None 12/17/2019 2:26 PM
1050 None 12/17/2019 2:25 PM
1051 The only benefit is a new depression that 12/17/2019 2:25 PM
all the employees share
1052 No 12/17/2019 2:25 PM
1053 No track and time 12/17/2019 2:24 PM
1054 No there is not, unless you want to stress 12/17/2019 2:23 PM
yourself to death with worrying if you
have a job tomorrow, plus you will be
overly sleep deprived
1055 I have friends on the Union Pacific they 12/17/2019 2:22 PM
have lost jobs. So I see no benefit
1056 shareholders are happy for now. history 12/17/2019 2:21 PM
and time are against them.
1057 No 12/17/2019 2:21 PM
1058 No 12/17/2019 2:19 PM
1059 Haven't seen any yet. There's no room for 12/17/2019 2:13 PM
any set back. It's a great idea if
nothing had delays, malfunctions, or
failures. Otherwise it's a plan with zero
adaptation to circumstances
1060 Only if you own stock in short term. 12/17/2019 2:13 PM
1061 High blood pressure, new cuss words 12/17/2019 2:13 PM
learned, and the ability to loose all
hope in a company
1062 None 12/17/2019 2:11 PM
1063 None for employees. 12/17/2019 2:11 PM
1064 None. 12/17/2019 2:11 PM
1065 I don't see any. 12/17/2019 2:10 PM
1066 no lose of work 12/17/2019 2:08 PM
1067 Stocks and dividends 12/17/2019 2:06 PM
1068 There is a chance for more money if your 12/17/2019 2:05 PM
jobs haven't been cut. Although they're
abusing boards and threatening jobs it
allows us to keep boards short which in
turn can be a danger
1069 Haven't seen any. Dispatchers still can't 12/17/2019 2:04 PM
do their job effective
1070 Finding a different place for employment I 12/17/2019 2:02 PM
suppose.
1071 NONE! 12/17/2019 2:01 PM
1072 I have not seen any benefits to working on 12/17/2019 2:01 PM
a PSR railroad. Man power and jobs are
cut being cut in needed department,
safety is no longer a top priority, and
management now forces crews to perform
duties in a shorter time frame with less
equipment and man power.
1073 None that I can see. The only benefit is 12/17/2019 2:00 PM
to the co bottom line. There is going to
be an accident. And it is going to be a
bad one.
1074 None that I've seen. 12/17/2019 1:59 PM
1075 For the workers. haven't found any yet. 12/17/2019 1:57 PM
1076 Bigger bonuses of the executives. 12/17/2019 1:57 PM
1077 No benefits to the people working on the 12/17/2019 1:54 PM
ground.
1078 Not that I have seen 12/17/2019 1:54 PM
1079 Screwing over the customer. Increasing 12/17/2019 1:53 PM
profits for shareholders.
1080 Not in my eyes. Like a gentleman said.'' 12/17/2019 1:53 PM
PSR is like cutting off your two best
feet, then bragging about how much money
you save from not having to buy boots.''
1081 None, the work atmosphere is extremely 12/17/2019 1:49 PM
adversarial and intimidating. Do this or
you are fired!!!!!
1082 no time for details 12/17/2019 1:48 PM
1083 I don't see none only for the ones who is 12/17/2019 1:45 PM
not operating trains
1084 No benefits 12/17/2019 1:45 PM
1085 No they are gutting the company to make 12/17/2019 1:45 PM
money.
1086 None!!!!!!!!!! 12/17/2019 1:44 PM
1087 No 12/17/2019 1:44 PM
1088 N/A 12/17/2019 1:44 PM
1089 No benefits 12/17/2019 1:43 PM
1090 No 12/17/2019 1:43 PM
1091 None! For us! Stock holders get the 12/17/2019 1:43 PM
benefit!
1092 No, they keep cutting jobs and adding 12/17/2019 1:41 PM
stress to the employees
1093 I don't know that PSR has made anything 12/17/2019 1:40 PM
better. Our managers tell us that it's
for the good of the company and thus good
for us however there are fewer guys
working now too.
1094 None 12/17/2019 1:39 PM
1095 I've yet to see any they say that it's 12/17/2019 1:39 PM
better for customer service, but
customers are getting less service. We've
run significantly more cars and service
level was. Better.
1096 None. 12/17/2019 1:39 PM
1097 None 12/17/2019 1:36 PM
1098 I don't believe so. It seems to be a point 12/17/2019 1:34 PM
A to point B railroad now that doesn't
want to work with their customers
1099 I don't know enough about it to answer but 12/17/2019 1:33 PM
I hear their are no benefits for us
1100 None 12/17/2019 1:32 PM
1101 No 12/17/2019 1:29 PM
1102 No not a all 12/17/2019 1:28 PM
1103 There are no benefits to anyone who 12/17/2019 1:27 PM
``works'' for the railroad. Just the
shareholders of the railroad.
1104 If you have stock in the company or have 12/17/2019 1:27 PM
an interest in the hedge fund that is
running the place, yes
1105 None that I know of 12/17/2019 1:27 PM
1106 Don't know 12/17/2019 1:27 PM
1107 See none as far as employee benefits. 12/17/2019 1:26 PM
1108 None what so ever 12/17/2019 1:26 PM
1109 I have yet to discover any potential 12/17/2019 1:26 PM
benefits.
1110 No, less money to be made. Less jobs 12/17/2019 1:26 PM
1111 No, skeleton crews, twice the work from 12/17/2019 1:25 PM
half the work force
1112 None that I can tell 12/17/2019 1:23 PM
1113 None assets are moth balled and placed in 12/17/2019 1:23 PM
stored.. longer and heavier trains with
locomotives that go un serviced due to
the lack of time and lack of employees
1114 Since PSR was implicated, my job at CSX 12/17/2019 1:22 PM
gets worse on a daily basis. Management
has also gotten much worse since PSR was
implicated
1115 Only benefit is profit to shareholders 12/17/2019 1:22 PM
until they run off all the customers for
pricing and lack of service. then cash
out and expect the government to bail
them out AGAIN
1116 None 12/17/2019 1:22 PM
1117 No all PSR is to do more with less. 12/17/2019 1:20 PM
Furlough employee, store equipment, make
employees work places they ain't
qualified at. Moving trains that are so
long if you are at the rear of the train
cannot communicate with engineer by
handset on head end
1118 No 12/17/2019 1:19 PM
1119 None at all 12/17/2019 1:16 PM
1120 No 12/17/2019 1:16 PM
1121 No, less time at home! 12/17/2019 1:14 PM
1122 No not that I can see 12/17/2019 1:13 PM
1123 The only plus side I see is seeing a 12/17/2019 1:12 PM
schedule, albeit a loose schedule, to the
train traffic. Now if they'd just allow
the MOW crews to fix the track.
1124 None 12/17/2019 1:10 PM
1125 No 12/17/2019 1:09 PM
1126 No.. None 12/17/2019 1:07 PM
1127 No, 12/17/2019 1:01 PM
1128 Not at all 12/17/2019 1:00 PM
1129 I haven't seen any. 12/17/2019 1:00 PM
1130 Only benefit in PSR is in upper management 12/17/2019 1:00 PM
and investors, pure greed.
1131 No it's already run 2 railroads into the 12/17/2019 12:57 PM
ground..why keep doing this?
1132 No 12/17/2019 12:53 PM
1133 Seems like a cash grab me 12/17/2019 12:52 PM
1134 Unsure 12/17/2019 12:52 PM
1135 OTS is improved 12/17/2019 12:50 PM
1136 No 12/17/2019 12:49 PM
1137 No 12/17/2019 12:48 PM
1138 Not that I know of. 12/17/2019 12:46 PM
1139 I can not see any advantages except it has 12/17/2019 12:46 PM
a short term gain for the shareholders to
make money. The more trains move, equals
more tonnage on the tracks, the more
tonnage equals more repairs/replacement
of track which we cannot keep up with due
to low man count and even shorter track
time given to make the repairs.
1140 Only to the shareholders not to the 12/17/2019 12:42 PM
working people who make the railroad run
1141 If there are, I haven't seen, or heard of 12/17/2019 12:41 PM
any, as far as the employee side goes.
1142 Not that I can tell 12/17/2019 12:37 PM
1143 Not that I can think of. PSR seems only to 12/17/2019 12:36 PM
benefit shareholders at great cost to
customers and employees.
1144 Not that I have seen. 12/17/2019 12:27 PM
1145 Can't answer. Unknown 12/17/2019 12:26 PM
1146 Less competition for any over time, only 12/17/2019 12:23 PM
because the RR is so understaffed.
1147 No 12/17/2019 12:23 PM
1148 Currently I don't see them. Bigger trains 12/17/2019 12:21 PM
make longer walking if a break-in-two
happens. More people cut off and much
more toxic working environment
1149 Not that I've saw 12/17/2019 12:20 PM
1150 Only if your a major shareholder 12/17/2019 12:19 PM
1151 No 12/17/2019 12:18 PM
1152 It makes the company a lot of money while 12/17/2019 12:16 PM
killing off customers that used to
support them
1153 Train timing is more consistent if crews 12/17/2019 12:16 PM
are available
1154 Haven't found it yet. 12/17/2019 12:14 PM
1155 There are none. Every decision the 12/17/2019 12:13 PM
railroad makes is for the benefit of the
shareholders, and usually makes things
harder for the workers.
1156 Didn't know we had it 12/17/2019 12:13 PM
1157 If you're lance Fritz and his walk street 12/17/2019 12:06 PM
cronies, there's a huge benefit
financially. For us employees on the
ground, or the ones that are left might I
say, there's zero benefit to PSR. It's
sent thousands of employees home without
a job due to corporate greed. It's less
safe and less effective
1158 No 12/17/2019 12:01 PM
1159 None that I can think of. 12/17/2019 12:01 PM
1160 no 12/17/2019 12:00 PM
1161 No 12/17/2019 11:54 AM
1162 None that I can tell. 12/17/2019 11:45 AM
1163 None that I can see 12/17/2019 11:43 AM
1164 No 12/17/2019 11:42 AM
1165 No not really but they seem to think it's 12/17/2019 11:36 AM
gives us more time
1166 No. 12/17/2019 11:36 AM
1167 No there is no benefits for working with 12/17/2019 11:31 AM
PSR. You have to many crews that are
exhausted from walking 130 to 150 cars
when there is something wrong at the
rear. Not to mention the impact it has
when some trains are blocking up the
crossing for medical personnel.
1168 I have yet to see a benefit to the 12/17/2019 11:22 AM
employee. Train lineup are no better.
Work/sleep schedule are still as
unpredictable as ever.
1169 All these fn tests they run down your 12/17/2019 11:16 AM
throat everyone is afraid if you fail
them your out of service it sucks
1170 None, forced to do more with less 12/17/2019 11:09 AM
1171 I do not know of any 12/17/2019 11:04 AM
1172 No there is more congestion on the road, 12/17/2019 11:01 AM
instead of doing work in the yard, the
work is done on the road, no support
structure to help with everything
(mechanics, Carmen, limos)
1173 None 12/17/2019 10:58 AM
1174 None it's killing them running them ragged 12/17/2019 10:55 AM
and shorting customers with lack of
service.
1175 PSR or not, the working environment on the 12/17/2019 10:53 AM
railroad has been deteriorating for
years. Management/labor relationships are
divisive, to say the least. Management
enjoys pitting one man against the other
and with younger people on the railroad
they think this is status quo. My
brothers do not know how to defend one
another against the anti-labor onslaught.
1176 No. Instead of increasing business, 12/17/2019 10:51 AM
business continues to go down due to fuel
charges and ridiculously high rates of
transportation and fees.
1177 None, the illusion that the money they are 12/17/2019 10:51 AM
saving is going to somehow help the
people who maintain the railroad has been
shattered by their actions.
1178 The stockholders seem to enjoy it, I have 12/17/2019 10:48 AM
seen no evidence of benefits to working
on a PSR railroad
1179 No not for the craftsmen or the public. 12/17/2019 10:43 AM
1180 None 12/17/2019 10:28 AM
1181 Yes. Work plans can be made at appropriate 12/17/2019 10:10 AM
times based on train traffic.
1182 Better wages 12/17/2019 10:06 AM
1183 No 12/17/2019 10:01 AM
1184 I don't believe there is. The companies 12/17/2019 9:50 AM
may be seeing more income in some ways
but long term it will crumble and
railroads will never again be what they
are historically known for, A safe and
awarding long term career.
1185 yes you go home like you came to work 12/17/2019 9:36 AM
1186 No there are not 12/17/2019 9:35 AM
1187 Not that I know of 12/17/2019 9:03 AM
1188 No 12/17/2019 9:02 AM
1189 The ONLY benefits are for the company and 12/17/2019 8:53 AM
their CEO/upper management. Everyone and
everything below that level have only
ever increasing reductions of benefits/
quality of life.
1190 No 12/17/2019 8:52 AM
1191 Company makes more money at the sacrifice 12/17/2019 8:52 AM
of employees jobs
1192 None 12/17/2019 8:41 AM
1193 They only good thing is a good portion of 12/17/2019 8:39 AM
the trains are going on duty on a
scheduled time
1194 If they can get it right we could have a 12/17/2019 8:31 AM
better and more consistent work rest
cycle
1195 More money and you work less 12/17/2019 8:29 AM
1196 I've seen zero benefits on my side 12/17/2019 8:27 AM
1197 None 12/17/2019 8:26 AM
1198 I haven't seen any benefits yet! 12/17/2019 8:17 AM
1199 Not that I can tell 12/17/2019 7:59 AM
1200 I see no benefit to PSR. Tension is high 12/17/2019 7:58 AM
between train crews trying to service
customers. Customers are not getting
serviced as needed. No fault of train
crews. We are just stuck in the middle
1201 The benefits are solely for the company 12/17/2019 7:56 AM
fat cats getting record bonuses and for
the shareholders.
1202 None that I can see whatsoever. There 12/17/2019 7:55 AM
maybe an extra few dollars in it for the
shareholders, but as far as the employees
and our customers, the benefits are nil
1203 I am a small person in the big picture of 12/17/2019 7:52 AM
the railroad but have been around to see
the highs and lows. I do not see it
getting any better for the workers that
build and maintain the railroad.
1204 None that I can see so far, maybe for 12/17/2019 7:47 AM
shareholders but not for employees
1205 Not presently. Most, from lower to upper 12/17/2019 7:47 AM
level management are concerned more with
losing their jobs if things do not run as
intended. There is an obvious tension in
the work atmosphere to ``keep things
moving''! Whatever it takes.
1206 None 12/17/2019 7:30 AM
1207 There are zero benefits. 12/17/2019 7:27 AM
1208 None that I know of. The customers are 12/17/2019 7:19 AM
less happy, employees are not happy but
the shareholders are happy.
1209 Only for shareholders. 12/17/2019 7:13 AM
1210 I don't know 12/17/2019 7:10 AM
1211 The chances of getting an injury 12/17/2019 7:10 AM
settlement are greatly increased, but
that's about it.
1212 Yes especially for men and families from 12/17/2019 7:07 AM
an underdeveloped area
1213 None 12/17/2019 7:05 AM
1214 No 12/17/2019 7:05 AM
1215 Only for stockholders and the ones who 12/17/2019 6:54 AM
collect a bonus to increase the bottom
line at any cost
1216 None 12/17/2019 6:53 AM
1217 No, other than the fact that the company 12/17/2019 6:53 AM
gets to hire contractors that don't pay
into railroad retirement. They aren't
liable for injuries, workman's comp,
medical benefits, or 401k match
contributions This is stockholder B.S.
that is going to bite them in the ass.
1218 Only for shareholders 12/17/2019 6:47 AM
1219 . . . 12/17/2019 6:43 AM
1220 I see none for the workers. 12/17/2019 6:41 AM
1221 Never 12/17/2019 6:40 AM
1222 Not for the employee 12/17/2019 6:36 AM
1223 No. Mass lay offs and pressured employees 12/17/2019 6:35 AM
scared to do their job. The company
pressures inspectors to report fewer
defective pieces of equipment by
threatening to annul jobs if issues are
reported.
1224 None 12/17/2019 6:24 AM
1225 None that I have noticed 12/17/2019 6:15 AM
1226 Not that we've been to be beneficial at 12/17/2019 6:10 AM
this time, track condition is
deteriorating just to save money to line
the shareholders pockets
1227 I'm not aware of any 12/17/2019 6:09 AM
1228 1 benefits the shareholders 12/17/2019 6:09 AM
1229 None within the past 8 years that I have 12/17/2019 6:05 AM
found.
1230 To artificial inflate the bottom line. 12/17/2019 6:04 AM
1231 Nope, can't predict the unpredictable 12/17/2019 6:01 AM
1232 No 12/17/2019 6:00 AM
1233 No 12/17/2019 5:58 AM
1234 The stockholders make more money. 12/17/2019 5:54 AM
1235 line ups tend to be more accurate with 12/17/2019 5:52 AM
fewer trains than they were in years past
1236 Profit for the railroad. I cannot think of 12/17/2019 5:47 AM
one possible benefit to working on a PSR
railroad. Not one. The tracks are not
safer, employees are not safer, employees
are making anymore money and track
structure maintenance is declining. God
save us!
1237 Not for the workers. Just stockholders and 12/17/2019 5:40 AM
board members benefit
1238 None that I can think of 12/17/2019 5:39 AM
1239 I haven't seen any benefits to PSR on the 12/17/2019 5:32 AM
line I work.
1240 Some benefits I did see is that our 12/17/2019 5:31 AM
operating rules have been more
``relaxed.'' For example, now we are able
to get on/off moving equipment. This
simple rule change allows for us to
switch cars efficiently, instead of
stopping a train every so often just to
bail off to line a switch.
1241 Less manager oversight! 12/17/2019 5:29 AM
1242 Zero 12/17/2019 5:26 AM
1243 There are none 12/17/2019 5:23 AM
1244 Nope 12/17/2019 5:21 AM
1245 No. We are losing business. I've talked to 12/17/2019 5:20 AM
several of our customers and they are
switching to trucking as their main
shipping method because of all of the
unfair charges. And that they aren't able
to get the cars they need when they need
them. All of the cuts have made it to
where we don't have the amount of people
we need on call to work. Vacations days
are denied. Personal leave day's are
denied. And threats of punishment are
laid out for you if you lay off sick when
you aren't allowed to take vacation days,
that you've earned, because the company
has cut so deep.
1246 The bottom line is benefited which is 12/17/2019 5:18 AM
profit. No benefits for the working man
1247 Only if you are a stockholder. 12/17/2019 5:18 AM
1248 No 12/17/2019 5:18 AM
1249 No, only benefits investors 12/17/2019 5:15 AM
1250 Other than being to work on time, I can't 12/17/2019 5:11 AM
really see any other benefit. Customer
satisfaction is not in the equation.
1251 No 12/17/2019 5:08 AM
1252 Don't know any 12/17/2019 5:07 AM
1253 The only benefit I can think of and it's 12/17/2019 5:03 AM
not from working. Its if I had a lot of
money in the stock market because that's
the only thing it benefits.
1254 the benefits of PSR have been shown to 12/17/2019 5:03 AM
help somewhat improve certain aspects of
railroading but mostly in Canada and in
the western USA, mostly because of the
increased distance between terminals/
yards where on the east coast the closer
proximity of yards increase traffic jams
and times in transit due to trains
sitting at idle
1255 No 12/17/2019 5:02 AM
1256 No 12/17/2019 5:00 AM
1257 I haven't seen any yet 12/17/2019 4:58 AM
1258 you can't get fired for breaking safety 12/17/2019 4:54 AM
rules, because there are none!
1259 I have not seen any benefits whatsoever. 12/17/2019 4:54 AM
The company is making more money than
ever and all I have seen is poorly
maintained equipment and infrastructure,
massive job loss, customers leaving, a
much stricter and unrealistic attendance
policy, and increasing harassment for
train departing on time and fuel savings.
1260 No there are no benefits 12/17/2019 4:53 AM
1261 No benefits Customers unhappy, poorly 12/17/2019 4:50 AM
maintained infrastructure, stretching
employees thin.
1262 If there are any show them to us. 12/17/2019 4:48 AM
1263 I don't believe so. Serving the bottom 12/17/2019 4:43 AM
line instead of safety
1264 Don't work on one. 12/17/2019 4:40 AM
1265 The companies make more money and the men 12/17/2019 4:26 AM
working for them less
1266 No 12/17/2019 4:26 AM
1267 None 12/17/2019 4:23 AM
1268 Not really 12/17/2019 4:20 AM
1269 You know what siding your gonna sit in. 12/17/2019 4:16 AM
1270 Nope, can't think of one thing better than 12/17/2019 4:16 AM
15 years ago
1271 Working late every night. Just more 12/17/2019 4:13 AM
overtime. Taken chance of being killed by
falling asleep
1272 No, scheduling is no different. All that 12/17/2019 4:10 AM
has changed is carriers want to do
anything they can to run the same amount
of freight with less people. Abusing RSIA
and trying to make crew consist a ``minor
dispute'' in an effort to avoid the same
RSIA to run with reduced crews. The data
is fatally flawed.
1273 I can't name one benefit, other than the 12/17/2019 4:08 AM
company breaking record profits
quarterly. Money is all that matters to
the railroad, even if it's burying itself
in a deeper maintenance hole with every
year that goes by. It'll catch up in the
end, ultimately leading to bankruptcy,
forcing the feds to bail out and
regulate, or worst case lead to a total
economic collapse because of our own
governments complacency.
1274 No benefits unless your upper management 12/17/2019 4:06 AM
or a shareholder!
1275 None that come to mind 12/17/2019 4:05 AM
1276 There is no benefit to PSR. 12/17/2019 4:01 AM
1277 No 12/17/2019 4:01 AM
1278 No None 12/17/2019 3:56 AM
1279 There are none. It is detrimental to 12/17/2019 3:54 AM
infrastructure, morale, and manpower
base. It promotes people who are ``yes
men'' and not those with good, long term
ideas
1280 None 12/17/2019 3:52 AM
1281 Not that I can see 12/17/2019 3:51 AM
1282 no 12/17/2019 3:51 AM
1283 Yes the benefits as I see is that trains 12/17/2019 3:50 AM
are more predictable, so I can plan my
rest accordingly most days
1284 More money for companies 12/17/2019 3:50 AM
1285 None at all 12/17/2019 3:48 AM
1286 NO 12/17/2019 3:47 AM
1287 I don't get yelled at or threatened 12/17/2019 3:46 AM
anymore.
1288 No 12/17/2019 3:46 AM
1289 Not that I see. We're losing our 12/17/2019 3:46 AM
customers.
1290 Family Collecting life insurance when you 12/17/2019 3:45 AM
die from corporate greed.
1291 None 12/17/2019 3:43 AM
1292 No 12/17/2019 3:41 AM
1293 None 12/17/2019 3:41 AM
1294 None 12/17/2019 3:41 AM
1295 Not sure 12/17/2019 3:38 AM
1296 No benefits for employees. 12/17/2019 3:36 AM
1297 Only for the stockholders 12/17/2019 3:36 AM
1298 No to me 12/17/2019 3:35 AM
1299 No 12/17/2019 3:35 AM
1300 None hits just corporate greed 12/17/2019 3:34 AM
1301 No 12/17/2019 3:34 AM
1302 It would be fine if the policy was 12/17/2019 3:32 AM
followed to maintain the railway and not
followed in order to be used as a tool to
discipline workers.
1303 So far I have only seen 1. When we changed 12/17/2019 3:30 AM
schedules we started getting more
overtime, but we would rather be home
1304 To me PSR is just another way of seeing 12/17/2019 3:30 AM
how far the railroad can cut their
workforce and maintenance until things
get ugly, then they will slowly add back.
The measuring tool for that is
derailments, injuries and fatalities.
Apparently the railroad is fine with
kicking thousands of employees to the
curb and risking the rest of us. It's
beyond profits, to me it's criminal.
1305 None whatsoever 12/17/2019 3:29 AM
1306 I don't know any. 12/17/2019 3:27 AM
1307 NONE. 12/17/2019 3:27 AM
1308 Nope 12/17/2019 3:26 AM
1309 Not real sure about this one. We have not 12/17/2019 3:24 AM
seen any benefits thus far. Keeping our
jobs is one for sure. But running longer
trains seem to be a leading cause of
derailments this year. If that's a
portion of the precision railroad, and
cutting jobs from the ground up. Does not
really seem to benefit the working class
in a good way.
1310 If you call cutting hundreds of jobs a 12/17/2019 3:23 AM
benefit, I guess there are a lot
1311 The rules are more relaxed 12/17/2019 3:17 AM
1312 Having thru freights on a tighter schedule 12/17/2019 3:17 AM
is nice for road crews but the extensive
fill out and set out work on them now
leads to large trains that are often
difficult to move. I find there is
minimal gain on the employee side of PSR.
Slaving and starving the lower class to
make the rich richer seems to be the
idea.
1313 NONE AT ALL!!!!!! 12/17/2019 3:16 AM
1314 Not bad hat I can see. It has only hurt 12/17/2019 3:14 AM
employees
1315 Not for the working man. 12/17/2019 3:14 AM
1316 None that I can see. Fewer people to do 12/17/2019 3:12 AM
more jobs.
1317 You're still working, because most are now 12/17/2019 3:10 AM
laid off
1318 Can't think of any 12/17/2019 3:08 AM
1319 I see no benefits at this point 12/17/2019 3:04 AM
1320 What kind of question is that? 12/17/2019 3:03 AM
1321 Stock goes up. 12/17/2019 3:01 AM
1322 Not that I've seen they cut the man power 12/17/2019 2:58 AM
down so much that everyone working is
going to work every ten hours. Not safe
at all
1323 None for the employees working on the 12/17/2019 2:56 AM
front lines.
1324 I don't believe there is. 12/17/2019 2:56 AM
1325 No 12/17/2019 2:56 AM
1326 No, the only benefit is to the company who 12/17/2019 2:55 AM
saves money until something goes wrong
1327 No 12/17/2019 2:53 AM
1328 None 12/17/2019 2:52 AM
1329 Not aware of any 12/17/2019 2:50 AM
1330 No. 12/17/2019 2:50 AM
1331 None 12/17/2019 2:50 AM
1332 I personally don't see any benefits to the 12/17/2019 2:49 AM
people actually moving trains.
1333 There aren't any due to cut backs in 12/17/2019 2:48 AM
supporting crafts and in train crew.
Frontline managers are overworked.
1334 If it was TRULY precision railroading, 12/17/2019 2:47 AM
there wouldn't be the enormous turnover
rate
1335 None 12/17/2019 2:47 AM
1336 Haven't found any yet. 12/17/2019 2:43 AM
1337 None that I know of. I don't think upper 12/17/2019 2:43 AM
management could give me any examples
either.
1338 No overtime, more family time, if you have 12/17/2019 2:43 AM
enough seniority to hold a position close
enough to home since there have been job
cuts/abolishments.
1339 No, the only benefit is for the company 12/17/2019 2:42 AM
and what looks good on paper for
stockholders
1340 None, unless you are a stockholder 12/17/2019 2:41 AM
1341 Lots and lots of overtime if you can 12/17/2019 2:39 AM
manage without rest. Some men making the
amount of 4 employees
1342 Seems to benefit shareholders but I don't 12/17/2019 2:39 AM
see benefits to workers
1343 Semi predictable maintenance windows are a 12/17/2019 2:38 AM
plus.
1344 No 12/17/2019 2:38 AM
1345 None at all but a lot of unpaid vacations 12/17/2019 2:36 AM
1346 Not that I can think of. Get to look 12/17/2019 2:36 AM
forward to being furloughed since the
railroads screw the customer and don't
want to add new ones.
1347 Not really other then sit around wanting 12/17/2019 2:35 AM
on trains
1348 Not that I have seen, only benefits stock 12/17/2019 2:33 AM
price
1349 The stockholders seem to be doing well, 12/17/2019 2:32 AM
thats about it.
1350 Don't know 12/17/2019 2:29 AM
1351 Not that I'm aware of 12/17/2019 2:28 AM
1352 No upside, for labor 12/17/2019 2:28 AM
1353 I can't think of one from an employee 12/17/2019 2:27 AM
perspective.
1354 None that I know of. 12/17/2019 2:27 AM
1355 No 12/17/2019 2:26 AM
1356 None that I have seen for workforce. Only 12/17/2019 2:22 AM
for stockholders
1357 If you are a shareholder or in the upper 12/17/2019 2:21 AM
tier of the companyyes! The rich are
getting richer while the ones working and
being furloughed are made to suffer
because of corporate greed!
1358 no 12/17/2019 2:19 AM
1359 Time off (furloughs) 12/17/2019 2:19 AM
1360 I don't believe there are any I am looking 12/17/2019 2:19 AM
for a new career.
1361 No forced to work longer hours to load 12/17/2019 2:17 AM
machines after an already long work day
loading after track windows just to screw
us out of a move day
1362 I really don't know. More Monday for the 12/17/2019 2:17 AM
upper management bonuses and shareholders
I suppose.
1363 None not good for me or my family 12/17/2019 2:16 AM
1364 NOT UNLESS YOU ARE A SHARE HOLDER! 12/17/2019 2:14 AM
1365 No 12/17/2019 2:13 AM
1366 I see no benefits to this style of 12/17/2019 2:12 AM
railroading. Our department has been so
cut in the number of personal. To
increase revenue.
1367 No 12/17/2019 2:12 AM
1368 No 12/17/2019 2:12 AM
1369 None 12/17/2019 2:11 AM
1370 They save money by cutting customer 12/17/2019 2:11 AM
deliveries
1371 No 12/17/2019 2:11 AM
1372 None that I have seen for engineers and 12/17/2019 2:09 AM
conductors. We work longer hours with
more stress and less time off.
1373 None 12/17/2019 2:08 AM
1374 Absolutely no benefits unless you happen 12/17/2019 2:08 AM
to be a shareholder before the bottom
falls out.
1375 No. We switched just as much, if not more 12/17/2019 2:08 AM
before this was implemented and our
trains got out on time. They only thing
this brought was unsafe work conditions,
loss of jobs (more work with less
people), and being treated like modern
day slaves.
1376 None 12/17/2019 2:08 AM
1377 I have not heard of one good reason so 12/17/2019 2:07 AM
far. Cut the working man and his family
for the benefit of the shareholders is bs
1378 I can see absolutely none. The track 12/17/2019 2:06 AM
maintenance is gone, safety is out the
window, crews are working with zero rest
or readiness.
1379 No. There is even less actually scheduled, 12/17/2019 2:05 AM
or communication between managers/
dispatchers and crews.
1380 Share holders will be proud of you! 12/17/2019 2:04 AM
1381 No 12/17/2019 2:02 AM
1382 I haven't seen any yet 12/17/2019 2:01 AM
1383 None. Only one benefiting is the 12/17/2019 2:00 AM
shareholders.
1384 Yes, I will probably be able to sue the RR 12/17/2019 1:59 AM
for unsafe practices if injured
1385 No benefits that affect me directly or 12/17/2019 1:58 AM
indirectly
1386 Larger bonuses for management. 12/17/2019 1:57 AM
1387 No 12/17/2019 1:57 AM
1388 Ha. Your assuming we all still have jobs 12/17/2019 1:56 AM
1389 Not for employees or customers. I guess 12/17/2019 1:55 AM
there is for company executives. They put
more money in they pockets.
1390 None 12/17/2019 1:53 AM
1391 I don't work on a PSR railroad 12/17/2019 1:51 AM
1392 No! Not at all. 12/17/2019 1:51 AM
1393 Absolutely not Just made life much more 12/17/2019 1:50 AM
miserable in today's times for chrissakes
we're coming to 2020 and this is what
we're dealing with every other business
aspects in this Nation does not operate
the way this company does
1394 Stocks going well 12/17/2019 1:50 AM
1395 None that I have seen. 12/17/2019 1:49 AM
1396 If there are, I have not learned of them. 12/17/2019 1:48 AM
1397 None for the employee that I'm aware of 12/17/2019 1:48 AM
1398 As an employee, we longer more with less 12/17/2019 1:47 AM
1399 Don't know 12/17/2019 1:47 AM
1400 There are none 12/17/2019 1:46 AM
1401 If the word benefit must be used it is the 12/17/2019 1:46 AM
amount of overtime someone can make doing
the task that was distributed among more
manpower. This overtime is hardly worth
the risk to personal safety and the
impact on family life.
1402 NO! 12/17/2019 1:46 AM
1403 None! Lost one day at home 12/17/2019 1:45 AM
1404 None that I've seen 12/17/2019 1:40 AM
1405 It seems less cars to switch in the yards 12/17/2019 1:40 AM
on account of customers ordering fewer
car loads
1406 No. Still no precision on anything! Still 12/17/2019 1:39 AM
limited track time on some subdivisions.
Still no communication between crafts.
1407 I like that the railroad is focusing on 12/17/2019 1:39 AM
moving cars. I think that is a great
operating perspective. The rest of the
cost savings seem to be at the expense of
public safety
1408 None that I can see as of the current 12/17/2019 1:39 AM
situation.
1409 Stock prices seem to be doing ok. 12/17/2019 1:39 AM
1410 The shareholders are making $. Record 12/17/2019 1:39 AM
profits due to cuts and layoffs
1411 None. Everything is sacrificed for 12/17/2019 1:38 AM
operating ratio numbers. Low level
management is constantly threatened to
hit goals.
1412 No 12/17/2019 1:38 AM
1413 Only for a single guy. No need to rent a 12/17/2019 1:37 AM
house
1414 Not sure 12/17/2019 1:36 AM
1415 ZERO ABSOLUTELY ZERO! Other than they 12/17/2019 1:36 AM
still send a check every 2 weeks
1416 I ont know of any benefits. It looks like 12/17/2019 1:35 AM
Union Pacific is getting rid of a lot of
their smaller customers so that means
less work for me on industry tracks.
1417 If you consider a hostile work environment 12/17/2019 1:34 AM
a benefit then maybe? Only positive is if
you own stock
1418 The only benefit I have seen in normal 12/17/2019 1:32 AM
operation is ability to know signals
aspects before physically visible.
1419 None that I can see 12/17/2019 1:32 AM
1420 I have no idea unless you are a 12/17/2019 1:32 AM
stockholder
1421 I haven't seen a benefit for the people 12/17/2019 1:32 AM
making the shareholders rich.
1422 Some places get more track time on 12/17/2019 1:31 AM
occasion
1423 Only if your a investor and don't plan on 12/17/2019 1:29 AM
staying involved with this company
1424 No 12/17/2019 1:29 AM
1425 Not really 12/17/2019 1:28 AM
1426 None other than corporate profits. 12/17/2019 1:28 AM
1427 No benefit to safety of employees or the 12/17/2019 1:26 AM
public. PSR Railroad is strictly to
increase profits to the stockholders!
1428 From a maintenance of way employee, no 12/17/2019 1:26 AM
benefits seen.
1429 No I just hear that we make more money and 12/17/2019 1:26 AM
our stock price is higher..but all I see
is more contractors, more cuts, low
morale, I think it's all smoke and
mirrors myself
1430 None that I know of. 12/17/2019 1:24 AM
1431 There are no benefits for the employee 12/17/2019 1:24 AM
working in PSR
1432 Not for engineering department 12/17/2019 1:24 AM
1433 Unknown 12/17/2019 1:23 AM
1434 Getting the cars out of the yards limiting 12/17/2019 1:22 AM
dwell time. Customers get serviced when
they want and need there car
1435 Zero benefits, crazy unsafe 12/17/2019 1:21 AM
1436 No 12/17/2019 1:21 AM
1437 Only benefit I see is to the shareholders 12/17/2019 1:21 AM
and will only last a year or two until we
start having major derailments and
injuries
1438 No none. It's for the stockholders 12/17/2019 1:20 AM
1439 I don't think there is. 12/17/2019 1:19 AM
1440 Looks like the shareholders are doing 12/17/2019 1:16 AM
great while we are struggling. I'm sure
their private planes are nice and shiny.
1441 None I've seen as a track employee. They 12/17/2019 1:16 AM
are cutting the legs out from under the
horse.
1442 None 12/17/2019 1:16 AM
1443 may benefit the company profits by a lower 12/17/2019 1:16 AM
head count. other than that I see no
benefits
1444 Only result is more money for the 12/17/2019 1:16 AM
shareholders.
1445 Only thing I can think of is that they 12/17/2019 1:15 AM
brought back getting on and off moving
equipment. I feel if it's done correctly
it can be beneficial to your joints.
1446 Unknown 12/17/2019 1:15 AM
1447 None. Even after years of it being 12/17/2019 1:14 AM
implemented it is consistently changing.
Crews don't know what trains to build
when to spot them because of lack of
communication from management.
1448 Get to watch trains. 12/17/2019 1:14 AM
1449 From a TE&Y standpoint, I don't see any 12/17/2019 1:12 AM
benefits to working for a PSR railroad.
1450 Benefits people with 15+ years of 12/17/2019 1:11 AM
seniority.
1451 No I have not seen any for maintenance 12/17/2019 1:10 AM
workers.
1452 Absolutely not for the workers and 12/17/2019 1:09 AM
customers it only benefits the investors
1453 Overtime due to layoffs 12/17/2019 1:09 AM
1454 No benefits for us working under PSR 12/17/2019 1:08 AM
1455 None from a worker perspective. From the 12/17/2019 1:07 AM
companies it's great cut crews for your
workers who've built your company. Make
customers wait for the cars because it
doesn't fit what the company wants.
1456 Fewer customers to have to service 12/17/2019 1:07 AM
1457 The benefit if for the company alone. 12/17/2019 1:07 AM
Losing almost a month at home with my
family obviously dwarfs a zero day here
and there
1458 Not one. The stockholders may see their 12/17/2019 1:05 AM
stocks going up now but all that will
change when the railroad starts getting
derailments, bridges collapse, and
injuries start occurring on a daily basis
which I've seen already has begun on the
NS.
1459 None as of so far, issues are starting to 12/17/2019 1:05 AM
arise for possible unsafe conditions in
the near future.
1460 None that I have seen so far 12/17/2019 1:04 AM
1461 None 12/17/2019 1:04 AM
1462 None, other then the shareholders or 12/17/2019 1:04 AM
higher ups in the company
1463 I see no benefits what so ever 12/17/2019 1:03 AM
1464 At times it seems people are held 12/17/2019 1:02 AM
accountable more and also cutting of
management helps get things done in a
more efficient manner
1465 No 12/17/2019 1:02 AM
1466 None. That's why people are still quitting 12/17/2019 1:02 AM
1467 No. Unless you don't want a job. 12/17/2019 1:02 AM
1468 There are NO benefits. 12/17/2019 1:01 AM
1469 No benefit, unles your in the top brass or 12/17/2019 1:01 AM
a big time investor. This is a get rich
quick then when you can't squeeze any
more profit out of the company you leave.
1470 There is less safety more stuff gets done 12/17/2019 1:01 AM
but less safety and they continue to try
to get rid of people to work in all
crafts to cut costs essentially pulling
more work of even other crafts on to
people that are all ready swamped with
less safety
1471 None 12/17/2019 1:00 AM
1472 Working distric has not changed much ecept 12/17/2019 1:00 AM
the amount of t&t
1473 Zero benefits 12/17/2019 12:59 AM
1474 No, unless you're a shareholder. Unless 12/17/2019 12:59 AM
more unpaid time off due to lack of
business is a benefit.
1475 None 12/17/2019 12:59 AM
1476 None 12/17/2019 12:59 AM
1477 Absolutely none 12/17/2019 12:58 AM
1478 Well I still have a job for the time 12/17/2019 12:58 AM
being, but I'm sure even that is in
jeopardy. There is no benefit as far as I
can see.
1479 Well, maybe the fact they are still in 12/17/2019 12:58 AM
business and pay OK. However, just
because we are paid doesn't give the
carrier the right to treat us like
garbage
1480 None that I know of 12/17/2019 12:57 AM
1481 No, there is not. It makes the job 12/17/2019 12:57 AM
dangerous and the schedules work you to
the bone. I have never been so exhausted
before and will be finding other work at
a company that treats their employees
like humans.
1482 No 12/17/2019 12:57 AM
1483 For the contract employee I see no 12/17/2019 12:55 AM
benefit, outside the gain they have seen
through owning company stock or in their
401k
1484 None 12/17/2019 12:55 AM
1485 No. Just cutting jobs and no customer 12/17/2019 12:55 AM
service.
1486 None. 12/17/2019 12:54 AM
1487 I've seen no benefits for us yet 12/17/2019 12:53 AM
1488 Only a money grab for the company and look 12/17/2019 12:52 AM
good to shareholders. Does nothing for
us.
1489 No 12/17/2019 12:51 AM
1490 None that I'm aware of. 12/17/2019 12:50 AM
1491 Absolutely none 12/17/2019 12:50 AM
1492 The company makes more money and we see 12/17/2019 12:50 AM
less. So not exactly a benefit at all.
1493 I guess you don't have to work as much as 12/17/2019 12:49 AM
track time is harder to get
1494 I don't believe there are unless your a 12/17/2019 12:48 AM
shareholder. they changed our work
schudel to 8 days on and six off. this is
not a positive change
1495 Yes, only for the shareholders. 12/17/2019 12:48 AM
1496 No. You have not enough power, unsafe 12/17/2019 12:48 AM
trains, bad-repair cars, and bad/NOT
repaired locomotives. And traffic moves
slower.
1497 More sitting around 12/17/2019 12:47 AM
1498 You are definitely one of the few that has 12/17/2019 12:46 AM
a job.
1499 Not that I've seen at this time. 12/17/2019 12:46 AM
1500 Nope 12/17/2019 12:46 AM
1501 Not a dam thing 12/17/2019 12:45 AM
1502 Absolutely not. This is unsustainable. 12/17/2019 12:43 AM
1503 Bout the same 12/17/2019 12:43 AM
1504 There are no benefits working on a PSR. 12/17/2019 12:42 AM
1505 If there are any I haven't seen them yet. 12/17/2019 12:38 AM
1506 None 12/17/2019 12:38 AM
1507 None unless you own stock 12/17/2019 12:38 AM
1508 Maybe the window we get to work is longer, 12/17/2019 12:38 AM
but I'd rather sit by the track and wait
on a couple of trains, the watching our
dwindling amount of traffic caused by
losing customers due to PSR.
1509 HA! Good one. I guess the one benefit is 12/17/2019 12:37 AM
getting furloughed to see what other jobs
are out there since the railroad is no
longer a competitive career when you can
go down the street to walmart and make
the same amount of money with 10x less
the responsibility and stress put on the
body and mind.
1510 I personally do not see any benefits. A 12/17/2019 12:36 AM
few people are going to make some fast
money and then get out. The railroad does
not seem to care for thier employees or
their family's anymore. The only thing
that matter's is that the stockholders
and upper management get their bonuses.
1511 None that I can see so far in almost a 12/17/2019 12:36 AM
year of implementation of PSR at UPRR.
1512 Yes, stock is at an all time high 12/17/2019 12:36 AM
1513 None that I can see, unless your upper 12/17/2019 12:36 AM
management and a high end shareholder
1514 None that are noticeable 12/17/2019 12:34 AM
1515 As a worker absolutely no benefits 12/17/2019 12:34 AM
1516 None that I've seen so far unless you're a 12/17/2019 12:33 AM
shareholder. The carrier puts employees
and the public at risk with this greedy
practice of do more with less.
1517 None what so ever. 12/17/2019 12:32 AM
1518 There is none 12/17/2019 12:31 AM
1519 None, unless you're a Wall Street hedge 12/17/2019 12:31 AM
fund.
1520 I don't see any at this time 12/17/2019 12:31 AM
1521 Making Wall Street fat cats happy 12/17/2019 12:30 AM
1522 No, company makes more money by the 12/17/2019 12:30 AM
workers beating themselves into the
ground and we don't see any benefit from
it. Our bosses tell us we are lucky to
have a job
1523 No 12/17/2019 12:30 AM
1524 In theory sure, less total hours spent in 12/17/2019 12:30 AM
cab. In actuality more time spent in cab
waiting on crews or dispatchers
considering once we depart no stoping due
to train lengths not being able to fit
anywhere
1525 No 12/17/2019 12:28 AM
1526 Not that ive seen. 12/17/2019 12:27 AM
1527 None 12/17/2019 12:27 AM
1528 I don't think there are benefits for 12/17/2019 12:27 AM
contract workers.
1529 Some of their traffic planning and 12/17/2019 12:27 AM
railroad operations ideas aren't
terrible. However, how they are treating
the people and pushing for production
over safety is placing all of us at risk.
1530 There is only one possible benefit to PSR, 12/17/2019 12:27 AM
and that is the change in management
style regarding rules and testing. The
need to speed things up has forced the
company to look closer at their rule book
and get rid of some tedious and
repetitious processes. Proper training is
required to be a railroader, but once
trained, an employee can work efficiently
and do it safely without the constant
fear of having to look over your shoulder
to see if a manager is trying to write
you up for doing your job.
1531 Benefits for the upper management and 12/17/2019 12:26 AM
stockholders. Are far as the workers, NO.
With the cut backs in man power and
contractors replacing jobs it is a back
killer. No one is happy and no one wins,
except for the uppers and stockholders.
1532 NO 12/17/2019 12:26 AM
1533 No, because this kinda of railroading 12/17/2019 12:25 AM
seems to chase customers away and find
other means shipping with different
companies or worst with trucks. That
means less work for us the employees.
1534 None that I've seen 12/17/2019 12:25 AM
1535 No 12/17/2019 12:25 AM
1536 I don't believe there are a lot of 12/17/2019 12:24 AM
benefits, management expects unrealistic
expectations all of the time! They expect
railroading to come first in every aspect
of life period.
1537 No! PSR creates a TOXIC work environment 12/17/2019 12:24 AM
for everyone involved. Why do you think
Waren buffet doesn't believe in PSR TOXIC
and bad business that's why!
1538 Yes. It does assist the crew when working 12/17/2019 12:23 AM
properly but not a replacement for a live
person.
1539 If so, I havnt seen them. 12/17/2019 12:22 AM
1540 No 12/17/2019 12:22 AM
1541 I personally have experienced no benefits 12/17/2019 12:19 AM
from PSR operations-only serious
negatives.
1542 The same 12/17/2019 12:18 AM
1543 Not that I can tell yet. 12/17/2019 12:16 AM
1544 none 12/17/2019 12:15 AM
1545 Not aware of any 12/17/2019 12:14 AM
1546 Yes to the shareholders 12/17/2019 12:14 AM
1547 0 12/17/2019 12:13 AM
1548 None 12/17/2019 12:12 AM
1549 I do not see any benefits. They're cutting 12/17/2019 12:12 AM
way too deep, this track is going to fall
apart within 5 years or so and the RR
will have to hire a bunch of people and
build up the gangs to actually rebuild
the track.
1550 Personally the only difference I've seen 12/17/2019 12:10 AM
is more with less.
1551 Stocks mostly. 12/17/2019 12:10 AM
1552 None, unless you are the shareholders or 12/17/2019 12:10 AM
the top executives.
1553 They say there is benfits but I don't see 12/17/2019 12:09 AM
it
1554 None. 12/17/2019 12:05 AM
1555 No 12/17/2019 12:05 AM
1556 Benifits are to the shareholders no one 12/17/2019 12:04 AM
else.
1557 No 12/17/2019 12:04 AM
1558 Zero, our customers are extremely unhappy 12/17/2019 12:04 AM
also!
1559 The company seems to like it but the ones 12/17/2019 12:04 AM
that do the ground work don't when they
start changing start times and work days
week to week. We need guaranteed 10 hour
work days then if we have to work a fifth
day at least us the employees feel like
it was worth it to us away from families
1560 More time off, in the form of injury, 12/17/2019 12:04 AM
death or being furloughed longer
1561 Track time is easier to obtain 12/17/2019 12:04 AM
1562 To be honest, I don't see the benefits 12/17/2019 12:03 AM
except for the cooked books
1563 Nothing, since the schedules never 12/17/2019 12:03 AM
actually happen
1564 None 12/17/2019 12:02 AM
1565 None 12/17/2019 12:01 AM
1566 They encourage rule breaking to get done 12/17/2019 12:00 AM
faster so we are not worried about
getting in trouble for rules compliance.
They also have made it commonplace for
Carmen to just write out our class 1 air
slips without actually performing the
test. They are afraid to say the work
isn't done or completed fast enough so
they make it up.
1567 None that i'm Aware of 12/17/2019 12:00 AM
1568 I see none just the railroad benafits 12/17/2019 12:00 AM
1569 No 12/16/2019 11:59 PM
1570 Not from a working employees stand. Maybe 12/16/2019 11:59 PM
high management and shareholders
1571 No 12/16/2019 11:59 PM
1572 There's not 12/16/2019 11:58 PM
1573 None that I have seen. 12/16/2019 11:58 PM
1574 You can better estimate when trains run 12/16/2019 11:57 PM
because they're on a better schedule.
1575 If you are a shareholder I'm sure the 12/16/2019 11:55 PM
benefits are astronomical, but for those
of us that are providing these results
the outcome is less than desirable.
1576 Haven't seen any benefits 12/16/2019 11:55 PM
1577 Not for employees. If you are a big 12/16/2019 11:54 PM
stockholder or CEO then the benefits are
all the money they are making.
1578 None 12/16/2019 11:54 PM
1579 Haven't found one yet 12/16/2019 11:53 PM
1580 None seen yet.. 12/16/2019 11:53 PM
1581 None that I know 12/16/2019 11:51 PM
1582 The benefits are only monetary for the 12/16/2019 11:51 PM
company with greater efficiency,but at s
human cost.
1583 I don't think so 12/16/2019 11:50 PM
1584 Yes less management out testing because 12/16/2019 11:50 PM
they are told not to to speed up freight
movement
1585 Absolutely not, only the shareholders 12/16/2019 11:50 PM
1586 Only benefit I can tell is not passing a 12/16/2019 11:49 PM
red block
1587 PSR allows for natural windows to work in 12/16/2019 11:49 PM
if it falls in the place you are trying
to work but ultimately transportation
runs the show for when maintenance can be
performed.
1588 Not that I have seen. One thing goes wrong 12/16/2019 11:48 PM
and the whole deal goes to absolute pot.
That leaves track as the ones unable to
perform quality maintenance BEFORE a
small issue became a problem. The tracks
are going downhill and it will only get
worse if PSR continues to be the
direction companies go.
1589 More overtime because of derailments 12/16/2019 11:47 PM
1590 None. 12/16/2019 11:47 PM
1591 No there is absolutely no benefit of PSR 12/16/2019 11:46 PM
.unless you are a stockholder
1592 ? 12/16/2019 11:46 PM
1593 If you're a big time shareholder or in a 12/16/2019 11:45 PM
hedge fund it was very beneficial.
1594 No 12/16/2019 11:44 PM
1595 None 12/16/2019 11:43 PM
1596 If you like overtime and not being at home 12/16/2019 11:42 PM
then I would say that would be the
benefit of working on a PSR railroad
1597 No benefits that I can think of. 12/16/2019 11:42 PM
1598 Don't know laid off 12/16/2019 11:39 PM
1599 Yes it does get freight over the rails 12/16/2019 11:37 PM
faster at the cost of a lot of things
1600 I don't see any. You still can have low 12/16/2019 11:37 PM
speed collision with train ahead. Also
Starwood Iowa a mow person opened switch
and PTC never put train into emergency.
Arc would have made engineer place train
into suppression. And slowed train
faster.
1601 None, zilch, zero. Oh you mean for those 12/16/2019 11:37 PM
that run the company? Money, more money,
and then that's not enough, we need more.
1602 None, zero for workers or middle managers 12/16/2019 11:37 PM
or customers.
1603 From what I see it's zero it doesn't make 12/16/2019 11:36 PM
us busier it make us less profitable very
unsafe and overworked
1604 No 12/16/2019 11:36 PM
1605 No 12/16/2019 11:36 PM
1606 We are not harassed by management quite as 12/16/2019 11:35 PM
much as in the past.
1607 I don't feel there's no benefits the only 12/16/2019 11:34 PM
benefit is the railroad benefits there's
no benefit to losing a day off with your
family but this is just my opinion
1608 Haven't seen any as an employee.. 12/16/2019 11:34 PM
1609 No. Corporate greed does not benefit 12/16/2019 11:33 PM
labor.
1610 No 12/16/2019 11:33 PM
1611 Not that I am aware of 12/16/2019 11:33 PM
1612 ABSOLUTELY not to the employees. There is 12/16/2019 11:32 PM
no upside to PSR where railroad employees
are concerned.
1613 NO. More work at different industries has 12/16/2019 11:32 PM
more opportunity for injury. Setting a
unit train in a facility is beneficial
for the costomer and safer for the
workers.
1614 Lots of over time 12/16/2019 11:32 PM
1615 Knowing train schedule 12/16/2019 11:32 PM
1616 I can't think of a single one. 12/16/2019 11:31 PM
1617 None 12/16/2019 11:31 PM
1618 Couldn't tell you 12/16/2019 11:30 PM
1619 Higher ups make more money 12/16/2019 11:30 PM
1620 I don't see it if there is one. 12/16/2019 11:30 PM
1621 stock prices are up 12/16/2019 11:29 PM
1622 The company makes more money but the 12/16/2019 11:29 PM
workers suffer in job cuts.
1623 No. 12/16/2019 11:28 PM
1624 None 12/16/2019 11:27 PM
1625 Have not work under PSR. 12/16/2019 11:27 PM
1626 The shareholders are smiling all the way 12/16/2019 11:27 PM
to the bank.
1627 Maybe moving freight at a faster rate, but 12/16/2019 11:26 PM
long term safety and reliability do not
seem like a priority.
1628 None 12/16/2019 11:25 PM
1629 None 12/16/2019 11:25 PM
1630 N/A 12/16/2019 11:24 PM
1631 No. 12/16/2019 11:24 PM
1632 Not one single benefit 12/16/2019 11:22 PM
1633 Due to the short windows hence the short 12/16/2019 11:21 PM
days I am getting g more gym time after
work
1634 I feel like the rich get richer 12/16/2019 11:21 PM
1635 None that the field employee benefits 12/16/2019 11:20 PM
from. We only work in fear daily.
1636 Not worth mentioning, drive stocks up. 12/16/2019 11:20 PM
1637 Chance to make more money for anyone that 12/16/2019 11:19 PM
manages to beat the furlough process.
That's it.
1638 All day track time 12/16/2019 11:19 PM
1639 None 12/16/2019 11:19 PM
1640 No. But raising our dues just takes more 12/16/2019 11:19 PM
money out of our pockets.
1641 the basic principle that trains leave on 12/16/2019 11:19 PM
time is very good and needed some
realignment but PSR is just pretty much
code for cut all you can for the profit
of shareholders, very litlle to do with
the actual job of railroading
1642 None that I can think of. At CSX, boots 12/16/2019 11:18 PM
are no longer provided to employees.
Budget cuts reduce amount of safety
supplies available. The hotel in
Nashbille TN is a roach trap. CSX is
committed to saving money while allowing
dedicated employees be miserable.
1643 none 12/16/2019 11:18 PM
1644 No 12/16/2019 11:18 PM
1645 None unless you are a shareholder in the 12/16/2019 11:17 PM
short term.
1646 The only benefit of PSR that I know of 12/16/2019 11:17 PM
goes to the shareholders.
1647 Working no being a stockholder yes 12/16/2019 11:16 PM
1648 Crews have an idea of when certain trains 12/16/2019 11:16 PM
will be called due to scheduling
1649 If you're a shareholder then yes, but us 12/16/2019 11:16 PM
as employees, NO! I mean you want the
company you work for to do good, but when
they do it at the expense of there
employees, after they already get a ton
of profit, it's just ridiculous. They
still make cuts when making more money,
si working through this PSR is terrible
1650 I hadn't seen any benefits 12/16/2019 11:16 PM
1651 No 12/16/2019 11:16 PM
1652 No 12/16/2019 11:16 PM
1653 Not really 12/16/2019 11:15 PM
1654 You lose your job. No benefit. 12/16/2019 11:14 PM
1655 I haven't seen anything positive from from 12/16/2019 11:14 PM
PSR on the craft side.
1656 Some with tie conditions,rail 12/16/2019 11:14 PM
1657 None, just be patient, you'll be replaced 12/16/2019 11:14 PM
by a contractor.
1658 None 12/16/2019 11:14 PM
1659 I see no benefit except some of the 12/16/2019 11:13 PM
harassment over safety rules has eased up
to help obtain operating ratios.
1660 There has no benefit for me. 12/16/2019 11:13 PM
1661 I am sure there is but being a TE&Y 12/16/2019 11:13 PM
employee. I have not seen it yet. All I
have seen is the down side of it.
Employees with 6 plus years or more with
out a job, to provide for their families.
Customers who we get to talk to complain
about not getting their products in a
timely manner like they use to. Customers
also complaing that the products they
produce are not getting picked up and
delivered to the consumer in a timely
manner.
1662 Hell no!!! Only if your a wealthy 12/16/2019 11:12 PM
stockholder
1663 If you own stock and have a lot of 12/16/2019 11:12 PM
seniority, there may be an advantage.
That's assuming that you can stay put on
a job you're familiar with and just lay
low and hide out.
1664 No 12/16/2019 11:12 PM
1665 Not that I am aware of. 12/16/2019 11:11 PM
1666 No benefits what so ever. 12/16/2019 11:11 PM
1667 Not that I see. 12/16/2019 11:10 PM
1668 I don't see any. It seems like we are 12/16/2019 11:10 PM
working for a dictatorship, where they
place 100 percent of the blame of
failures on the employees with no
consideration to the fact that they are
pushing equipment AND employees to the
breaking point, both physically and
mentally.
1669 Nine, absolutely nine 12/16/2019 11:09 PM
1670 I don't have anything to compare it to, 12/16/2019 11:08 PM
PSR is all I have experienced.
1671 I truly feel it can be beneficial but it 12/16/2019 11:08 PM
can't put money over our personal well-
being
1672 None that I think of 12/16/2019 11:08 PM
1673 I don't see any benefits on the MOW side 12/16/2019 11:08 PM
with PSR. As stated before, it makes
track time more difficult.
1674 Moving trains but not doing so safe. 12/16/2019 11:06 PM
1675 Idk of any 12/16/2019 11:06 PM
1676 To make a more profitable company for 12/16/2019 11:05 PM
shareholders.
1677 No benefits except maybe for the 12/16/2019 11:04 PM
stockholders.
1678 None 12/16/2019 11:04 PM
1679 No, the carriers net billions in quarterly 12/16/2019 11:04 PM
profit at the expense of their employees
who are just a number.
1680 NO there isn't to much work for too little 12/16/2019 11:04 PM
people in a bigger Hutton get the job
done SAFETY went out the window
1681 No 12/16/2019 11:04 PM
1682 No, none. Thanks for trying to ruin 12/16/2019 11:03 PM
thousands of hard working Americans
careers
1683 No 12/16/2019 11:02 PM
1684 Nothing or if there is any we don't see 12/16/2019 11:02 PM
them. It's all about there profits.
1685 No 12/16/2019 11:00 PM
1686 To be determined 12/16/2019 11:00 PM
1687 Zero 12/16/2019 11:00 PM
1688 Supposedly, the plan implemented, is 12/16/2019 10:59 PM
prevent trains from causing incidents or
accidents or maybe even save a life
1689 None 12/16/2019 10:59 PM
1690 None so far 12/16/2019 10:59 PM
1691 No everyone is doing more with less 12/16/2019 10:58 PM
including the track gangs
1692 If you want to be employed but not work 12/16/2019 10:57 PM
it's great
1693 Lol, I made about $20,000 than previous 12/16/2019 10:57 PM
years due to overtime.
1694 There are no benefits. Only to the 12/16/2019 10:57 PM
stockholders
1695 Raise healthcare for no reason 12/16/2019 10:57 PM
1696 No. 12/16/2019 10:56 PM
1697 The only benefit is for the shareholder 12/16/2019 10:56 PM
and hedge funds. The lack of material and
the ReUse of old material is making our
jobs harder and harder. Cutting jobs and
putting pressure on people to get the
task at hand done with the same allowed
time. Is putting everybody at risk
1698 I see the risk to SAFETY (absolutely 12/16/2019 10:56 PM
minimum manpower) outweighs any possible
benefit. If you can't do it SAFE it will
be done in BLOOD No benefit to that.
1699 No none that I see at all. Only benefit is 12/16/2019 10:56 PM
to the shareholders. Sell and shut down
everything we can to grow our bottom
dollar
1700 No benefits at all 12/16/2019 10:55 PM
1701 For the shareholders it's good. No 12/16/2019 10:55 PM
benefits to the workers.
1702 Haven't seen any benefit besides angry 12/16/2019 10:55 PM
customers.
1703 NONE!!!! Less employees on locomotives it 12/16/2019 10:55 PM
in the field does not come close to
making us safer or more efficient.
1704 I don't see any real benefits. 12/16/2019 10:55 PM
1705 N/A 12/16/2019 10:55 PM
1706 Longer hours. If you like overtime and 12/16/2019 10:55 PM
wearing your body out.
1707 In my heart, I believe the railroad is 12/16/2019 10:54 PM
trying to get rid of all of us so they
can hire contractors. I generally see PSR
as a road-block for us to do our job. I
fail to identify any real benefits.
1708 Absolutely none whatsoever. 12/16/2019 10:54 PM
1709 No! It's like trying to have controlled 12/16/2019 10:54 PM
chaos on an uncontrolled schedule.
1710 Not to the employees 12/16/2019 10:54 PM
1711 They're are none. PSR operations are a 12/16/2019 10:52 PM
danger to the safety of the general
public!
1712 Na 12/16/2019 10:51 PM
1713 Nothing on the engineering side of things 12/16/2019 10:51 PM
1714 Long hours, unlimited overtime, working by 12/16/2019 10:51 PM
yourself or small crews.
1715 Don't know 12/16/2019 10:51 PM
1716 No there are none 12/16/2019 10:51 PM
1717 The benefits are the same as they've 12/16/2019 10:51 PM
always been. Good paying career, health
insurance and pension. I believe though
after PSR was implemented many have left
due to stress on job, no jobs close to
home after shutting yards and shops down.
So to some that goal of working a career
with a pension to have after retirement
was lost because of PSR
1718 No 12/16/2019 10:51 PM
1719 None whats so ever. More hazardous 12/16/2019 10:51 PM
1720 As an employee, not that I can see. 12/16/2019 10:50 PM
Looking at it from a company standpoint,
I see a lot of benefits to the company,
but hurts the customer in the long run.
1721 The only benefit is to company operational 12/16/2019 10:50 PM
costs.
1722 I don't know what the benefits are except 12/16/2019 10:50 PM
to please the shareholders.
1723 Nope! Customers and employees both hate 12/16/2019 10:50 PM
it. Only people it benifits are short
term investors looking to make a quick
buck. When they have squeezed all they
can from it. The railroads in America
will be left in shambles. Unable to serve
the industies of this Nation.
1724 The only benefit is that of the 12/16/2019 10:49 PM
shareholders. Not to the employee
1725 None 12/16/2019 10:48 PM
1726 DON'T KNOW 12/16/2019 10:48 PM
1727 None that I see the people are expected to 12/16/2019 10:47 PM
do more with way less. The people on the
ground, don't see there families and it's
getting worse they run bare minimum crews
1728 It's great if you want to make money and 12/16/2019 10:47 PM
don't have a family or a life away for
work.
1729 None. The only people benefiting are CEOs 12/16/2019 10:47 PM
and shareholders.
1730 Not for the employees 12/16/2019 10:47 PM
1731 None 12/16/2019 10:47 PM
1732 For the shareholders and hedge founders 12/16/2019 10:47 PM
otherwise No!
1733 I don't know of any 12/16/2019 10:47 PM
1734 Not to the workers on the track dept 12/16/2019 10:46 PM
1735 No not for workers or our families 12/16/2019 10:46 PM
1736 I have not seen anything beneficial 12/16/2019 10:46 PM
1737 Not that I've seen so far. Unless reducing 12/16/2019 10:45 PM
man power is a benefit
1738 I don't know 12/16/2019 10:45 PM
1739 I can't think of one 12/16/2019 10:45 PM
1740 Not that I can think of right off. 12/16/2019 10:44 PM
1741 Not that I am aware of. 12/16/2019 10:44 PM
1742 No 12/16/2019 10:43 PM
1743 I don't see any benefits except to those 12/16/2019 10:43 PM
who profit from it.
1744 None 12/16/2019 10:42 PM
1745 Nothing different as far as benefits. 12/16/2019 10:42 PM
Employees now have less time at home due
to z5/z6 schedules but are still required
to travel great distances to remain
working with some groups
1746 Yes, being able to better meet customer 12/16/2019 10:41 PM
demands is never a bad thing. However,
cutting manpower to the bone and
expecting nothing to change is
unrealistic
1747 Haven't seen a benefit in the last 5 12/16/2019 10:41 PM
years. Just more budget cuts that
demoralize the working person trying to
do a job
1748 The shareholders are making money. 12/16/2019 10:41 PM
1749 Still have a job for now 12/16/2019 10:41 PM
1750 No 12/16/2019 10:40 PM
1751 no 12/16/2019 10:40 PM
1752 I make less money, so I pay less taxes. 12/16/2019 10:40 PM
I'm less tempted to make major purchases.
I'm depressed more often, so less likely
to work out or play withmy kid, so i'm
less likely to get injured and miss work.
1753 Profit margins are going up for the top 12/16/2019 10:40 PM
end of the railroad executives and the
investors/shareholders.
1754 No none at all 12/16/2019 10:40 PM
1755 Just a job now not a career 12/16/2019 10:39 PM
1756 No 12/16/2019 10:39 PM
1757 No benefits that I have witnessed. Engines 12/16/2019 10:39 PM
& cars seem to be getting a lot less
maintenance
1758 Smaller working windows 12/16/2019 10:39 PM
1759 It's good for the shareholder and that's 12/16/2019 10:39 PM
it.
1760 Not that I can see. Do more with less. 12/16/2019 10:39 PM
Everyone gets more money but the people
doing the work.
1761 From a MOW stand point there is no real 12/16/2019 10:38 PM
benefit to us other than when the track
structure does finally deteriorate to a
level that slows trains we get the track
and have to do work that would have taken
us a few hours in a shorter time and this
leads to hurried work and dangerous
working conditions
1762 More money 12/16/2019 10:38 PM
1763 Less time for management to harass the 12/16/2019 10:38 PM
employees.
1764 I suppose if you own a substantial amount 12/16/2019 10:37 PM
of company stock. Although, I think the
benefits are short term and limit the
railroads ability to expand its business
1765 Don't trust it 12/16/2019 10:35 PM
1766 No. You cannot replace people with 12/16/2019 10:35 PM
computers and automated machines and
expect a thorough and quality job
1767 No none union dues continue to increase 12/16/2019 10:35 PM
along with healthcare and my paycheck
continues to decrease
1768 None 12/16/2019 10:34 PM
1769 No 12/16/2019 10:33 PM
1770 Skeleton workforce so there's less bumping 12/16/2019 10:33 PM
1771 No. It cuts jobs and forces the rest of 12/16/2019 10:33 PM
those left to pick up the slack, while
not being compensated any better.
1772 Don't have none 12/16/2019 10:32 PM
1773 None 12/16/2019 10:32 PM
1774 No 12/16/2019 10:31 PM
1775 No 12/16/2019 10:31 PM
1776 Stock price is good. You can only cut so 12/16/2019 10:31 PM
much out until ultimately you have to
build back. If revenue is down, they just
cut in other areas to make up for it
instead of growing the business. Track
structures wouldn't hold up if there was
a huge increase in business.
1777 None whatsoever. 12/16/2019 10:30 PM
1778 Yes unemployment 12/16/2019 10:30 PM
1779 No 12/16/2019 10:29 PM
1780 I have yet to see any. Just lack of work, 12/16/2019 10:29 PM
fatigue, and lies to appease shareholders
1781 I can't think of any 12/16/2019 10:29 PM
1782 None to speak of. 12/16/2019 10:29 PM
1783 None that I can see 12/16/2019 10:28 PM
1784 Zero 12/16/2019 10:28 PM
1785 Only benefits I see is the top officials 12/16/2019 10:28 PM
are squeezing the employees and the
customers do gain massive profits, then
walking away prior to comple collapse
1786 The benefits are a home life full of 12/16/2019 10:28 PM
confusion as to when you are going to
work.
1787 Don't know yet. Most people are working 12/16/2019 10:28 PM
less.
1788 none that I can see as of yet. 12/16/2019 10:28 PM
1789 No benefits to maintenance of way 12/16/2019 10:27 PM
employees. PSR means getting more done
with less time and less manpower
1790 No. 12/16/2019 10:27 PM
1791 NO. PSR has created a bad work environment 12/16/2019 10:27 PM
with bad attitudes and fear of no job
security even though employees are locked
to the railroad career by the retirement
1792 None that I can think of 12/16/2019 10:26 PM
1793 No. You get treated terrible by a company 12/16/2019 10:26 PM
who wants to automate everything.
1794 The only benefit has been we aren't as 12/16/2019 10:26 PM
busy as we used to be.
1795 Quicker turn around from away from home 12/16/2019 10:26 PM
terminals
1796 I have not realized any to speak of 12/16/2019 10:25 PM
1797 All the safety rules have been laced so we 12/16/2019 10:25 PM
can do more work. Things we would have
been fired for a few years ago, are
magically okay now. So much for the
company's assertion that the rules are
written in blood.
1798 None. The only benefit is to the 12/16/2019 10:25 PM
shareholders. The employees are getting
crushed.
1799 No takes to many shortcuts for production 12/16/2019 10:25 PM
1800 Not sure time will tell 12/16/2019 10:24 PM
1801 None 12/16/2019 10:24 PM
1802 None that I have seen 12/16/2019 10:23 PM
1803 All changes have been non beneficial for 12/16/2019 10:23 PM
me
1804 Nope, to many jobs cut 12/16/2019 10:22 PM
1805 I can't think of a single benefit. I'm 12/16/2019 10:21 PM
currently in the process of leaving a PSR
railroad voluntarily.
1806 If your in management seems they get 12/16/2019 10:20 PM
bigger bonuses.
1807 I'm yet to see the so called great results 12/16/2019 10:20 PM
1808 I honestly haven't seen any except the 12/16/2019 10:20 PM
fact that some cars move a little faster
supposedly. Yet idk if I believe that,
but it's what management says the numbers
say.
1809 None that I have seen. 12/16/2019 10:20 PM
1810 None at all as far as I can see 12/16/2019 10:19 PM
1811 I'm sure there are benefits. But when you 12/16/2019 10:18 PM
start bypassing safety or basic
maintenance on equipment just to keep a
train moving. Someone will eventually get
seriously injured or killed.
1812 Not in maintenance 12/16/2019 10:18 PM
1813 No benefits that we can see. The customers 12/16/2019 10:18 PM
are unhappy and the workforce morale is
terrible.
1814 For the worker I don't see an upside. For 12/16/2019 10:18 PM
company's stock I suppose there is,
albeit short sided.
1815 No benefits, unless you hold stock, or are 12/16/2019 10:18 PM
a Manager at bonus time.
1816 none at all 12/16/2019 10:17 PM
1817 My stock value has increased! 12/16/2019 10:17 PM
1818 Not that I have seen 12/16/2019 10:17 PM
1819 You know about what time to expect trains 12/16/2019 10:16 PM
1820 None that I can see. 12/16/2019 10:16 PM
1821 Can't think of any 12/16/2019 10:16 PM
1822 I can not think of any at the moment 12/16/2019 10:15 PM
1823 None that I can see. Busier then ever with 12/16/2019 10:15 PM
less money in our pockets.
1824 None 12/16/2019 10:15 PM
1825 Mediocre benefits. 12/16/2019 10:14 PM
1826 None, ever since it's implementation 12/16/2019 10:14 PM
employees morale is lower than I have
ever seen. All numbers driven. No common
sense or human element. All about greed
1827 For the time being our stock has seemed to 12/16/2019 10:14 PM
rise but, how long with this unproven
business model last. It is easy to cut
overhead by buying less and reducing
headcount but, again how long will it be
profitable?
1828 Absolutely None! Less job security, more 12/16/2019 10:13 PM
worry about less time off, same
production with much less help, resulting
in short cuts and dangerous work
1829 None 12/16/2019 10:12 PM
1830 No 12/16/2019 10:12 PM
1831 Not sure what it is 12/16/2019 10:11 PM
1832 From a workers point of view the only 12/16/2019 10:11 PM
thing witnessed is loss of time with our
families and a harder longer work week.
It literally only benefits the
stockholders, even the customers don't
like it.
1833 None in my opinion 12/16/2019 10:11 PM
1834 None 12/16/2019 10:10 PM
1835 No. 12/16/2019 10:10 PM
1836 Track times can be more predictable. 12/16/2019 10:09 PM
1837 I don't believe so how can anyone say it 12/16/2019 10:09 PM
would be safe I would say it's more risk
and asking for trouble
1838 None. Less money. Unhappy workers. 12/16/2019 10:09 PM
1839 Not sure 12/16/2019 10:09 PM
1840 Not as an agreement employee. With so many 12/16/2019 10:08 PM
budget cuts it appears the only thing
that matters anymore is shareholder
profits.
1841 None that I can see for workers. All 12/16/2019 10:08 PM
Benefits seem to be for corporate profits
1842 No 12/16/2019 10:07 PM
1843 The only benefit appears to be overtime 12/16/2019 10:07 PM
and reduced testing.
1844 As a M/W employee I haven't see one. 12/16/2019 10:06 PM
1845 Unknown 12/16/2019 10:06 PM
1846 N/A 12/16/2019 10:05 PM
1847 Hell no. PSR sucks 12/16/2019 10:05 PM
1848 There are no benefits. PSR is equivalent 12/16/2019 10:05 PM
to a hailmarry in football. You just
close your eyes and hope for the best.
1849 I honestly can't see any. 12/16/2019 10:04 PM
1850 Only if you are a shareholder 12/16/2019 10:04 PM
1851 N/A 12/16/2019 10:03 PM
1852 I don't see any all for the stockholders 12/16/2019 10:03 PM
1853 There is only negative benefits to us all 12/16/2019 10:03 PM
from train crews to the Track men. I have
not heard 1 person unless there in upper
management, and not out on tracks say
something positive. All the employees
only complain and talk how they hate r
jobs now they have changed r work
schedule to 8 on 6 off and now we work an
extra 24 days a year for free and it's an
extra month away from home. everone is
completely exhausted all week most
employees work first day without any
sleep. And it's effecting r home lives
more stress more problems missing more of
our kids games and school stuff. It's the
worst it has ever been out here. everyone
complains and we r constantly exhausted
and just realize what we do does not
matter we all want r old 8on 7 off
schedule not this one they forced us to
take. The UP needs to realize when all
your workforce does not care and r
completely exhausted injuries go up and r
quality of life suffers for corporate
greed of a few that r never out working
with us they avoid all the big start up
meetings because they know we r all sick
of the constant lies and the run around.
And the leaders they have up there no
absolutely nothing and get all worked up
when a few ask well thought out
questionPSR has ruined the railroad and r
quality of life it's progressively
getting worse we need to go back to how
it was .. get rid of all the bosses that
cost us to much
1854 Yes if you are a shareholder. The 12/16/2019 10:03 PM
customer, the public and employees will
see no benefit. This is a play for Wall
Street
1855 If everything works right it should mean 12/16/2019 10:01 PM
more money to employe more people.
1856 None 12/16/2019 10:01 PM
1857 I have seen none thus far more and more 12/16/2019 10:01 PM
safety is pushed onto the foreman's with
there new term front line leader this has
become fall guy when something has gone
wrong
1858 The only benefit is too the upper 12/16/2019 10:01 PM
management. Less workers means more money
for them
1859 No 12/16/2019 10:01 PM
1860 Haven't seen any trickle down to the 12/16/2019 10:01 PM
workers.
1861 No benefit 12/16/2019 10:01 PM
1862 None 12/16/2019 10:00 PM
1863 None 12/16/2019 9:59 PM
1864 The fewer groups of managers watching you 12/16/2019 9:59 PM
for hrs on end trying to find any type of
failure is nice.
1865 Absolutely none, zero, negative 12/16/2019 9:58 PM
1866 If there are I haven't seen any yet. 12/16/2019 9:58 PM
Especially for the employees.
1867 Just knowing what signal is in front of 12/16/2019 9:58 PM
you before you see it.
1868 Yes we are not getting bird dog by 12/16/2019 9:58 PM
management, but we as Union need to start
policing our self's and have a say in new
hires
1869 No. Not to the employees atleast. 12/16/2019 9:57 PM
1870 It makes it a little easier to make a work 12/16/2019 9:56 PM
plan
1871 Sure as long as you're a shareholder. 12/16/2019 9:55 PM
Otherwise not one damn thing.
1872 None at this point in time. 12/16/2019 9:55 PM
1873 There are absolutely none, they say they 12/16/2019 9:54 PM
focus is on safety and customer service,
yet I've seen many times when customers
won't get served by our locals, due to
hours of service, and they won't pay
another crew to go and finish up.
1874 So far there hasn't been any 12/16/2019 9:54 PM
1875 I haven't seen any 12/16/2019 9:53 PM
1876 No no benefits 12/16/2019 9:53 PM
1877 Nothing but more whip marks on your back. 12/16/2019 9:53 PM
1878 To put more money in the shareholders 12/16/2019 9:53 PM
pockets. Money over safety even though
preached. Do the job safely no matter
what.
1879 None 12/16/2019 9:53 PM
1880 Absolutely not. Well, yes, if you're a big 12/16/2019 9:53 PM
time investor. Terrible for the ones on
the ground level
1881 No benefits 12/16/2019 9:52 PM
1882 I am not aware of any benefits of PSR to 12/16/2019 9:52 PM
hard working employees of any railroad.
I'm sure there are plenty of benefits to
the company however.
1883 None 12/16/2019 9:52 PM
1884 None that I can see 12/16/2019 9:52 PM
1885 None to my knowledge 12/16/2019 9:51 PM
1886 Not for me, I guess someone gets paid a 12/16/2019 9:51 PM
lot to to claim a business plan to be in
a mad rush.
1887 No, I have not seen any I know the PSR has 12/16/2019 9:51 PM
made the local in the yard I work in less
productive.
1888 no 12/16/2019 9:51 PM
1889 No 12/16/2019 9:51 PM
1890 No idea 12/16/2019 9:50 PM
1891 No, we cannot be to reliant on the 12/16/2019 9:50 PM
computerization of how we move trains.
Computers fail to.
1892 No, it is all a lie made to look good on 12/16/2019 9:50 PM
paper.
1893 No benefites 12/16/2019 9:50 PM
1894 I haven't seen any benefits yet 12/16/2019 9:49 PM
1895 Not that I have seen. 12/16/2019 9:47 PM
1896 No 12/16/2019 9:47 PM
1897 None 12/16/2019 9:46 PM
1898 NONE!!! 12/16/2019 9:44 PM
1899 N/A 12/16/2019 9:44 PM
1900 None!!!! Overworked, short handed, 12/16/2019 9:44 PM
policing employees like we are stealing.
Threatening you with your job if you
can't speed up the process
1901 Absolutely not! Depriving good people of 12/16/2019 9:43 PM
their livelihoods so a handful of
investors and capitalize on a bigger
profit? we've already got technology that
will change things, now we can't even
work due to forced furloughs, and we're
not even in the middle of a recession! It
creates bad moral, and punishes good men,
and women, who've left good careers for
absolutely NO REASON!
1902 Yes 12/16/2019 9:43 PM
1903 Nope only stockholders see benefits 12/16/2019 9:42 PM
1904 No 12/16/2019 9:42 PM
1905 Don't see any 12/16/2019 9:41 PM
1906 None 12/16/2019 9:41 PM
1907 Shareholders get rich while infrastructure 12/16/2019 9:40 PM
is falling apart. As our Division
Engineer stated in a meeting we are going
from a preventative maintenance railroad
to a railroad that fixes only things that
are absolutely necessary to keep trains
running in order to cut cost.
1908 Someone at the top is making more money 12/16/2019 9:40 PM
thats a benefit but everything at my
level suffers because of it
1909 None 12/16/2019 9:39 PM
1910 If doing more with less are Benefits then 12/16/2019 9:37 PM
answer is NO
1911 The only thing I've seen in stock prices 12/16/2019 9:36 PM
but they can only run on the edge for so
long before something breaks.
1912 Not for the workers 12/16/2019 9:36 PM
1913 None 12/16/2019 9:36 PM
1914 None 12/16/2019 9:36 PM
1915 None I've noticed. 12/16/2019 9:36 PM
1916 The only ones benefiting are the board 12/16/2019 9:36 PM
members and elite shareholders.
1917 I will die sooner I guess? 12/16/2019 9:35 PM
1918 Shareholders are more apt to invest in our 12/16/2019 9:35 PM
company
1919 I don't see any, no 12/16/2019 9:35 PM
1920 I have not seen any difference in benefits 12/16/2019 9:34 PM
from before the implementation of PSR and
after implementation, save for a marked
decrease in overtime. Less money.
1921 The only benefit is for the CEO's and the 12/16/2019 9:33 PM
shareholders
1922 None 12/16/2019 9:33 PM
1923 I don't see any. 12/16/2019 9:33 PM
1924 No 12/16/2019 9:33 PM
1925 No 12/16/2019 9:32 PM
1926 There are no benifits for workers. More 12/16/2019 9:32 PM
work with less people. Only people that
benifit from PSR is the carrier and
shareholders.
1927 None 12/16/2019 9:30 PM
1928 For management being able to adjust work 12/16/2019 9:29 PM
rules and scheduling
1929 Money for the shareholders is all they 12/16/2019 9:27 PM
care about!
1930 Shareholders are the only ones who benefit 12/16/2019 9:27 PM
1931 No benefits and anybody that says 12/16/2019 9:27 PM
otherwise doesn't understand the get rich
quick scheme.
1932 No 12/16/2019 9:27 PM
1933 For what I was told was going to happen, 12/16/2019 9:27 PM
the opposite has happen. Way more less
accurate train line ups leading to
inadequate rest periods.
1934 I feel it will allow Railroads to remain 12/16/2019 9:27 PM
competitive and stay in business.
1935 I do not see any benefits to work8ng on a 12/16/2019 9:25 PM
PSR railroad. The only people that
benefit from PSR, are the stockholders.
1936 I honestly can't think of any. 12/16/2019 9:25 PM
1937 NOTHING 12/16/2019 9:25 PM
1938 For the railroad shareholders not the 12/16/2019 9:25 PM
workers
1939 None I know of 12/16/2019 9:24 PM
1940 For the worker no, the company yes it 12/16/2019 9:24 PM
boosts their profits. I know people who
work on other railroads and it's
destroyed jobs and in turn those
employees life in some cases.
1941 Have not seen any benefits as operations 12/16/2019 9:24 PM
employee
1942 I don't say that I can see any benifits 12/16/2019 9:24 PM
1943 As best I can tell, the changes that came 12/16/2019 9:24 PM
with PSR that negatively affected our
work life weren't directly attributed to
PSR, but rather the ruthless ``want more
for less, pinch the pennies'' attitude
that was behind it.
1944 None that I'm aware of. 12/16/2019 9:23 PM
1945 Not in my opinion 12/16/2019 9:23 PM
1946 I don't know of any 12/16/2019 9:23 PM
1947 Bigger profits for the board members, in 12/16/2019 9:23 PM
turn they can receive bigger end of the
year bonuses
1948 Being a stockholder. And that's even 12/16/2019 9:23 PM
questionable based on prices recently.
1949 No, they cut jobs, lots of jobs 12/16/2019 9:23 PM
1950 None that I can see 12/16/2019 9:21 PM
1951 No 12/16/2019 9:20 PM
1952 Don't know 12/16/2019 9:20 PM
1953 There nothing good out of this that I can 12/16/2019 9:20 PM
see. Unless your a stockholder
1954 No. 12/16/2019 9:19 PM
1955 I haven't seen any of them yet they still 12/16/2019 9:19 PM
have terrible train lineups and a lot of
power issues
1956 Have NOT seen any advantage. 12/16/2019 9:19 PM
1957 No 12/16/2019 9:19 PM
1958 No, smaller terminals are being ran 12/16/2019 9:18 PM
through or picking up blocks of cars that
need to be switched at the initial
terminal instead of being back hauled.
1959 Not sure 12/16/2019 9:18 PM
1960 None. 12/16/2019 9:17 PM
1961 None that I can see because we can 12/16/2019 9:17 PM
schedule a job and according to per we
start at 6 am and have to finish by 2 for
a train, leaving, instead of starting on
our agreed on Time tho we often get
started an hour or 2 late and are still
expected to be done at the same time not
2 hours later so you start knowing your
going to be pushed to get done on the
original time
1962 Zero, railroads are cutting jobs and 12/16/2019 9:17 PM
getting more contractors
1963 No. Not unless you're a shareholder 12/16/2019 9:17 PM
1964 No benefits, the railroads furlough their 12/16/2019 9:16 PM
employees in favor of making more profits
1965 No, Way more daangerous 12/16/2019 9:15 PM
1966 Is this question a joke? 12/16/2019 9:15 PM
1967 No 12/16/2019 9:14 PM
1968 More emphasis on being efficient and doing 12/16/2019 9:13 PM
the job right.
1969 Benefits for the company in cost savings. 12/16/2019 9:13 PM
1970 The only benefit is to the shareholders. 12/16/2019 9:13 PM
There are NONE for the employees or the
American citizens due to the increased
safety issues.
1971 Falsifying more numbers to keep PSR 12/16/2019 9:13 PM
numbers up for media and shareholder
value. Our retirement funds are doing
well.
1972 N/A 12/16/2019 9:12 PM
1973 Not seen any on our end 12/16/2019 9:12 PM
1974 I personally have not seen them. 12/16/2019 9:12 PM
1975 There are no long term benefits, just 12/16/2019 9:11 PM
short term profits!! PSR is a pyramid
scheme disguised as a viable product!!
1976 Havn't seen any yet except for 12/16/2019 9:11 PM
adminstration pockets getting fat
1977 There are definitely no benefits to 12/16/2019 9:10 PM
working with a PSR railroad when the
person hired to implement this program is
known as the axman we as employees spend
more time worried about our jobs being
cut just to save the company a few
dollars no matter how proficient we are
at doing it.
1978 you kind of know when trains are going to 12/16/2019 9:09 PM
run, so you kind of know when you are
going to get track time
1979 Im sure there are but im not sure what 12/16/2019 9:09 PM
they are
1980 Haven't seen any 12/16/2019 9:09 PM
1981 None. I think it's more about creating 12/16/2019 9:07 PM
hype and forcing the same work to be
moved elsewhere
1982 No 12/16/2019 9:06 PM
1983 They only benefit is the stock options 12/16/2019 9:06 PM
because it's making the shareholders
wealthier for now until things go awry.
1984 No there is no benefit. Cutting job's lead 12/16/2019 9:06 PM
to more safety concerns. More being done
with less people.
1985 No 12/16/2019 9:06 PM
1986 None 12/16/2019 9:04 PM
1987 None 12/16/2019 9:03 PM
1988 Only if you're a shareholder there are 12/16/2019 9:03 PM
benefits
1989 No. None at all except to line the pockets 12/16/2019 9:03 PM
of the higher ups and furlough the people
who work hard to keep the railroad going
1990 I guess if you don't want to work and are 12/16/2019 9:03 PM
hoping to draw unemploymentthat's about
the only benefit. My 401k has grown
fairly wellbut I'm not sure it matches
the expense we pay to constantly have our
jobs in jeopardy of cuts to push investor
payouts.
1991 I have not noticed any yet except my Union 12/16/2019 9:02 PM
Pacific stock in my 401k is doing pretty
well.
1992 No, none at all 12/16/2019 9:02 PM
1993 Absolutely none 12/16/2019 9:01 PM
1994 No 12/16/2019 9:01 PM
1995 Absolutely zero to the employees that make 12/16/2019 9:00 PM
the company money
1996 Scheduling trains seems to be better or 12/16/2019 9:00 PM
more repetition
1997 Just to the shareholders, it is hazardous 12/16/2019 9:00 PM
to the employees safety, and bad for
customer relations.
1998 If it's precision scheduled, why isn't 12/16/2019 9:00 PM
there a schedule for trains?
1999 None 12/16/2019 8:59 PM
2000 Shorter trains. 12/16/2019 8:59 PM
2001 None that I'm aware of. All the talk of 12/16/2019 8:59 PM
record profits hasn't made it to the
thousands of employees making trains go
down the tracks.
2002 There are none in my opinion. 12/16/2019 8:59 PM
2003 No 12/16/2019 8:57 PM
2004 Hasn't really affected my position. 12/16/2019 8:57 PM
2005 Some what dependable train times 12/16/2019 8:56 PM
2006 Only if the correct details about a job is 12/16/2019 8:55 PM
posted when it comes up for bid
2007 No. They work skeleton crews and expect 12/16/2019 8:54 PM
the same amount of work to be done if you
still had full crews.
2008 None, never know if you're gonna get cut 12/16/2019 8:53 PM
off
2009 I personally have not seen any positives 12/16/2019 8:53 PM
to PSR, the only benefit is shareholders.
2010 I see none. 12/16/2019 8:51 PM
2011 I have not found any. 12/16/2019 8:51 PM
2012 I have not seen any. From history of 12/16/2019 8:50 PM
working on cp and cn before joining bnsf
I haven't heard anything good. Less men,
more hours, more fatigue and more
injuries and near misses
2013 The only benefits are for stockholders 12/16/2019 8:50 PM
sand executives.
2014 Haven't found any yet 12/16/2019 8:50 PM
2015 No benefits but myriad serious deficits 12/16/2019 8:50 PM
and liabilities
2016 None 12/16/2019 8:50 PM
2017 NONE 12/16/2019 8:49 PM
2018 No I feel my employment is unstable 12/16/2019 8:49 PM
2019 None that I have noticed. 12/16/2019 8:49 PM
2020 The only benefit I've seen is a bounce in 12/16/2019 8:49 PM
stock and dividends. I have my entire
401k in NS stock. We'll see how long that
lasts.
2021 I haven't seen any but it's still fairly 12/16/2019 8:49 PM
new to some. So, I really couldn't give
an answer
2022 As of yet I have seen no benefits for 12/16/2019 8:48 PM
workers. Just making an already dangerous
job a lot more taxing.
2023 I don't know any other than company makes 12/16/2019 8:47 PM
more money
2024 Haven't seen them. 12/16/2019 8:47 PM
2025 The guaranteed windows seem to be a great 12/16/2019 8:47 PM
idea. when you get them
2026 None 12/16/2019 8:47 PM
2027 I haven't seen any benefits from it. We 12/16/2019 8:46 PM
use to get 7 days off now 6. Even more
time away from family
2028 No 12/16/2019 8:45 PM
2029 So far I haven't seen any 12/16/2019 8:45 PM
2030 Only benefit is if you have stock in 12/16/2019 8:44 PM
company
2031 Haven't seen any yet 12/16/2019 8:43 PM
2032 N/A 12/16/2019 8:43 PM
2033 I'm sure for the investors it's a great 12/16/2019 8:43 PM
idea. I can't think of anything positive
to say about it. It's trying to do more
with less, making it dangerous.
2034 No 12/16/2019 8:43 PM
2035 None that I have noticed 12/16/2019 8:43 PM
2036 No 12/16/2019 8:42 PM
2037 N/A 12/16/2019 8:42 PM
2038 More overtime. 12/16/2019 8:42 PM
2039 I don't really see any at the time. 12/16/2019 8:41 PM
2040 Not that I can see the company makes out 12/16/2019 8:40 PM
like bandits and the employees are
shafted when is the company going to
start caring about its employees
2041 None 12/16/2019 8:40 PM
2042 I have not seen a benefit in the workforce 12/16/2019 8:40 PM
as of yet
2043 Again I'm system bridge and we work when 12/16/2019 8:40 PM
permitted
2044 None, 12/16/2019 8:39 PM
2045 NO! 12/16/2019 8:39 PM
2046 None 12/16/2019 8:39 PM
2047 No not for the working guy maybe for the 12/16/2019 8:38 PM
people at the round table
2048 Not that I can see. 12/16/2019 8:38 PM
2049 Abolutely none for employees. Only 12/16/2019 8:38 PM
negative consequences in safety, in
workload, in diminished workforce w no
adjustment for track window or project
planning,.
2050 Not that I'm aware of for younger guys 12/16/2019 8:37 PM
2051 No idea. 12/16/2019 8:36 PM
2052 None 12/16/2019 8:36 PM
2053 No I see none. We did more and got more 12/16/2019 8:35 PM
work completed safely before PSR
2054 No 12/16/2019 8:35 PM
2055 Not that I have seen, unless you are a 12/16/2019 8:35 PM
stockholder and work here as well
2056 None. They only benefit shareholders 12/16/2019 8:35 PM
2057 Zero benefit unless you are an executive 12/16/2019 8:34 PM
or management on a PSR RR.
2058 I'm sure there are but the benefits don't 12/16/2019 8:34 PM
make it to our level. Can't get it past
the shareholders.
2059 None, no!!! PDR has created a toxic work 12/16/2019 8:34 PM
environment and the use of contractor's
due to workforce reduction is out of
hand.
2060 Good question 12/16/2019 8:33 PM
2061 the pay is it. I don't know if I will have 12/16/2019 8:32 PM
a job tomorrow
2062 The only benefit is you get to see your 12/16/2019 8:32 PM
company crash and burn
2063 Don't Know That At All 12/16/2019 8:32 PM
2064 Not at this time. 12/16/2019 8:32 PM
2065 i haven't seen any. schedules are horrible 12/16/2019 8:31 PM
now.
2066 Can't think of any 12/16/2019 8:31 PM
2067 None that I know. I can't see. 12/16/2019 8:31 PM
2068 So far all I can see is PSR means cut 12/16/2019 8:31 PM
everybody off let the track go to hell
and make it ``look'' like the railroad is
making more money.
2069 Makes the company money 12/16/2019 8:30 PM
2070 None. Work longer and harder with less 12/16/2019 8:30 PM
manpower.
2071 None 12/16/2019 8:29 PM
2072 I'm still looking for one. The one benefit 12/16/2019 8:29 PM
is big bosses are happy?
2073 A shrinking paycheck, along with more 12/16/2019 8:28 PM
expensive healthcare . at least we are
still getting paid.
2074 There is no benefit other than for the 12/16/2019 8:28 PM
company to cut jobs.
2075 None 12/16/2019 8:28 PM
2076 No. No benefit to it at all. 12/16/2019 8:27 PM
2077 The railroad has better customer service 12/16/2019 8:27 PM
and is more efficient but do not make
employees feel like they are rewarded for
all their effort for making it that way.
2078 Yes for the company and stockholders 12/16/2019 8:27 PM
2079 No! 12/16/2019 8:26 PM
2080 N/A 12/16/2019 8:26 PM
2081 No 12/16/2019 8:26 PM
2082 No. I don't see any long term stability. 12/16/2019 8:26 PM
There is not as much maintenance on the
equipment.
2083 I'm not sure, I only think it helps the 12/16/2019 8:25 PM
stockholders!
2084 None. Whatsoever. 12/16/2019 8:23 PM
2085 Not from my point of view 12/16/2019 8:23 PM
2086 Makes company more profits so job security 12/16/2019 8:23 PM
I suppose even though it has done away
with alot of jobs
2087 None what so ever!! Horrible working 12/16/2019 8:23 PM
conditions with nothing but short cuts on
safety to gain money for shareholders
2088 When it fails all the management will be 12/16/2019 8:23 PM
fired
2089 There are no benefits. 12/16/2019 8:23 PM
2090 Not for us but maybe for the hedge fund 12/16/2019 8:22 PM
investors/Wall Street vultures. We
already were making record breaking
profits year after year before PSR. They
are doing nothing but slashing Crews and
customer service. PSR is not good for
workers, customers or safety.
2091 NO 12/16/2019 8:22 PM
2092 N/A 12/16/2019 8:21 PM
2093 They will save on labor costs they will 12/16/2019 8:20 PM
eliminate most overtime and eliminate any
further maintenance that could of been
done by the section
2094 None, the only benefits I see is for the 12/16/2019 8:20 PM
corporate employees and stock brokers
that are gaining funds on our account.
2095 Not from my perspective. I see local 12/16/2019 8:20 PM
customers being exploited for all sorts
of unnecessary charges like demurrage for
shipments they're operations can't
handle. Losing customers, loosing
freight, and selling assets to cover up
the losses
2096 No benefits, unless you consider stress of 12/16/2019 8:18 PM
ever looming job cuts is considered a
benefit
2097 No 12/16/2019 8:17 PM
2098 To the stockholders? Maybe. As for myself 12/16/2019 8:17 PM
and everyone else I work with, we haven't
seen any benefits.
2099 No 12/16/2019 8:17 PM
2100 Overtime every train is nice because they 12/16/2019 8:16 PM
are too long and too heavy to make it
there in the time-frame they used to
2101 Track time 12/16/2019 8:16 PM
2102 There are no benefits whatsoever working 12/16/2019 8:15 PM
on a PSR railroad.
2103 Im sure there are to some level and 12/16/2019 8:15 PM
extent, but on the ballast line it's
surely not seen or conveyed. Certainly
not reciprocated on a appreciation level,
wether monetarily or with sincerity.
2104 I can honestly think of none, unless 12/16/2019 8:15 PM
you're a shareholder.
2105 No 12/16/2019 8:15 PM
2106 Only as a shareholder, through falsely 12/16/2019 8:15 PM
inflated stock prices derived from stock
buybacks, selling previously paid for
properties (often at great loss),
reduction of manpower, parking of
equipment, refusal ro replenish needed
supplies.
2107 If there are, I have not seen them. 12/16/2019 8:14 PM
2108 There is if implemented correct but they 12/16/2019 8:14 PM
want to do a lot more with a limited
amount of track time.
2109 None for the employees 12/16/2019 8:14 PM
2110 Better attitudes 12/16/2019 8:14 PM
2111 Profit for the shareholder 12/16/2019 8:14 PM
2112 There's no price for safety. But there's a 12/16/2019 8:13 PM
price for late freight. Better on time
freight other than that nothing. PSR is
only for shareholder value! Not employee
value! We're on the front lines every day
out here and they forget that.
2113 No, not really. So far it has seemed to 12/16/2019 8:13 PM
cause more disruption
2114 No 12/16/2019 8:12 PM
2115 No benefits unless you're a shareholder. 12/16/2019 8:12 PM
2116 No . . . just a more dangerous work place 12/16/2019 8:11 PM
to keep things on such a tight schedule.
2117 No 12/16/2019 8:11 PM
2118 None . . . Trains are often so long any 12/16/2019 8:11 PM
kind of mechanical failure now requires
all of 6 hours to find and correct if
possible.
2119 None 12/16/2019 8:10 PM
2120 I'll tell you when I find a benefit 12/16/2019 8:10 PM
2121 I don't see any benefits. 12/16/2019 8:10 PM
2122 The only seen benefit for PSR is profit, 12/16/2019 8:09 PM
and it's only beneficial to the company.
PSR should not be beneficial solely to
the companies implementing it, but should
also be beneficial to their customer base
and their employees. I have yet to see
any personal benefits from PSR.
2123 The benefits would be for the stockholders 12/16/2019 8:09 PM
and anyone with an investment. From an
employment perspective, very little to
speak of.
2124 Not to maintenance employees, apparently 12/16/2019 8:09 PM
PSR means less maintenance which is
nonsense. More, longer trains; means more
maintenance! There is only benefits for
the railroad to line their pockets until
their less maintenance lays more trains
over.
2125 Not for me 12/16/2019 8:09 PM
2126 No 12/16/2019 8:09 PM
2127 We worked all 12/16/2019 8:09 PM
2128 Not as much work because chasing customers 12/16/2019 8:08 PM
away
2129 Unfortunately I haven't seen any benefits 12/16/2019 8:08 PM
2130 I have seen no benefits of PSR. 12/16/2019 8:08 PM
2131 No benefits it's chaos constantly 12/16/2019 8:08 PM
2132 No, we go through our day wondering who's 12/16/2019 8:08 PM
going to get hurt or lose their job next.
2133 I can't think of a single benefit! I've 12/16/2019 8:08 PM
seen the company I work for hire
thousands only to place them on furlough
right out of training and leave them
there.
2134 Not that I can see 12/16/2019 8:08 PM
2135 Not from what I can see, bigger bonuses 12/16/2019 8:08 PM
for the upper mangment
2136 No, unless you have lots of shares in 12/16/2019 8:08 PM
stocks.
2137 Ya trains are longer and slower so it 12/16/2019 8:08 PM
sometimes gives more time to be on the
tracks
2138 No 12/16/2019 8:07 PM
2139 None whatsoever 12/16/2019 8:07 PM
2140 No. 12/16/2019 8:07 PM
2141 From an employee side there are no 12/16/2019 8:07 PM
benefits from PSR as far as I can tell.
It is obviously beneficial for the
shareholders and board members. Maybe
include us in some of the profits. i.e.,
stock buying program, profit sharing,
even a hat or tee shirts.
2142 No 12/16/2019 8:06 PM
2143 Fewer trains, but the amount of working 12/16/2019 8:06 PM
time is probably less because the
dispatchers are not as likely to let you
have the track in fear of delays
2144 None 12/16/2019 8:06 PM
2145 Overtime. Everyone is lining there pockets 12/16/2019 8:05 PM
if you can keep your job. Even me. But
that don't make it right.
2146 None, the mentality is down. People are 12/16/2019 8:05 PM
constantly worried about having a job.
2147 I don't any benefits other than lining 12/16/2019 8:05 PM
shareholders pockets.
2148 I have yet to see any. 12/16/2019 8:05 PM
2149 Well if BNSF goes the way CSX did it won't 12/16/2019 8:05 PM
be good. The things I've read about how
they cut so many jobs it's not good.
2150 I guess the only thing I could see is if 12/16/2019 8:04 PM
you hold stock and it's benefiting your
overall profile.
2151 Still to new at the current orientation 12/16/2019 8:04 PM
2152 No 12/16/2019 8:03 PM
2153 No only if you are a stockholder 12/16/2019 8:03 PM
2154 Nothing for employees just shareholders 12/16/2019 8:02 PM
2155 No 12/16/2019 8:02 PM
2156 There is not a benefit to it at all. 12/16/2019 8:02 PM
Things happen all over the railroad and
there is no way to predict what area
needs work tomorrow because it is always
changing. PSR is a animal that looks
pretty on paper but it will bite you in
the butt the first chance it gets.
2157 Since PSR we have been able to get larger 12/16/2019 8:02 PM
blocks of track time.
2158 I honestly can't relate any health and 12/16/2019 8:01 PM
safety benefits to PSR.
2159 None for the employees and the customer 12/16/2019 8:01 PM
everything benefits the company and their
pursuit of the all mighty dollar
2160 Not that I've seen. 12/16/2019 8:01 PM
2161 No 12/16/2019 8:01 PM
2162 None 12/16/2019 8:00 PM
2163 Can't think of any bud 12/16/2019 8:00 PM
2164 There are no benefits whatsoever. The only 12/16/2019 8:00 PM
ones who benefit are the stockholders who
are making short term gains with long
term sacrifices that will cause the
Nation's railroads to be crippled in the
long term.
2165 The idea of PSR seems good on the surface. 12/16/2019 8:00 PM
Moving trains faster, maximizing train
lengths. However, in practice, there
aren't any benefits to working for a RR
that is implementing PSR.
2166 For the company 12/16/2019 7:59 PM
2167 I think that running trains on a schedule 12/16/2019 7:58 PM
makes it nicer for crews to know when
you're rested and what train you stand
for but that is the only benefit I have
personally noticed.
2168 None 12/16/2019 7:57 PM
2169 No 12/16/2019 7:57 PM
2170 Work with less people. nope 12/16/2019 7:57 PM
2171 No too inconsistent 12/16/2019 7:56 PM
2172 None that have been seen in my territory 12/16/2019 7:56 PM
2173 NONE! 12/16/2019 7:56 PM
2174 No benefits what so ever. These conditions 12/16/2019 7:56 PM
are horrible to work in and very unsafe.
There was some areas where cuts could be
made and maybe even needed but
maintenance is definitely not one.
2175 None 12/16/2019 7:56 PM
2176 Don't know yet 12/16/2019 7:56 PM
2177 N/A 12/16/2019 7:56 PM
2178 Only for the railroad! Not for the 12/16/2019 7:55 PM
employees we are just a number if u don't
have enough seniority you are going home
with all the CT's!
2179 Benefits only for C-Suite and 12/16/2019 7:54 PM
shareholders. No benefits for workers.
2180 I'm sure the shareholders see plenty of 12/16/2019 7:54 PM
benefits, I believe that the ground
employees and public are going to start
suffering from the lack of resources that
the companies are providing in the form
of carmen and mechanical employees that
ensure the trains are safe to move. I was
told by my former terminal superintendent
that me being a conductor was not
qualified to bad order railcars or take
tracks out of service for defects, and
was threatened to be taken out of service
if I continued to concern myself with
safety
2181 No 12/16/2019 7:54 PM
2182 None that I know of. 12/16/2019 7:54 PM
2183 No not at all. More stressful than ever 12/16/2019 7:54 PM
before.
2184 None in my opinion. 12/16/2019 7:54 PM
2185 Benefits for the rail companies I don't 12/16/2019 7:54 PM
see any for us as maintenance of way
2186 No, less jobs, more lay offs 12/16/2019 7:53 PM
2187 Working safe day by day. It has to be two 12/16/2019 7:53 PM
way street however. Both sides must
adhere to the program willingly.
2188 No not really in any department. The 12/16/2019 7:53 PM
issues railroads have are still there
whether it's a PSR or not. If the
officials looked at the true issues being
top heavy in management departments, not
facing real issues always wanting to pass
the buck. Having jobs such as a
transformation VP for this PSR. Way to
many senseless management jobs the real
issues are basically as the ole saying
says too many chiefs and not enough
indians.
2189 Unknown to me yet! 12/16/2019 7:52 PM
2190 I don't find there to be benefits. At the 12/16/2019 7:52 PM
time before PSR we had extra materials. I
understand there is a fine line between
extra materials and to much. We had extra
materials and now in order to get the
materials or equipment to do what should
be a small job turns into a job that
takes several days.
2191 None 12/16/2019 7:52 PM
2192 No! 12/16/2019 7:52 PM
2193 More money because of the overtime. 12/16/2019 7:52 PM
2194 No benefits. 12/16/2019 7:52 PM
2195 Not that I have seen 12/16/2019 7:51 PM
2196 No 12/16/2019 7:51 PM
2197 No sure 12/16/2019 7:51 PM
2198 Only for up pockets, FRA, and whoever up 12/16/2019 7:51 PM
pays money to, go be corrupt
2199 None 12/16/2019 7:51 PM
2200 For upper management perhaps none for the 12/16/2019 7:50 PM
people who perform the maintenance.
2201 They only benefit I can see is scheduled 12/16/2019 7:50 PM
time off. With that being said you hardly
ever get the exact days off you're
supposed to due to being outta place or
called just before your off days start
2202 NONE!!!! 12/16/2019 7:50 PM
2203 None 12/16/2019 7:50 PM
2204 Yes if your an investor, if your a front 12/16/2019 7:49 PM
line employee you can't even enjoy coming
to work anymore. The morale is
nonexistent and railroaded as a whole are
disenfranchised
2205 Not that I see. 12/16/2019 7:48 PM
2206 None 12/16/2019 7:48 PM
2207 Removing the extra cars on the rail 12/16/2019 7:48 PM
decongested the yards
2208 No. 12/16/2019 7:48 PM
2209 I have not seen any other than cutting 12/16/2019 7:48 PM
jobs off.
2210 No 12/16/2019 7:47 PM
2211 None at all 12/16/2019 7:47 PM
2212 No benefits whatsoever. Morale is at all 12/16/2019 7:47 PM
time low, talks of wildcat strikes in
every terminal.
2213 N/a 12/16/2019 7:46 PM
2214 Not really 12/16/2019 7:46 PM
2215 IF THERE IS, I don't know what it could 12/16/2019 7:46 PM
be.
2216 No 12/16/2019 7:45 PM
2217 Stockholders make money as the employees 12/16/2019 7:45 PM
suffer
2218 I have no idea. 12/16/2019 7:45 PM
2219 Unemployment 12/16/2019 7:44 PM
2220 Nothing that I've seen is beneficial to 12/16/2019 7:44 PM
anyone but the shareholders.
2221 No 12/16/2019 7:44 PM
2222 None that I can see as a worker worrying 12/16/2019 7:44 PM
about my job getting cut
2223 The only benefit of PSR would be the fewer 12/16/2019 7:44 PM
middle management around. You have 1
person that tells you what to go do and
you are expected to go do it without 6
other managers on your back over testing
you.
2224 I can't think of any. 12/16/2019 7:44 PM
2225 Have seen no benefit 12/16/2019 7:43 PM
2226 Not that I'm aware of 12/16/2019 7:43 PM
2227 There aren't any 12/16/2019 7:43 PM
2228 NONE 12/16/2019 7:43 PM
2229 No 12/16/2019 7:43 PM
2230 No 12/16/2019 7:43 PM
2231 Yes, seems a bit less wasteful. 12/16/2019 7:42 PM
2232 No. 12/16/2019 7:42 PM
2233 No, they want more with less people. 12/16/2019 7:42 PM
2234 Many too many to list 12/16/2019 7:42 PM
2235 Haven't seen any 12/16/2019 7:42 PM
2236 I do not see any benefits from my 12/16/2019 7:41 PM
perspective. If I were an investor maybe,
but with man power so low it only a
matter of time before we have issues.
2237 Better stock prices at the cost of 12/16/2019 7:41 PM
employees
2238 Yes I use to feel bad about not answering 12/16/2019 7:41 PM
the phone. Now I could care less.
2239 No absolutely not. 12/16/2019 7:41 PM
2240 More overtime in certain areas 12/16/2019 7:41 PM
2241 Haven't seen any yet. 12/16/2019 7:40 PM
2242 Working no owning stocks yes 12/16/2019 7:40 PM
2243 I can't see any obvious benefits. The 12/16/2019 7:40 PM
employees are being mistreated and
sometime have to do work in a more
dangerous situation because of reduced
man power or lack of supplies. I've also
heard about how customer service on the
transportation side has drastically
diminished and customers are being
charged large fees because of PSR. There
are other customers that were refused
service because they didn't fit what the
railroad was interested in. (Large coal
mine that had to build a conveyor system
over a mountain to get access to Norfolk
southern.)
2244 None 12/16/2019 7:40 PM
2245 Yes. Getting the customers product to them 12/16/2019 7:40 PM
in a timely manner. But at what cost do
you let that happen
2246 If my safety is jeopardized, then there 12/16/2019 7:39 PM
are no benefits working on a PSR
railroad.
2247 Haven't seen any, even the management is 12/16/2019 7:39 PM
scatter brained haven't to go through
constant changes.
2248 If it were properly done, yes. With 12/16/2019 7:39 PM
emphasis on working with contracted
workers as a team instead of being ``the
enemy'' I honestly believe we could make
it better together. But in the end, the
carriers only care about money and job
eliminations. No care about safety or
helping those who earn the profit for
them
2249 seeing different places in the country. 12/16/2019 7:39 PM
2250 Track time seemed to improve 12/16/2019 7:39 PM
2251 None whatever. You look at the trains and 12/16/2019 7:39 PM
most cars are empty is all an illusion. I
haven't heard of any new businesses in a
long time.
2252 None! 12/16/2019 7:39 PM
2253 I'm not sure I can think of any 12/16/2019 7:39 PM
advantages.
2254 The shareholders make more money. 12/16/2019 7:39 PM
2255 None that I can see 12/16/2019 7:39 PM
2256 None to my knowledge at this point 12/16/2019 7:38 PM
2257 None what so ever 12/16/2019 7:38 PM
2258 No, it's designed to destroy the railroad 12/16/2019 7:38 PM
so it can be broken up and sold off.
2259 Only benefits there are is for the rich to 12/16/2019 7:38 PM
get richer over us the ones who keep the
trains moving
2260 Not sure how to answer I guess it's good 12/16/2019 7:37 PM
if they company makes more money would
like to see the increase in wages come
back to the unionized employees if this
is true
2261 No well unless you're wallstreet or upper 12/16/2019 7:37 PM
management!
2262 There are benefits, to the customer, with 12/16/2019 7:37 PM
schedule deliveries and service. A better
customer relationship with the railroad
is good all round. Canadian National has
one of the best, if not the best customer
commitment, that reflects on CN's ability
to stay profitable.
2263 If there had to be any benefit-the little 12/16/2019 7:37 PM
added overtime from shorter days and
occasionally extra mileage. But it's
still not worth that lost time at home.
2264 Money if you are a shareholder 12/16/2019 7:37 PM
2265 Absolutely none. 12/16/2019 7:36 PM
2266 None 12/16/2019 7:36 PM
2267 NONE 12/16/2019 7:35 PM
2268 No 12/16/2019 7:35 PM
2269 The only people that benefit form PSR is 12/16/2019 7:35 PM
the carriers, while all other crafts
suffer
2270 No benefits for the average boots on the 12/16/2019 7:35 PM
ground Railroader.
2271 None that I can seethe power has gone 12/16/2019 7:34 PM
downhillthe maintenance has spiraled
downward
2272 Railroad is a good job but will always 12/16/2019 7:34 PM
have issues whether PSR or not.
2273 No, always scared for your job. Plus 12/16/2019 7:34 PM
hundreds of people are furloughed.
2274 Better scheduled track time. 12/16/2019 7:34 PM
2275 No just for company to make money 12/16/2019 7:34 PM
2276 No 12/16/2019 7:33 PM
2277 Yes and it's helping to stop derailments 12/16/2019 7:33 PM
on busy lines
2278 None noted 12/16/2019 7:33 PM
2279 None 12/16/2019 7:33 PM
2280 Not that I can see. I was hired and told 12/16/2019 7:32 PM
you will never be furloughed we have so
much business. 9 months after the start
of PSR I don't have a job with the
railroad.
2281 No 12/16/2019 7:32 PM
2282 Not that I have seen 12/16/2019 7:32 PM
2283 I see no difference other than maintenance 12/16/2019 7:32 PM
neglect.
2284 No idea I guess company makes more money 12/16/2019 7:31 PM
with the workforce cut back to nothing
2285 Record keeping is better to determine 12/16/2019 7:31 PM
problem areas
2286 None that I've seen 12/16/2019 7:31 PM
2287 None 12/16/2019 7:31 PM
2288 No 12/16/2019 7:31 PM
2289 Noif their were stock options for 12/16/2019 7:30 PM
agreement employees then maybe . . . but
no benifits
2290 There is no benefit for the working class. 12/16/2019 7:30 PM
It makes everything we do more dangerous
to an already dangerous job.
2291 I don't see any. 12/16/2019 7:29 PM
2292 I haven't seen any since the 12/16/2019 7:29 PM
implementation.
2293 None, whatsoever 12/16/2019 7:29 PM
2294 NO 12/16/2019 7:28 PM
2295 It only benefits the shareholders, not the 12/16/2019 7:28 PM
safety of the public or the railroad
workers
2296 I can't think of any. 12/16/2019 7:28 PM
2297 Not sure yet 12/16/2019 7:27 PM
2298 None for the employees 12/16/2019 7:27 PM
2299 No there isnt 12/16/2019 7:27 PM
2300 I haven't seen them yet. Couldn't tell ya 12/16/2019 7:27 PM
what they would be.
2301 No 12/16/2019 7:27 PM
2302 My spouse will collect the death benefit 12/16/2019 7:27 PM
much sooner
2303 Only if your a stockholder 12/16/2019 7:26 PM
2304 Not as I see it on the craft side; maybe 12/16/2019 7:26 PM
if you're high enough up in the company
you could benefit from it. We constantly
wondering if our jobs are secure.
2305 Not that I can tell off hand besides we 12/16/2019 7:26 PM
sit around a lot.
2306 More money for the company and less for 12/16/2019 7:25 PM
the workers
2307 No 12/16/2019 7:25 PM
2308 No 12/16/2019 7:24 PM
2309 No,gone from family. Open jobs are too far 12/16/2019 7:24 PM
in between and scarce so leaves no choice
but to bump and be bumped
2310 None that I have seen other than reducing 12/16/2019 7:24 PM
unnecessary managers. But then again our
forces of actual workers have been
reduced also.
2311 NO BENEFITS except for the shareholders 12/16/2019 7:24 PM
2312 Absolutely not. Corporate greed 12/16/2019 7:24 PM
2313 I have not seen any yet except the company 12/16/2019 7:23 PM
profits more.
2314 Regular people can't see any benefit to 12/16/2019 7:23 PM
PSR. You would have to be an investor to
see any benefit if there are any.
2315 I would say no for MOW 12/16/2019 7:23 PM
2316 People are getting more overtime. 12/16/2019 7:23 PM
2317 None 12/16/2019 7:23 PM
2318 No 12/16/2019 7:23 PM
2319 Benefits to a PSR railroad are better 12/16/2019 7:23 PM
operating expenses which in turn could
mean more job security and less layoffs
2320 Better work schedule 12/16/2019 7:22 PM
2321 No, maybe if you don't want a job. 12/16/2019 7:22 PM
2322 From the man on the tracks, it is not a 12/16/2019 7:22 PM
positive move in any way. From an
executive perspective it probably makes
sense and puts them in an even higher tax
bracket.
2323 None, other than bigger profits for the 12/16/2019 7:22 PM
corporate pirates better known as the
hedge fund group thats running CSX
2324 I haven't noticed any benefits. When we 12/16/2019 7:22 PM
had curfews seemed we got more done.
2325 As a maintenance of way employee I have 12/16/2019 7:21 PM
noticed our yard actually flows well.
2326 I don't know 12/16/2019 7:21 PM
2327 Not that I have seen so far and deaths are 12/16/2019 7:21 PM
becoming frequent.
2328 None 12/16/2019 7:21 PM
2329 Not at the workers level. Exec's and 12/16/2019 7:21 PM
shareholders make more money.
2330 No 12/16/2019 7:21 PM
2331 have not seen any 12/16/2019 7:21 PM
2332 Yes not as many accidental 12/16/2019 7:20 PM
2333 That's funny 12/16/2019 7:20 PM
2334 Money for the stockholders 12/16/2019 7:20 PM
2335 No 12/16/2019 7:20 PM
2336 None! 12/16/2019 7:20 PM
2337 N/A 12/16/2019 7:20 PM
2338 Yes if you enjoy spending unpaid time with 12/16/2019 7:19 PM
your family
2339 No. 12/16/2019 7:19 PM
2340 I don't see a benefit with it. 12/16/2019 7:19 PM
2341 None 12/16/2019 7:19 PM
2342 The benefit of PSR is to keep the company 12/16/2019 7:19 PM
strong and allow me to provide for my
family for many years BUT a precision
SCEDULED railroad shouldnt hinge on
reducing operational maintenence costs!
2343 I don't know 12/16/2019 7:19 PM
2344 No 12/16/2019 7:18 PM
2345 Only if you are a stockholder 12/16/2019 7:18 PM
2346 I have seen no legitimate benefit to PSR 12/16/2019 7:18 PM
over just simply having enough employees
to actually complete all the tasks at
hand
2347 If you don't like being at home with your 12/16/2019 7:18 PM
family it works good for you
2348 No. There are none. 12/16/2019 7:18 PM
2349 No none at all 12/16/2019 7:18 PM
2350 Haven't had experience with that. 12/16/2019 7:18 PM
2351 Yup for the shareholders 12/16/2019 7:17 PM
2352 The only benefit I see is the executives 12/16/2019 7:17 PM
keep their jobs and get bigger bonuses.
None of the benefits have been passed
along to the employees.
2353 I am still employed as of today, who knows 12/16/2019 7:17 PM
when my job will become obsolete for the
sake of the big wigs profits. To be
determined
2354 Consistency of traffic 12/16/2019 7:16 PM
2355 No, everyone is worried about losing their 12/16/2019 7:16 PM
job
2356 I don't no of any Benifets out in the 12/16/2019 7:15 PM
field
2357 No 12/16/2019 7:15 PM
2358 None. We are losing business. Less 12/16/2019 7:15 PM
carloads
2359 NONE 12/16/2019 7:15 PM
2360 As a union employee, we see no benefits go 12/16/2019 7:15 PM
PSR.
2361 None that I can see. 12/16/2019 7:15 PM
2362 The benefits are minimal for anyone 12/16/2019 7:15 PM
outside of management and executive
levels.
2363 Knowing the future work and work schedual 12/16/2019 7:15 PM
information
2364 None that I'm aware of 12/16/2019 7:15 PM
2365 not necessarily, depends on each days 12/16/2019 7:15 PM
projects, the train traffic on this area,
and crews available to perform each job
safely in pertaining to this area!
2366 No, I don't see any other than the carrier 12/16/2019 7:15 PM
making a higher profit.
2367 N/A 12/16/2019 7:14 PM
2368 The train traffic is running more 12/16/2019 7:14 PM
efficient.
2369 None that I can think of 12/16/2019 7:14 PM
2370 Not that I've seen. Only thing it does is 12/16/2019 7:14 PM
make profits look larger while not much
maintenance is done leading to more
derailments
2371 I can't see any benefits as of right now 12/16/2019 7:14 PM
with all the lack of maintenance being
done all I see in the future is big cost
to bring the rails back to a safe
standard in a few years after being
neglected.
2372 None 12/16/2019 7:13 PM
2373 Yes as far as getting track work done. 12/16/2019 7:13 PM
It's easier to plan jobs.
2374 None 12/16/2019 7:13 PM
2375 I don't know yet 12/16/2019 7:13 PM
2376 There are no benefits to PSR. 12/16/2019 7:13 PM
2377 No. The railroad sacrifices total business 12/16/2019 7:12 PM
for efficient business.
2378 At least I have every other Saturday off 12/16/2019 7:12 PM
on the schedule I guess other than that
no
2379 Have not seen anything yet 12/16/2019 7:12 PM
2380 On engineering side, I don't believe so. 12/16/2019 7:12 PM
2381 No. We have lost business and skimped on 12/16/2019 7:12 PM
every aspect of running a railroad to
show some sort of profit
2382 None that I'm aware of other than a bigger 12/16/2019 7:12 PM
stress load on the employees. Also a
bigger push to get the job done with less
manpower and less time.
2383 Make certain people look good but don't 12/16/2019 7:12 PM
see any benefit to M&W workers
2384 Nope 12/16/2019 7:11 PM
2385 Going home each day safe 12/16/2019 7:11 PM
2386 None 12/16/2019 7:11 PM
2387 There is none, cutting jobs and trying to 12/16/2019 7:10 PM
get rid of people is all they do now.
Track conditions looking like crap due to
no track time to fix things.
2388 N/A 12/16/2019 7:10 PM
2389 None 12/16/2019 7:10 PM
2390 ZERO 12/16/2019 7:10 PM
2391 Zero! 12/16/2019 7:10 PM
2392 No not really now your expected to kill 12/16/2019 7:10 PM
yourself doing the same amount of work as
before but with less people and less
machinery
2393 None, PSR has removed any remaining 12/16/2019 7:10 PM
integrity the railroad had.
2394 it keeps the railroad my money 12/16/2019 7:10 PM
2395 For the workforce I don't see a benefit 12/16/2019 7:10 PM
only lining corporate pockets
2396 More track time because the carrier 12/16/2019 7:09 PM
doesn't move as many cars i.e., Less
cars, customers, less profits.
2397 None that I know of. Clearly the company 12/16/2019 7:09 PM
is about pleasing stockholders, not us
employees. They used to care about us.
2398 No 12/16/2019 7:09 PM
2399 There is none 12/16/2019 7:09 PM
2400 None 12/16/2019 7:09 PM
2401 I don't think 12/16/2019 7:08 PM
2402 Retirement 12/16/2019 7:08 PM
2403 Once again, never heard of it 12/16/2019 7:07 PM
2404 I find zero benefits for me to work on a 12/16/2019 7:06 PM
PSR railroad. The only thing that
benefits is the pockets of the rich guys
calling the shots
2405 I have yet to find a positive for 12/16/2019 7:06 PM
employees
2406 There is no benefit what so ever for us. 12/16/2019 7:04 PM
2407 Keep investors happy so they won't 12/16/2019 7:04 PM
furlough us.
2408 Absolutely not. Period. It ruins hard 12/16/2019 7:04 PM
working people's life's and families
2409 No. Only benefit is more money to the 12/16/2019 7:04 PM
shareholders.
2410 The only benefit would be if you were a 12/16/2019 7:03 PM
big shareholder because they're pushing
everything back to make more profit
2411 No 12/16/2019 7:03 PM
2412 No there is not, only benifit is for the 12/16/2019 7:03 PM
shareholders
2413 No, only for the shareholders 12/16/2019 7:02 PM
2414 Very few if I was just starting a career I 12/16/2019 7:02 PM
would find something else.
2415 Not that I have seen. 12/16/2019 7:01 PM
2416 Trains are running on time. We see the 12/16/2019 7:01 PM
same cars go back and forth from carrier
to carrier without ever reaching a
destination but they leave the yard on
time.
2417 Only to shareholders 12/16/2019 6:59 PM
2418 None I can tell 12/16/2019 6:58 PM
2419 None that I've seen for workers. 12/16/2019 6:57 PM
Shareholders reap every reward!
2420 More time off, as in furloughed. 12/16/2019 6:56 PM
2421 None that I've seen so far 12/16/2019 6:56 PM
2422 No 12/16/2019 6:56 PM
2423 Ni 12/16/2019 6:55 PM
2424 None 12/16/2019 6:55 PM
2425 None from what I can see looks like a 12/16/2019 6:52 PM
divorce
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q4 How has PSR affected your relationship with your supervisor/manager?
Answered: 2,435 Skipped: 31
------------------------------------------------------------------------
# RESPONSES DATE
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 No affect 1/6/2020 3:33 AM
2 Before PSR was implemented I saw my 1/6/2020 1:15 AM
assigned manager twice a year for a one
on one safety talk along with seeing a
onsite manager almost daily. Since the
introduction of PSR I have seen fewer and
fewer managers on site, hardly any
interaction and I no longer get a one on
one safety talk. If it wasn't for my log
in I wouldn't even know who my manager
was. I never see any managers out testing
like they use to and maybe see a manager
twice a month.
3 No trust. Lies to the men. Very shady. 1/5/2020 4:42 PM
There's no direction because PSR shakes
everyone
4 It has not. 1/5/2020 2:43 AM
5 It absolutely horrible now. 1/4/2020 12:18 PM
6 Unknown 1/4/2020 1:15 AM
7 They are scared of there jobs not worried 1/4/2020 1:10 AM
about safety
8 Afraid of talking too much yet I've known 1/3/2020 11:56 PM
them most my career! If I talk to them my
fellow Railroaders think I'm might
snitching on them yet We're talking
family, kids and such no trust in the
departments or with management AT ALL
ANYMORE
9 It seems they are being held accountable 1/2/2020 9:42 AM
by their bosses and having to justify
their job through disciplinary actions
over minor things that used to be dealt
with through verbal counsel.
10 Very bad if you write up FRA defects they 1/2/2020 6:18 AM
write you up
11 It has done nothing but create a hostile 1/1/2020 10:38 PM
and rushed working environment where
management has physically threatened
employees jobs. It creates unnecessary
stress and a feeling of dread everyday.
12 Audits after audit are getting annoying. 1/1/2020 10:17 PM
Especially when we're are at a derailment
and all they worry about is audits and
not feeding us when it's due
13 Cut off 4 times this year, sent home for 1/1/2020 7:43 PM
Christmas.
14 So far I haven't let my manager know how I 1/1/2020 5:01 AM
feel because if I do, I will be singled
out and ``punished'' for voicing my
opinion against these practices.
15 overall getting up at wee hours of the 12/31/2019 7:33 PM
morning makes everyone cranky the team as
a whole are affected managers included
16 Relationships with managers are better 12/31/2019 7:33 AM
because they have to rely on us. So they
no longer act like they want to fire you
all the time, they just want you to do
your job.
17 Same as usual 12/30/2019 8:19 PM
18 Its strenuous relationship. We love our 12/30/2019 6:36 PM
families and want to be with families the
way we had it before and not here with
supervisors
19 Negatively, they keep pushing us with less 12/29/2019 1:04 PM
people and wanting us to take short cuts
even though they preach don't take
shortcut
20 My supervisor just says to me. ``It is 12/29/2019 5:37 AM
what it is''. And I am suppose to just do
the job
21 No change 12/29/2019 4:42 AM
22 now only inform them if specifically asked 12/29/2019 2:42 AM
23 What relationships? They think they are 12/29/2019 1:34 AM
prison guards and treat workers as if
they are inmates.
24 I am President of Carmen Lodge 6510 12/28/2019 11:40 PM
covering CA, NV and OR. I am under
constant attack by management who
intentionally disregard Federal laws,
state laws and company policies for the
sake of expediency and their demands to
do the impossible without the required
resources. There are over 30 Carmen in my
district medically disabled for stress!!
If PSR is better why did we go from zero
to over 30 just in the past 18 months?!
25 the same 12/28/2019 11:31 PM
26 We are trying to work through the changes 12/28/2019 5:49 PM
together but it is difficult.
27 Negatively, managers do not care about 12/28/2019 4:41 AM
employees. Only do what they are told to
do to save their own jobs.
28 I personally have a good relationship with 12/27/2019 4:29 PM
my Supervisor/Manager.
29 It has made them worse. They are always 12/27/2019 3:36 PM
trying to get in audits and they have a
quota that has to be met and a certain
percentage of the audits have to have a
negative effect. It makes you feel like
they are building a case to get you
fired. Also it makes you feel like you
are doing a terrible job.
30 I hate all of them,no help no clue 12/27/2019 2:56 PM
31 they want more work with less resources 12/27/2019 1:27 PM
32 The environment in the workplace in 12/26/2019 5:55 PM
general has deteriorated since I was
hired. I know we all have a job to do,
but the extra stressful environment
doesn't help with relations between
managers and craft employees.
33 Basically the same 12/26/2019 8:53 AM
34 has not changed he's been affected by the 12/26/2019 2:39 AM
decision upper management has made
enforcing this new program. PSR
35 Management is asked by corporate to 12/26/2019 12:32 AM
harass, be unfair, and treat workers
subhuman
36 Stressed. 12/25/2019 5:11 PM
37 It has not yet being that our railroad has 12/25/2019 4:49 PM
not implement it.
38 I see him almost never now 12/25/2019 2:14 PM
39 No affect. They are in charge! Don't 12/25/2019 12:17 PM
listen to input anyhow..One big issue the
bean counter running the work never had
hands dirty
40 None 12/25/2019 7:44 AM
41 Their only concern is cutting cost, 12/25/2019 7:14 AM
workforce elimination, making ridiculous
rules, running longer trains with fewer
and fewer contract employees remaining on
the property. The disruption is complete.
Moral, pay, working conditions has hit
botton. Lack of care, training,
opportunity, help and use benefits has
eliminated any cohesion. There is no care
or value to working with managers. We are
besieged, we keep our heads down and let
it fall apart around us because they are
afraid, we are all afraid.
42 It has made our more tense 12/25/2019 5:52 AM
43 Distrustful at best. They look for any and 12/25/2019 5:12 AM
all ways to cut corners, push safety of
workers, and ignore bargaining agreements
by claiming company policy change trumps
bargaining agreements
44 They all seem to put profits before 12/25/2019 5:09 AM
people. Don't like working for people
like that.
45 It's worse. I avoid them at all costs. The 12/25/2019 4:17 AM
work environment is toxic.
46 Since trainmasters are targeted for 12/25/2019 2:50 AM
reduction of numbers, they've become more
pushy and demanding. They seem to have to
justify their jobs by harassing crews.
Some try to be friendly, while others are
tyrannical. We know from experience that
none of them are on our side.
47 Relationship with trainmasters are fine. 12/24/2019 10:45 PM
It's their boss that is pushy and others
above them.
48 No 12/24/2019 7:32 PM
49 No more safety briefings no more face to 12/24/2019 6:33 PM
face always rushed in a hurry no time to
job brief about constant rule changes
50 Everyone one at shop level is is more 12/24/2019 6:00 PM
stressed out
51 Don't see my manager anymore. Constantly 12/24/2019 5:04 PM
changing who it is.
52 It honestly hasn't. 12/24/2019 4:00 PM
53 Get more done with less 12/24/2019 3:57 PM
54 It has been negative. Management is always 12/24/2019 3:11 AM
being pressured from above to keep
numbers high. Management comes down on us
for things that are out of our control.
55 Hasn't really affected my relationship 12/24/2019 3:00 AM
with any of my (too many) managers.
56 As they say crap rolls down hill and you 12/24/2019 1:44 AM
are at the bottom
57 Very high tension. Tiptoeing on egg shells 12/24/2019 12:06 AM
for fear of any little thing not done
their way. Again, there is little to no
respect.
58 Yes 12/23/2019 10:54 PM
59 Directly, not much to mention. But he is 12/23/2019 8:48 PM
on his way out thru retirement. But he
seems more pressured than ever, I will
say.
60 I think a lot less of him He doesn't even 12/23/2019 8:43 PM
want to order parts we need
61 It's much worse than years ago. All the 12/23/2019 7:49 PM
supervisors care about now is cutting
costs.
62 I used to have close relationships with 12/23/2019 7:27 PM
all of my supervisors. Since PSR they
have stated they've stated uppers have
told them to distance them self's with
workers.
63 Instead of safety first and everyone 12/23/2019 7:23 PM
working together, it's get the job done
at the cost of risking injury.
64 Yes 12/23/2019 5:57 PM
65 Relationship? There is none. At one time 12/23/2019 5:51 PM
you used to enjoy working on the railroad
and work hard for the company and your
supervisor. Now you're scared to do
anything because you'll be wrote up or
fired. I actually had a supervisor tell
me that supervision is being told they're
not writing us workers up enough. Well,
isn't that a good thing? We're doing our
jobs and safely!! So they write you up
for the dumbest things just to look like
they're doing their job and to scare us
workers into submission. This job has
become stressful and a VERY hostile work
environment!!!!
66 They drink the kool aid because they get 12/23/2019 4:21 PM
bonuses. Handed down from the top. Do
more with less. Rush through to get stuff
done
67 I wouldn't know, it was implemented prior 12/23/2019 4:00 PM
to my current manager arriving.
68 Unchanged so far 12/23/2019 3:23 PM
69 Definitely strained 12/23/2019 2:58 PM
70 Same as question 2 12/23/2019 2:33 PM
71 not good!! 12/23/2019 2:25 PM
72 There is no trust the local supervisors 12/23/2019 2:15 PM
are under as much pressure as us they
have been forced to write people up for
violations for rules they make up on the
fly
73 For my situation it's hard to have a 12/23/2019 2:05 PM
relationship with a boss that changes
month to month. You don't even get a
change to figure out if they are black
and white or more of a grey supervisor as
far as how they manage. Most are also out
of college or from another field and
don't really understand the job.
74 Hard to gave a working relationship with 12/23/2019 1:59 PM
management when they change from month to
month.
75 We have supervisors/managers that are 12/23/2019 1:31 PM
being exploited in positions that they
are unfamiliar with leaving the men to
fend for themselves for logical answers
to problems.
76 It hasn't changed my relationship with my 12/23/2019 1:20 PM
supervisor.
77 Norfolk Southern doesn't want you or your 12/23/2019 1:04 PM
supervisor to have a relationship
78 Not too bad, we are lucky to have an old 12/23/2019 1:02 PM
school manager you treats us decent.
79 We laugh about it. But he has more 12/23/2019 12:33 PM
territory an more responsibility so we
rarely see them.
80 Everyone is testy. 12/23/2019 12:20 PM
81 No different, most are still morons. 12/23/2019 10:58 AM
82 More tense 12/23/2019 10:51 AM
83 They push us to do more with less 12/23/2019 10:50 AM
84 It's only affected the relationship with 12/23/2019 8:57 AM
my manager because the ability to
accomplish a task is extremely more
difficult.
85 I believe having 5 different supervisors 12/23/2019 6:22 AM
in the matter of a 15/18 months makes it
hard to even have a relationship with
managment
86 Management at my level do not manage they 12/23/2019 6:05 AM
nit pick stupid little things because the
have to justify their own jobs
87 Furloughs, yards being shut down, and 12/23/2019 5:30 AM
traveling other places to work. Who is my
manager??
88 When you can't get the time to do you job 12/23/2019 3:55 AM
safely and properly in a timely manner in
strains all relationships with
supervisors because they still expect you
to do what you did before PSR
89 My previous managers were very power 12/23/2019 3:40 AM
hungry, because of bonuses promised to
them for disciplinary actions to get rid
of employees. Stock was hard to get
ordered, even though they said they
ordered it. It would never come in.
Massive employee morale problems, and
when management informed, just said there
wasn't an employee morale problem.
90 Very strained due to recent job cuts he is 12/23/2019 3:39 AM
now pushed from upper management to try
and force the remaining people to pick up
the slack left from guys being cut.
91 It's all about dollars with every manager 12/23/2019 3:20 AM
92 I believe that our managers attempt to 12/23/2019 3:16 AM
still be in the trenches with us, that is
some of our direct supervisors, but above
them it feels with good evidence that
they are simply headhunters to drop the
bottom line. It has made the work
environment extraordinarily toxic. Even
jobs done right and by the book have
caused people to lose their jobs. The
concept of lead by example has died and
been replaced by lead through fear with
an iron fist. We have begun to second
guess all of our moves.
93 It has affected it greatly. Instead of 12/23/2019 2:53 AM
working together it has pitted employee
against management
94 It is more strained between the 12/23/2019 2:53 AM
Supervision and the workers as there is
more pressure on management to fire/
discipline the men to get rid of as many
employees as possible. So this makes the
even the good workers distrust management
95 My relationship with my current supervisor 12/23/2019 2:36 AM
is no different than before. With that
said, it has been very difficult to get
the needed materials needed to repair
some of our aging and decaying
infrastructure that has not been upgraded
during the PTC construction phase.
96 I ended up leaving for a different 12/23/2019 2:35 AM
railroad because of them.
97 Has got rid of good employees too quick 12/23/2019 2:22 AM
98 Nothing has changed 12/23/2019 2:18 AM
99 You definitely have trust issues on both 12/23/2019 2:12 AM
sides
100 rhey have so much on there plate that we 12/23/2019 2:05 AM
do not see them much
101 No longer have a good relationship. Don't 12/23/2019 2:04 AM
really trust my supervisor.
102 I'm lucky to have a supervisor with 30+ 12/23/2019 2:01 AM
years of railroad experience who is very
knowledgable in the field. In my
experience, it has been an added stress
to an already demanding job which in turn
creates more problems.
103 They fired one and the new one is 12/23/2019 1:50 AM
clueless.
104 Has made it harder to work for them 12/23/2019 1:46 AM
105 It's made me not want to go out of my way 12/23/2019 1:43 AM
for them..do little as possible . . . you
treat me right I will go out of my way to
do all I can to help you . . . hasn't
been this way since they went PSR . . .
it's nothing but bullying . . .
106 Widening the trust issues that we have 12/23/2019 1:40 AM
with management
107 Direct supervision is ok. Middle to upper 12/23/2019 1:39 AM
are a little sketchy.
108 Our supervisors now have become more 12/23/2019 1:36 AM
strict as their bonuses ride on this PSR
system
109 No difference, supervisors don't seem to 12/23/2019 1:32 AM
both me
110 Everyone is stressed more and working 12/23/2019 1:20 AM
relationships are negatively affected.
111 It has had a strenuous change. Most 12/23/2019 1:19 AM
supervisors where ok. But now they are
told to discipline on a quota basis.
112 You cannot trust anyone. I'm fortunate 12/23/2019 1:10 AM
enough to have a good supervisor however
he is under immense pressure from above
to ``find'' offenses and violations and
take action.
113 Tremendous pressure has been put on 12/23/2019 12:58 AM
immediate supervisors to wrap up
projects. So stress on them makes it
harder on the rest. Also they are told to
meet the quota for write ups.
114 Before the implementation of PSR I saw my 12/23/2019 12:54 AM
supervisor as an asset. I was able to
approach my supervisor with questions
regarding troubleshooting without fear of
reprimand. Now I feel as though company
officers are out to find anything they
can to discipline and ultimately cut work
force. Management is working with a
lesser budget and the easiest way to save
money is to cut work force.
115 Most have went back to their tools because 12/23/2019 12:49 AM
of foresaid layoffs and firing.
116 Negatively, they are under much greater 12/23/2019 12:47 AM
pressure and their job is at stake. Less
capability to handle things on a lower
level than before.
117 More disconnected 12/23/2019 12:46 AM
118 Other than the managers constantly writing 12/23/2019 12:34 AM
people up under threat of losing their
bonus, none whatsoever.
119 They keep changing supervisors 12/23/2019 12:24 AM
120 Strictly a platonic relationship. Go, Go 12/23/2019 12:15 AM
Go!
121 The management craft employee relationship 12/23/2019 12:13 AM
is much more adversarial now, much more
of an is versus them atmosphere.
122 Hasn't yet 12/23/2019 12:08 AM
123 It has affected our relationship 12/22/2019 11:57 PM
tremendously. He continues writing people
up for petty offenses causing tension
between us all.
124 Stressful 12/22/2019 11:45 PM
125 They don't seem to care about anything but 12/22/2019 11:21 PM
the numbers they make up to appease the
shareholders
126 they are still overly demanding of work 12/22/2019 11:05 PM
with reduced manpower. definitely need to
address the man per mile equation. some
work needs more men than others and it
needs to be done with safety at the
forefront.
127 Only gotten worse 12/22/2019 10:53 PM
128 Different manager every week 12/22/2019 10:49 PM
129 That hasn't changed much they seem more 12/22/2019 10:07 PM
stressed but so far not taking it out on
us.
130 Makes them push harder with half the help 12/22/2019 9:09 PM
131 not much different now than before 12/22/2019 7:37 PM
132 I am fortunate enough to have excellent 12/22/2019 7:21 PM
supervision that actually take pride in
our section of railroad and workmanship
so no not affected.
133 My supervisor fears for his job like all 12/22/2019 6:37 PM
of us do. But theyve gotten rid of a lot
smaller percentage of management
134 All they care about is running train 12/22/2019 6:24 PM
135 Things are tense I feel that they are not 12/22/2019 6:23 PM
happy with the new system but there hands
seemed to be tied
136 They are on our side about it most of the 12/22/2019 6:21 PM
time
137 Supervisors are gloomy and doom and feel 12/22/2019 6:18 PM
like they need to right people up to
justify their jobs
138 vv (male sign) 12/22/2019 6:16 PM
139 Seems like they always expect more from us 12/22/2019 5:40 PM
which means we get very irritated with
supervision so not good
140 We are no longer a team that works 12/22/2019 5:35 PM
together.
141 Been more aggressive . . . 12/22/2019 5:22 PM
142 They are puppets. They could care less 12/22/2019 5:21 PM
about us. With PSR they work from home. I
may see them once a month. If I need
something I just improvise. Needed a new
radio the other day no answer from any
manager.
143 Destroyed all relationships by Norfolk 12/22/2019 5:13 PM
Southern demanding the supervisors use
unreasonable discipline on employees to
force unsafe practices.
144 It has went down hill because everyone is 12/22/2019 5:12 PM
worried about getting their job cut off.
145 It creates a more stressful environment. 12/22/2019 5:02 PM
146 PSR has multiplied the stress & tension 12/22/2019 4:54 PM
between workers & their boss!
147 alot more pressure put on manger, it rolls 12/22/2019 4:03 PM
down to us.
148 The management doesn't seem to like PSR 12/22/2019 3:41 PM
either.
149 Supervisors try to micro manage every 12/22/2019 2:49 PM
aspect of daily work, but have trouble
managing when they spend 3 hours a day on
conference calls and have to worry about
getting furloughed every day.
150 Managers are threatened also, they are 12/22/2019 2:31 PM
told to run units at all cost. Which
means they are released even if the unit
is unsafe
151 Makes people get upset easy more work less 12/22/2019 2:29 PM
people 300 miles of track with 7-people
working headquarters
152 There are only bad relationships between 12/22/2019 2:06 PM
craft and supervisors. But really nobody
trusts anybody. Supervisors don't even
trust each other. It's become a very
toxic company.
153 I don't even know who my shop manager is 12/22/2019 1:57 PM
now
154 stressed 12/22/2019 1:50 PM
155 It has made our shop a very gloomy, 12/22/2019 1:23 PM
unstable place to work because now, more
than ever, we come in every day wondering
if we will no longer have a job. While
the company seeks only to increase
profits for the already wealthy
investors.
156 Supervision used to be a good working 12/22/2019 12:59 PM
relationship. Since PSR it seems to be
more stressful and more animosity between
us.
157 Worse 12/22/2019 10:54 AM
158 Yes. I used to enjoy coming into work. 12/22/2019 10:49 AM
Like I said before they don't care to
have a relationship with the employees
now. All they care about is getting units
released. Whether that means lying to you
or stabbing you in the back. They took
away our first break to get more work
done. 1st shift used to be a goal at the
shop. Now here I am top of the chain
working 3rds because I don't want to be
around all these supervisors anymore.
159 Again those that are still working say 12/22/2019 10:38 AM
relationship is strained because of
unreasonable expectations with less
people.
160 They try to sell us what the company tells 12/22/2019 7:53 AM
them, I'm not buying!!
161 Hated them before. Because of being rats. 12/22/2019 7:36 AM
Stand point hasn't changed
162 Managers work in fear daily of losing 12/22/2019 7:22 AM
their jobs, so therefore they keep
constant pressure on anyone working under
them
163 my manager is a good guy hes doing what 12/22/2019 7:10 AM
hes told from higher. basically a don't
kill the messenger situation. but the
guys pullin the strings making the
decisions for him they are terrible
people.
164 It has out people in positions that are 12/22/2019 7:02 AM
yes men and have no common knowledge over
what they are managing. I don't feel safe
with my current management.
165 They only care about the schedule not a 12/22/2019 5:41 AM
employee
166 Everything is about pinching pennies. 12/22/2019 4:57 AM
167 They make you feel as if you have no self 12/22/2019 4:54 AM
worth.
168 It's pretty much drawn a dividing line 12/22/2019 4:47 AM
between the craft employees and the
supervisors over them. There's no trust
from either side at all
169 Terrible. No longer and friendly place to 12/22/2019 4:46 AM
work. Constantly looking over your
shoulder in fear of doing something wrong
170 I loved my job, actually looked forward to 12/22/2019 4:44 AM
going to work for the first time ever.
Now because of greed I am furloughed and
I despise the railroad
171 My supervisors have stopped trying and 12/22/2019 4:44 AM
eased up on the stinkeye a little since
they can see that the ultimate goal is
failure and resistance is futile.
172 Yes, Supervisor is threatening employees 12/22/2019 4:37 AM
jobs.
173 Have lost a lot of our local leadership. 12/22/2019 4:22 AM
Both managers and foreman have had their
jobs cut.
174 It's putting stress on everyone 12/22/2019 2:49 AM
175 Has a negative effect 12/22/2019 2:48 AM
176 Always looking behind you. Afraid of 12/22/2019 2:38 AM
having something made up to get rid of
you.
177 Your always worried about doing your job 12/22/2019 2:37 AM
correctly. Even if you do everything
right they will still write you up if it
fails for something else you should have
seen.
178 Things are a lot more tense between 12/22/2019 2:22 AM
employee and manager due to the fact that
everyone is expected to do the job of at
least 2 employees at this point
179 My supervisor is just as scared for his 12/22/2019 2:18 AM
job as I am. We are being told not to
turn in injuries to him because he
doesn't want the negative feed back on
his name
180 Everyone is on edge. They tell you to work 12/22/2019 2:14 AM
safe and follow the rules but that just a
cover up for them when things go south.
181 It's turned the place I work Into a them 12/22/2019 2:14 AM
against us
182 I'm not convinced PSR is embraced 12/22/2019 2:10 AM
183 Very parted, desire two separate goals and 12/22/2019 2:07 AM
outcomes.
184 Only have one left and he's on borrowed 12/22/2019 2:05 AM
time.
185 I feel bad for them for the position that 12/22/2019 1:53 AM
their in having their job always in the
line but I have to watch out for my
safety first. I won't let them dictate
what safety protocols are important.
186 They have almost stopped all communication 12/22/2019 1:43 AM
with us on what the state of the railroad
is. They seem to be very scared of having
any relationship with us and that if they
do upper management will remove them from
the shop and force them to a new
location.
187 Disconnected 12/22/2019 1:40 AM
188 The supervisor and managers are told to 12/22/2019 1:39 AM
run trains by their supervisors. They are
not given much choice, comply or else! So
they understand when we write up defects
however only defects that seem to matter
are the ones the FRA inspectors write up
on what seems like a semi monthly basis.
No where near often enough!
189 It's increasingly an us vs. then 12/22/2019 1:35 AM
environment. I've heard multiple times
that everything we do could be contracted
out. I feel like if you are an agreement
employee they don't consider you an
employee of the company. The only reason
you have a man number is so the can
discipline you when the need arises.
There are multiple situations where we
feel something needs addressed or repairs
made and that it would be in the best
interest of our company to protect their
investment, management will say they need
to make a judgment call and signs off the
concerns.
190 Strained as the manager and supervisors 12/22/2019 1:34 AM
are pressured to decrease costs and cut
so deep that we on the floor can not
sustain a level of quality that is needed
to provide a safe product to our
customers or the public.
191 Managers are fired if they don't play 12/22/2019 1:31 AM
along and the ones that are left are out
for blood.
192 All trust is gone with management. They 12/22/2019 1:17 AM
are the ones pushing this down our
throats and walking people out the door
just for profits and to inflate the stock
price with fabricated numbers.
193 Supervisors hide more 12/22/2019 1:07 AM
194 It hasn't. 12/22/2019 1:05 AM
195 Local managers are even more stressed but 12/22/2019 1:03 AM
the idiots up top are a joke
196 We're just a number. They are constantly 12/22/2019 12:55 AM
looking for ways to either reprimand us
or fire us
197 It hasn't. 12/22/2019 12:52 AM
198 Do not trust them It's all about the 12/22/2019 12:41 AM
shareholders.
199 Mistrust, anxiousness, and loss of 12/22/2019 12:26 AM
respect.
200 Enough that I made the decision to pursue 12/21/2019 11:05 PM
a career elsewhere where the company
values its employees.
201 Always on edge now. Always going crazy if 12/21/2019 10:53 PM
work isn't being done in a manner that
management who doesn't know the work
thinks.
202 Management seems more worried at times 12/21/2019 10:52 PM
about the fix or the power getting out on
time than getting quality out. Creates
some tense moments at times. For the most
part has not been terrible on that front
though
203 Negatively. It seems it's all a headhunter 12/21/2019 10:37 PM
mentality and any mistakes are 100
percent unacceptable.
204 No change. 12/21/2019 9:18 PM
205 Terrible management 12/21/2019 7:33 PM
206 Do not see them as I am furloughed 12/21/2019 6:56 PM
207 Better and worse they slack off now 12/21/2019 3:21 PM
because production is most important but
we don't get along because my safety and
crew members are more important.
208 It's not his fault. 12/21/2019 3:00 PM
209 Great. There are less of them to deal 12/21/2019 2:01 PM
with.
210 What relationship? We never see him! He 12/21/2019 9:24 AM
gets mad when we talk to his superior
about issues we have. Says we are
throwing him under the bus.
211 Now they are all about the business and 12/21/2019 8:56 AM
are all job scared corporate puppets
whose main concern is trying to write
people up. Lot of the time for a rule
that the chief Dispatcher just told you
to bend or break
212 It's created a bad vibe throughout the 12/21/2019 4:26 AM
company
213 Improved it. They are under the gun and 12/21/2019 3:21 AM
can cheat less.
214 If the manager stays long enough he or she 12/21/2019 2:24 AM
looks drained and stressed out.
215 No change, they are just trying to 12/21/2019 1:14 AM
implement a process handed down to them
from corporate (in other words, just
doing their jobs like we are)
216 they put more on us 12/20/2019 11:28 PM
217 Tremendously. Officials are more arrogant 12/20/2019 11:11 PM
than ever and expect us to violate
agreements
218 Stressful 12/20/2019 11:06 PM
219 I hate them all 12/20/2019 10:27 PM
220 It hasn't 12/20/2019 10:26 PM
221 They have fired 70 percent of the which 12/20/2019 9:50 PM
makes it hard to get answers to questions
an employee might have.
222 No coment 12/20/2019 5:16 PM
223 None 12/20/2019 5:07 PM
224 It hasn't changed much! They for the most 12/20/2019 4:57 PM
part are still Big Jerks!
225 There is definitely tension there. We are 12/20/2019 4:10 PM
under pressure and so are they. So when
something go wrong or there's a problem
it's bigger than it has to be.
226 It hasnt 12/20/2019 4:09 PM
227 Haven't seen where it has. 12/20/2019 4:01 PM
228 Has made it pretty rocky. 12/20/2019 3:39 PM
229 Worse can't stand to be around them at 12/20/2019 3:32 PM
even talk to them anymore
230 I understand the management part, they are 12/20/2019 3:14 PM
under pressure to produce with less. My
relationship with my manager has not
changed.
231 My belief is that PSR has affected 12/20/2019 2:53 PM
relationships between supervision and
employees in a drastic way. Supervision
is expected to get as much work done
today with sometimes half the workforce
as they once had and the employees are
expected to complete the work as if they
had twice the amount of help. This causes
friction in the work place due to so much
being expected from both the Supervisor
and Employees in a timely manner.
232 Lower level management is overly stressed, 12/20/2019 2:26 PM
because of need of man power to preform
work and upper level is cutting jobs.
233 I don't have a supervisor anymore 12/20/2019 12:49 PM
234 Furloughed 12/20/2019 12:32 PM
235 Relationship has gone down hill. They are 12/20/2019 12:29 PM
trying anything they can to get people in
trouble.
236 Tensions are high and morale is low. 12/20/2019 11:47 AM
237 None. He hates it too 12/20/2019 11:19 AM
238 It's pretty bad when the relationship 12/20/2019 10:59 AM
between crews and managers seems better
because there are fewer managers and the
ones left think PSR is as big a crock of
shit as we do!
239 It has made it a more hostile work 12/20/2019 10:56 AM
environment.
240 It's nonexistent. 12/20/2019 10:36 AM
241 Higher stress and expectations that can't 12/20/2019 9:48 AM
always be met . . . alot more disgruntled
employees
242 More tension 12/20/2019 6:07 AM
243 They are under the gun so far more 12/20/2019 5:34 AM
aggressive and vindictive
244 Hate his guts 12/20/2019 3:47 AM
245 Overloaded with work constantly chasing 12/20/2019 3:39 AM
falling behind with work
246 None we both agree on the same issues 12/20/2019 3:37 AM
247 Our manager will never tell the truth 12/20/2019 3:08 AM
about company business and tries to
undermine FRA rules. He cannot be
trusted.
248 It's hindered it to say the least. It's 12/20/2019 2:37 AM
the plumbers theory. Shit rolls downhill.
Unrealistic goals usually followed by a
lack of manpower and materials. Any
shortfalls will not be tolerated and any
suggestions will not be entertained.
There is no more constructive
conversations in working for a common
goal.
249 Limited time has the Managers pushing 12/20/2019 2:31 AM
harder for production some times side
stepping safety. This makes for a tense
work environment
250 It really hasn't 12/20/2019 2:19 AM
251 Friction 12/20/2019 2:01 AM
252 They push us to meet unrealistic goals and 12/20/2019 1:33 AM
give us tools to use that are in
disrepair. Every manager is trying to
implement new SOP to cut down on time
that end up taking longer. They are
stressed out because of the unrealistic
goals they are having to push onto us
causing them to be temperamental and
aggressive.
253 they no longer know us as people only 12/20/2019 12:42 AM
numbers
254 Most of them hate it too. The ``do more 12/20/2019 12:37 AM
with less'' mentality has fallen back
mostly on them. In large terminals field
managers are nothing but glorified
clerks.
255 They are under a lot of stress due to 12/19/2019 11:44 PM
upper management.
256 Constantly on us about why cars are 12/19/2019 11:40 PM
sitting or making them move earlier then
scheduled because it's tonnage over
safety and cars can't be setting because
we are paid to move freight. Even if we
have a heavy work load and they aren't
scheduled they have us do it anyway
because we might be going by the
facility.
257 Managers are under more pressure than ever 12/19/2019 11:19 PM
to have single cars moved from one point
to another. Requiring many more crews to
pick up & or set out cars enrouteMoves
that could be done in a block are now
done by several crews involving several
moves..Its very inefficient.
258 It hasn't affected my relationship with my 12/19/2019 11:11 PM
manager. Because even I know he's just a
number to.
259 none 12/19/2019 10:53 PM
260 They are worried about their jobs (because 12/19/2019 10:30 PM
of their bosses) so they are pushing/
rushing us to try and get trains out
faster. Not giving us the enough time to
do our proper job briefing.
261 Not good, safety kind of move aside 12/19/2019 10:15 PM
262 All of our managers hate it, they always 12/19/2019 10:07 PM
say they are tired of it. Making our
relationship stressful
263 It has not. 12/19/2019 10:00 PM
264 They hare or as much as we do, but are too 12/19/2019 9:53 PM
spineless to say anything, they just
follow along and lie about it just like
the rest of them.
265 MY RELATIONSHIP IS THE SAME WITH MY 12/19/2019 9:52 PM
MANAGER.
266 Working lots of overtime. Sometimes they 12/19/2019 9:40 PM
have to make people work overtime and
that doesn't go well
267 I never saw my manager to begin with, PSR 12/19/2019 9:09 PM
hasn't changed that.
268 I never see them anyway. They are always 12/19/2019 8:15 PM
to busy sleeping in their offices
269 Shared dislike for the fewer off days 12/19/2019 8:11 PM
270 They demand to much with so little 12/19/2019 8:04 PM
employees
271 N/A 12/19/2019 7:43 PM
272 It's hard to believe anything they say 12/19/2019 7:40 PM
273 Supervisor . . . they try they best to 12/19/2019 7:30 PM
understand us but they bosses want them
to fail us . . . on any infraction . . .
we as grown men & women can't walk on
eggshells . . . for job or living
274 None 12/19/2019 7:16 PM
275 None 12/19/2019 7:16 PM
276 Manager only cares about his numbers and 12/19/2019 6:59 PM
paper work. We have just become a number
to them. But they expect you to answer
your phone 24/7 no matter what. Always
getting threatened with my job when I
miss a call. Even though I rarely miss
calls.
277 More stress. They are pressured, and it 12/19/2019 6:40 PM
snowballs into unrealistic expectations.
And again safety and rules are pushed
aside.
278 While our direct supervisor is very 12/19/2019 6:32 PM
reasonable with our daily job briefings
and setting out goals for the day, our
overall productivity is down simply
because it is so nearly impossible to get
track time. His level of frustration can
be very evident as our projects seem to
continue to drag out for so much longer
than they have in the past years.
279 We are both more stressed. 12/19/2019 6:12 PM
280 Made it worse because their hands are tied 12/19/2019 6:06 PM
by upper management to cut jobs an force
employees to do more with less
281 Not at all. 12/19/2019 5:57 PM
282 Can't say that it has changed 12/19/2019 5:37 PM
283 No change. 12/19/2019 5:00 PM
284 Never saw them to begin with. 12/19/2019 4:59 PM
285 It's actually made a great relationship. 12/19/2019 4:56 PM
Everyone is stretched thin and they
understand that and have been willing to
work with us in more ways.
286 N/A 12/19/2019 4:47 PM
287 Depends on the supervisor. Some let it go 12/19/2019 4:37 PM
to their heads and some know the
difference between good sense and BS
288 It's not good. I don't trust my managers 12/19/2019 4:34 PM
to follow through with what they say they
are going to follow through with.
Managers now are viewed as company
employees who have to get someone fired
in order to keep their management job.
Most of our managers do not know track
work, don't know how to plan track work
and does not know what kind of man power,
equipment ect, that certain jobs need to
have to complete the work safely. A
majority of our managers don't know how
to look for and find defects. The one
thing the carriers make sure they are
good at is watching men, writing them up,
and getting them fired.
289 There are more arguments now to the tool 12/19/2019 4:21 PM
shops everywhere from what I can see,
everyone can see the state of the tracks
declining and supervision only cares
about moving freight through their
territory.
290 New to Me. 12/19/2019 4:16 PM
291 Less confident in them. They want us to do 12/19/2019 4:10 PM
nothing about issues. Major repairs are
needed and disregarded because they cost
money
292 It has made the relationship my re 12/19/2019 4:08 PM
volitile.
293 They are scared out of there boots they 12/19/2019 4:01 PM
look tired so they really don't talk much
to you anymore they just want to try an
get threw the day it seams
294 N/A 12/19/2019 3:57 PM
295 No change 12/19/2019 3:26 PM
296 Made it worse rush rush rush. Do as I say 12/19/2019 3:23 PM
297 We're pushed harder to do more unsafe work 12/19/2019 3:22 PM
practices
298 None 12/19/2019 3:03 PM
299 No improvements to my knowledge 12/19/2019 3:00 PM
300 I personally have no faith or trust in any 12/19/2019 2:56 PM
of em. They do not do what they tell you.
Most senior managers will shake your hand
while pissing on your leg.
301 They are getting pushed more and more for 12/19/2019 2:55 PM
us to get more done with less people so
it creates a lot of high tension between
management and union employees
302 Manager treated employees like shit befote 12/19/2019 2:53 PM
the current issues. Just getting worse
303 Has allowed me to speak frankly with 12/19/2019 2:50 PM
supervisor regarding scheduling work and
somewhat allowed me to build my own work
schedule
304 he trying to micro manage and contracting 12/19/2019 2:37 PM
more.they want more out of you with less
time to work and money
305 Didn't really have one 12/19/2019 2:27 PM
306 Tensions are much higher. Elevated stress 12/19/2019 2:27 PM
to move trains.
307 I have been fortunate to maintain good 12/19/2019 2:16 PM
relationships with my managers. For the
most part I thing many people out here do
only because it has been made clear that
the calls are not their doing but calls
from way above their pay grade to help
this sorry company's wall street profits
go up. We all understand we are just
trying to keep a job and waiting for PSR
to hit the company so hard they don't
have a choice but to go back to
``railroading'' before too many more
people have to be injured or die
308 more stress 12/19/2019 1:50 PM
309 Don't want them around 12/19/2019 1:44 PM
310 Good boss 12/19/2019 1:34 PM
311 No. 12/19/2019 1:10 PM
312 No difference to me 12/19/2019 12:53 PM
313 For the most part, I feel bad for my 12/19/2019 12:46 PM
immediate supervisorhe is being told by
higher ups that he has to write up his
guys
314 None 12/19/2019 12:33 PM
315 Supervision has resorted to threatening 12/19/2019 12:31 PM
our jobs and treating us as if we aren't
important assets to the company.
316 Deteriorated 12/19/2019 11:50 AM
317 Downhill. They don't provide any ideas. 12/19/2019 11:37 AM
Just make that move happen.
318 I don't feel local supervision is all that 12/19/2019 11:27 AM
bad in most cases mostly I feel it's on
the mid tier level as those supervisors
must try and make a name for themselves
319 Our supervisor is a down to earth guy he 12/19/2019 11:12 AM
hasn't changed
320 Made it worse 12/19/2019 7:31 AM
321 Manager is now 4 hrs away 12/19/2019 6:36 AM
322 As with I would suspect most departments 12/19/2019 5:09 AM
PSR has implemented its own unique set of
challenges that make the relationships
more important than ever.
323 All of the exempt officers from 12/19/2019 4:34 AM
Roadmasters to all the way to top of the
company. Act like they don't care just
worried about their safety record and
their bonuses for their safety record.
100,000 dollars plus in bonuses to upper
of 1 millions just in safety bonuses
324 Hasn't 12/19/2019 4:32 AM
325 I have a good working relationship with my 12/19/2019 4:18 AM
manager but I can see the strain on him
witch brings up concerns of job cuts
326 Untrustworthy, they usually tell you 12/19/2019 4:15 AM
anything to make you do whatever they
asked wether it's against contract or
unsafe
327 Supervisor/manager relations amongst 12/19/2019 4:12 AM
engineering employees seems very
segregated
328 Under qualified supervision managers with 12/19/2019 4:08 AM
1-2 years railroad experience use to have
minimum 10 years to be management
329 I've had multiple supervisors. The best 12/19/2019 3:49 AM
ones really just leave their employees
alone. Many supervisors know our working
conditions aren't very good but let me
put it this way. I wouldn't climb into a
foxhole with most of them.
330 Change some 12/19/2019 3:46 AM
331 So far it has not affected me personally 12/19/2019 3:42 AM
332 It hasn't yet. 12/19/2019 3:21 AM
333 Never saw much of them before or after the 12/19/2019 3:18 AM
implementation of PSR.
334 More pressure to get work done. Managers 12/19/2019 3:18 AM
don't let experienced workers do the job
we know
335 We're pushed to have work done in 12/19/2019 3:17 AM
unrealistic goals
336 Compounded stress rolls down hill 12/19/2019 3:13 AM
337 They are all about production now not 12/19/2019 3:13 AM
safety
338 It probably has taken away the personal 12/19/2019 3:11 AM
relationship!
339 It makes people hate the company because 12/19/2019 3:10 AM
of this 2020 stuff. All the cutting off
and bumping a specially during the
holiday seasons when things are supposed
to be good with families.
340 Yes he is more pressured that means we get 12/19/2019 3:03 AM
more pressure
341 I am fortunate to have a great manager as 12/19/2019 3:02 AM
my direct supervisor. The management
above his level cares about cost above
all else including safety
342 No one is happy on the property 12/19/2019 3:00 AM
343 Okay I guess can't the welds he wants do 12/19/2019 2:49 AM
to time
344 It hasn't. 12/19/2019 2:45 AM
345 Hasn't really changed as they are in the 12/19/2019 2:36 AM
same boat. The blame lays squarely on the
board of directors and others who will
get more wealthy while destroying
countless lives and the railroad.
346 In light of the recent downsizing 12/19/2019 2:36 AM
management the remaining managers are
constantly in fear of more cuts in staff
and budget as well as their own ass. The
extra strain on them has them looking to
cut cost anywhere they can to show that
they like the koolaid, Severing ties with
trusted employees resembling that of a
human sacrifice! All in order to ensure
they have a job and a place at the
masters side!
347 Same 12/19/2019 2:36 AM
348 He knows I'm not a fan 12/19/2019 2:35 AM
349 Not sure 12/19/2019 2:34 AM
350 Stressed 12/19/2019 2:20 AM
351 We are just numbers in a ledger to be 12/19/2019 2:14 AM
removed by any means necessary.
352 It hasn't changed 12/19/2019 2:05 AM
353 We seem to have become more distant and 12/19/2019 1:59 AM
less connected as a team. They have us do
more training on a computer by ourselves
than in our work groups. We used to get
together a lot more in our work groups to
take training together and address our
safety concerns.
354 Simply it has eliminated and sort of 12/19/2019 1:57 AM
relationship. Local management is spread
so thin that you never see them.
355 I feel like the manages are under undo 12/19/2019 1:56 AM
stress now more than ever, which in turn
they take out on us.
356 we see him less because he has multiple 12/19/2019 1:49 AM
gangs and spends less time with us
357 They expect double the work since they 12/19/2019 1:46 AM
furloughed everyone with under 15 yrs
358 The managers are so afraid for their that 12/19/2019 1:36 AM
they either quit or they'll do anything
without regard to anything but preserving
their job. Again, morale as low as ever
seen.
359 Nothing has changed mostly distance from 12/19/2019 1:34 AM
each other more
360 Managers are quick to write workers up for 12/19/2019 1:34 AM
anything!
361 We hardly even talk 12/19/2019 1:25 AM
362 If you have a good morale manager with 12/19/2019 1:23 AM
integrity, if your manager treats
everyone with respect the relationship
will be a lot better than before, it
comes from upper level management how the
employees are treated it seems.
363 Extremely adversarial. Always trying to 12/19/2019 1:22 AM
get their numbers at every opportunity.
Then the ones that do the discipline/
dismissal move on, typically quoting
their jobs. After that no experienced
railroaders from the craft will take the
jobs and lower themselves to the
despicable heartless bastards the
railroad wants in these positions. The
railroad's only recourse is to hire the
dumbest, most inexperienced idiots off
the street who further do no understand
railroading to carry out their discipline/
dismissal agenda.
364 My Supervisor is no longer in a supervisor 12/19/2019 1:21 AM
position.where is the
365 Manager is in fear of losing their job if 12/19/2019 1:21 AM
employees are not followed and pressured
to perform unsafe work.
366 Push push thats what they want us to do 12/19/2019 1:17 AM
the gangs, not a very good relationship
367 Production 12/19/2019 1:16 AM
368 PSR has affected me because some 12/19/2019 1:10 AM
supervisors/managers still show
favoritism towards some people and they
show with no remorse about it.
369 I have always had a decent working 12/19/2019 1:05 AM
relationship with my immediate managers,
the ones working on the ground with us
and they too see how bad it's all
becoming.
370 No respect, he has NEVER ran a large train 12/19/2019 12:56 AM
and yet he is telling me I am doing it
wrong. As I AM a locomotive engineer, and
was proud to call myself one.
371 No change 12/19/2019 12:50 AM
372 The good ones are still trying to make 12/19/2019 12:49 AM
everything work but it's like watching a
dumpster fire. Upper management and c
level managers don't spend enough time in
the field to know up from down.
373 Made it worse. 12/19/2019 12:47 AM
374 Idk 12/19/2019 12:45 AM
375 It's worse than ever 12/19/2019 12:44 AM
376 Managers just want cars moved now and care 12/19/2019 12:38 AM
less about safety.
377 If a supervisor is friendly with the 12/19/2019 12:33 AM
employees they typically get transferred
the company wants supervisors to be
distant from employees
378 It hasn't 12/19/2019 12:26 AM
379 It hasn't changed 12/19/2019 12:26 AM
380 ? 12/19/2019 12:25 AM
381 Not good relationship at all 12/19/2019 12:25 AM
382 I've had 3 different roadmaster in 2 12/19/2019 12:23 AM
years. I've had a good working
relationship with all of them
383 Much more tense in all areas. They are 12/19/2019 12:23 AM
being pushed and so are we to the point
of an untrusting tense relationship
384 Has not. No one knows if they will be let 12/19/2019 12:21 AM
go and when
385 Never had one 12/19/2019 12:20 AM
386 N/a 12/19/2019 12:19 AM
387 Strained to trust and confidence 12/19/2019 12:14 AM
388 There is a complete disconnect in planning 12/19/2019 12:13 AM
and most times the correct quality repair
for a problem is pushed to the side and a
shortcut is taken to return tracks to
service or max operating speed
389 More work load with no help. We never do 12/19/2019 12:12 AM
enough
390 No one cares about us except for us 12/19/2019 12:11 AM
brothers and sisters who work side by
side. More more more, with less guys.
Fatalities and injuries will pile up.
391 Puts a strain on the relationship because 12/19/2019 12:11 AM
they expect you to do more with less.
392 I never see managers anymore. 12/19/2019 12:10 AM
393 Not at all 12/19/2019 12:06 AM
394 It has made everyone's life a lot more 12/19/2019 12:05 AM
stressful
395 More stress 12/19/2019 12:05 AM
396 Cut throat environment. My immediate 12/19/2019 12:02 AM
supervisor was a listening ear, now they
are under so much pressure they don't
have time for anyone. That is if they
don't get fired first. High turn over
rate.
397 My relationship with my manager that o 12/18/2019 11:59 PM
report to hasn't changed cause he
understand
398 No affect. We do our jobs. Just scared if 12/18/2019 11:59 PM
we will have jobs tomorrow
399 It has stressed the relationship because 12/18/2019 11:56 PM
of more stress from upper management
being thrown on him and return being
thrown on workers who already has a full
load on them
400 It hasn't 12/18/2019 11:51 PM
401 1 12/18/2019 11:49 PM
402 More disconnect. We have the supervisor 12/18/2019 11:47 PM
delegating operators and laborers to pull
responsiblities of foreman and assistant
foreman. With this in fighting and a rush
to ``production'' we have already
experienced a degradation in safety and
have already had an accident.
403 No change 12/18/2019 11:47 PM
404 Still want the work done with no overtime. 12/18/2019 11:43 PM
Then bitch when it doesn't happen.
405 More stressful. Expecting to get more work 12/18/2019 11:41 PM
done with less ppl
406 Na 12/18/2019 11:39 PM
407 I don't know he was eliminated as part of 12/18/2019 11:35 PM
PSR.
408 Horribly. They push too hard and expect 12/18/2019 11:35 PM
too much. And they cater to
transportation before they cater to the
men.
409 Puts a lot of pressure between company and 12/18/2019 11:34 PM
union employees
410 We don't get enough done anymore and they 12/18/2019 11:34 PM
all changed their attitude
411 Less friendly, they seem more stressed. 12/18/2019 11:34 PM
412 None what so ever 12/18/2019 11:33 PM
413 No 12/18/2019 11:33 PM
414 More stress and responsibilities added 12/18/2019 11:30 PM
415 More pressure on them and shit rolls down 12/18/2019 11:30 PM
hill
416 I try not to talk to them 12/18/2019 11:29 PM
417 More tensions because as they say sh*t 12/18/2019 11:29 PM
rolls down hill. He gets pressure from
about to get more done with less money.
So we get pressured to do more than our
passion and do other positions to make up
for lack of manpower.
418 It has declined and their morale has very 12/18/2019 11:29 PM
noticeably shifted downward.
419 I see a lot more of him now, than I do my 12/18/2019 11:27 PM
family.
420 In most cases when you have the window to 12/18/2019 11:27 PM
work I feel like it's always a rush
421 Everything from day to day is very 12/18/2019 11:25 PM
unsteady and ``grey''. Our supervisor is
stressed from being called and hassled
all day long about track time and slow
orders etc. etc. that his stress is then
involuntarily passed along to us. Which
at the time makes tensions and attitudes
rise!
422 They've become more of a company man then 12/18/2019 11:24 PM
looking out for us (employees).
423 Has definitely put added pressure. Do more 12/18/2019 11:22 PM
with less is the current climate
424 Don't really notice 12/18/2019 11:21 PM
425 Not in a good way! 12/18/2019 11:19 PM
426 Not yet! 12/18/2019 11:19 PM
427 That has remained unchanged. I never have 12/18/2019 11:19 PM
anything other than a professional
relationship with any manager
428 Not good. Nothing but push. Nothing good 12/18/2019 11:18 PM
enough
429 There is more accountability on both sides 12/18/2019 11:18 PM
430 No change 12/18/2019 11:17 PM
431 There more of a jackass now days because 12/18/2019 11:16 PM
the pressure the upper bosses put on them
432 Same 12/18/2019 11:14 PM
433 Strained 12/18/2019 11:13 PM
434 They expect you to do alot more with alot 12/18/2019 11:11 PM
less, that builds frustration between us
because they want things done no matter
how it gets done
435 None 12/18/2019 11:11 PM
436 N/A 12/18/2019 11:11 PM
437 It has worsened due to pressure from the 12/18/2019 11:11 PM
top
438 Diminishing 12/18/2019 11:10 PM
439 Due to PSR the company has cut several 12/18/2019 11:09 PM
managers and supervisors had had some
type of knowledge and or experience and
replaced them with people of little to no
knowledge
440 We feel tension. The dispatcher won't give 12/18/2019 11:09 PM
up time except on Mondays. Which is the
one day we don't have a mail train so
they are always planning for big jobs on
Monday only and we should with out a
doubt be able to accomplish at least four
a week if not five
441 Not much but no trust in the company just 12/18/2019 11:09 PM
fear all around
442 Expected to do more 12/18/2019 11:09 PM
443 With the cutbacks in personal to include 12/18/2019 11:08 PM
lower management it isn't very often we
have contact with managers
444 We don't have managers we have people who 12/18/2019 11:08 PM
think they own plantations
445 Not good expects too much in too little 12/18/2019 11:08 PM
time.
446 N/A 12/18/2019 11:08 PM
447 worse than the last 26 years 12/18/2019 11:07 PM
448 He's just a company man, towing the line I 12/18/2019 11:07 PM
know they don't care for it.
449 I think there's a big divide between 12/18/2019 11:06 PM
worker and manager
450 It's the same for now 12/18/2019 11:06 PM
451 BNSF has a program Maintenance Excellence. 12/18/2019 11:06 PM
As far as I can tell from this program is
it's allowed Transportation to call the
shots on when and where we go to work.
452 Turned them on us 12/18/2019 11:04 PM
453 It has made it worse. Every day you wonder 12/18/2019 11:04 PM
whose job is being cut. Supervisors are
constantly asking more from you with less
time and equipment to get it done
454 Supervisors are under the gun and more 12/18/2019 11:02 PM
stressed than ever before in my 11 years
on the railroad which of course trickles
down to us the workers.
455 It actually makes it harder on everyone 12/18/2019 11:02 PM
not having enough manpower
456 There is no relationship between contact 12/18/2019 11:01 PM
employees and managers anymore, the
company is pressuring them to write
employees up, for anything or try to find
a reason, that y oi u are always on guard
with them, which makes for an unsafe work
environment.
457 My manager is good at keeping his job 12/18/2019 11:01 PM
pressures his problem for the most part
458 A lot more tension 12/18/2019 11:00 PM
459 It all about the company 12/18/2019 11:00 PM
460 Yes, Write ups are ridiculous 12/18/2019 10:59 PM
461 There worried about there job at all times 12/18/2019 10:58 PM
462 No adverse affects 12/18/2019 10:58 PM
463 Destroyed any chance of working 12/18/2019 10:57 PM
relationship due to ignorance and
continued harassment
464 Works work and I don't take it personally 12/18/2019 10:56 PM
but I can see the stress that's been
added to the managers.
465 All about moving trains, and not are 12/18/2019 10:55 PM
safety
466 My dislike for my manager has increased. 12/18/2019 10:54 PM
467 More strained and adversarial 12/18/2019 10:54 PM
468 Me stress on both. Over wages an trying 12/18/2019 10:54 PM
get stuff done with less people
469 It seems that management has been under 12/18/2019 10:53 PM
the gun. They seem more stressed and have
to figure out how to adapt to the change
from executive decisions. A lot of those
changes so far haven't added any value to
our jobs. And us as workers haven't seen
much positives out of the changes our
managers are tasking us with. We're not
communicating as well as we could.
470 Relationships nonexistent it's not a 12/18/2019 10:52 PM
career just a paycheck.
471 Not at all we are all disgruntled together 12/18/2019 10:52 PM
472 The supervisor I had last year seemed to 12/18/2019 10:49 PM
do his best to split the difference but I
hear others have not done so well,
production numbers are by far the most
important thing
473 Direct supervisor/manager understand. It's 12/18/2019 10:47 PM
idiots above them.
474 Strained 12/18/2019 10:47 PM
475 He has more pressure put on him so he has 12/18/2019 10:47 PM
to push everything
476 He gets frustrated more because we can't 12/18/2019 10:46 PM
get alot of work done.
477 Worst it's ever been. 12/18/2019 10:45 PM
478 Same 12/18/2019 10:45 PM
479 Bad 12/18/2019 10:45 PM
480 Had had 5 new bosses in 4 years locally. 12/18/2019 10:45 PM
481 More expected from less people with less 12/18/2019 10:45 PM
tools/equipment means more hostility
between workforce and management.
482 Have not 12/18/2019 10:45 PM
483 They constantly are giving you jobs to do 12/18/2019 10:44 PM
that they don't know how to do and with a
lot less man power
484 We all despise each other. No matter what, 12/18/2019 10:44 PM
nothing is done fast enough now
485 Seems the people under management does not 12/18/2019 10:44 PM
matter any more. Us people are just
numbers to management. Just run the
trains and cut our jobs off
486 Always asking questions with no answers 12/18/2019 10:43 PM
487 Negatively, he's stressed out more often 12/18/2019 10:43 PM
488 It has strained relationships amongst 12/18/2019 10:43 PM
Engineering and Transportation crafts
489 They tend to worrying more about the time 12/18/2019 10:42 PM
it takes to complete a job compared to
the job being done safely or good quality
workmanship.
490 Hasn't 12/18/2019 10:42 PM
491 There has been a push or a rush on getting 12/18/2019 10:41 PM
projects done
492 Strenuous 12/18/2019 10:40 PM
493 No it's the reason I'm home I was 12/18/2019 10:40 PM
suspended for making a video about the
scheduling and how PSR and the schedule
to supplement that type of Railroading
has affected time from our families and
we didnt have a say in it
494 It hasn't 12/18/2019 10:40 PM
495 It made it worse 12/18/2019 10:39 PM
496 There has been really no changes that I 12/18/2019 10:34 PM
have noticed. Just do your job safely and
go home.
497 The roadmasters just want more and more. 12/18/2019 10:26 PM
Agreement violations are common.
Discipline is over the top anymore.
498 Every body is overly stressed and on their 12/18/2019 10:15 PM
tip toes.
499 vv (male sign) 12/18/2019 10:02 PM
500 It's declined. 12/18/2019 9:41 PM
501 Na 12/18/2019 9:34 PM
502 They are all scared for their jobs right 12/18/2019 9:19 PM
now, so either 1. They are trying to take
everyone to the grinding stone and make
themselves look important, OR 2. They are
distracted by the chaos PSR
implementation has brought about and are
just as much a safety liability as any
one else is at the moment.
503 I have a good working relationship with my 12/18/2019 8:45 PM
direct supervisors.
504 Horribly. The rift between management and 12/18/2019 8:35 PM
employees has never been so bad. The yard
and train masters are being stressed by
the chain of command and in turn they're
taking it out on us. Too many cuts, too
little rest. There's not enough
sensibility and rationale to function
properly at work to have a positive
relationship with management.
505 Better because they are on the chopping 12/18/2019 8:23 PM
block also
506 Very disgruntled employees 12/18/2019 8:20 PM
507 It has created way to much resentment. 12/18/2019 8:03 PM
Once good relationships, have turned into
managers that have to choose work
obligations, over keeping their guys
happy.
508 I once respected them, now I feel that 12/18/2019 7:50 PM
they have every single one sold their
souls to the devil
509 No one trust anyone these days. More 12/18/2019 7:48 PM
tension and stress
510 Managers don't care about anything except 12/18/2019 7:47 PM
making departure time. Even if that means
leaving without bulletins and messages.
511 OK 12/18/2019 7:27 PM
512 He stressed, takes it out on employees. I 12/18/2019 7:18 PM
wouldn't consider it a relationship.
513 It hasn't 12/18/2019 7:11 PM
514 In Boston our management takes hand out 12/18/2019 7:10 PM
from contractors Way too many managers.
Morale is very a low. Many workers make
more money on there second job. Just show
up at railroad for insurance and pension
very inexperienced. The railroad passes
everyone on track test just to have
people. Could be bad
515 I'm furloughed now due to PSR. 12/18/2019 6:49 PM
516 I currently do not have a supervisor (FT 12/18/2019 6:31 PM
Labor Rep), but feedback from membership
is that there are certainly strained
relationships between members and
supervision given the pressure to the
supervisor from senior management to
perform more efficiently and do more with
less as well as continually test employes
to find mandated safety failure quotas
internally from the Company.
517 Yes Discipline & Claims Grievance Blatant 12/18/2019 6:23 PM
disregard for Agreement
518 Some supervisors are breathing down our 12/18/2019 6:21 PM
necks demanding that we move freight
without any consideration to safety at
all. Some are demanding that we overlook
safety issues just to move freight.
Others have simply given up and do not
care if freight is moved at all. PSR is
back firing on the carriers and the front
line employees and customers are the ones
suffering.
519 Feel like there is a lot of friction 12/18/2019 6:19 PM
between our managers, and employees
520 N/A 12/18/2019 6:12 PM
521 He has a boss, we all have bosses. He is 12/18/2019 6:08 PM
told to get it done, we try to do it as
quickly as possible and all hope and pray
no one is killed, hurt or losses their
job.
522 My supervisor understands PSR is not good 12/18/2019 6:08 PM
for us but he doesn't want to lose his
job either.
523 Managers seemed more stressed out and on 12/18/2019 5:48 PM
edge with in turn makes for a poor
environment.
524 They expect more numbers then before. And 12/18/2019 5:16 PM
less concern for safety. Safety is taking
a back seat to car counts in their eyes
525 The relationship with supervisors is more 12/18/2019 5:09 PM
adversarial they are in discipline mode
to justify their jobs, use against them
attitude.
526 Hate to say it but I have had to go on 12/18/2019 4:47 PM
medicine due to the stess of it all and
me getting into arguments almost dailey
with one of them
527 A lot of resentment even though it's not 12/18/2019 4:44 PM
their fault
528 hasn't 12/18/2019 3:55 PM
529 Not much change 12/18/2019 3:46 PM
530 No he is as afraid of layoffs as I am. He 12/18/2019 3:22 PM
has a family also
531 It has always been poor, but now they are 12/18/2019 3:17 PM
scared for their jobs due to unnecessary
budget cuts and are trying to watch us
for rule violations to justify their
existence making my job even more
stressful.
532 The company doesn't want its employees to 12/18/2019 3:17 PM
have relationships with its managers.
533 Badly 12/18/2019 3:12 PM
534 Fortunately our managers are just as 12/18/2019 2:49 PM
scared as we are. Every day coming to
work not knowing who's next on the
chopping block. If anything the
management is kept in the dark besides
mandatory directives that they just pass
along to us. They have little to no idea
what's going on.
535 Managers have informed me multiple times 12/18/2019 2:43 PM
that if our yard doesn't find a way to
produce with less manpower then they will
shut part or all of our yard down. This
is after they have abolished hundreds of
jobs in our yard throughout the past
year.
536 Na 12/18/2019 2:28 PM
537 You can't take them seriously they are a 12/18/2019 2:25 PM
joke.
538 More tension to work with 12/18/2019 2:13 PM
539 It has only affected it negatively. He is 12/18/2019 2:13 PM
very negative and seems wore out by the
company
540 Used to work as a team, management have 12/18/2019 2:05 PM
now become hostile and almost impossible
to work with.
541 Yes, they have no idea of the company 12/18/2019 2:04 PM
Plans just as the employee don't either.
542 Yes 12/18/2019 1:49 PM
543 None. 12/18/2019 1:46 PM
544 He is right and everyone is wrong even if 12/18/2019 1:44 PM
you prove that he is breaking rules. If
you tell him that it's Against the safety
rules he then threatens to send you home
for refusing to do your job.
545 More harassment 12/18/2019 1:44 PM
546 Managers are put under an incredible 12/18/2019 1:38 PM
amount of pressure to make the numbers
work regardless of whatever circumstances
that may arrive. No matter what the issue
the train or car must move so say the
numbers.
547 I don't like the lies the supervisors feel 12/18/2019 1:09 PM
the need to tell to keep morale up. It's
extremely sad work environment
548 We use to have a working relationship with 12/18/2019 1:07 PM
our managers. Where they actually cared
about us, now we are expendable assets
with a number nothing more.
549 It doesn't affect 12/18/2019 12:13 PM
550 15 years service with plans to retire and 12/18/2019 11:51 AM
I quit
551 the supervisors now days are doing just 12/18/2019 11:50 AM
what they are told to do. they are not
the mans man of yester year. I think
relationships with bosses are struggling.
552 No they're still malicious, mean, and rude 12/18/2019 11:45 AM
553 We are fortunate to have a good management 12/18/2019 11:39 AM
team however, it is beyond clear that
they know they can be fired at the drop
of a hat. They are under tremendous
pressure to comply and get more done with
less resources. This pressure tends to be
placed on us and it causes conflict.
554 It's about the same. 12/18/2019 11:13 AM
555 No. I rarely see or hear from a manager 12/18/2019 11:12 AM
556 The best supervisor I have ever worked 12/18/2019 10:50 AM
under was fired
557 The manager I have been associated with it 12/18/2019 10:42 AM
hasn't changed. There is more pressure on
everyone to make sure to clear the track
on time
558 Bad they trying to fire us more with less 12/18/2019 10:30 AM
people
559 Don't hardly see any and the ones we have 12/18/2019 10:17 AM
are being run ragged.
560 N/A 12/18/2019 10:07 AM
561 More animosity in workplace. 12/18/2019 9:37 AM
562 It has made our relationship better. My 12/18/2019 9:34 AM
manager is just as angry as I am about
the decisions being made, which gives us
a bit of common ground we didn't used to
have.
563 Not much other than they are being run to 12/18/2019 9:24 AM
death and look like hell all the time.
564 Collapsed the bridge of relationship, 12/18/2019 9:10 AM
cause supervisors and managers are so
stressed out because of company
expectations they seem they are always to
busy
565 Who? Never see them. 12/18/2019 9:09 AM
566 It hasn't. I rarely see him. Probably 12/18/2019 8:46 AM
because he now has more work to do also
567 Poorly 12/18/2019 8:45 AM
568 Crap, it crap but that's what the company 12/18/2019 8:36 AM
wants. They don't want you to work
together to solve problems.
569 I do not know. 12/18/2019 8:36 AM
570 Stressed it major. Now we have to be on 12/18/2019 8:31 AM
duty for 8 hrs for some trains and all
locals for strange reason. You would
think they would want you to get back on
the board and rested quicker. And we have
to put off our ticket before 12 hrs.
Which is a bad idea, it just makes me
feel rushed. Not good for a dangerous
environment.
571 Supervisors are highly stressed to make 12/18/2019 7:49 AM
impossible happen and can't say anything
but yes sir to their bosses. They
pressure us to break rules and compromise
safety to cover their jobs. It's a
failing business plan.
572 No major change 12/18/2019 7:28 AM
573 Safety which was once a priority is now 12/18/2019 7:21 AM
secondary to moving freight as fast as
possible. With that in mind the
relationship is strained. The human
element of being an employee is gone.
574 Always hurrying us 12/18/2019 7:18 AM
575 Managers or so scared for the future of 12/18/2019 7:06 AM
their jobs, that they no longer put
safety first and are forced to require
employees to work in unsafe conditions as
well as improperly inspect set up and
maintain equipment to a safe level.
576 There is no management 12/18/2019 6:31 AM
577 QSP desk never available, no time on the 12/18/2019 6:30 AM
track, so the foreman take the blame,
managers are yes men, very strained
relationship with my director
578 My supervisor initially was decent to work 12/18/2019 6:26 AM
for. He would help you when you needed
and he would look out for everyone. After
PSR came into the picture, he became less
personal and more critical of how we did
things. He began to micromanage every
little thing instead of feeling like he
could trust his team to take care of
tasks.
579 It has added a lot more strain to our 12/18/2019 6:08 AM
relationship
580 Worse. Managed never cared about the 12/18/2019 6:02 AM
operations staff to begin with. Why would
anything get better because of it.
581 All we get is it's out of our control 12/18/2019 5:58 AM
582 Managers are no longer trusted 12/18/2019 5:50 AM
583 They have a job to do as we as well, they 12/18/2019 5:48 AM
seem tired a lot
584 It's very hard to respect someone who has 12/18/2019 5:45 AM
never done what you do.
585 N/A 12/18/2019 5:40 AM
586 My managers and supervisors change so 12/18/2019 5:38 AM
often I never even get a chance to meet
then before it's someone new. No
consistency.
587 Can't stand them 12/18/2019 5:22 AM
588 Most supervisors have been furloughed on 12/18/2019 5:13 AM
my area
589 There is no respect for managers or 12/18/2019 4:54 AM
supervisors. They try to micromanage
aspects of the company that they know
nothing about.
590 No reasoning with our management when we 12/18/2019 4:52 AM
try to do our job. We find defects. They
let them go. Why even inspect trains for
FRA defects?
591 Hasn't 12/18/2019 4:52 AM
592 Our management pushes us to constantly do 12/18/2019 4:42 AM
more with less putting safety in
jeopardy.
593 Yes. Made it more stressful and even 12/18/2019 4:32 AM
hostile at times.
594 What manager??? I rarely see any 12/18/2019 4:28 AM
management. All instructions are relayed
via a white board in the crew room or no
instructions are relayed at all. Our
managers are too busy worrying about
weather they will have a job the next
day. There is no relationship
595 They are constantly changing because they 12/18/2019 4:16 AM
are furloughing nonstop
596 I try to avoid them. 12/18/2019 4:15 AM
597 I've always got along with supervision but 12/18/2019 4:06 AM
it does seem like that it's us against
them and I wish we were a team
598 N/A 12/18/2019 4:03 AM
599 It has been more stressful. They are under 12/18/2019 4:01 AM
more pressure, and that pressure gets
passed down to the crews. Managers are
also using this time to harass crews and
use politics for their own benefit.
600 It has destroyed the relationship because 12/18/2019 4:01 AM
it's all about the company goals and
profits instead of being about the
finished product and safety of your
fellow brother
601 Relationships are good with supervisors 12/18/2019 3:54 AM
haven't had any issues
602 What managers they fired 80 percent of 12/18/2019 3:52 AM
them. The ones that are still there work
a area so huge you never see them.
603 Hasn't 12/18/2019 3:51 AM
604 They seem to bring a trickle-down effect 12/18/2019 3:50 AM
of the higher ups pushing crews to act
unsafely to put times in front of safety
as a priority
605 Both the employees an supervision stay 12/18/2019 3:48 AM
stressed trying to do same work load with
minimum support, supply, man power.
606 Hasn't changed my relationship with my 12/18/2019 3:47 AM
supervisor or manager. It's not their
fault that PSR was implemented. Most of
them feel the same as the workers because
they are getting laid off too or getting
their jobs moved around
607 I have no contact nor do I know who he is. 12/18/2019 3:46 AM
608 Only money matters now 12/18/2019 3:43 AM
609 More confrontational. They can't give 12/18/2019 3:40 AM
direction or answer questions because
they don't know.
610 Good/bad 12/18/2019 3:39 AM
611 Anxiety, fearful. They are hunting crews 12/18/2019 3:23 AM
to justify their jobs and justify the
lack of control over the PSR. No
accountability from up top as to why
trains are delayed. They just blame the
crews. Even though every train I get on
is typically 114+ hours late.
612 More times than not we have had more 12/18/2019 3:22 AM
disagreements on the size of jobs and the
lack of man power.
613 They treat you like you are nothing. No 12/18/2019 3:19 AM
appreciation for your efforts
614 There are no relationships with 12/18/2019 3:14 AM
management. It is strongly discouraged by
the company for them to fraternize with
unionized employees
615 PSR brought a Proficiency Testing program 12/18/2019 3:05 AM
to my railroad that requires managers and
supervisor to test us on safety rules and
practices in the field. This would be a
great program if it had anything to do
with safety but it is, unfortunately,
about policy. We are told routinely by
management that they have a quota to get
a testing fail. So instead of providing
coaching, training or leadership, they
stand back and evaluate or scrutinize our
work habits after the task is completed.
There have been times we have asked for
direction on a task and we get either a
vague response or no response. I used to
have respect for management when I
started in 2005 because they were visible
and present on the jobsite to guide us in
safe work practices as well as hitting
production goals. This is something we do
not have anymore due to their quotas to
get proficiency fails.
616 PSR? Management should always assume the 12/18/2019 3:01 AM
role of teacher, coach, mentor. Not a
tester. Managers should protect the
company from the FRA, not by degrading
the employees, but by insuring rule
compliance through proper training!!!!
617 It seems more hostile as they've cut 12/18/2019 2:57 AM
multiple management jobs so they're
overzealous to take coaching and
exceptions to your work to justify their
job
618 He's about to be laid off so negatively 12/18/2019 2:55 AM
619 Railroads are and have been a hostile work 12/18/2019 2:55 AM
environment.
620 Not really affected it 12/18/2019 2:49 AM
621 It has strained all professional 12/18/2019 2:42 AM
relationships
622 It has increased stress and anxiety in 12/18/2019 2:41 AM
everyday activities.
623 There is no relationship management is a 12/18/2019 2:31 AM
revolving door. New ones every 1 to 2
years
624 Hasn't made a difference one way or the 12/18/2019 2:20 AM
other.
625 It's strained 12/18/2019 2:18 AM
626 Not yet 12/18/2019 2:18 AM
627 Bumping heads with Management and 12/18/2019 2:14 AM
Supervisors. They are never happy, they
want more and more. We are not
appropriated for all the hard work we
give our all to help make it work for
them but they don't care. They are being
pushed we are being pushed.
628 Worse now 12/18/2019 2:11 AM
629 Psr has moved all the mangers around now 12/18/2019 2:11 AM
they only bother you when your train is
late in a way it's nice they don't hide
and watch
630 Not me personally, many are much younger & 12/18/2019 2:09 AM
don't say much, but I think they are put
under a lot of pressure.
631 Don't know 12/18/2019 2:08 AM
632 No. It's still a them against us work 12/18/2019 2:07 AM
environment. I have never worked for a
company that I feel hates me as much as
CSX does.
633 They treat us like a piece of garbage. As 12/18/2019 2:05 AM
if they actually hate us.
634 Managers under so much pressure even the 12/18/2019 2:05 AM
good ones turn bad. It definitely been a
negative impact!
635 They are in the same boat, they get shit 12/18/2019 2:05 AM
on by the ones above them. Just like us.
They screw them also
636 They come around to make us work faster 12/18/2019 2:03 AM
because of short time!
637 Haven't really talked to him about it. 12/18/2019 2:03 AM
638 The only words my supervisor had ever said 12/18/2019 2:02 AM
to me was that I'm furloughed
639 No specific changes noted. 12/18/2019 2:00 AM
640 The pushing from above him to do more than 12/18/2019 1:57 AM
we are capable of
641 Splendid 12/18/2019 1:55 AM
642 Made worse 12/18/2019 1:53 AM
643 It has made the local manager is run 12/18/2019 1:52 AM
scared for the managers that they have to
deal with. They call it the trickle down
effect
644 Better unless not meeting the extreme 12/18/2019 1:52 AM
goals they expect
645 Always concerned if my job will get cut 12/18/2019 1:51 AM
off
646 We have received numerous e-mails about 12/18/2019 1:50 AM
dwell time, which affects my job
requirements none whatsoever, and being
told to force customers to order in cars
from our yard, which is not my
responsibility at all.
647 Our managers are pushing us to do more 12/18/2019 1:49 AM
work with less people very on safe
648 My relationship with my supervisor has 12/18/2019 1:47 AM
stayed the same. We are both Good Men.
649 Its more of a hostile work environment. We 12/18/2019 1:40 AM
as workers have always had our jobs
dangled in front of us like carrots on a
string. We for years have heard your job
depends on safety if you don't don't safe
the works going to leave. Now management
is honestly adraid for their job no body
is safe and it has ruined everyone's
attitude
650 Furloughed 12/18/2019 1:39 AM
651 It has drove a wedge between us 12/18/2019 1:37 AM
652 Tensions 12/18/2019 1:35 AM
653 You're fine if you hit their unreasonable 12/18/2019 1:33 AM
numbers but when you don't you constantly
look over your shoulder
654 No different. They find a way to 12/18/2019 1:33 AM
manipulate the critical rules to still
get that discipline on you. Their
favorite is 1.13 failure to comply with
instructions. They will put any minimum
infraction under that rule. We are
constantly watched by drones, cameras,
etc. just waiting on the smallest slip
up.
655 Not much if at all 12/18/2019 1:29 AM
656 Things are more tense 12/18/2019 1:23 AM
657 They seem more stressed, which in turn 12/18/2019 1:16 AM
makes everyone stressed
658 He understands what we have to deal with 12/18/2019 1:14 AM
most of the time. But we also need to get
jobs completed so it adds more time to
our day or more days for a project
659 Not really 12/18/2019 1:10 AM
660 At first they were hunting people trying 12/18/2019 1:07 AM
to force as many workers out as they
could. Now, nobody cares.
661 The managers are so scared for their jobs 12/18/2019 1:04 AM
with the constant cuts, they have stopped
listening to the experts performing the
work and are constantly making decisions
that lead to shoddy or incorrectly
performed work.
662 Managers have no ethics or care about 12/18/2019 1:03 AM
their employees. Shareholders make the
calls on everything and have no idea
what's going on
663 Luckily our local managers are very good 12/18/2019 12:59 AM
even to the point of getting themselves
in trouble to keep it off of us when
possible
664 Not good 12/18/2019 12:57 AM
665 Less transparency 12/18/2019 12:54 AM
666 They're in the same boat. I'm fortunate to 12/18/2019 12:50 AM
have a good supervisor, but they have to
do what they're told.
667 Higher stress environment. Many have left 12/18/2019 12:44 AM
because of stress and are out on
disability.
668 Depends on the supervisor/manager 12/18/2019 12:44 AM
669 toxic relations between, workers and 12/18/2019 12:41 AM
management.
670 Who? 12/18/2019 12:36 AM
671 PSR has brought more managers closer to 12/18/2019 12:27 AM
the employees because now neither party
knows if they will have a job in a month
or a week not just the employees anymore.
672 They are just doing what they're told to 12/18/2019 12:20 AM
do.
673 hasn't 12/18/2019 12:14 AM
674 I try to avoid all supervision as much as 12/18/2019 12:13 AM
possible.
675 We are viewed as cattle. 12/18/2019 12:13 AM
676 Made it more stressful 12/18/2019 12:13 AM
677 It hasn't. Their buffoonery and 12/18/2019 12:11 AM
incompetence is only magnified by PSR.
678 None 12/18/2019 12:10 AM
679 All managers are gone since implementing 12/18/2019 12:07 AM
680 If you hold up a train or stop a train you 12/18/2019 12:03 AM
have a lot of explaining to do and you
need to have a meeting with your manager
681 Managers rush you out the door. That just 12/18/2019 12:03 AM
slows us down.
682 Never see them 12/18/2019 12:00 AM
683 It has caused a barrier between us because 12/17/2019 11:57 PM
when they talk to us it is just about
keeping cost down and taking care of
stockholders
684 They are totally different people 12/17/2019 11:55 PM
685 Stronger than ever 12/17/2019 11:53 PM
686 no different they see it also 12/17/2019 11:50 PM
687 Of course. Everyone under tremendous 12/17/2019 11:50 PM
pressure to make the impossible happen
688 Don't talk to management unless I need to 12/17/2019 11:50 PM
689 Depends on who he or she sides with 12/17/2019 11:47 PM
690 Added strain that already existed. I try 12/17/2019 11:46 PM
and give the benefit of the doubt as the
likelihood they could be laid off as well
as me are very real possibilities.
691 Adversely affected the relationship. 12/17/2019 11:44 PM
692 It has implemented a climate of hostility 12/17/2019 11:43 PM
for managers towards craft workers.
693 I feel pressure that to continue to work 12/17/2019 11:43 PM
safely I might be penalized for not
producing more.
694 They have to listen to the top board 12/17/2019 11:42 PM
members and can not listen to what we
have to say about our work.
695 Tensions are brewing 12/17/2019 11:40 PM
696 Can't trust none of them. 12/17/2019 11:36 PM
697 Still the same 12/17/2019 11:29 PM
698 Local mgmt hates it too but they are at 12/17/2019 11:29 PM
the mercy of upper mgmt
699 It's more tense. Everything you say gets 12/17/2019 11:26 PM
scrutinized. There are 20 questions for
the simplest task. Management doesn't
manage. All they do all day is call one
another asking if so and so is done yet.
700 Lol. Yes that's a joke too. Management is 12/17/2019 11:21 PM
always on their ass cursing at them and
supervisors (train masters and road
foremen) of engineers are on ours.
Causing anxiety and poor morale.
701 There is no relationship with managers and 12/17/2019 11:21 PM
trade employees, just the rule by
intimidation thumb, nothing more, nothing
less and that starts at the top with
their daily conference calls which orders
witch hunts on a daily basis, or managers
will be held accountable themselves, who
operates like that The Nazis, that's who
702 Supervisor seem more pressured 12/17/2019 11:16 PM
703 They are just doing what they're told. 12/17/2019 11:14 PM
Some of them are buying everything the
railroad tells them.
704 It makes you feel that they are out to get 12/17/2019 11:12 PM
you fired now
705 It hasn't affected me, but it has greatly 12/17/2019 11:11 PM
stressed him to get the work completed
with less time.
706 Boss/employee relationships are the worst 12/17/2019 11:08 PM
I've ever seen them by far.
707 Worsened. Managers are using bullying/ 12/17/2019 11:07 PM
intimidation/threats of losing jobs.
Threats of insubordination.
708 More demand to hit numbers with less time, 12/17/2019 11:03 PM
man count, and equipment.
709 Destroyed it. They want us to hurry up and 12/17/2019 11:00 PM
disregard safety until something terrible
happens
710 Hardly see them. When I do they are not 12/17/2019 10:59 PM
there to fire you.
711 Unchanged 12/17/2019 10:59 PM
712 Management, even the ones who treated 12/17/2019 10:58 PM
people decent are scared for their jobs
as much as agreement personnel.
713 I don't see them very much anymore. 12/17/2019 10:58 PM
714 We have no foreman, only manager. 12/17/2019 10:58 PM
715 No trust or respect 12/17/2019 10:57 PM
716 Feel rushed all the time 12/17/2019 10:56 PM
717 Mangers are ok 12/17/2019 10:54 PM
718 he is always trying to fire me so it's 12/17/2019 10:52 PM
tense
719 My supervisor and I used to have a pretty 12/17/2019 10:52 PM
good relationship. Now he is more against
us than for us. Reprimands us for
everything. Constantly telling us to work
faster and faster. Has us doing tasks out
of out craft. Plays favorites for those
who will bow down to his every demand.
It's way out of hand.
720 Worsened 12/17/2019 10:52 PM
721 Gotten worse they are under stress and are 12/17/2019 10:51 PM
placing us under more pressure and stress
which leads to a frayed relationship
722 Made it worse. Don't talk anymore. 12/17/2019 10:48 PM
723 Same relationship 12/17/2019 10:46 PM
724 One silver lining is this. Some, but not 12/17/2019 10:43 PM
nearly enough have realized they're just
as expendable as us. They've seen the
monster for what it is. Others just buy
into it, and try to crack the whip to
handle anyone who isn't running through
their ass.
725 None local management are just small fish 12/17/2019 10:42 PM
they have nothing to do just follow their
orders
726 Negative 12/17/2019 10:36 PM
727 PSR has consistently declined, constant 12/17/2019 10:30 PM
pressure to make origination times by
disregarding rules, safety, common sense,
etc., has become the standard operating
procedure. If not complied with the
threat of a fabricated write up ie. delay
of train, will be assessed. Waycross, GA.
is a prime example.
728 No 12/17/2019 10:30 PM
729 No relationship to be had with management! 12/17/2019 10:28 PM
730 No change. 12/17/2019 10:24 PM
731 It's good until something goes wrong to 12/17/2019 10:22 PM
where the train will be delayed, after 24
years I kind of know what to do to get
engines running again, so I do my best
but then the TM yells why aren't you
moving, I tell time engine issue, well
why didn't you call me I have number to
call. I tell them I have it under
control. TM yells I'm getting my ass
chewed because you aren't moving. So when
things are fine the TM is calm but once
something goes wrong there is a complete
different attitude.
732 PSR is meant for UNP to provide better 12/17/2019 10:21 PM
returns for investors money, while
running the company into the ground. They
know they have dedicated employees that
will work to get the job done.
733 No one wants to see a supervisor anymore 12/17/2019 10:18 PM
because when they do it's usually to deal
out discipline.
734 There is a huge disconnect. No trust in 12/17/2019 10:17 PM
those relationships
735 More strain is out on the relationship 12/17/2019 10:17 PM
because of all the statistical data that
is fed into the company. Everything seems
to be run by the numbers not what is
needed to run a well maintained and safe
railroad.
736 It has caused heated discussions due to 12/17/2019 10:16 PM
the silly things they are wanting done,
like shoving a train over 12,000 ft long
and 13,000 tons uphill with 3 units to
set out just a few cars then picking up
more with a conductor having to ride a
shove in certain situations.
737 Hasn't changed. 12/17/2019 10:14 PM
738 I rarely seen one, most of them have been 12/17/2019 10:12 PM
terminated. When you do see one, they get
our concerns however are speak up for us
in fear of losing their own jobs. They
just instruct us to make silly moves and
if you have a better/different idea they
threaten you with a failure to comply
which is terms for dismissal
739 They want to know every of your day. Micro 12/17/2019 10:05 PM
management like never before
740 Less time at home 12/17/2019 9:58 PM
741 You don't see them, too busy I guess 12/17/2019 9:54 PM
covering other jobs. We didn't have any
foreman when I got cut off which was
about a week ago, something about getting
the burn rate up or something like that.
742 Most managers that are left are never 12/17/2019 9:54 PM
seen, just instructions on the dry erase
board.
743 Hasn't affected 12/17/2019 9:51 PM
744 Extreme animosity even by railroading 12/17/2019 9:46 PM
standards
745 No 12/17/2019 9:45 PM
746 More tense and more animosity 12/17/2019 9:43 PM
747 I don't see them anymore because I'm out 12/17/2019 9:42 PM
of a job
748 It really hasn't they are all still two- 12/17/2019 9:40 PM
faced.
749 More hostile, less or no cooperation. 12/17/2019 9:40 PM
750 It hasn't 12/17/2019 9:38 PM
751 Not good 12/17/2019 9:38 PM
752 No 12/17/2019 9:33 PM
753 It really hasn't. It has effected the home 12/17/2019 9:28 PM
life more than anything cause we are
always working or getting called in
because the man power is down
754 I don't trust any management at this 12/17/2019 9:26 PM
point. They say one thing and the next
day it is completely different.
755 I never see or speak to any management, 12/17/2019 9:24 PM
they're never around.
756 Widely depends but at times unrealistic 12/17/2019 9:17 PM
expectations are set and often
unachievable
757 I don't ever see my manager or supervisor. 12/17/2019 9:15 PM
Psr makes employees feel like they don't
matter because everything is about profit
758 I don't ever see them to answer that 12/17/2019 9:14 PM
759 Worst then every all they worry about now 12/17/2019 9:10 PM
is getting trains out with the total
number of cars on time the hack with
safety or anything else
760 What supervisor? they've got them so 12/17/2019 9:08 PM
thinned out we hardly ever see them
761 Well seems as though we can't do our job 12/17/2019 9:08 PM
anymore without them right there waiting
on us to not remember a rule and then
it's like a game of tattle tale need to
back off and the production will follow
762 Seems managers are more stressed trying to 12/17/2019 9:04 PM
meet deadlines
763 Morale is way down. Threats from upper 12/17/2019 9:03 PM
management affect day to day focus
764 Talking to a supervisor about PSR is 12/17/2019 9:01 PM
useless. The conversation usually ends
with, ``Just get it done.''
765 Terribly. Mini dictators 12/17/2019 8:59 PM
766 A neg. 12/17/2019 8:59 PM
767 $5 is $5 dollar 12/17/2019 8:58 PM
768 I do not have a relationship with the 12/17/2019 8:58 PM
manager as there is none to be found. The
ones we do have left have to manage more
people and more projects. It appears
management morale is low.
769 Managers/supervisors feel like the enemy. 12/17/2019 8:52 PM
I'm constantly watching over my back to
see who's watching me. They encourage you
to break rules when it benefits them and
charge you when you get used to breaking
rules they encourage you to break.
770 more stressful, more of a dictatorship 12/17/2019 8:48 PM
than a leader.
771 Improved, 12/17/2019 8:48 PM
772 More tense they're all the time on us 12/17/2019 8:47 PM
about overtime and spending money on
things we need to do our job.
773 Work in fear of constant discipline. Or 12/17/2019 8:46 PM
loss of income
774 Management is willing to bend the rules to 12/17/2019 8:46 PM
meet new demands.
775 What relationship? They're so scared of 12/17/2019 8:45 PM
getting fired, they're putting pressure
on you to cut corners, and get it done no
matter what. Then they look for reasons
to blame you if things don't work out.
They are afraid to tell their bosses that
their new goals are not possible or
plausible because of safety for fear of
being fired.
776 Fortunately our managers at the local 12/17/2019 8:45 PM
level see through this and placate both
the company and the workers and we are
just going through the motions
777 PSR has affected so many of our attitudes 12/17/2019 8:45 PM
and regard for the company. We all have
worked for a company that actually valued
us as employees in the past, now this is
no longer the case. Person to person I
can get along with most anyone, the
people who have decided to implement this
PSR on us I can't agree with them at all.
778 Negatively. 12/17/2019 8:43 PM
779 There is none. The supervision is getting 12/17/2019 8:42 PM
younger and less experienced with what
goes on daily.
780 I can't trust them anymore. They know less 12/17/2019 8:41 PM
about the rules as they get changed a
couple of times a week usually.
781 About the same. Manager knows PSR is a 12/17/2019 8:39 PM
joke as we do. He just can't question it
like we can openly
782 Never see him but all the managers are 12/17/2019 8:39 PM
told to fire as many people as possible
783 It's worse. You are no longer a human 12/17/2019 8:38 PM
you're a number.
784 Do really think it had too much yet? 12/17/2019 8:37 PM
785 Nothing gets bad order. Not able to do 12/17/2019 8:30 PM
your job probably. Putting the public in
danger.
786 What management? They have cut that 12/17/2019 8:29 PM
workforce as well, since PSR I've had 3
managers. I have met him once, and only
talk to him on the phone. But again
management seems concerned/distracted
about there jobs as well. A lot less
interaction with them than before.
787 Not at all 12/17/2019 8:27 PM
788 There is no relationship for discussion on 12/17/2019 8:24 PM
how something should be done it's their
way and hurry up and do it even if it is
wrong and you know it. Because you have
been doing it for 30 years. And they have
2 years of working on the railroad
789 Don't have one anymore cause they 12/17/2019 8:18 PM
micromanage so much you don't want to
work for them anymore
790 Supervisors are under a lot of pressure 12/17/2019 8:16 PM
and are much more likely to dismiss you.
791 Supervisors/managers are a revolving door 12/17/2019 8:16 PM
since PSR was implemented. They manage
with a iron fist. Only concerned about
the numbers.
792 Stressful 12/17/2019 8:12 PM
793 Supervisor, no change. Manager, it's 12/17/2019 8:12 PM
horrible.
794 Negatively. Too much stress is upon the 12/17/2019 8:10 PM
supervisor.
795 It goes above my direct supervisor I don't 12/17/2019 8:07 PM
blame any of the lower level management
in my case they do what they can but they
have to protect their job like myself. I
was proud at one time to be employed by
the railroad but now it is just a job,
the pride is gone and uncertainty has
taken its place.
796 They can see it's a joke just like we can 12/17/2019 8:04 PM
797 Hasn't really changed. 12/17/2019 8:04 PM
798 Hasn't 12/17/2019 8:03 PM
799 It has strained my relationship and made 12/17/2019 8:00 PM
working safely harder.
800 It makes things difficult, especially when 12/17/2019 7:59 PM
your manager is pressuring you to do
something in accordance with PSR and it
conflicts with safety, union duties and
other things
801 They're cramming the work down your throat 12/17/2019 7:58 PM
meanwhile they're busy chasing my
conductors with drones trying to catch
them breaking rules that they change with
updates every couple of days
802 Everyone is afraid to lose their job. 12/17/2019 7:55 PM
Nothing is able to stop them really feel
helpless. So the management is just
trying to not get fired even if it means
you getting fired.
803 Went from bad to worse. 12/17/2019 7:52 PM
804 Yes 12/17/2019 7:51 PM
805 Makes me hate coming to work. Every little 12/17/2019 7:50 PM
thing that happens, people are gripping
and asking questions and wanting to know
why it happened and why we didn't find
the problem before it happened. It makes
coming to work dreadful.
806 My relationship has stayed the same. We 12/17/2019 7:49 PM
continue to communicate effectively with
each other
807 Same 12/17/2019 7:44 PM
808 I always try to make good with my 12/17/2019 7:41 PM
supervisor I try to appease his deadline
and be safe and look out for each other
in the process but I see the most
important thing how it breaks us all down
how it effects my supervisors and my
fellow co-workers including myself how
upper management or corporate management
seem to not care anymore about the people
below them like upper management is more
worried about they're pockets and the
pressure from maybe the top leaders
that's a forget about who truly keeps
them running keeps things going and how
shorthanded we are how underpaid we are
and that's more along the lines of the
amount of abuse stress and time we take
away from our bodies friends and families
PSR is an acronym that really stands for
``Problems Suffocating Railroads ''
809 They don't keep us informed as to how to 12/17/2019 7:37 PM
keep our jobs until it's to late to try
and make a difference.
810 Tense, stressful, strained and generally 12/17/2019 7:36 PM
degraded. The sole focus is on work
performance and nothing more is
important, safety is a buzzword and
tossed around but shop performance is
paramount.
811 PSR doesn't affect anything my 12/17/2019 7:35 PM
relationship with supervisors is fine
till they start trying to get rid of
everyone with stupid rule changes every
day so it's hard to keep up with. And the
inward facing cameras recording every
move you make does not create a good work
environment.
812 Management has been cut as well, less 12/17/2019 7:33 PM
contact and even harder to contact when
questions/concerns arise.
813 THERE IS NO RELATIONSHIP!! 12/17/2019 7:29 PM
814 It has strained previously amicable 12/17/2019 7:26 PM
relationships.
815 It hasn't 12/17/2019 7:22 PM
816 Yes if you try to do your job correct the 12/17/2019 7:21 PM
managers start harassing you
817 Not really 12/17/2019 7:15 PM
818 If one can be found, he is more concerned 12/17/2019 7:15 PM
with PSR than your safety. Forced by
upper management to get rule failures on
employees. Reduced workforce and company
tries to run those employees off.
819 Local lower level management relationships 12/17/2019 7:14 PM
have remained the same. While upper
management runs and hides from looking
personnel in the face. Lower management
feels like we do. They are just waiting
for their jobs to be cut.
820 It hasn't. They are told what to enforce 12/17/2019 7:10 PM
on us. It's not their fault
821 Hasn't changed 12/17/2019 7:10 PM
822 Stressed 12/17/2019 7:09 PM
823 I rarely see a manager on duty. 12/17/2019 7:01 PM
824 What management? Cut the managers and no 12/17/2019 7:00 PM
testing or contact.
825 No change 12/17/2019 6:59 PM
826 There is no relationship. It's get the 12/17/2019 6:54 PM
work done in 7 hours. I don't care how it
had to get done but get it done in 7
hours or we will fire you. The managers
aren't the ones at fault. It's all the
Managers at the top making this
happening. The local managers are just
following orders. It's the CEO and CFO
and all the other big wigs. We have to
ask ourselves when is money more
important than human life. According to
the class 1 railroads it's all the time.
827 The working relationships with Supervision 12/17/2019 6:52 PM
and Carrier Management are so far
deteriorated, I do not believe they are
salvageable due to the Carrier dividing
the workforce on a daily basis for
Corporate Greed, to include the
Management scared to speak against the
PSR initiative due to fear of being fired
828 Badly 12/17/2019 6:52 PM
829 Made it much more standoffish and 12/17/2019 6:50 PM
confrontational.
830 Less managers now they're too busy to even 12/17/2019 6:50 PM
get in contact with
831 I maintain an excellent relationship with 12/17/2019 6:49 PM
management. However, the workload/time
constraints place on contract employees
are multiplied many times for management.
Naturally, this results in less quality/
face time spent with supervision and the
end result has a negative impact, in
general, for all involved.
832 I'm nothing but a number to management. 12/17/2019 6:49 PM
Most times it feels like they would
rather be rid of the employees.
833 Bad seems like them don't care anymore 12/17/2019 6:48 PM
just doing what paper pushers say to do.
834 I can definitely tell the stress that is 12/17/2019 6:46 PM
on my supervisor and manager now! We do
not see the supervisor on jobs like we
used to or a manager because they are
stretched
835 No longer trust the process. It changes 12/17/2019 6:46 PM
too often and without collaboration.
836 Not really any 12/17/2019 6:41 PM
837 They're scared for their jobs so they will 12/17/2019 6:40 PM
do whatever they can to keep their jobs.
It has goten worse. They don't care about
morale and just worry about getting their
trains out on time with less crews.
838 PSR has made everything to do with the 12/17/2019 6:38 PM
railroad worse.
839 I was a supervisor. You can never please 12/17/2019 6:38 PM
the management.
840 Worse 12/17/2019 6:36 PM
841 I have less supervisors so I now have more 12/17/2019 6:34 PM
responsibilities, train settings my own
trains, calling around to get
instructions on work for my pick up and
set outs ect.
842 None 12/17/2019 6:32 PM
843 It has created tension, where there was 12/17/2019 6:29 PM
absolutely none before this started
844 Just another thing that can be used to 12/17/2019 6:26 PM
write me up
845 It has turned our work environment into a 12/17/2019 6:23 PM
very hostile workplace. Management rules
us with threats and intimidation.
846 Caused lots of tension 12/17/2019 6:20 PM
847 The managers in my area don't like the PSR 12/17/2019 6:18 PM
at all! Forcing them to do things like
laying off employees which in turn
effects their families!
848 Managers are more stressed and are more 12/17/2019 6:17 PM
likely to charge an employee
849 Well once you find a manager that sticks 12/17/2019 6:14 PM
around longer than 6 months then said
boss seems to want to help but eventually
his boss find out and make us work even
harder
850 It has gotten away from the time you could 12/17/2019 6:13 PM
manage to give you some heads up and now
it's just get the trains out at any cost!
851 You can't ever talk to one cause they have 12/17/2019 6:12 PM
fired them all.
852 What managers??? Very seldom visible. 12/17/2019 6:12 PM
853 N/A 12/17/2019 6:11 PM
854 Union Pacific has horrendous Manager/ 12/17/2019 6:10 PM
workforce relations. They have never had
good relations, in my 8 years here.
855 Well I'm furloughed so I don't even talk 12/17/2019 6:08 PM
to managers anymore most of them don't
answer their phone for us furloughed men/
woman
856 Well since safety isn't a top priority any 12/17/2019 6:03 PM
more relationships have been better with
management
857 Constantly on us to take up the extra 12/17/2019 6:03 PM
work, doing work of carmen etc.
858 My manager and I get along great, PSR puts 12/17/2019 6:02 PM
us in enormous stress to keep illegal
actions from happening on the daily
basis.
859 They hate us and try to always make sure 12/17/2019 6:00 PM
to tell you what you did wrong down to
the smallest thing they can find.
860 My manager is like an absent parent. You 12/17/2019 5:59 PM
never see him but he always has e-mails
giving vague information.
861 All they care about is getting the trains 12/17/2019 5:56 PM
out of the yard.
862 Being new I cannot compare what it was 12/17/2019 5:55 PM
like prior to PSR. Although I do see
constant pressure on the supervisors that
makes for an unsafe and unnecessary
pressure on crew members below them.
863 It's fine 12/17/2019 5:53 PM
864 Supervisors seem to be much more punitive 12/17/2019 5:53 PM
since PSR. The company is manipulating
and creating a potential manpower
``shortage'' to force Federal Government
to allow crew reduction
865 Hardly ever see always text 12/17/2019 5:51 PM
866 Very complicated. Hard to communicate. 12/17/2019 5:49 PM
867 Very negatively 12/17/2019 5:49 PM
868 Management has been cut to the bare bones, 12/17/2019 5:48 PM
so management interaction has been
scarce.
869 Very negatively! We receive constant grief 12/17/2019 5:48 PM
over time spent per car or finding too
many FRA defects. Even if you have many
repairs to make, this is no excuse for
taking more time. Doing your job well
will surely get you in trouble with.
Management. Quality is frowned upon
because it slows the movement of freight.
870 The one bright spot they've fired most of 12/17/2019 5:48 PM
them.
871 Strained it 12/17/2019 5:46 PM
872 N/A 12/17/2019 5:45 PM
873 Worsened it. No trust in management. They 12/17/2019 5:43 PM
will fire anyone for minor infractions,
even if employee has no record. Direct
supervision can't handle anyrhing and
won't back the employees.
874 I think it made the managers leave us 12/17/2019 5:43 PM
alone and let us do our job without
someone always over our shoulders, but it
has effected it. Managers lie. Managers
are graded based on how many failures
they get. It's not how a company should
operate.
875 Negatively more so because they too are 12/17/2019 5:42 PM
stressed and have more work and
responsibilities than ever before
876 Made it worse, can't trust management. 12/17/2019 5:42 PM
It's a war ``us vs them'' mentality that
affects morale and relationships.
877 I don't feel it has made a difference. I 12/17/2019 5:42 PM
feel they are in the same boat as us
everyone not sitting in a high rise
office in Omaha is affected by this in a
negative way
878 Don't see them much they're spread thinner 12/17/2019 5:37 PM
than ever
879 Our management team has become extremely 12/17/2019 5:32 PM
hostile. They refuse to answer their
phones or hold meaningful conversation
with safety issues. They refuse to take
our grievances seriously and their only
concern is moving freight as fast as they
can, damn the consequences.
880 It has change that relationship 12/17/2019 5:30 PM
881 PSR has not had any affect on my 12/17/2019 5:30 PM
relationship with my Supervisor.
882 It's not a good relationship, they are 12/17/2019 5:29 PM
laying everybody off and want everything
done faster so it takes less crews and no
relief
883 They hate transportation crews more now 12/17/2019 5:27 PM
than ever
884 There's no leadership to begin with. If 12/17/2019 5:26 PM
there was a relationship before I would
say now it's even worse.
885 The worker is scum! Just a number. You 12/17/2019 5:25 PM
can't tell him nothing in fear of
retaliation or being fired. He's just a
machine there to push you to your
breaking point. Constantly holding a rule
book over your head trying to fire you to
lower the workforce numbers. To make the
shareholders happy.
886 They overlook rules and procedures to make 12/17/2019 5:21 PM
locomotives to keep their bosses happy.
887 Management under this plan are merely 12/17/2019 5:21 PM
puppets who are expected to expedite the
desires of their superiors. Many of the
middle and upper managers seem to have
little to no experience and are placed in
their jobs to be ``yes men''.
Relationships with managers on a local
level has changed little to the point
that the employees know that they are
trying to hang on to a job like the rest
and hoping that somehow this experiment
will end and that railroading will become
a customer service based industry and not
a stock shares game.
888 More stress, less communication, just get 12/17/2019 5:16 PM
it done
889 I am a 24 yr employee and have never seen 12/17/2019 5:14 PM
such anger and aggression between the
employees and company
890 Stressful there's too much on management 12/17/2019 5:14 PM
891 No effect 12/17/2019 5:13 PM
892 Animosity. They are robots. No more hiding 12/17/2019 5:11 PM
in the weeds and busting us for safety
glasses, just where they can make cuts to
keep their jobs. We now have 7 yard jobs
and 8 trainmasters.
893 Never see manager 12/17/2019 5:10 PM
894 Poorly. Though it is their job to make 12/17/2019 5:07 PM
sure the work is done, and it wasn't
personally their decision to work short
handed, it still causes friction when
forced to do the work of two men.
895 They expect the same numbers with less 12/17/2019 5:06 PM
896 What manager we never see anyone. They all 12/17/2019 5:04 PM
hide so they don't have to listen to us.
897 Keeping trains running without delays is 12/17/2019 5:02 PM
the most important priority for them.
898 None 12/17/2019 5:01 PM
899 Our boss is a idiot no railroad experience 12/17/2019 4:59 PM
just let cars go
900 First line supervisors are pretty much on 12/17/2019 4:59 PM
the same page as crew base for the most
part. It's upper management that has
never worked in the craft that has higher
expectations than reality.
901 They aren't around 12/17/2019 4:58 PM
902 It's like a war you just don't want to see 12/17/2019 4:56 PM
them
903 There is none 12/17/2019 4:55 PM
904 what relationship? 12/17/2019 4:54 PM
905 Much anxiety and stress 12/17/2019 4:54 PM
906 They charge everyone to edge of 12/17/2019 4:53 PM
termination so you can't report any
violations or safety concerns.
907 badly because they have hired managers 12/17/2019 4:53 PM
that don't have a clue what craft people
do or their jobs
908 They micromanage every single thing and 12/17/2019 4:52 PM
stick their noses into every single
thing. What used to run like a well oiled
machine, is now 24 hour a day chaos.
Partly due to them, but mostly due to
idiotic operational changes.
909 Almost never see them unless there's 12/17/2019 4:49 PM
trouble
910 It has damaged my relationship with my 12/17/2019 4:48 PM
managers.
911 Worsened 12/17/2019 4:47 PM
912 I do not trust they have my safety in 12/17/2019 4:46 PM
their best interest.
913 It's miserable. Denies the most rightful 12/17/2019 4:43 PM
claims and just says ``they'' when he
feels bad. Man up if you can't handle the
job. two-faced and it's embarrassing. We
can't trust any of them.
914 Not really affected that aspect. 12/17/2019 4:43 PM
915 It has actually improved my relationship 12/17/2019 4:43 PM
with my manager. It used to be that
management was ``against us'' so to
speak. Now they have been affected by PSR
as well and they are just as affected as
transportation employees. They understand
our concerns and worries and are on our
side. My local manager has gone as far as
to keep backups of all reports and issues
he sends to his superiors because the
reports keep coming up missing for some
reason when there are safety issues or
operating issues.
916 I never see my supervisors now. They are 12/17/2019 4:39 PM
never around.
917 Work faster with less people 12/17/2019 4:39 PM
918 They have made it clear that we are on one 12/17/2019 4:39 PM
side and they are on the other. Not that
I'm looking for friends but a nice civil
workplace would be nice. We also are
forced to start jobs and not finish
because they have a schedule that they
feel must be followed to a T. There are
also far less railroaders as supervisors.
What they bring in to manage are people
with engineering degrees that know
nothing about what it takes to maintain
track or manage a workforce. They also
are more like puppets being controlled
from the office and encouraged to find
the employees doing wrong and
disciplining them.
919 Never met him 12/17/2019 4:36 PM
920 Who is my manager????? The amount of 12/17/2019 4:36 PM
changes has left us not knowing who we
belong to
921 Terminated, when they laid me off 12/17/2019 4:36 PM
922 Very high pressured environment to meet 12/17/2019 4:35 PM
quotas for management and employees . . .
Do whatever at whatever cost to meet
quotas with lees time, less personnel,
less supervision
923 Yes more stress and tension between the 12/17/2019 4:35 PM
workers and management
924 Negatively. Tensions are higher, every 12/17/2019 4:34 PM
interaction with a supervisor while on
duty just means we're getting more work
rolled onto us that a few years ago
another crew would be called to do.
925 We still get the work done 12/17/2019 4:33 PM
926 It has distanced the relationship between 12/17/2019 4:30 PM
managers and craft
927 Tasks not getting done on time 12/17/2019 4:29 PM
928 No 12/17/2019 4:29 PM
929 We are rushed to make quotas and take 12/17/2019 4:26 PM
shortcuts
930 NS doesn't have relationships with the T&E 12/17/2019 4:26 PM
employees. Not much. 98 percent cannot
use my first name or my last name.
931 Managers are more ``what can we do to get 12/17/2019 4:24 PM
these trains out of the terminal
faster?'' We are being held to cut
corners of safety to save a few minutes.
We are not allowed to spend any time
looking over our locomotives in the
particular yard I work in before our
shift. We are required to sign the daily
cards and be moving in 20 minutes. I
understand we have to move freight to
make money, but we need to get back to
the basics of doing it safely. Shorter
trains would help SO much by keeping
things moving throughout the line and if
something does happen crossings aren't
being blocked, and things can get moving
faster by not having a 15,000 foot train
to walk and inspect. Management is much
more breathing down your back, cut
corners, do anything possible to get
trains out as soon as possible. Contract
and agreement violations with no
compensation. So the answer in short is
the the relationships with management and
supervisors is worse than it used to be.
Much worse.
932 Strained to say the least. Everyone scared 12/17/2019 4:24 PM
for their job
933 What supervisors they all got furloughed 12/17/2019 4:24 PM
934 I think it has gotten worse, because they 12/17/2019 4:23 PM
are testing every day, and slowing down
the process by telling us what we did
wrong or right. In a month we will have
went from like 7 managers to 3 and a lot
of critical rules will be unnoticed
because of lack of supervision.
935 The train masters seem very stressed and 12/17/2019 4:22 PM
worried about getting in trouble with
their superiors when things don't go
right. (Its a new system there are going
to be kinks to work out) That stress and
worry is projected toward us leading to a
stressful work environment. However that
being said the company seems to be more
concerned with the cost cutting side of
PSR than the safety. The newest rule
being if crews aren't off duty in under
11 hours it will result in an automatic
pulling of the engine tapes for scrutiny.
Any nonmovement for a period of 20
minutes or more must have an explanation.
This type of micromanaging to try to cut
corners is definitely leading to a
hostile work environment.
936 They are nothing more than puppets trying 12/17/2019 4:22 PM
to protect their bonuses at all cost.
Lie, cheat, steal, commit fraud. just try
to blame someone else for their lack of
knowledge and ability
937 Morale is low. Managers are less worried 12/17/2019 4:22 PM
about our safety and more worried about
moving freight. This means putting train
marshalling and safety aside
938 It has completely destroyed it, men that 12/17/2019 4:20 PM
were honest have become liars.
939 It affected it by manager and supervisor 12/17/2019 4:19 PM
rushing you out, making our job briefing
not the same, and sometimes messing out
focus up.
940 All but destroyed it. I give all to my 12/17/2019 4:19 PM
work and family. The RR lifestyle is not
conducive to a good family life, but that
was understood, because we knew we'd be
taken care of and appreciated for doing
it. Now, the carriers show their true
colors. We're literally nothing more than
an expense to them. They hire then
furlough without regard to collect tax
incentives and the management does
everything they can to sabotage the crews
and trains to meet their made up phony
metrics.
941 Stressed 12/17/2019 4:19 PM
942 Pass 12/17/2019 4:18 PM
943 PSR hasn't really affected our supervisor 12/17/2019 4:17 PM
yet but in time I'm sure it will.
944 Not much affected there 12/17/2019 4:14 PM
945 Their need for numbers has far outweighed 12/17/2019 4:09 PM
our need for safety. If we go by the
rules, they try and make up rule
violations. If we don't go by the rules
in order to please them, and something
happens, it's all in use. Darned either
way. Really puts a big rift between
agreement and non-agreement.
946 Management/supervisors wanted every car to 12/17/2019 4:08 PM
leave the yard, no matter what the defect
was.
947 The workplace seems more stressful. Not 12/17/2019 4:08 PM
knowing if you stand up for your rights
and own safety if you will have a job the
next day.
948 Well where I work they think that they are 12/17/2019 4:05 PM
above the rules and can do whatever they
want. They force crew to violate rules
and consist at will
949 What relationship. It's a one way street 12/17/2019 4:04 PM
they don't listen to suggestions
950 It's the poorest it has been in my 24 yrs, 12/17/2019 4:03 PM
it's their way or no way, they don't even
know how to railroad anymore
951 Badly 12/17/2019 4:03 PM
952 There is no relationship . . . what they 12/17/2019 4:02 PM
say goes. Common sense is out the window.
953 Management is predatory in nature, 12/17/2019 4:02 PM
managers are vultures.
954 Our relationship is in a neutral spot. 12/17/2019 3:56 PM
Neither positive or negative.
955 Everyone is at everyone's throat from the 12/17/2019 3:54 PM
top down. Someone is always to blame and
it usually lands squarely on the
shoulders of train and engine employees.
I cannot even get a vacation or personal
day which I earned and am due because
they have laid so many off we have no one
to cover layoffs.
956 Basically said do your job and don't worry 12/17/2019 3:54 PM
about what tomorrow brings.
957 No effect 12/17/2019 3:53 PM
958 it has made the managers use our jobs 12/17/2019 3:53 PM
against us like do as I say or there are
hundreds of people furloughed who will
break these rules because they are happy
to have a job again
959 Yes 12/17/2019 3:53 PM
960 They are terrible now. They are under so 12/17/2019 3:52 PM
much pressure from their bosses that they
are writing us up for things that we
can't control, and things that weren't
discipline offenses before.
961 That's one thing that has not changed, 12/17/2019 3:51 PM
poorly trained managers result in poor
relationships between supervisors and
employees.
962 A complete adversarial relationship 12/17/2019 3:50 PM
963 They treat us like shit 12/17/2019 3:49 PM
964 Harmed it badly it is the highway no 12/17/2019 3:48 PM
matter what if you miss one thing
965 I avoid my supervisors like a plague. They 12/17/2019 3:48 PM
are being pressured from upper management
and when you do approach them they are
rude and will not listen to my concerns.
966 Locally most are still good. Higher up, we 12/17/2019 3:46 PM
are only a number and don't care. Just as
long as the paperwork looks good.
967 He can get any information from the 12/17/2019 3:45 PM
management on the schedule. Some time we
don't no where we are going to work the
next day till the day before
968 Worst because workers do not communicate 12/17/2019 3:45 PM
with managers
969 There are no good working relationships 12/17/2019 3:42 PM
anymore. it's an us against them attitude
970 Freed me from them. At home now 12/17/2019 3:39 PM
971 Adversarial conditions 12/17/2019 3:39 PM
972 The management is also stressed from the 12/17/2019 3:36 PM
pressure from their supervision and the
corporation.
973 They stay in a threatening manner 12/17/2019 3:35 PM
974 You can never have a relationship with 12/17/2019 3:35 PM
management because they are changing so
often.
975 Added more stress 12/17/2019 3:35 PM
976 PSR hasn't rules have 12/17/2019 3:34 PM
977 Actually have improved a little, low level 12/17/2019 3:32 PM
managers (Trainmasters) are getting their
brains beat in by their managers as much
as we are now, so we do have some common
ground now.
978 No change. 12/17/2019 3:32 PM
979 It has created a stressful work 12/17/2019 3:31 PM
environment to where we dread seeing
supervisors on the work site
980 Absolutely no trust now 12/17/2019 3:31 PM
981 It makes it harder to meet production 12/17/2019 3:29 PM
which results in more upset feelings when
demands not met and the supervisor can't
even complete his tasks
982 Personally I get along great with my 12/17/2019 3:28 PM
bosses, but I do see everybody getting
short-tempered with each other.
983 My manager LIED straight to my face. Told 12/17/2019 3:27 PM
me furloughs were not going to hit our
department. I went ahead and moved into a
bigger house and guess what? Less than 24
hours in they furloughed me.
984 Managers are all new less than 3 years at 12/17/2019 3:26 PM
my location besides a few who have been
around a long time. Hard to even know who
they are anymore
985 No difference 12/17/2019 3:25 PM
986 Locally we have amazing supervision. It 12/17/2019 3:25 PM
seems that the tone from the train master
down is just try and survive this because
it will pass. The local supervisors have
pretty much zero say in how things are
done anymore
987 They are less concerned about the 12/17/2019 3:23 PM
employees and more concerned about timing
and productivity. They are scared of
getting punished by their upper managers.
988 It has suffered 12/17/2019 3:22 PM
989 Don't see any of them. 12/17/2019 3:22 PM
990 So far it has been fine. 12/17/2019 3:21 PM
991 Well, my company keeps changing managers 12/17/2019 3:21 PM
frequently, so it seems as though there
isn't room for a relationship.
992 Managers are extremely more stressed about 12/17/2019 3:21 PM
their positions are being required to
micromanage every trains' work events.
993 Has not 12/17/2019 3:21 PM
994 A lot worse, we as train crews are guilty 12/17/2019 3:20 PM
til proven innocent. Technology seems to
be the decisionmaking process now.
Engineers are not allowed to make
decisions based on experience, common
sense, and route district specific
geographical train handling
995 It has affected because they are feeling 12/17/2019 3:19 PM
the effects of PSR as transportation
employees are.
996 Ruined it 12/17/2019 3:18 PM
997 It has put more of a strain on our 12/17/2019 3:18 PM
abilities to communicate about crew rest,
train delays, crew changes. The mgmnt
mostly comes out to blame the crews for
not getting the train to next location in
a timely manner. The dispatchers are
constantly short-tempered with sharp
snippy answer, if one is given.
998 Personal level stuff is gone, pride in 12/17/2019 3:18 PM
working for the company now that really
treats you like a number now is gone,
strictly business now and just the facts.
Morale is down and affecting people's
work attitudes.
999 N/A 12/17/2019 3:17 PM
1000 Have no relationship with management if I 12/17/2019 3:17 PM
can help it.
1001 If and when I see them which is not often 12/17/2019 3:17 PM
they appear to not care but will go out
their way to try and catch you breaking
the rules.
1002 More pressure to do more with less in 12/17/2019 3:16 PM
shorter time frames. Managers don't care,
just get it done any way possible.
1003 It has seemingly created a hostile 12/17/2019 3:16 PM
environment, that seems to be full of
harassment, and lots of intimidation. The
intimidation seems to have increased to a
disgusting level.
1004 They are more strict and treat us more 12/17/2019 3:11 PM
like an animal
1005 Before they just treated you like your 12/17/2019 3:11 PM
input isn't important. Now that the
company also isn't interested in the
knowledge the supervisors learned over
years of working, either. So now we have
something in common.
1006 We both hate it. It has made both our jobs 12/17/2019 3:10 PM
harder and given us less time to do more
work.
1007 It has not affected any relationship yet 12/17/2019 3:09 PM
1008 No contact with Mgmt whatsoever 12/17/2019 3:08 PM
1009 Don't like them 12/17/2019 3:06 PM
1010 They are so busy running crews around 12/17/2019 3:05 PM
because they cut all the cabs, that you
don't see them anymore.
1011 Negativity 12/17/2019 3:03 PM
1012 It has made my relationship with the 12/17/2019 3:02 PM
manager/supervisor almost obsolete due to
months of unemployment.
1013 Well they want the same production or more 12/17/2019 3:02 PM
with less time
1014 Not much, work for several managers during 12/17/2019 3:02 PM
the year, they stopped caring, we never
see them, and safety meetings are all but
gone.
1015 Constant harassment and being followed. 12/17/2019 3:02 PM
There is absolutely no respect for a
single supervisor in my area. Being a
ground employee, we are treated terribly
and quality of life has plummeted.
1016 A lot more stress. 12/17/2019 3:01 PM
1017 Supervisors are stressed more than ever so 12/17/2019 3:01 PM
I avoid them all together. I don't want
to be targeted because they're having a
bad day.
1018 PSR puts additional pressure on us and 12/17/2019 2:59 PM
puts us in positions/assignments where
some of us are not comfortable/safe in
doing so.
1019 Hasn't 12/17/2019 2:58 PM
1020 The working supervisors are as disgruntled 12/17/2019 2:57 PM
as the employees!
1021 Rarely see a supervisor/trainmaster unless 12/17/2019 2:56 PM
it's to rush you through your work , , ,
ask for a favor (noncompensated work to
be performed or after something has went
bad and he/she's there to compile the
evidence to prove it's not the company's
fault.
1022 You rarely see one. 12/17/2019 2:53 PM
1023 My direct manager, none. I hate everyone 12/17/2019 2:52 PM
above him now because they enforce this
shrewd work ethic that only benefits the
shareholders.
1024 It has debased morale and put distance 12/17/2019 2:52 PM
between supervisors and employees. The
supervisors are also governed by fear of
repercussions and follow or made to
follow implemented ideas even if the
effects make the work environment
different. Instead of leading employees,
they become puppets expecting employees
to be their puppets. Removing free
thinking that helps promote efficiency
and productivity.
1025 Worse because they all are rushing us a 12/17/2019 2:51 PM
lot more than before PSR was put into
place
1026 Caused tension 12/17/2019 2:50 PM
1027 Timed breaks, can't use restroom if not on 12/17/2019 2:48 PM
break, constantly watching you work.
1028 I've been furloughed 12/17/2019 2:48 PM
1029 Nonexistent 12/17/2019 2:48 PM
1030 I avoid him as much as possible. He is 12/17/2019 2:47 PM
also under the max stress level
1031 Yes they are more impatient which leads to 12/17/2019 2:46 PM
more stress that can cause mental slip
ups.
1032 I don't even know who my manager is have 12/17/2019 2:45 PM
never met or spoke to him
1033 Stressed on occasion because the workforce 12/17/2019 2:43 PM
is too small for the work load.
1034 Seams like a lot more tension with 12/17/2019 2:43 PM
everyone and seams like everything is a
secret
1035 They just want you to work for free now so 12/17/2019 2:43 PM
hard to talk to some of them
1036 No difference 12/17/2019 2:42 PM
1037 We have a manager who is good at making 12/17/2019 2:42 PM
business decisions but a lack of
knowledge in maintenance processes have
forced me to work in more unsafe
conditions.
1038 Strained. Everyone is stretched to the 12/17/2019 2:41 PM
breaking point and tempers flare
1039 I don't have one. I go to work and go 12/17/2019 2:36 PM
home. I try not to talk to any managers
they're always stressed out and on edge
due to car scheduling.
1040 Unchanged 12/17/2019 2:34 PM
1041 made it a nonexistent one. there's no use 12/17/2019 2:33 PM
in asking for time off to rest or relax.
they won't let you miss work for
anything.
1042 They are only concerned about the 12/17/2019 2:31 PM
stockholders, not rational about anything
anymore
1043 Worse 12/17/2019 2:31 PM
1044 No change really 12/17/2019 2:31 PM
1045 They are more lax now then they have been 12/17/2019 2:29 PM
in years past and are willing to look the
other way as long as it brings them more
efficient.
1046 It has made it worse due to the bosses 12/17/2019 2:29 PM
being more stressed out with the PSR
bullcrap!!
1047 Nope 12/17/2019 2:29 PM
1048 Most of them got let go, so I don't know. 12/17/2019 2:29 PM
1049 Tension from both sides. 12/17/2019 2:27 PM
1050 Makes everyones job impossible 12/17/2019 2:26 PM
1051 Push you to go to train before you are 12/17/2019 2:25 PM
ready
1052 On day to day not bad they are under as 12/17/2019 2:25 PM
much stress as we are. But when it comes
to investigations they find anything we
did guilty there is no wiggle room
1053 I think my manager hates PSR as much as 12/17/2019 2:25 PM
employees do
1054 It went from a pretty good working 12/17/2019 2:24 PM
relationship to a bad working
relationship
1055 They are just as worried about their jobs 12/17/2019 2:23 PM
now, so they aren't too concerned about
your issues. Just move the trains and
don't talk back and all will be fine
1056 This is nonapplicable to me 12/17/2019 2:22 PM
1057 destroyed!!!!!! 12/17/2019 2:21 PM
1058 Very strained and they just don't care 12/17/2019 2:21 PM
about anything but that train departing
before the time it's supposed to. Even if
it is just to knock down the signal in
the yard. It makes it look like we are
delaying the trains when we leave 5 hours
after we knock down the signal because
there is a problem with our train or the
dispatcher doesn't have a clear route for
us.
1059 They always sucked now more so 12/17/2019 2:19 PM
1060 My manager seems overly stressed, and has 12/17/2019 2:13 PM
become less focused on doing the complete
job and more focused on simply doing the
logged task as quickly as possible
1061 No change. 12/17/2019 2:13 PM
1062 They got rid of them all. One man covering 12/17/2019 2:13 PM
a whole state
1063 More stress 12/17/2019 2:11 PM
1064 Not applicable 12/17/2019 2:11 PM
1065 I do not have a relationship with my 12/17/2019 2:11 PM
supervisors because there is no trust on
my end. I do my job to the best of my
ability and only have contact with
supervision only when necessary. I have
become much more withdrawn.
1066 Afraid of getting written up. I use to get 12/17/2019 2:10 PM
along with most supervisors, but I am
sure they are under more pressure with
this PSR being forced on us.
1067 makes us hate them 12/17/2019 2:08 PM
1068 None. They're under pressure too 12/17/2019 2:06 PM
1069 Never had a good relationship with 12/17/2019 2:05 PM
management before but now we are more on
the same page because at the same time
management agrees this is bad and a
dangerous railroad to work for now
1070 They're more stressed and it trickles 12/17/2019 2:04 PM
down.
1071 Made me an obsolete part of the 12/17/2019 2:02 PM
relationship.
1072 Made things worse! 12/17/2019 2:01 PM
1073 PSR puts a strain on having a good working 12/17/2019 2:01 PM
relationship with management.
1074 Management looks at us like we are 12/17/2019 2:00 PM
parasites. I can't get time off approved.
They talk to me like I'm a moron. All I
am is a number that gets in their way.
1075 Yes they will throw your ass under the bus 12/17/2019 1:59 PM
to save their own sorry ass. The Canadian
bunch that has come to town thinks the
rules don't apply (FRA or company) to
them yet hang you on the smallest thing.
1076 They are constantly looking over my 12/17/2019 1:57 PM
shoulder or from above with drones. They
are pressured to fire us as much as they
are to keep things moving. That makes it
unsafe for us.
1077 Always a push to get as much done as 12/17/2019 1:57 PM
possible with less resources. Constantly
pushing the safety boundary.
1078 Still a good relationship, but a lot more 12/17/2019 1:54 PM
stressed out
1079 There is no longer a relationship between 12/17/2019 1:54 PM
managers & workers. Managers are almost
made to be hostile towards us.
1080 Worse. Constant intimidation. Poor 12/17/2019 1:53 PM
communication. Operations over safety.
1081 He is scared of his own shadow. 12/17/2019 1:53 PM
1082 Completely negative. Experience is 12/17/2019 1:49 PM
overlooked in order to meet the
unrealistic goals for production and on-
time performance. There is no set
process, only, run by the seat of your
pants and current daily demand.
1083 more with less 12/17/2019 1:48 PM
1084 Truly now it's get out and go PSR doesn't 12/17/2019 1:45 PM
care about safety
1085 Hasn't it eliminated managers 12/17/2019 1:45 PM
1086 The management is under increasing 12/17/2019 1:45 PM
pressure to make performance improvements
whether they are realistic or not.
1087 Just don't see them as much as they are 12/17/2019 1:44 PM
spread so thin!
1088 I was laid off 12/17/2019 1:44 PM
1089 N/A 12/17/2019 1:44 PM
1090 I don't like working for the railroad 12/17/2019 1:43 PM
anymore
1091 N/A 12/17/2019 1:43 PM
1092 Just have to read between the lines! Have 12/17/2019 1:43 PM
to do what it takes to make departure!
I'm positive lower management hates PSR
more than us!
1093 It has put a bad taste in all of our 12/17/2019 1:41 PM
mouths due to the workload and added
stress of not knowing if we have a job
tomorrow, due to greed
1094 Basically it's do as you're told or you're 12/17/2019 1:40 PM
out. This isn't an improvement.
1095 What supervisor/mnager 12/17/2019 1:39 PM
1096 I'm furloughed so pretty negatively 12/17/2019 1:39 PM
1097 Made it worse 12/17/2019 1:39 PM
1098 All new 12/17/2019 1:36 PM
1099 My current position it hasn't affected 12/17/2019 1:34 PM
much
1100 Hasn't affected my relationship with my 12/17/2019 1:33 PM
supervisor
1101 They are wolves. They prey on the weak, 12/17/2019 1:32 PM
they make our jobs hellish. They are
bullies
1102 Move move move 12/17/2019 1:29 PM
1103 All managers are terrible 12/17/2019 1:28 PM
1104 Some managers haven't changed in our area. 12/17/2019 1:27 PM
But others are scared for their jobs so
they are pressured to be real assholes.
More than before. Push for production
over safety
1105 The managers are all afraid of being 12/17/2019 1:27 PM
fired. They do as they are told no matter
how stupid the demand is. They have no
choice
1106 Negatively 12/17/2019 1:27 PM
1107 Has not 12/17/2019 1:27 PM
1108 Well, being more strict, being told this 12/17/2019 1:26 PM
will work or we don't need you, or none
of us will have a job.
1109 I've always had a good relationship with 12/17/2019 1:26 PM
my manager.
1110 My supervisors tell me that they too are 12/17/2019 1:26 PM
scrutinized to the same level, pertaining
to train schedules. It would seem they
have become more relatable. However, I
remain on guard while dealing with
supervisors and lack confidence in their
decisions.
1111 I hate them all. For the most part, they 12/17/2019 1:26 PM
slave drive and have to violate
agreements to get anything done
1112 Yes, they expect way too much from way too 12/17/2019 1:25 PM
little
1113 None 12/17/2019 1:23 PM
1114 The job is stressful and expectations are 12/17/2019 1:23 PM
too high
1115 Management will lie, cheat, steal as long 12/17/2019 1:22 PM
as the work gets done and they get
credit. No human compassion. Horrible
1116 Hostility has severely increased for 12/17/2019 1:22 PM
managers as they are now required to
answer to the failures which determines
their bonus
1117 Strained 12/17/2019 1:22 PM
1118 Terrible they don't worry about the 12/17/2019 1:20 PM
employees no more
1119 More of a push to get things done as 12/17/2019 1:19 PM
opposed to doing them correctly.
1120 Rarely see them as they cut a lot of them 12/17/2019 1:16 PM
off
1121 What relationship 12/17/2019 1:16 PM
1122 Same, but they ride them and shit runs 12/17/2019 1:14 PM
down hill!
1123 They are more afraid of getting fired than 12/17/2019 1:13 PM
we are So again rush rush rush
1124 We're pretty lucky to have management that 12/17/2019 1:12 PM
have come from the field and know what
it's like but they have a job to do as
well and it shows.
1125 Stress and the customers do not get 12/17/2019 1:10 PM
serviced regularly now
1126 They don't care about us 12/17/2019 1:09 PM
1127 Since PSR I have avoid making contact with 12/17/2019 1:07 PM
my supervisors. They are under more
stress and always on edge during a normal
conversation.
1128 Hasn't 12/17/2019 1:01 PM
1129 They rush you and treat you like garbage 12/17/2019 1:00 PM
1130 Haven't seen my manager in at least 6 12/17/2019 1:00 PM
months.
1131 I've definitely got to know more of them, 12/17/2019 1:00 PM
either I have to change gangs or they do.
1132 It's creating animosity among everyone but 12/17/2019 12:57 PM
that's what the RR wants divide and
conquer
1133 Hasn't 12/17/2019 12:53 PM
1134 It seems as it is stressed we have less 12/17/2019 12:52 PM
people and more work
1135 Has not 12/17/2019 12:52 PM
1136 Hasn't affected it 12/17/2019 12:50 PM
1137 It hasn't 12/17/2019 12:49 PM
1138 We have always been treated as disposable 12/17/2019 12:48 PM
at NS
1139 Luckily my supervisor is a very 12/17/2019 12:46 PM
understanding guy.
1140 Managers always preach to us about safety 12/17/2019 12:46 PM
but when it comes down to safety vs
production, production always Trump's
safety.
1141 Bitter 12/17/2019 12:42 PM
1142 It hasn't. Never really talked to him 12/17/2019 12:41 PM
before, don't really talk to him now, not
unless I need to.
1143 He are under pressure to get things done 12/17/2019 12:37 PM
as well
1144 I don't trust my managers and only 12/17/2019 12:36 PM
interact with them if it's absolutely
necessary. I feel that management's only
goal is to find ways to thin the
workforce.
1145 I never see him. 12/17/2019 12:27 PM
1146 None 12/17/2019 12:26 PM
1147 Poorly. 12/17/2019 12:23 PM
1148 Worse 12/17/2019 12:23 PM
1149 Worsened it. They seem more stressed and 12/17/2019 12:21 PM
micro-manage even more now. Push
employees out the door without giving
proper job briefings. Ask us to violate
our rules as well as the Federal
Regulations.
1150 No trust bad attitude 12/17/2019 12:20 PM
1151 It's the worst I've seen in my eleven 12/17/2019 12:19 PM
years. Management treats workers like
trash looking for a way to fire you. They
ignore an experienced workers' opinion
just to make their engine quota
1152 Very strained. He want everything done and 12/17/2019 12:18 PM
I can't give him blood from a stone.
1153 I avoid them because they are too scared 12/17/2019 12:16 PM
to listen to reason and talk about PSR
because if they talk against it they will
be fired
1154 Created a combative environment where you 12/17/2019 12:16 PM
have to fight to do your job safely
1155 What manager. I never see them. They fired 12/17/2019 12:14 PM
them all.
1156 There no longer is any. My supervisor is 12/17/2019 12:13 PM
stuck making demands of us that were
given to him by his boss who doesn't
understand what we can and cannot do.
Also it's not unusual to have a new
supervisor every 6-12 months.
1157 Butt heads 12/17/2019 12:13 PM
1158 It hasn't. But my manager is one of the 12/17/2019 12:06 PM
few left that understands real
railroading and not this new age BS
1159 It hasn't. They don't like it either. 12/17/2019 12:01 PM
1160 Terrible. They want stuff done quickly 12/17/2019 12:01 PM
with no concerns of safety. They want to
fill their pockets with money and push us
to the limits
1161 no 12/17/2019 12:00 PM
1162 Terrible 12/17/2019 11:54 AM
1163 We're much closer. He dislikes it as much 12/17/2019 11:45 AM
as I do.
1164 Not much has changed 12/17/2019 11:43 AM
1165 Has not 12/17/2019 11:42 AM
1166 Stressed 12/17/2019 11:36 AM
1167 Has not 12/17/2019 11:36 AM
1168 There is none. 12/17/2019 11:31 AM
1169 Lots of pressure on management to just get 12/17/2019 11:22 AM
the train over the road. As they've seen
many of their co-workers lose their jobs,
they are pressured to bend the rules or
else they may lose their job. No excuses
for not moving the train, period.
1170 They're very strict just let us do our fn 12/17/2019 11:16 AM
job
1171 Relationships with management is not 12/17/2019 11:09 AM
allowed
1172 A lot of tension due to pressure from 12/17/2019 11:04 AM
upper management to him
1173 Management is less safety-oriented and put 12/17/2019 11:01 AM
under cosiderable pressure for time
delays, also have no support structure to
support them (hostlers, limos, Carmen,
mechanics)
1174 Never had a relationship 12/17/2019 10:58 AM
1175 There is no relationship left with 12/17/2019 10:55 AM
mangement. They are seen as the enemy,
with nothing but hate and discontent
towards them.
1176 I'm 62 years of age and management doesn't 12/17/2019 10:53 AM
really bother me. With 45 years on the
railroad there isn't anything they can
tell me with regard to maintaining the
track.
1177 In my area positively because they don't 12/17/2019 10:51 AM
agree with the methods either.
1178 Equally nihilistic, a joint feeling of 12/17/2019 10:51 AM
hopelessness. Feel more pressure from
above, because they fear for their jobs.
1179 PSR has applied a lot of unnecessary 12/17/2019 10:48 AM
stress on the management team of CSX, and
that has transferred down to everyone
else, which creates an uncomfortable
working environment
1180 We're lied to continually, threatened of 12/17/2019 10:43 AM
our positions, forced to work against
current and previous agreements and
contracts that were implemented to
enhance safety and productivity.
1181 More managers from the working crafts now 12/17/2019 10:28 AM
but they're under so much pressure they
forget where they came from
1182 Managers are required to meet a quota of O- 12/17/2019 10:10 AM
test failures that in essence reduce the
workforce therefore cutting cost. That
has created a hostile environment for me
as an employee.
1183 It doesn't 12/17/2019 10:06 AM
1184 They used to be on our side now not so 12/17/2019 10:01 AM
much
1185 I feel like they are more on edge because 12/17/2019 9:50 AM
with less of us means less of them and
they are very much aware of what exactly
is going on.
1186 the same 12/17/2019 9:36 AM
1187 None that I can see. 12/17/2019 9:35 AM
1188 No affect in that area thus far 12/17/2019 9:03 AM
1189 It got me furloughed. 12/17/2019 9:02 AM
1190 It has added more stress and strain in our 12/17/2019 8:53 AM
relationship as his bosses keep putting
it on him, it just rolls downhill.
1191 Never see my manager, they have cut most 12/17/2019 8:52 AM
of them off.
1192 Always stressed thinking he will be in the 12/17/2019 8:52 AM
next group to get cut off. It definitely
shows on how he treats us.
1193 Yes, our managers are under duress to make 12/17/2019 8:41 AM
more with less
1194 It has made it very strained they are 12/17/2019 8:39 AM
always worried about being fired or
reprimanded for not getting work done or
trains out on their scheduled time that
their stress and anxiety directly affects
the way they treat us
1195 Haven't see them or talked to them 12/17/2019 8:31 AM
1196 Hasn't 12/17/2019 8:29 AM
1197 Everyone is on edge all the time 12/17/2019 8:27 AM
1198 Have to bounce around too much to build a 12/17/2019 8:26 AM
relationship
1199 It's a combat zone now. If a train has a 12/17/2019 8:17 AM
delay regardless of the situation we are
accused of deliberate and malicious
intent (Fireable offenses) that we the
employees caused it.
1200 He is usually panicked, try to figure out 12/17/2019 7:59 AM
how to skirt safety and FRA rules due to
a lack of manpower
1201 Always being rushed. No time for job 12/17/2019 7:58 AM
briefings. Always rushed to get train
moving
1202 Those relationships are and have been 12/17/2019 7:56 AM
nonexistent so nothing has changed.
1203 I have a cordial working relationship with 12/17/2019 7:55 AM
all of my ground level supervisors in my
terminal. However, the unnecessary stress
put on us all by PSR and its unrealistic
timetables have caused short tempers on
both sides of the fence. Fortunately for
me, both of us know why we are irritable
with each other and are able to let it go
from there. The managers know PSR does
not work on a network such as ours, but
they are forced to go through with it
under the threat of termination. All of
our supervisors have aged years above
their actual age due to the stress of
implementing a system that does not work.
1204 The managers that I have been around are 12/17/2019 7:52 AM
new and cover a large area that I guess
requires a lot of phone calls and
meetings to keep an eye on the few people
that are working.
1205 It has made all relationships strained 12/17/2019 7:47 AM
between agreement and nonaggrement.
1206 Not negative as far as attitude but there 12/17/2019 7:47 AM
is a definite push to keep things moving,
slow orders off (when sometimes the
criteria for removal has NOT been met)
1207 Not well. Everyone is so stressed 12/17/2019 7:30 AM
arguments and tempers are extremely high
1208 I have no relationship with management 12/17/2019 7:27 AM
anymore. We are just pawns that do their
bidding. I could care less about them.
1209 I don't talk to managers much, they have 12/17/2019 7:19 AM
eliminated so many of them
1210 Rarely see them. The company has precisely 12/17/2019 7:13 AM
eliminated all but the bare minimum.
Makes it difficult to get a hold of or in
touch with in times of need.
1211 It hasn't 12/17/2019 7:10 AM
1212 If we cut corners and work faster, they 12/17/2019 7:10 AM
tend to leave us alone. If we work at our
``normal pace'' (prior to PSR) we are
hounded and threatened with
insubordination/termination. Most of us
have to because we are scared for our
families.
1213 None that I'm aware of 12/17/2019 7:07 AM
1214 None 12/17/2019 7:05 AM
1215 It has caused a lot of unnecessary 12/17/2019 7:05 AM
friction
1216 I rarely see them and they are worried if 12/17/2019 6:54 AM
they will still be here next month
1217 Puts a strain on the good relationship we 12/17/2019 6:53 AM
had
1218 Any time I am forced to watch contractors 12/17/2019 6:53 AM
come into the property I cringe. They
typically do more damage than good. If
this is a mobile crew, then their risk
factor is multiplied several times over.
Being on a new territory every day with
different obstacles, types of operation,
geographical challenges etc. . . . How
can they be truly prepared to put out
fires if they spend all their time trying
to figure out protection? My manager
actually finds this frustrating as well
because every time they come into town he
has to loan out one of the locals to
babysit them. We don't have anyone to
spare most days, so there goes another
project rescheduled til next Tuesday
1219 We have very few and most of them are the 12/17/2019 6:47 AM
shuttle drivers now.
1220 They want to rush everything. it's not 12/17/2019 6:43 AM
about safety but about numbers
1221 Supervisors are scared they will be fired. 12/17/2019 6:41 AM
They are difficult to talk with because
they are preoccupied with saving their
jobs.
1222 Hasn't. I can honestly say I have a good 12/17/2019 6:40 AM
Supervisor right now.
1223 Negatively 12/17/2019 6:36 AM
1224 Negative. 12/17/2019 6:35 AM
1225 They change so often, it's hard to answer 12/17/2019 6:24 AM
1226 The lack of understanding or compassion 12/17/2019 6:15 AM
when employees try to work through
issues. Countless times I have seen a
manager attack a person's character to
make it seem they were creating this
problem
1227 Nothing has changed in this aspect, they 12/17/2019 6:10 AM
see some of the same issues.
1228 Not good 12/17/2019 6:09 AM
1229 Hasn't affected it. 12/17/2019 6:09 AM
1230 Manager is under more stress which puts us 12/17/2019 6:05 AM
under the same.
1231 Everyone is unsure where they stand. Most 12/17/2019 6:04 AM
are afraid to take action.
1232 well Nonprogressive is a better term to 12/17/2019 6:01 AM
use than what I had in mind
1233 Furloughed 12/17/2019 6:00 AM
1234 It hasn't 12/17/2019 5:58 AM
1235 None. My immediate supervisor is a good 12/17/2019 5:54 AM
man but he is trying to push the
corporate agenda. If and when he fails
they will replace him with someone else.
1236 no 12/17/2019 5:52 AM
1237 Seriously? Relationship? They come out to 12/17/2019 5:47 AM
podium in the morning, thanks us for a
safe day (as to preserve their bonus) and
are then MIA for the rest of the day
while we work in the rain, snow, wind,
blistering heat etc. When a co-worker
retires it is pathetic and sad. A freakin
crappy cake, a ball cap and a hand shake
after 30 plus years of your life devoted
to a company that couldn't give a crap
less about you. Why the hell do we stay?
Pride. We used to have pride, now we are
embarrassed and stuck.
1238 Not much change in our relationship. But 12/17/2019 5:40 AM
he's disgruntled about PSR as well
1239 Less management, and overworked 12/17/2019 5:39 AM
management, makes them irritable as they
are tired and overworked
1240 As a track inspector, it's more stressful. 12/17/2019 5:32 AM
I used to enjoy coming to work. Now it's
a battle, my job is to find the defects,
but with less manpower, less work gets
done.
1241 My relationship between my manager and I 12/17/2019 5:31 AM
has not changed. It's still basically the
same; however, they are not hard on us
anymore on rule violations because they
want us to switch efficiently and service
our customers. The disciplining has gone
down significantly.
1242 They're covering up accidents and 12/17/2019 5:29 AM
injuries, but too many people are willing
to go go go, cut corners for the company
and to date it's all worked out, like a
co-worker said today, ``it's a house
built from a deck of cards``
1243 Two out of the three that I had quit. 12/17/2019 5:26 AM
1244 What relationship? We have never had good 12/17/2019 5:23 AM
working relationships with those guys.
They bully us, threaten us behind closed
doors, they create a hostile work
environment, and then KEEP it hostile.
1245 Not well I'm not trusting anyone. When I 12/17/2019 5:21 AM
have opened up to them about what's going
on in my life they use that information
against me or others.
1246 What relationship 12/17/2019 5:21 AM
1247 We aren't able to speak freely with him at 12/17/2019 5:20 AM
all. There's no trust there.
1248 Morale is way down. Employees get told 12/17/2019 5:18 AM
just what they want to hear but nothing
is ever done. Attitudes all around are
extremely poor
1249 They openly look the other way with 12/17/2019 5:18 AM
regards to rule violations as long as the
work gets done.
1250 Don't see them anymore or interact with 12/17/2019 5:18 AM
them one bit.
1251 There is none, increases bully mentality 12/17/2019 5:15 AM
disregard for safety and protocols
1252 It has made the junior officials much more 12/17/2019 5:11 AM
stressed than normal. I try not to call
them if not necessary, and I just do my
assigned work and go home.
1253 Hostile toxic work environment 12/17/2019 5:08 AM
1254 It's a great relationship 12/17/2019 5:07 AM
1255 Makes you feel more like a number and not 12/17/2019 5:03 AM
part of a team.
1256 my supervisor took the CSX buy out since 12/17/2019 5:03 AM
he has left we have not had a direct
supervisor since 2017
1257 No trust at all or respect 12/17/2019 5:02 AM
1258 It hasn't 12/17/2019 5:00 AM
1259 When he is getting pressured to get more 12/17/2019 4:58 AM
ties it is passed down to the workers
1260 made it worse! 12/17/2019 4:54 AM
1261 The managers only care about fuel savings 12/17/2019 4:54 AM
and departure times now. The company has
dramatically increased their pressure on
managers to eliminate costs even if it
hurts the customer or eliminates jobs. No
one is looking to increase business. They
just want to make money through cutting
budgets. So lower management and
employees are all kinda in the same
situation of being at the mercy of
policymakers.
1262 Decreased employee relations with 12/17/2019 4:53 AM
management
1263 I always am professional with supervisor/ 12/17/2019 4:50 AM
manager. But have thought about resigning
over PSR
1264 I think made closer because he doesn't 12/17/2019 4:48 AM
know if he or us will lose our job.
1265 Bad 12/17/2019 4:43 AM
1266 N/A 12/17/2019 4:40 AM
1267 It's a constant stress, I feel as if their 12/17/2019 4:26 AM
problems are now mine and that my job is
constantly at stake. If they don't have
enough budget they will push me out
1268 They are under pressure too to produce 12/17/2019 4:26 AM
numbers. I see the stress on them
1269 They're no longer testing us or coaching 12/17/2019 4:23 AM
us to be better employees
1270 Actually better for me because we have 12/17/2019 4:20 AM
less to answer to
1271 Managers are getting thinned out also for 12/17/2019 4:16 AM
the mighty dollar so I don't see a
manager too often.
1272 Couldn't tell you, got new managers same 12/17/2019 4:16 AM
time as I got the new ``unified plan''
trained both of them as new hires in the
last 4 years too
1273 Nothing changed there yet 12/17/2019 4:13 AM
1274 They ask us to help them keep their jobs 12/17/2019 4:10 AM
1275 All my managers have never been very 12/17/2019 4:08 AM
personable. It's all about the bottom
dollar, because with success, comes a
that a boy from the glass palace.
Recognition from corporate is their only
goal. They'll say they care to your face,
but their actions speak louder.
1276 No change 12/17/2019 4:06 AM
1277 Has become more confrontational, less 12/17/2019 4:05 AM
ability to input ideas or opinions on
doing my job in the safe and right way.
Train lengths dangerously too long.
1278 PSR has strengthened my relationships with 12/17/2019 4:01 AM
managers because we are both worried
about losing our job by closing entire
yards.
1279 No 12/17/2019 4:01 AM
1280 The manager put in place by PSR has 12/17/2019 3:54 AM
completely ruined morale and I'm
considering quitting even though the
company has six years invested in me as a
member of management
1281 Not at all 12/17/2019 3:52 AM
1282 Most of them have been let go. I've 12/17/2019 3:51 AM
personally seen my road foreman of
engines once this year.
1283 it's not what it used to be there's no 12/17/2019 3:51 AM
employee appreciation or ``atta boys''
given
1284 I feel I have better relationships with 12/17/2019 3:50 AM
management, we no longer waiver from day
to day on what our expectations and goals
are
1285 More threats 12/17/2019 3:50 AM
1286 I hardly see a supervisor, I don't even 12/17/2019 3:48 AM
know my own supervisor's name or phone
number
1287 Everyone is pissed because we are told one 12/17/2019 3:47 AM
thing and it changes ever 30 seconds so
it's terrible because we stay mad at each
other
1288 There is no relationship. No idea what 12/17/2019 3:46 AM
expectations are anymore.
1289 He's a lot more stressed because so many 12/17/2019 3:46 AM
defects and not enough hours in a day to
get them all fixed with the manpower we
have
1290 Negatively. 12/17/2019 3:46 AM
1291 Worse relationship. They expect you to 12/17/2019 3:45 AM
perform miracles without the proper
materials, lacking manpower, and missing,
broke or damaged equipment.
1292 It's OK 12/17/2019 3:43 AM
1293 Managers are overworked and appear tired 12/17/2019 3:41 AM
and angry. The positive for laborers is
that managers don't have time to follow
and harass them.
1294 Worse 12/17/2019 3:41 AM
1295 He is under a lot of stress and takes it 12/17/2019 3:41 AM
out on us.
1296 N/A 12/17/2019 3:38 AM
1297 Lies and threats from management to 12/17/2019 3:36 AM
perform tasks faster or face discipline.
1298 I no longer have a regular manager. The 12/17/2019 3:36 AM
trainmaster from another terminal 80
miles away handles everything. Before
that we had a manager specific for our
route and we saw him a lot and he was
helpful.
1299 There is no relationship, it's just 12/17/2019 3:35 AM
numbers now. Car counts to be exact
1300 Negative 12/17/2019 3:35 AM
1301 It's the same 12/17/2019 3:34 AM
1302 Never had a relationship with them other 12/17/2019 3:34 AM
than testing
1303 I have been removed from service. One of 12/17/2019 3:32 AM
the safest, most productive gangs in the
southern region. One gang cannot do every
assignment. We need more gangs to
maintain the railway properly.
1304 Our supervisors and managers are in a 12/17/2019 3:30 AM
tough spot because most of them are one
of us but they have to support the
company. I would say the changes made
thus far have strained many people's
relationships with their manager
1305 I am fortunate that my current MTM handles 12/17/2019 3:30 AM
things pretty well. It mostly gets
stressful when managers are making you be
5 different people because we are short
handed. Managers get even angrier when
you bid off or take vacation cause he's
already robbing Peter to pay Paul with
his labor force.
1306 There has never been a relationship with 12/17/2019 3:29 AM
the sorry ass managers.
1307 Made them harder to talk to. They are 12/17/2019 3:27 AM
getting threatened if they don't write us
up. So naturally there is a line or a
wall if you will between them and us.
1308 Bosses have become PSR puppets. They have 12/17/2019 3:27 AM
tunnel vision trying to make it work and
now they can't focus on supervisor
responsibilities like taking care of
employees, making sure we have the
supplies and support to get the work done
etc.. instead they're giving out start
letters for not getting the work done or
out on time when the timeline is
impossible.
1309 It hasn't 12/17/2019 3:26 AM
1310 Does not change the relationship of the 12/17/2019 3:24 AM
people. May make managers a little more
nervous or walk on egg shells if you
will. But if you attend work with a
positive working attitude then it does
not matter if it's a PSR railroad or not.
1311 It has created an us against them 12/17/2019 3:23 AM
mentality. Decisive and hostile work
environment at times. It's hard to focus
on your job when you always fear your job
being cut
1312 No comment 12/17/2019 3:17 AM
1313 I used to desire locals but I find myself 12/17/2019 3:17 AM
passing on most of them now due to
possible conflicts with management over
getting the work finished in the given
time. It seems that the immediate
supervisors are under so much pressure
from above that someone has to be handled
for the simplest mistakes. It is 100
percent employer vs employee now more
than ever.
1314 I don't feel they approve of PSR anymore 12/17/2019 3:16 AM
than anyone else close to ground level!
1315 It makes things worse them trying to hurry 12/17/2019 3:14 AM
you up
1316 No change with supervisor. They understand 12/17/2019 3:14 AM
time is very limited.
1317 Management is tasked with getting trains 12/17/2019 3:12 AM
moved at any cost, and they will do
whatever they can to move them, including
intimidation and threatening of
disciplinary action for not doing as they
say even though it is against GCOR rules
1318 Better because they are in the same boat 12/17/2019 3:10 AM
as we are, afraid to screw up and get
fired or be let go
1319 None 12/17/2019 3:08 AM
1320 Negativity is coming from both ends mgmt 12/17/2019 3:04 AM
gets uptight when you are not allowed
enough time to get done what needs to be
done. If they do not allow me the time
that I think we need to safely do the job
I don't act and wait until a window where
I can get the time asked for. Boss
doesn't like that because it interrupts
his schedule!
1321 No change. I work section as track 12/17/2019 3:03 AM
inspector . . . PSR is no different, 56.5
keeps trains on the track
1322 Manager also have more territory so you 12/17/2019 3:01 AM
don't encounter them as often as before
1323 Never see them 12/17/2019 2:58 AM
1324 It hasn't 12/17/2019 2:56 AM
1325 I believe we are now both in the same 12/17/2019 2:56 AM
place, looking for the day they cut us
off.
1326 No 12/17/2019 2:56 AM
1327 It has made things stressful for everyone. 12/17/2019 2:55 AM
More work on one person. Cut backs which
have created stress, etc.
1328 Added stress to work in an environment 12/17/2019 2:53 AM
where there is not enough employees or
equipment to do a job
1329 No comment. 12/17/2019 2:52 AM
1330 It doesn't affect my craft other than the 12/17/2019 2:50 AM
deferred maintenance that they claim they
are just being selective on maintenance
which equates to the same result, little
to none
1331 Cutting jobs and being asked to do more 12/17/2019 2:50 AM
with less stresses an already tenuous
relationship.
1332 Management at CSX has taken unethical 12/17/2019 2:50 AM
behavior to a new level.
1333 My manager doesn't agree with what's 12/17/2019 2:49 AM
happening with PSR, but they can't do
anything about it except get on board or
get shipped out.
1334 I've always had a good working 12/17/2019 2:48 AM
relationship with management.
1335 It has clearly pitted manager against 12/17/2019 2:47 AM
employee
1336 Strained 12/17/2019 2:47 AM
1337 Yes. There is more pressure to get the job 12/17/2019 2:43 AM
done and some managers use their position
to push employees to get the job done
without concerns for safety.
1338 Same. I don't see him all that often. 12/17/2019 2:43 AM
1339 Used to be able to speak with and get to 12/17/2019 2:43 AM
know them on a more personal level. Now
it seems that is no longer acceptable.
Supervisor/manager used to have authority
to simply take a small work group
breakfast as a moral/team building/safety
meal at their discretion. This is no
longer allowed to my knowledge. These
``little'' things were great for morale
and relationship building and safety. I
really think it made workers ``believe''
in the safety culture, and one another.
Seems now carrier wants a separation of
exempt officers and scheduled workers.
1340 We no longer have a relationship. As I 12/17/2019 2:42 AM
said, morale is at an all time low.
1341 The whole work atmosphere is more 12/17/2019 2:41 AM
stressful, everyone fearful of losing
their job
1342 Lots of turnover. New management every few 12/17/2019 2:39 AM
quarters.
1343 Depends on the manager, but generally 12/17/2019 2:39 AM
speaking before PSR the managers worked
with employees to get work done and
everyone was happy. Those personal
relationships are gone and it's all about
finding the smallest things to fail
proficiency tests on.
1344 It has taken everything personal out of 12/17/2019 2:38 AM
the equation. Instead of a team it's dog
eat dog to keep your job and take care of
your family
1345 Tense at work 12/17/2019 2:38 AM
1346 N/A new job headquartered 12/17/2019 2:36 AM
1347 Don't see the manager hardly. 12/17/2019 2:36 AM
1348 Not 12/17/2019 2:35 AM
1349 Always pushing for faster, not necessarily 12/17/2019 2:33 AM
better. Just sign it off and get it out
of here.
1350 I have always gotten along with my 12/17/2019 2:32 AM
manager, he respects and appreciates me.
He will listen to my ideas and take them
into consideration. Our relationship has
not gone bad in any way, however I can
tell he is stressed from the PSR
management. He is forced to get more done
with less people and minimal equipment.
We continue to have a good relationship
but there is no doubt he is being forced
by his bosses to come down on us and
``lay down the law.''
1351 The managers as a whole from what I have 12/17/2019 2:29 AM
seen are always super stressed out with
tie counts amount of footage on rail side
and lack of track time and late clears
1352 Poorly there is no morale working here no 12/17/2019 2:29 AM
more
1353 They are pushing for speed over safety for 12/17/2019 2:28 AM
sure.
1354 Yes 12/17/2019 2:28 AM
1355 Everyone is in fear of their jobs being 12/17/2019 2:27 AM
cut. Managers are on edge just as much as
everyone else.
1356 It has scared him just as much as us. So 12/17/2019 2:27 AM
we're constantly going back and forth.
1357 Keeps everything mixed up 12/17/2019 2:26 AM
1358 They only seem to care about driving stock 12/17/2019 2:22 AM
price up and by whatever means it takes
1359 I am furloughed. need I say more? 12/17/2019 2:21 AM
1360 Fewer managers so don't get to see mine 12/17/2019 2:19 AM
very often
1361 It has raised the stress level on 12/17/2019 2:19 AM
supervisors. In return the supervisor
tries to rush the crews. Resulting in
more unnecessary risks
1362 Morale less, I don't trust these managers 12/17/2019 2:19 AM
as they dangle your Job over your head.
you work in fear.
1363 Not his fault 12/17/2019 2:17 AM
1364 It hasn't with my current supervisor. All 12/17/2019 2:17 AM
others on the bigger system hangs want
numbers.
1365 Feel distrustful of a company I really 12/17/2019 2:16 AM
like and want them to do well
1366 My managers/supervisors hate it just as 12/17/2019 2:14 AM
much as everyone else!
1367 Supervisor Revolving door when it comes to 12/17/2019 2:13 AM
supervision
1368 We have had at least 3 different managers 12/17/2019 2:12 AM
in the last 3 years. It's hard to form a
working relationship of trust and
understanding. They are under such
pressure just as we are. The problem
isn't with the front line managers it's
those who are 2 steps or more above them.
1369 Sometimes unable to provide proper 12/17/2019 2:12 AM
materials & tools.
1370 It's fine because they don't make the 12/17/2019 2:12 AM
decision
1371 Made it real tense their production versus 12/17/2019 2:11 AM
our safety
1372 Never had one before 12/17/2019 2:11 AM
1373 You have to cover yourself. . .!! 12/17/2019 2:11 AM
1374 Since managers have been reduced as well I 12/17/2019 2:09 AM
see them a lot less.
1375 Made it worse 12/17/2019 2:08 AM
1376 I don't have a relationship with any of 12/17/2019 2:08 AM
them I'm furloughed.
1377 Simply put, it's us against them! 12/17/2019 2:08 AM
1378 N/A 12/17/2019 2:08 AM
1379 N/A 12/17/2019 2:07 AM
1380 It has driven a wedge between crews and 12/17/2019 2:06 AM
company officers.
1381 Many lower level managers seem 12/17/2019 2:05 AM
discouraged, just as crews are. It seems
to every operations employee that
everyone is expendable, regardless of
business demands and employee
productivity. This lack of morale among
ALL employees has put a strain on
everyone.
1382 Hate each others guts 12/17/2019 2:04 AM
1383 When not reaching production goal, the 12/17/2019 2:02 AM
pressure of the why not is awful
1384 Put a major strain on it 12/17/2019 2:01 AM
1385 ``You will comply, or accept the 12/17/2019 2:00 AM
alternative'' the practice of
intimidation is used regularly.
1386 Completely nonexistant. I am a rules guy, 12/17/2019 1:59 AM
so they don't talk to me anymore.
1387 Managers are like robots repeating what's 12/17/2019 1:58 AM
been pounded into their heads or else
1388 They treat you like shit 12/17/2019 1:57 AM
1389 Negative 12/17/2019 1:57 AM
1390 They are slave drivers. But if it's not us 12/17/2019 1:56 AM
it's them.
1391 A lot. I have no idea who my manager even 12/17/2019 1:55 AM
is. Haven't been able to work in months.
1392 It's all about production, not safety or 12/17/2019 1:53 AM
quality
1393 They still don't care 12/17/2019 1:51 AM
1394 PSR didn't apply to my last manager. He 12/17/2019 1:51 AM
was a do as I say not as I do kind of a
guy.
1395 Same 12/17/2019 1:50 AM
1396 Pushing more work not enough men 12/17/2019 1:50 AM
1397 I have a good relationship with my current 12/17/2019 1:49 AM
supervisor but when this so called
precision railroading started I spent a
couple of years working around
supervisors who were looking for any
reason to write a person up or take you
out of service.
1398 Made it less friendly more like a number 12/17/2019 1:48 AM
doing a job
1399 Strained it 12/17/2019 1:48 AM
1400 Employees and lower management are all 12/17/2019 1:47 AM
feeling the strains of PSR, so it's
stressful for them as well.
1401 Strictly buisness 12/17/2019 1:47 AM
1402 PSR hasn't affected my relationship with 12/17/2019 1:46 AM
my manager at all
1403 I am lucky to have a reasonable FLS and, 12/17/2019 1:46 AM
as an outcome of the hours spent
communicating with them, I have developed
a descent working relationship with them.
The FLS as well as inspectors are
severely overwhelmed with the amount of
workload and trying to juggle the work to
be done among such few personnel and
attempting to meet FRA and company
deadlines is a daunting task. FLS and I
are in agreement that we have become
responders to defects rather than a
preventative maintenance. The quality of
repairs has become minimal to get the
defect satisfied rather than a proper
rehabilitation to satisfy class of track
or better for a longer term.
1404 Made it worse! 12/17/2019 1:46 AM
1405 N/A 12/17/2019 1:45 AM
1406 Only change is we don't get as much done 12/17/2019 1:40 AM
or get it done in a timely manner. So
maybe a little strain
1407 It's more like a prison atmosphere now 12/17/2019 1:40 AM
around management!
1408 Supervision/managers seem to all be 12/17/2019 1:39 AM
looking for a way out/quit
1409 PSR has made it easier to interact with my 12/17/2019 1:39 AM
managers. We seem to all agree that it's
a ridiculous endeavor. They are as
frustrated with the budget cuts as we
are.
1410 I don't trust them anymore, they claim 12/17/2019 1:39 AM
they had no knowledge of the changes that
were coming but that is hard to believe.
1411 I see my supervisor and manager much less. 12/17/2019 1:39 AM
They seem to be overextended. They do
seem to be pushing the limits of safety
in favor of production and it is showing
in near misses and track authority
violations.
1412 They have no answers. It's one big rumor 12/17/2019 1:39 AM
mill
1413 They're under tremendous pressure. They no 12/17/2019 1:38 AM
longer have time to deal with day to day
personnel problems due to on time
targets.
1414 They all lie 12/17/2019 1:38 AM
1415 None. Some supervisors are good some are 12/17/2019 1:37 AM
terrible.
1416 No 12/17/2019 1:36 AM
1417 I don't have a relationship with 12/17/2019 1:36 AM
management they are just looking for a
reason to send you home I think they get
a patch for every person they send home
or something
1418 It has not affected the relationship 12/17/2019 1:35 AM
between me and my manager yet.
1419 They are as fearful of losing their jobs 12/17/2019 1:34 AM
as us and it shows
1420 I only see my manager once or twice a 12/17/2019 1:32 AM
year, unless they need something from me.
1421 They have fired so many of them that I 12/17/2019 1:32 AM
don't know who my direct manager even is
1422 I try to avoid those people 12/17/2019 1:32 AM
1423 The tension is so thick you could cut it 12/17/2019 1:32 AM
with a knife. We are all wondering if
today is our last working day.
1424 Really no change at the moment 12/17/2019 1:31 AM
1425 Managers and supervisors of today are just 12/17/2019 1:30 AM
yes men they have no planning skills
don't get you what you need to work and
they don't stand up for their men anymore
1426 He has explained it as what it is. It's 12/17/2019 1:29 AM
just business and the company will do
whatever they want to do
1427 Definitely more strained and worse. 12/17/2019 1:29 AM
1428 No it is not that level that is applying 12/17/2019 1:28 AM
pressure
1429 Employees can have a 99 percent success 12/17/2019 1:28 AM
rate AND still be on some sort of
discipline level.
1430 Supervisor Managers still understand our 12/17/2019 1:26 AM
safety sensitive job assignments but are
limited when it comes to being able to
schedule maintenance projects that allow
adequate time for the safe completion of
maintenance projects. Example: a ten hour
work window was requested to clean out
foul ballast, create better drainage, and
replace an Interlocker diamond. Only a
six hour window was allowed and minimal
work was completed leaving the area with
minimal drainage and potential for future
problems in the area.
1431 Have had more conversations. Probably due 12/17/2019 1:26 AM
to the complexity of getting the same
amount of work done in shorter time
frames. Supervisors have shown increased
stress levels resulting in sometimes
abrasive conversations with employees.
The stress rolls down hill.
1432 I feel like we are more divided as a 12/17/2019 1:26 AM
company more than ever they get just as
much pressure on them as we do.
1433 Never see them anymore. When you do they 12/17/2019 1:24 AM
are really busy and stressed out
1434 The same 12/17/2019 1:24 AM
1435 Seems like a lot of managers are on edge 12/17/2019 1:24 AM
and several are headhunting
1436 N/A 12/17/2019 1:23 AM
1437 So far not much has changed it's business 12/17/2019 1:22 AM
as usual
1438 Lowest morale and trust in my 15 years on 12/17/2019 1:21 AM
the railroad, very dishonest people in
management
1439 Not at all 12/17/2019 1:21 AM
1440 Well in my area we have gone through 2 12/17/2019 1:21 AM
supervisors in less than 2 years and have
been working with no management at all
for the last 2 months
1441 It has put more of a workload on the 12/17/2019 1:20 AM
employees
1442 N/A 12/17/2019 1:19 AM
1443 We have no relationship. We lost a good 12/17/2019 1:16 AM
manager during this because he refused to
conform to the new standards now we have
a man that refuses to be part of a team.
He has a him versus us mentality.
1444 Just another guy like us that can't make 12/17/2019 1:16 AM
any decisions! Our manager is an auditor,
ticket writer!
1445 Supervisors must agree with the plan or 12/17/2019 1:16 AM
they are eliminated. We have lost a lot
of knowledgeable supervisors in exchange
for harassment gurus. Supervisors who use
to lead by example are forced into
intimidation and harassment of their
employees to reach metrics. If the jobs
or routes run efficiently they are forced
to make cuts. They cannot sustain success
under the plan
1446 seems they don't care enough and are 12/17/2019 1:16 AM
easier to work with
1447 Very much so as everyone is stressed. 12/17/2019 1:16 AM
1448 Unchanged. 12/17/2019 1:15 AM
1449 None 12/17/2019 1:15 AM
1450 Terrible. I have been threatened by 12/17/2019 1:14 AM
trainmasters more now than ever. The
amount of harassment has tripled. I had
one ask why I couldn't go to the bathroom
during my 20 minute lunch break
1451 No effect 12/17/2019 1:14 AM
1452 In some cases, it has improved. In most 12/17/2019 1:12 AM
cases it has gotten worse
1453 Not applicable. 12/17/2019 1:11 AM
1454 Yes. They never appreciate the hard work 12/17/2019 1:10 AM
in less hrs worked.
1455 I'm furloughed 12/17/2019 1:09 AM
1456 They are bullies who push you to take 12/17/2019 1:09 AM
shortcuts.
1457 No change at all. 12/17/2019 1:08 AM
1458 Manager don't even care about anything any 12/17/2019 1:07 AM
more. It's all a joke to them too.
1459 He hates me. I hate him. He is a young 12/17/2019 1:07 AM
ignorant punk who does not know how to
talk to people. Zero leadership skills.
All of the decent leaders with experience
have been fired and been replaced with
``yes men''
1460 Since it started I haven't been on a gang 12/17/2019 1:07 AM
long enough to notice. So many cutoffs
and bumps you can't stay still
1461 The supervisors are worried about their 12/17/2019 1:05 AM
jobs being cut so they are nightmares to
work for. They'll throw their own mother
under the NS bus to save their job.
1462 Supervisors have become increasingly 12/17/2019 1:05 AM
stringent on required items to perform
required repairs/work.
1463 Everyone is a little more on edge, 12/17/2019 1:04 AM
honestly I don't think our managers like
it any more than we do it's not good for
the employees anyway that I've seen
besides, stock prices
1464 Has made it worse 12/17/2019 1:04 AM
1465 Went from foremen to supervisors basically 12/17/2019 1:04 AM
with same pay and more bs on us
1466 Our manager now helps us work whenever he 12/17/2019 1:03 AM
can due to necessity and he feels sorry
for us trying to work without sufficient
manpower.
1467 Right now the railroad I work for is 12/17/2019 1:02 AM
trying to do PSR unfortunately they are
not doing well at it management seems
more downtrodden because they are cutting
purse strings as of right know PSR hasn't
affected our relationship
1468 None, relationships are usually distant at 12/17/2019 1:02 AM
best.
1469 Most of our management quit or got fired 12/17/2019 1:02 AM
and replaced by off the street hires with
zero clue
1470 Made us closer to be honest my managers 12/17/2019 1:02 AM
don't respect PSR.
1471 I feel as if PSR has directly affected my 12/17/2019 1:01 AM
working relationship with my manager,
because safety has went out of the
window. The rules they do NOT care about
as long as they are getting things done
so they can report positive reviews to
upper management. My manager and I do not
see eye for eye over this PSR.
1472 They feel more pressure and in return are 12/17/2019 1:01 AM
more stressed and overworked. Their jobs
are threatened everyday if measurements
aren't reached. I know this because I was
a Trainmaster when PSR first came to CSX.
I quit shortly after and went back on my
tools.
1473 It has gotten better they don't care about 12/17/2019 1:01 AM
safety and they have eliminated most
managers so there are less to come around
and try to harass us
1474 It has been a negative affect. They have 12/17/2019 1:00 AM
expectations that cannot be met with the
lack of manpower
1475 None 12/17/2019 1:00 AM
1476 A lot all they care about is saving money 12/17/2019 12:59 AM
from their budgets so they get a bonus
1477 They change so often I don't bother 12/17/2019 12:59 AM
getting to know them.
1478 Stronger 12/17/2019 12:59 AM
1479 Fewer people means getting less work done, 12/17/2019 12:59 AM
which he has to answer for and that gets
passed on down the line to us
1480 Awful 12/17/2019 12:58 AM
1481 It has put a clear strain on it. I feel 12/17/2019 12:58 AM
like my managers and supervisors are far
less approachable than before.
1482 I feel that they push too hard. In 12/17/2019 12:58 AM
management there has a tendency to
oversimplify some of the tasks and the
time it takes to safely complete those
tasks on a quality manner.
1483 Very little 12/17/2019 12:57 AM
1484 I don't consider them managers anymore. 12/17/2019 12:57 AM
They're more worried about protecting
their jobs than they are managing the
employees or yard. If they're not trying
to fire someone they're justifying their
jobs by micromanaging and creating new
ideas that aren't helpful or safe in the
workplace.
1485 Relationship with managers are the worst I 12/17/2019 12:57 AM
have ever experienced.
1486 I try to understand that the new pressures 12/17/2019 12:55 AM
we face are not implemented by my direct
supervisor. His position is on the lower
level of management, and I cannot fault
him for what is forced upon both he and
I.
1487 Makes it seem like a more hostile work 12/17/2019 12:55 AM
place. Supervisors believe you should
live out here and have no home life
1488 New management everywhere 12/17/2019 12:55 AM
1489 Divided the workforce even more. Very much 12/17/2019 12:54 AM
an ``us vs them'' atmosphere.
1490 Management doesn't care about the MOW 12/17/2019 12:53 AM
workers
1491 Nothing has changed 12/17/2019 12:52 AM
1492 Negative relationship due to added stress 12/17/2019 12:51 AM
on everyone
1493 They'll do anything to protect THEIR job 12/17/2019 12:50 AM
even though they don't believe in PSR.
1494 They are more geared towards productivity 12/17/2019 12:50 AM
and car dwell than the safety of their
crews or the working conditions.
1495 Considering we went from having lots of 12/17/2019 12:50 AM
managers to way too many it sucks. They
all interpret the rules different. You
are screwed. Not to mention so many of
these managers are straight out of
college and don't understand how the job
actually works. They play with a train
set at home and think it's the same
thing. Then they fire yardmasters so they
can hire more managers. We don't need
more managers we need all the yardmasters
and workers as possible.
1496 What relationship? He is constantly 12/17/2019 12:49 AM
getting pressured to find reason to write
us up for something
1497 I don't hold my manager responsible for 12/17/2019 12:48 AM
stupid discussions made above him.
1498 No change 12/17/2019 12:48 AM
1499 My manager is in another STATE. We have no 12/17/2019 12:48 AM
relationship. They UP and ran off the one
good manager we had in Green River.
Another has taken his place, and is good
to work with. I'm assuming they will try
to get rid of HIM, too.
1500 No 12/17/2019 12:47 AM
1501 A common distaste against corporate greed. 12/17/2019 12:46 AM
1502 Less communication. More Schedule 12/17/2019 12:46 AM
bouncing. More unpredictability.
1503 I'm just a number and told I should be 12/17/2019 12:46 AM
glad I still have a job
1504 A lot of testosterone, morale is at rock 12/17/2019 12:45 AM
bottom management always threatening if
we don't get things done they'll write us
up or cut gang off
1505 It hasn't. 12/17/2019 12:43 AM
1506 Managers/supervisors expect more work with 12/17/2019 12:43 AM
smaller workforce
1507 It affected our relationship because they 12/17/2019 12:42 AM
are putting pressure on us to get the job
done quickly and unsafe.
1508 It has made it more tumultuous, like 12/17/2019 12:38 AM
walking through a mine field. He/she is
getting reprimanded from above for one
man not being able to complete three
people's jobs. And then he gets it from
the workers whose morale is shot and they
don't care anymore.
1509 Made it worse 12/17/2019 12:38 AM
1510 9 out of 10 managers don't care about you 12/17/2019 12:38 AM
just getting the job done
1511 There are a few managers that are gung ho 12/17/2019 12:38 AM
about it, but most still seem normal
1512 My manager is in love with getting people 12/17/2019 12:37 AM
either in trouble with the carrier,
fired, or worse, hurt on the job because
they are being told to ignore rules
regarding safety in order to abide to
PSR's no dwell policy.
1513 I have none. I am looking for another job. 12/17/2019 12:36 AM
1514 It has changed from watching and writing 12/17/2019 12:36 AM
me up for not closing a locomotive door
properly, to reprimands for lunches being
over 20 minutes.
1515 Not applicable because I have never really 12/17/2019 12:36 AM
dealt with them.
1516 Don't see them too much as they are 12/17/2019 12:36 AM
stretched thin also.
1517 That hasnt changed. Don't trust any 12/17/2019 12:36 AM
management.
1518 No relationship! 12/17/2019 12:34 AM
1519 Stressful, 12/17/2019 12:34 AM
1520 Since now that the carrier runs PSR the 12/17/2019 12:33 AM
managment leaves you alone to not make
sure you're working safe
1521 We have to constantly fight, argue, and 12/17/2019 12:32 AM
take claim just to get paid what we are
owed. It has had a very negative aeffect.
1522 Enemies now 12/17/2019 12:31 AM
1523 I am cautious, not from a safety 12/17/2019 12:31 AM
standpoint, but to avoid discipline.
1524 It has created an environment where 12/17/2019 12:31 AM
managers feel like their jobs are
threatened if they are unable to get done
what is expected, oftentimes making them
put more pressure on the people doing the
job on the ground. This creates an unsafe
environment for not only workers but for
the public as well.
1525 Most now are afraid to make a decision on 12/17/2019 12:30 AM
fear of losing job. Which makes our jobs
harder and more stressful than they have
to be.
1526 I don't have one. I do what I'm told get 12/17/2019 12:30 AM
my job done and go home
1527 No input on safety was forced to do 5 12/17/2019 12:30 AM
double shifts in a row
1528 Has effected me tremendously due to the 12/17/2019 12:30 AM
fact I've had about 12 different ones in
the last few months from being displaced
to different areas
1529 Wouldn't know PSR put me out of a job 12/17/2019 12:28 AM
1530 Definitely strained it. 12/17/2019 12:27 AM
1531 Stressful 12/17/2019 12:27 AM
1532 It has put a strain on it. I think mainly 12/17/2019 12:27 AM
because the managers are so stressed.
1533 I used to be able to have a conversation 12/17/2019 12:27 AM
about any and everything railroad.
Management seemed to WANT relationship
before PSR. Now? Adversarial doesn't
cover how the relationship between labor
and management is. It's much worse.
1534 This is difficult to answer, the low level 12/17/2019 12:27 AM
management that deals with crews day to
day, it has made the relationship better
in my opinion. Although this is probably
only because the lower managers are just
as close to the chopping block as the
crews and under just as much stress, if
not more. The high up management has only
distanced the relationship more. There is
no concern for the employee that bust
their butt to get the job done or the
train crew that gets the train from A to
B with no problems. It has become an
atmosphere where the manager is on one
level and the employee is just a number
that should be grateful to even be
allowed to work.
1535 There is no trust. We all can tell he is 12/17/2019 12:26 AM
very stressed out to the point that he is
spinning too much. He don't know whether
he is coming or going. And it reflects on
the work group.
1536 It just shows more and more the company 12/17/2019 12:26 AM
officials do not care about the employees
well being
1537 Seems more aggressive and has lots of 12/17/2019 12:25 AM
stress.
1538 It hasn't, yet 12/17/2019 12:25 AM
1539 Managers are scared to make a wrong 12/17/2019 12:25 AM
decision so they are making promises to
upper mgmt about getting slow orders off
etc., and constantly lying to employees
forcing a separation between manager/
employees
1540 Our management doesn't appreciate us 12/17/2019 12:24 AM
period!! They don't trust our judgement!
It's a dictatorship what our management
wants whether it's breaking the rules or
breaking the team is what they expect
1541 Toxic and hostile work place. I would fire 12/17/2019 12:24 AM
him for the way he treats his guys.
1542 Not 12/17/2019 12:23 AM
1543 Very little 12/17/2019 12:22 AM
1544 Less communication 12/17/2019 12:22 AM
1545 I have no ``relationship'' with my 12/17/2019 12:19 AM
leadership especially as PSR
implementation expands. They are
scrambling to keep their jobs as well in
a very hostile environment.
1546 It's good but my supervisor is more 12/17/2019 12:18 AM
stressed
1547 They don't want you to bad order any cars, 12/17/2019 12:16 AM
because they don't want the swell on
cars. So they try to rush you and not
give the cars a proper inspection.
1548 Some 12/17/2019 12:15 AM
1549 It has gone downhill 12/17/2019 12:14 AM
1550 They are more stressed, trying to work 12/17/2019 12:14 AM
with no supplies.
1551 0 12/17/2019 12:13 AM
1552 It has strongly divided us 12/17/2019 12:12 AM
1553 It feels like there is a target on my 12/17/2019 12:12 AM
back. They have laid off so many people,
it's like they don't care about us
anymore at all. They are looking for any
reason to fire us.
1554 No comment 12/17/2019 12:10 AM
1555 We are both sitting on the edge along with 12/17/2019 12:10 AM
everyone else, trying to do our best.
1556 Local managers are just around to tell us 12/17/2019 12:10 AM
to work faster.
1557 That hasn't affected us 12/17/2019 12:09 AM
1558 It has negatively affected the 12/17/2019 12:05 AM
relationship.
1559 Made me trust them less 12/17/2019 12:05 AM
1560 Stricter budget, constantly dealing with 12/17/2019 12:04 AM
broken tools, relationships ok but seam
like they're under more scrutiny to keep
a tighter budget. Which they're moody
sometimes
1561 Added more tension 12/17/2019 12:04 AM
1562 Not one left to speak of. 12/17/2019 12:04 AM
1563 I have had several new managers this year. 12/17/2019 12:04 AM
But I have stayed on the same SPG team
all year.
1564 It took an already toxic relationship 12/17/2019 12:04 AM
between management and TYE, and made it
downright dangerous
1565 Depends on the manager 12/17/2019 12:04 AM
1566 Managers seemed focused on only one thing. 12/17/2019 12:03 AM
Departing trains on time regardless of
the conditions and safety concerns
1567 More fractured, hitting heads of safety vs 12/17/2019 12:03 AM
what the upper management wants, attitude
is to keep head down and avoid notice
1568 When I started my career, we were on the 12/17/2019 12:02 AM
same Team. 1. SAFETY. 2. CUSTOMERS 3.
FELLOW BROTHERS, NOW, there is no TEAM,
No communication, no motivation at all.
As for Management acts like we are
machinery, there is no ability to go to
Doctors, Dentist appointments. It's TOXIC
and very depressing
1569 Terrible 12/17/2019 12:02 AM
1570 I don't trust him. And will not believe 12/17/2019 12:01 AM
what he says
1571 They fired the ones we used to have 12/17/2019 12:00 AM
relationships with!! So we have no
relationships with supervision. They quit
or are fired or we never see them because
they have been cut to the bone as well.
1572 Don't really know, there has been too many 12/17/2019 12:00 AM
changes in managers I can't Really tell
1573 I seldom see supervisor 12/17/2019 12:00 AM
1574 Strained 12/16/2019 11:59 PM
1575 Same as before, maybe better because they 12/16/2019 11:59 PM
are facing job losses as well, something
in common
1576 Threatened with my job daily for taking 12/16/2019 11:59 PM
too long to do a task I was trained to do
and bad ordering equipment
1577 He agrees with me 12/16/2019 11:58 PM
1578 I get along well with my supervisor and 12/16/2019 11:58 PM
manager. It's not their fault PSR was
implemented.
1579 Front line supervisors are running scared 12/16/2019 11:57 PM
for their job which makes them difficult
to work with sometimes. It's about
production. No matter how much you do
it's never enough.
1580 Obviously the relationship is no longer as 12/16/2019 11:55 PM
strong as before because I no longer work
hand in hand with them concerning the
safety of their group.
1581 Not at all 12/16/2019 11:55 PM
1582 I don't know most of the managers anymore. 12/16/2019 11:54 PM
Lots of new faces coming and going. So
there is no relationship with them.
1583 They are more scared of getting cut off 12/16/2019 11:54 PM
than we are
1584 Commutation have worsen since managers are 12/16/2019 11:53 PM
also afraid of being fired they have
micromanaged us to the point the people
don't care anymore. When we don't care we
lose focus on safety
1585 It has basically severed friendships . . . 12/16/2019 11:53 PM
Now it's do what they ask and no more.
1586 Has killed relationships 12/16/2019 11:51 PM
1587 None. 12/16/2019 11:51 PM
1588 All of our managers have quit. The new 12/16/2019 11:50 PM
ones don't have any people skills and
don't seem at all concerned with the
major stress of the entire staff. They
think we are whiny babies that are just
full of complaints. Our safety issues are
not addressed quickly or professionally.
They honestly don't listen to the
workers. Even when they specifically ask
a question they are rarely quiet long
enough to listen to the answer without
interrupting. They are full of
assumptions about our craft and they
treat us with zero respect for what we do
with all the obstructions and obstacles
they've put in our place.
1589 I hardly see mine and when I do he has the 12/16/2019 11:50 PM
mentality that he's a god
1590 Not any safety briefings just get the work 12/16/2019 11:50 PM
done
1591 N/A 12/16/2019 11:49 PM
1592 My supervisor is a salaried employee of 12/16/2019 11:49 PM
the railroad and I am a union employee so
there has always been a line between us.
1593 The trust isn't there. The trust to make a 12/16/2019 11:48 PM
call about slowing or stopping a train
until work is done. The ability to get
the work done without being interrupted
to give constant updates isn't there. The
help getting work windows isn't there.
The higher ups are always talking about
numbers in terms of traffic, new sources
of revenue, helping to be a part of the
cost saving measures, but they cancel
jobs and keep cutting back on positions
we need to keep the rails safe. It's
their job and bonuses or our jobs, and
they always pick theirs.
1594 More pressure on the supervisor to move 12/16/2019 11:47 PM
trains make unsafe work environment,
shortcuts!
1595 the company is putting them in a position 12/16/2019 11:47 PM
where they will lose all credibility.
They know that these short-term gains go
against the reality of maintaining our
infrastructure
1596 There hasn't really been a change 12/16/2019 11:46 PM
1597 Strictly business 12/16/2019 11:46 PM
1598 Relationships became tighter. Even though 12/16/2019 11:45 PM
we're different crafts we are on the same
page when it comes to lack of materials
due to ``not really in the budget.'' PSR
eliminated jobs and with Hunter and his
hedge fund crew to lower the operating
ratio which in turn cut maintenance
budget. It's very hard to get jobs done
correctly the first time without
materials.
1599 It's all about the profit 12/16/2019 11:44 PM
1600 That has gotten better because we never 12/16/2019 11:43 PM
know what we are doing so we talk more
1601 The managers that are left are under the 12/16/2019 11:42 PM
gun just like everyone else. I have seen
more write ups and people being fired
since PSR has came along.
1602 He is not around as much due to being on 12/16/2019 11:42 PM
too many projects just like us. Working
in different states sometimes.
1603 Don't know laid off 12/16/2019 11:39 PM
1604 Negatively, the relationships between 12/16/2019 11:38 PM
employees and officials has greatly gone
south
1605 Not really cause he is a great guy 12/16/2019 11:37 PM
1606 Hardy ever see manager they have laid off 12/16/2019 11:37 PM
or fired due to operating ratio. Which is
a direct result of PSR
1607 Never ever hear from him and certainly 12/16/2019 11:37 PM
never see him. He has admitted he's much
too busy now with numbers and schedules
and missed OS's.
1608 They have too much pressure on them, upper 12/16/2019 11:37 PM
management are bullies and the constant
threats of losing their job stressing
them out.
1609 Mangers are angry and in a hurry they 12/16/2019 11:36 PM
don't care about safety and what's right
they cut corners unsafe corners to make
company quotas
1610 It hasn't 12/16/2019 11:36 PM
1611 Added stress 12/16/2019 11:36 PM
1612 I never see my supervisor. 12/16/2019 11:35 PM
1613 Precision railroad has not affected my 12/16/2019 11:34 PM
position with the manager or supervisor
we've worked hard to cover for them and
back them through this precision
railroading for my supervisors
understanding he understands the
difficulty for us and him to work through
this Precision railroading to get our
projects done in a timely manner so he
has worked with us like we weren't with
them
1614 I feel it puts my supervisor under more 12/16/2019 11:34 PM
pressure to get things done quicker.
Which puts stress on everyone.
1615 They are more reactive than well laid out 12/16/2019 11:33 PM
planning. Minimize manpower to our
detriment.
1616 Most, not all are pressured more, and more 12/16/2019 11:33 PM
to push production to the max
1617 ``Relationships'' never existed 12/16/2019 11:33 PM
1618 Never has there been higher distrust of 12/16/2019 11:32 PM
managers. they are likely to tell you
anything you want to hear until it's time
to deliver, then they dry up and
disappear. liars. liars who are resentful
of advice. they pretend to care until
someone actually needs something then
they say no or even accuse assertive
employees of breaking conduct rules,
disrespecting them for just asking. (no
kidding!). Managers now are people who
have zero leaderships skills, zero
genuine concern for their workgroup, zero
knowledge to lead or teach ANYTHING. it
is truly PATHETIC.
1619 UPRR has cut a lot of managers out so they 12/16/2019 11:32 PM
are now doing 2-3 times the work as
before. A lot more stress to get the job
done, quicker is unsafe for everyone.
1620 What relationship. they are working 12/16/2019 11:32 PM
managers 80 hours week making them resent
us for anything we may or may not do that
causes them any more stress
1621 Same, just make sure trains can run 12/16/2019 11:32 PM
1622 You mean the only one I have left? It is 12/16/2019 11:31 PM
strained beyond belief. He still tries
and puts on a good face, but he has too
much work and unrealistic expectations.
He is doing the job of 3 people and it
shows.
1623 Never see him because they're stretched 12/16/2019 11:31 PM
beyond thin too so don't have an answer
1624 No different. Supervisor/managers are 12/16/2019 11:30 PM
concerned with production and numbers
1625 None 12/16/2019 11:30 PM
1626 I have no idea who it is anymore. 12/16/2019 11:30 PM
1627 worse. expected to do more with less. and 12/16/2019 11:29 PM
safety is slowly going out the window.
1628 It has put a strain. Managers are spread 12/16/2019 11:29 PM
thin and expected to move mountains, thus
that workload it passed off to the field
staff.
1629 It's worse they're pushing us to the point 12/16/2019 11:28 PM
that someone is going to get hurt
1630 Continuous schedule changes 12/16/2019 11:27 PM
1631 We try to work as efficient as we can. It 12/16/2019 11:27 PM
is never enough for them.
1632 We don't have relationships with managers. 12/16/2019 11:27 PM
1633 We are both just a replaceable liability 12/16/2019 11:26 PM
in the carriers eyes. more defects make
him look bad and no defects makes me look
unnecessary.
1634 Things have become stressful, overworking 12/16/2019 11:25 PM
us to a point of exhaustion
1635 There is no relationship 12/16/2019 11:25 PM
1636 Same 12/16/2019 11:24 PM
1637 We no longer worry about things that will 12/16/2019 11:24 PM
be a problem in the future. We focus on
issues that have been there as a train
has gone over them. This causes a risk
that would have been mitigated by workers
before a test car was needed.
1638 Less communication 12/16/2019 11:22 PM
1639 No. I didn't like him before PSR and I 12/16/2019 11:21 PM
sure as fuck don't like him now
1640 My manager has turned into a jerk 12/16/2019 11:21 PM
unfortunately. Safety is now being placed
by the wayside
1641 It has caused a great deal of mistrust and 12/16/2019 11:20 PM
resentment.
1642 Has made it hard to believe in anything 12/16/2019 11:20 PM
they say.
1643 Managers are quick to pull out of service. 12/16/2019 11:19 PM
A shoot first ask questions later
mentality.
1644 It has strained it due to the fact he is 12/16/2019 11:19 PM
pressured to get more done with less
1645 Everyone is just disgruntled managers are 12/16/2019 11:19 PM
worried about their jobs too they try and
cut whatever they can to save their own
job and make themselves look good, I
would not recommend this job to anyone,
quality of life is nonexistent no way to
spend a career as just a number for
greed.
1646 They are scared too 12/16/2019 11:19 PM
1647 they are not going to stand behind you or 12/16/2019 11:19 PM
question anything out of fear of losing
their job so it is somewhat strained
1648 Frustration and a all new low morale come 12/16/2019 11:18 PM
to mind. CSX is no longer committed to
the employees that make money for the
company. I feel as a T&E employee that I
am no longer an asset to this company.
PSR has stripped any amount of pride I
had in my job and career completely out.
1649 none really, just seems like EVERYONE is 12/16/2019 11:18 PM
``under the gun'' all the time
1650 How can you have a good relationship with 12/16/2019 11:18 PM
someone who has no regard for you
1651 Most of them have left to go back to their 12/16/2019 11:17 PM
seniority back to craft because they are
overworked and underpaid. Doing the job
of several managers.
1652 I think the worker relationship with 12/16/2019 11:17 PM
managers has become broken. You are told
to reach unreasonable expectations or
risk being written up and or fired.
1653 They get mad when we find defects, because 12/16/2019 11:16 PM
they're just as afraid to lose their job
too call their bosses
1654 Supervisors seem overly stressed about 12/16/2019 11:16 PM
work getting done ``on-time'' due to
insistent pressure for higher ups with
little time off for rest
1655 They are pressured to get as much 12/16/2019 11:16 PM
production out of you as possible. I
understand we are here for a paycheck and
that's what we do, but even when you are
doing your job productively, they still
pressure you to hurry up and get more
production. Production over safety is
what seems to come to play, they won't
admit to it, but that's what is reality.
So I'd say I have disliked my supervisor/
managers a whole lot more since PSR. A
lot more disgruntled employees.
1656 We are told we got X amount of hrs to get 12/16/2019 11:16 PM
our work done don't go over!
1657 Don't have a foreman anymore and our 12/16/2019 11:16 PM
managers, well, we hardly see them
1658 They make it clear that we will work their 12/16/2019 11:16 PM
way or be fired. Threats to furlough more
or close shop.
1659 We have 3500 members and close to 7000 12/16/2019 11:15 PM
active grievances it's self explanatory
management will trash a crew to save his
stats for bonuses.
1660 Never had one, don't want one. 12/16/2019 11:14 PM
1661 It depends on the manager. If you have a 12/16/2019 11:14 PM
good manager the relationship hasn't been
affected. They are in the same boat as
us. If you have a bad manager who ``drank
the conpany kool aid'' it's almost
impossible to have a good relationship
1662 Some of young supervisors don't have a 12/16/2019 11:14 PM
clue and all they do is follow a book,
they don't understand things change out
there in the real railroad.
1663 My old manager and I started the same day. 12/16/2019 11:14 PM
My new manger, still feeling him out. Too
many ``no unnecessary expenses''
decisions. Makes my job more difficult.
1664 Still the same 12/16/2019 11:14 PM
1665 There is no trust. Everyone has to look 12/16/2019 11:13 PM
over their back, including managers, many
managers have quit because of the stress
and toll PSR has taken on their families
due to the extra workloads placed on
them.
1666 Very surface. Aggressive 12/16/2019 11:13 PM
1667 To be honest. No more than they were 12/16/2019 11:13 PM
before. Most don't care who you are,
where you are, and what you are doing
till testing time and they (the manager)
needs his or her numbers for testing
times and purpose.
1668 We both are unemployed now thanks to the 12/16/2019 11:12 PM
PSR
1669 Negative impact. The managers in my 12/16/2019 11:12 PM
location have no seniority rights and
it's blatantly obvious that they're
worried about losing their jobs. The
conversations of 5 years ago went along
the lines of asking an employee what can
we do to get this customer serviced.
Along came PSR and now they tell you that
you will service them regardless of
anything. Including moving hazmat without
paperwork. Including bad order rail cars.
Including close clearances, open doors,
defective wheels. Just do it. Throw all
the rules out the window and just do it.
1670 Never had a good relationship with him 12/16/2019 11:12 PM
1671 Negatively. 12/16/2019 11:11 PM
1672 Don't know they laid us off. 12/16/2019 11:11 PM
1673 Totally different 12/16/2019 11:10 PM
1674 I'd say it has our supervision stressed 12/16/2019 11:10 PM
and mentally scared, they are just as
worried about their jobs being terminated
as the craft workers are. I feel as
though, from what I can gather, our
managers have been pushed to try and
``find'' things that we can be punished
for, and to look for any avenue they can
take to discipline and make examples out
of craft employees.
1675 They are hateful and company driven trying 12/16/2019 11:09 PM
to save their own jobs.
1676 My current manager is a pretty level 12/16/2019 11:08 PM
headed individual for the most part. Same
goes for the foreman of the gang, but
attitudes and tone change real quick when
our window is running out.
1677 What relationship 12/16/2019 11:08 PM
1678 My direct supervisor is excellent, it's 12/16/2019 11:08 PM
the echelons above them that I never see
anymore. They used to visit often and
frequent and now it's never.
1679 Immediate line supervisor hasn't changed 12/16/2019 11:08 PM
but higher level supervisors demand
production more with less manpower
1680 What supervisor they got fired 12/16/2019 11:06 PM
1681 My manager are not sure they will have a 12/16/2019 11:06 PM
job. So are they doing there job to the
best of there ability?
1682 I think they have become weed weasels. 12/16/2019 11:05 PM
1683 Never see him anymore 12/16/2019 11:04 PM
1684 I see the pressure that is put on them 12/16/2019 11:04 PM
1685 I absolutely dread coming to work. We 12/16/2019 11:04 PM
never meant anything to anyone before and
now those of us who are left hate that we
have put so much into this sinking ship
1686 No different we're still being put down 12/16/2019 11:04 PM
1687 It has weakened them. 12/16/2019 11:04 PM
1688 Yes, they want more but give less. They 12/16/2019 11:03 PM
treat us like tools instead of people
1689 Not good, he's butt hurt that his buddy 12/16/2019 11:02 PM
didn't make manager cut so now he just
has his buddy ride around with him, just
tip of the iceberg. But we can pay
agreement employees to do managers job
and draw pay every day of the month but
at straight time wage to stay off the OT
radar to the tune of 4000 hrs straight
time in 1 year, so you tell me
1690 Stressed and untrusting. 12/16/2019 11:02 PM
1691 Not much change, still want more with less 12/16/2019 11:00 PM
resources
1692 The push to run longer trains has put a 12/16/2019 11:00 PM
strain on most employee manager
relationships. What little trust we had
before is almost gone now.
1693 Created more tension due to unnecessary 12/16/2019 11:00 PM
pressure
1694 It's one of those you can't stop it so 12/16/2019 10:59 PM
might as well get used to it thing
1695 Never see him 12/16/2019 10:59 PM
1696 Made it worse since he's on a time frame 12/16/2019 10:59 PM
and scared for his job
1697 Nobody likes it but it's the hand we were 12/16/2019 10:58 PM
dealt and we shall overcome this
1698 Nonexistent 12/16/2019 10:57 PM
1699 Managers regularly instruct us to operate 12/16/2019 10:57 PM
in an unsafe manner. You cannot respect
that
1700 High tensions 12/16/2019 10:57 PM
1701 Management is horrible 12/16/2019 10:57 PM
1702 I never see a manager now. 12/16/2019 10:56 PM
1703 I try not to even have a relationship with 12/16/2019 10:56 PM
the supervisor or manager. When before it
was somebody that you looked up to and
may have considered to be a friend
1704 There is tension in the air at the mention 12/16/2019 10:56 PM
of PSR and what it will do long term to
the employees and rail industry.
1705 Managers are running scared. So they take 12/16/2019 10:56 PM
the stress out on us. Blaming us for
taking too long when getting work done or
departing town when in fact train is not
ready or something is wrong
1706 Stressful due to work not being available 12/16/2019 10:55 PM
1707 They are stressed because the same level 12/16/2019 10:55 PM
of work but much less workers.
1708 Trying to get more and more out of you. 12/16/2019 10:55 PM
1709 No communication 12/16/2019 10:55 PM
1710 I've been asked to break rules and violate 12/16/2019 10:55 PM
HOS
1711 Same as usual 12/16/2019 10:55 PM
1712 Management is nearly impossible to get 12/16/2019 10:55 PM
ahold of. As trainmaster and road
foreman, front line supervisors should be
not only readily available for quick job
safety briefings, but also asking what we
as employees need to get the job done.
This used to be the case. Now they are
incredibly hard to find and they act like
they don't have time for your questions.
Also they ask a favor for an agreement
penalty and when you say okay, they
decline the penalty.
1713 We see very little of our manager. Ever 12/16/2019 10:54 PM
since they eliminated our local MTM and
redefined our territory, we have been on
a downhill spiral.
1714 Can't stand any of them. 12/16/2019 10:54 PM
1715 Who? 12/16/2019 10:54 PM
1716 Same 12/16/2019 10:54 PM
1717 Hostile 12/16/2019 10:52 PM
1718 Has made tensions high, because we get 12/16/2019 10:51 PM
less time to do our job, and we are
forced to work later and harder than
we've did before.
1719 My supervisor is great but hard to talk 12/16/2019 10:51 PM
to. They are overworked and always busy.
Hard to talk to them with issues when
their phone rings 100 times a day.
1720 ? 12/16/2019 10:51 PM
1721 It has gone from worse to terrible because 12/16/2019 10:51 PM
crap rolls downhill, even when the proper
procedure for doing air brake test have
been dismissed to ensure departure times
1722 Managers seem to be more distant now, 12/16/2019 10:51 PM
hurry you up to leave office with
questions left unanswered. They also try
like heck to find mistakes to write you
up on
1723 Horrible 12/16/2019 10:51 PM
1724 All supervisor cares about is numbers not 12/16/2019 10:51 PM
safety
1725 If anything, we have less interaction with 12/16/2019 10:50 PM
management on thru-Freight trains. The
company is attempting to cut those jobs
and create a command center at
headquarters to oversee operations
remotely. I recently had a
recertification for my engineer license.
The recert was performed via simulator
and overseen by the command center in
Omaha. Local management attempted to get
me in for a field recertification and was
unable to make it happen.
1726 Currently being ``promised'' that we will 12/16/2019 10:50 PM
not implement PSR and have mass layoffs
like other companies already have.
1727 Supervisors and managers are more and more 12/16/2019 10:50 PM
focused on budget and less on production.
We get a laundry list of things that need
to be completed in a short time but are
constantly told that there will be no
overtime. Either we get it done or
they'll bring in a contractor who will.
1728 Horribly. We no longer have rules classes 12/16/2019 10:50 PM
or safety meetings. Do more with less and
if you can't get all your work done you
are accused of laying down on the job,
rule checked and wrote up or worse
1729 Yes. They agree with what employees are 12/16/2019 10:49 PM
saying but they are in a position they
can't state their opinion in fear of
dismissal
1730 It hasn't effected it 12/16/2019 10:48 PM
1731 THE SAME 12/16/2019 10:48 PM
1732 I'd say worse they are for the company 12/16/2019 10:47 PM
cause they are just as scared for their
job as us.
1733 My direct supervisor. It has not affected 12/16/2019 10:47 PM
our relationship. He is good at not
taking it as a personal attack when the
company takes its liberties with us and
we have an opinion.
1734 Very hostile. They don't want any input. 12/16/2019 10:47 PM
Their jobs are in jeopardy.
1735 Very rearly see them 12/16/2019 10:47 PM
1736 More restrictions on overtime. Less money 12/16/2019 10:47 PM
on paychecks and he's home every weekend.
Negatively
1737 More tension then ever before! 12/16/2019 10:47 PM
1738 Has not 12/16/2019 10:47 PM
1739 Everything is a scare tactic out of fear 12/16/2019 10:46 PM
of slowing traffic down.
1740 Nights always lead to missed communication 12/16/2019 10:46 PM
1741 It's about doing more with less. They 12/16/2019 10:46 PM
don't care about safety or anything else.
1742 Really my supervisor is a good guy but 12/16/2019 10:45 PM
both he and the gang have to be on
constant ready because of short work
outages
1743 I can't answer this cause I don't work for 12/16/2019 10:45 PM
a precision railroad. Sorry
1744 I don't see either but once a week 12/16/2019 10:45 PM
1745 Put a lot more stress on the supervision. 12/16/2019 10:44 PM
Which some do not handle well and take it
out on the workers.
1746 He feels as us workers do, that it doesn't 12/16/2019 10:44 PM
work. Just ask CSX, they have first hand
knowledge.
1747 Hasn't changed 12/16/2019 10:43 PM
1748 Managers seem to be nicer 12/16/2019 10:43 PM
1749 No opinion 12/16/2019 10:42 PM
1750 Supervisors/managers seem more stressed 12/16/2019 10:42 PM
and under pressure to make sure groups
perform efficiently with smaller windows
1751 I do not have a good working relationship 12/16/2019 10:41 PM
with any of my supervisors. I am
constantly being hounded to get work done
on their schedule, which is usually
unrealistic and unsafe
1752 Very much more strained due to increased 12/16/2019 10:41 PM
stress to write assessments and find
workplace failures to satisfy upper
management.
1753 They seem to be more intimidating, because 12/16/2019 10:41 PM
the employees are worried their positions
will be cut if the supervisors don't like
them.
1754 Big joke. Non railroad kids making poor 12/16/2019 10:41 PM
decisions.
1755 He just wants to get footage and ties in. 12/16/2019 10:40 PM
He's still a Dick
1756 yes 12/16/2019 10:40 PM
1757 Negatively, I used to see him all the 12/16/2019 10:40 PM
time, he was always smiling called me by
my first name always stopped and made
small talk. Now everytime I see him it's
at a distance and he's rushing away to
avoid employees.
1758 Made it more stressful. More pressure to 12/16/2019 10:40 PM
get more things done with less manpower.
1759 I don't get to work with the supervisors I 12/16/2019 10:40 PM
use to. I can't hold on their gangs
anymore
1760 Communication is almost zero 12/16/2019 10:39 PM
1761 Most of us don't want to talk to him! 12/16/2019 10:39 PM
1762 My supervisor seems to be under a lot more 12/16/2019 10:39 PM
stress now than before PSR. As a matter
of fact, he has almost 20 years being a
supervisor & considering coming back to
his tools.
1763 No effect 12/16/2019 10:39 PM
1764 Less communicative and more focused on 12/16/2019 10:39 PM
cutting claims and pulling people out of
service for rule related nonsense.
1765 Not sure if you're going to get fired 12/16/2019 10:39 PM
everyday you come to work.
1766 They have made folks that have no time on 12/16/2019 10:38 PM
the railroad supervisors in which a lot
of ways doesn't help anybody. Other
supervisors just see it as a quick way to
the top. It has also made a lot of
supervisors more edgy and a lot less
personable and not very good to work
with.
1767 There is no relationship. It's a constant 12/16/2019 10:38 PM
battle between them and us. We rely on
ourselves for everything. We are a
brotherhood/sisterhood, it's all we have.
1768 I think that they are just as disenchanted 12/16/2019 10:38 PM
as the rest of the employees.
1769 It has not. 12/16/2019 10:37 PM
1770 Management basically tries to threaten us 12/16/2019 10:35 PM
with this
1771 It hasn't yet. 12/16/2019 10:35 PM
1772 It hasn't affected my relationship at all 12/16/2019 10:35 PM
1773 Don't have relationship with them 12/16/2019 10:34 PM
1774 When your supervisor is stressed about 12/16/2019 10:33 PM
keeping their job it has a trickle
affect.
1775 They have no integrity. Every word out of 12/16/2019 10:33 PM
their mouth is a lie
1776 The PSR plans have been shoved down 12/16/2019 10:33 PM
frontline supervisors throats so bad that
they have become unapproachable when it
comes to safety measures or a more
efficient or more safe way of doing a
job. They see the job needing to be done
one way and that is the only way they see
the job being done. They truly believe we
are only here to scare them over when in
actuality we actually just want to come
make our money and go home safely.
1777 Hasn't 12/16/2019 10:32 PM
1778 It's worse they make me break rules and 12/16/2019 10:32 PM
cut corners. They threaten me with
discipline if I don't do it.
1779 Same 12/16/2019 10:31 PM
1780 Supervisors have gained unrealistic 12/16/2019 10:31 PM
standards in what can be achieved in a
given amount of time
1781 I've had a couple of managers since PSR 12/16/2019 10:31 PM
was implemented. Some are good and some
are not so good. It's a numbers game only
now. A lot of managers are constantly
berated about bad numbers in all areas.
1782 Supervisors will lie and use scare tactics 12/16/2019 10:30 PM
to get work done. Everyone except for the
oldest of workers are worried daily about
losing their jobs if production drops or
for various other reasons.
1783 What supervisor? So many cameras my 12/16/2019 10:30 PM
supervisor has become an obsolete person
in Ft. Worth that is so disconnected from
people they supervise that there isn't
even anyone to answer a phone for a
family emergency.
1784 Same 12/16/2019 10:29 PM
1785 I do not trust or wish to speak to any 12/16/2019 10:29 PM
member of management on my service unit
1786 It has uncovered what I feared was true. A 12/16/2019 10:29 PM
lack of regard for any employees
1787 It has made it more hostile as work/rest 12/16/2019 10:29 PM
to where we are implemented.
1788 There is no relationship, more of a 12/16/2019 10:28 PM
dictatorship.
1789 It has put a bigger wall blocking reality 12/16/2019 10:28 PM
to upper management
1790 I don't ever see them. We went from having 12/16/2019 10:28 PM
4 down to having 1. He feels like all
employees are screwing him and the higher
ups are always ready to fire him.
1791 Ha ha don't even know who that is anymore. 12/16/2019 10:28 PM
Management has been cut to a bare minimum
which isn't a bad thing.
1792 I use to help my supervisor out with a lot 12/16/2019 10:28 PM
of things. I rarely talk to my supervisor
now.
1793 My supervisor is all doom and gloom now. 12/16/2019 10:28 PM
Constantly threatening our jobs. He
constantly makes it a hostile work
environment, all the while keeping us in
the dark as to where we will be working
the next week. I am on a 10 hr/4 day work
team. We will not be told where we are
working the next week until FRIDAY on our
rest day. No planning ability at all.
Last week I was working in NOLA and when
I was 2 hours from home I got an e-mail
telling me I was working back near
Pensacola. Took my 3 rest days into 32
hours of driving. I would have stayed
down there if I had known before I left
Thur. THIS IS A NORMAL OCCURRENCE.
1794 It hasn't 12/16/2019 10:27 PM
1795 Hasn't effected our relationship but 12/16/2019 10:27 PM
arguments over some things that changed
with PSR.
1796 Distance. Management is forced to ram PSR 12/16/2019 10:27 PM
down employees' throats at any cost
including replacement by contractors
1797 Don't get any OT anymore 12/16/2019 10:26 PM
1798 They preach safety but force you to work 12/16/2019 10:26 PM
faster in an unsafe manner all the while
trying to fire you to justify their jobs
1799 What manager? Are they still here? 12/16/2019 10:26 PM
1800 Managers look the other way so you can 12/16/2019 10:26 PM
break all sorts of rules to ``get it
done''. So on a personal level I don't
mind because now I can get away with the
small things.
1801 The supervision has a go, go, go mentality 12/16/2019 10:25 PM
which increases the opportunity for
mistakes/rules violations/safety
concerns. This is a recipe for disaster.
1802 We are more on the same level because of 12/16/2019 10:25 PM
how horribly the company treats him. We
relate more than ever.
1803 Management is spread too thin. The only 12/16/2019 10:25 PM
interaction we have with management is
when something goes wrong.
1804 Safety only matters during job briefing 12/16/2019 10:25 PM
after that it's all about production
1805 Everyone is on edge waiting for more job 12/16/2019 10:24 PM
cuts
1806 Negatively safety concerns are not 12/16/2019 10:24 PM
addressed at all. Do more with less.
Safety and maintenance are nonexistent
1807 Hardly see them 12/16/2019 10:24 PM
1808 Made it worse 12/16/2019 10:23 PM
1809 Depends on the supervisor. Some get 12/16/2019 10:23 PM
intimidated by their bosses and want to
force us to try do crazy and nearly
impossible tasks in limited time frames
1810 Lol 12/16/2019 10:22 PM
1811 Relationship? There are no relationships. 12/16/2019 10:21 PM
It has become very hostile. The only
communication there is for me personally
is when I need initials for a willful
violation.
1812 Hasn't really affected it. He has his job 12/16/2019 10:20 PM
and I got mine.
1813 I haven't seen my supervisor or manager in 12/16/2019 10:20 PM
a long time. they only show up if
problems exist
1814 They have become even more rushed and if 12/16/2019 10:20 PM
you've never heard a Union Pacific
conference call then you can't really
imagine how bad they have gotten in just
the two years I've been with the company,
and all I've ever heard is just small
parts from when a manager or two had it
on speaker.
1815 My supervisor and manager are both against 12/16/2019 10:20 PM
PSR, but the upper management is
squeezing them to produce and it shows in
their overall attitude and job
performance. They are stressed.
1816 Seems like with everything they have 12/16/2019 10:19 PM
nowadays that we have to talk to the
managers more cause there is always
something wrong whether it be the
computers or something
1817 About the same. Some managers (exp. Chad 12/16/2019 10:18 PM
Doval) are fantastic and they care about
you and your well being. There are others
who only care about numbers and metrics
and their jobs.
1818 Our supervisors are idiots 12/16/2019 10:18 PM
1819 Expected to follow the company's 12/16/2019 10:18 PM
guidelines or else you will be dealt with
accordingly.
1820 Supervisors have fled in droves. The ones 12/16/2019 10:18 PM
that stick around for any length of time
are very underqualified.
1821 Most new Roadmasters are ladder climbers. 12/16/2019 10:18 PM
Every 5 to 6 years a new one. They say
yes to management or they're gone.
1822 it's all about production and never about 12/16/2019 10:17 PM
safety there are no relationships it's
control and conquer environment
1823 There is more animosity. 12/16/2019 10:17 PM
1824 Stretched it thin due to his bosses 12/16/2019 10:17 PM
cutting other supervisors out so now you
just have one person responsible for
everything with the gang
1825 Not better 12/16/2019 10:16 PM
1826 I don't see them ever 12/16/2019 10:16 PM
1827 Treat him the same 12/16/2019 10:16 PM
1828 Not sure at the moment. I would imagine it 12/16/2019 10:15 PM
will have a negative effect due to things
not getting done as fast as before
because of the lack of track authority.
1829 N/A 12/16/2019 10:15 PM
1830 No 12/16/2019 10:15 PM
1831 More pressure on us no matter the cost is 12/16/2019 10:14 PM
how it is put to us to get the job done,
which makes it more stressful to work.
1832 Strained. Locally the mangers i.e.: the 12/16/2019 10:14 PM
Roadmaster tries to do his best and does
a good job. Our division engineer on
Great Lakes is a bully and doesn't listen
to his fellow managers or employees. Only
cares about the bottom line. No personal
skills. Asst engineer and managers of
track do nothing except harass local
Roadmaster and workers.
1833 It really has not. I think everyone is 12/16/2019 10:14 PM
more stressed out with a larger workload
though.
1834 Creates more stress, trying to do more 12/16/2019 10:13 PM
with less. Feeling used and abused with
no additional compensation. All while
seeing record profits and stock
valuations increasing daily! Very hostile
environment
1835 You're begging for stuff 12/16/2019 10:12 PM
1836 None 12/16/2019 10:12 PM
1837 ? 12/16/2019 10:11 PM
1838 I think it has actually made this aspect a 12/16/2019 10:11 PM
little bit better because they hate it
too.
1839 A negative relationship. More pressure on 12/16/2019 10:11 PM
management = wore out employees and
stress
1840 Nonexistent 12/16/2019 10:10 PM
1841 I hate my managers and hate coming to work 12/16/2019 10:10 PM
everyday. I've worked for UP for 17 years
and I'm looking for other employment. I
like my job but everyday there's some
kind of BS, it's so stressful. I'd rather
make half of what I'm making now to have
an employer that cared about their
employees.
1842 Worsening as it goes on. 12/16/2019 10:09 PM
1843 When asked they say they don't know a lot 12/16/2019 10:09 PM
about it
1844 It has gotten worse because all they care 12/16/2019 10:09 PM
about is moving trains and not about the
safety of the crew and if they are having
problems.
1845 Lots of tensions 12/16/2019 10:09 PM
1846 I don't see enough of them anymore to be 12/16/2019 10:08 PM
able to answer that question
1847 Local managers are like a revolving door. 12/16/2019 10:08 PM
Currently no idea who is my immediate
supervisor
1848 Complete disdain for management and all 12/16/2019 10:07 PM
loss of morale
1849 Since the implementation of PSR they have 12/16/2019 10:07 PM
hardly any managers. This is a good and
inherently bad thing. Without managers
nobody is there to help solve problems.
The managers we do have now have no
railroad experience and do not understand
why some actions or requested work is
unsafe. This causes a negative
relationship between labor and
management.
1850 Poor, their standards are at epic low. 12/16/2019 10:06 PM
1851 Unknown 12/16/2019 10:06 PM
1852 They practice it at their convenience. 12/16/2019 10:05 PM
1853 Everyone hates everyone 12/16/2019 10:05 PM
1854 PSR has eliminated manager to employee 12/16/2019 10:05 PM
communication by means of dividing the
employees in a dog eat dog environment to
keep ones job.
1855 They are frequently attempting to fire us 12/16/2019 10:04 PM
if we don't do whatever they want. It has
made talking about the lack of safety a
mute point. They don't care anymore.
1856 Don't know. Never had a relationship with 12/16/2019 10:04 PM
him.
1857 They just say we have to move cars not 12/16/2019 10:03 PM
service customers correctly
1858 It hasn't 12/16/2019 10:03 PM
1859 The gang I'm on now is great when you are 12/16/2019 10:03 PM
on the big gangs 9002, 9002, 8501 they
are horrible the constant pushing and
doing 4 different jobs to try to break
records for nothing and all this with
being exhausted and still furious how you
are home less days then to be right back
and have them talk about doing more
everyday we all just laugh and the
superviser just don't know what to do
they all know it sucks out here now
1860 Since they began laying managers off you 12/16/2019 10:03 PM
seldom see a manager. I've yet to meet my
manager of 9 months
1861 The higher up the chain management is the 12/16/2019 10:01 PM
less they care about people below them.
1862 All managers are worried about losing 12/16/2019 10:01 PM
their job if we don't perform to PSR
expectations
1863 I hardly see either everything now is 12/16/2019 10:01 PM
communicated through e-mail or phone call
1864 There is less trust. 12/16/2019 10:01 PM
1865 They don't care about me because they 12/16/2019 10:01 PM
might lose their job as well.
1866 PSR has deepend the divide and put 12/16/2019 10:01 PM
everyone on edge. Fearful for future of
our jobs, fearful for unjust job
reductions, overall morale drop all
around.
1867 Want same work done like it's a full gang 12/16/2019 10:01 PM
1868 They are nonexistent. They do not manage 12/16/2019 10:00 PM
personnel. The current managers are
responsible for numbers looking good to
show lower operating ratio to drive stock
price up. This part is simply to drive
stock price up!!
1869 Do more with less, it's all about the 12/16/2019 9:59 PM
money to the shareholders,
1870 Definitely making more strained. They are 12/16/2019 9:59 PM
being ordered to make us do things that
are fundamentally unsafe.
1871 There is constant harassment and there's 12/16/2019 9:58 PM
nothing we can do about it
1872 Made it worse cause of all the cuts 12/16/2019 9:58 PM
everyone is too busy worrying to build a
relationship to work with each other.
1873 Most of my managers have been fired and 12/16/2019 9:58 PM
the rest are scared of getting fired.
1874 Better they are out of the bushes 12/16/2019 9:58 PM
1875 Since PSR I have had several supervisor/ 12/16/2019 9:57 PM
managers. It's like we are all just
waiting to get bumped (due to cuts from
PSR) so I really haven't got to even
build any type of relationship with them.
1876 In some cases it has been hard to 12/16/2019 9:56 PM
articulate what the problem is
1877 N/A 12/16/2019 9:55 PM
1878 I think it makes situations more tense, 12/16/2019 9:55 PM
and puts more stress on everyone as a
team. I also believe this plays a major
role in morale, and work productivity.
1879 It hasn't really 12/16/2019 9:54 PM
1880 Managers don't seem to care if you're a 12/16/2019 9:54 PM
good employee or not. They don't care
about safety running you out the door
with no time to look over your paperwork
or job brief.
1881 I never see them anymore 12/16/2019 9:53 PM
1882 Yes they're trying to do more with less. 12/16/2019 9:53 PM
1883 Nothing 12/16/2019 9:53 PM
1884 More perceived pressure on everyone even 12/16/2019 9:53 PM
if not talked about.
1885 Stressed relations between managers and 12/16/2019 9:53 PM
unions. Lower level managers are forced
to do things they know are wrong.
1886 There are no more relationships with 12/16/2019 9:53 PM
management. We are only IDs and bodies to
run trains. It's as if the carrier is the
good guy, and the craft employee is the
bad guy and local level managers are
trained little robots to never take the
side of us peasants
1887 Hostile 12/16/2019 9:52 PM
1888 The only relationship crews have with 12/16/2019 9:52 PM
management is one of mostly animosity.
Yes we do what they ask us to do or else
we're out of a job. We don't have many
options. The way this company has treated
its employees over the past 3 years with
this PSR, and cutting everything is
absolutely horrific. Nobody is ever in a
good mood at work anymore, and rightfully
so. We're all working as hard as we can
for a company that is doing nothing but
trying to continue to take from us as
much as they can. (CSX)
1889 It is what it is 12/16/2019 9:52 PM
1890 Stresses it considerably. They are forced 12/16/2019 9:52 PM
to do more with less and that is taken
out on the working man. Morale is at an
all time low making it hard to keep
employees focused.
1891 We interact with them less 12/16/2019 9:51 PM
1892 I got blamed for not finishing the job 12/16/2019 9:51 PM
task when it was no fault of mine.
1893 I think the PSR has made the managers less 12/16/2019 9:51 PM
accessible to employees and care less for
their workers.
1894 No change. 12/16/2019 9:51 PM
1895 It seems like it's management against 12/16/2019 9:51 PM
employees now
1896 No PSR yet 12/16/2019 9:50 PM
1897 Worsened, they expect one to be at point A 12/16/2019 9:50 PM
and B without delays. Causing friction.
1898 It varies. 12/16/2019 9:50 PM
1899 Stress filled work environment 12/16/2019 9:50 PM
1900 Micromanaging has gone through the roof. 12/16/2019 9:49 PM
Budget and money gets brought up almost
daily. Less people trying to do same
amount of work and do it in less hours
because no overtime.
1901 Management has distanced themselves from 12/16/2019 9:47 PM
responsibilities
1902 Depending on the supervisor/manager 12/16/2019 9:47 PM
sometimes it can be worse
1903 Management only concerned with us doing as 12/16/2019 9:46 PM
much as possible with fewer men and
spending less on equipment tools and PPE
1904 It has put stress on everyone and 12/16/2019 9:44 PM
everything!! Higher expectations with
junk equipment!! Trying to do tons more
with less doesn't work!! They are
pressured and in return so are we. Not
good at all!!
1905 N/A 12/16/2019 9:44 PM
1906 There is no relationship. He lies to us, 12/16/2019 9:44 PM
steals from us, and threatens us with our
jobs
1907 Lackluster! 12/16/2019 9:43 PM
1908 My manager is very intelligent; however he 12/16/2019 9:43 PM
has much to learn
1909 It's miserable they drink the kool-aid and 12/16/2019 9:42 PM
we have to listen to their hypnotic
message
1910 It hasn't 12/16/2019 9:42 PM
1911 More pressure from supervisor 12/16/2019 9:41 PM
1912 Not much difference 12/16/2019 9:41 PM
1913 Our supervisors feel the same effects we 12/16/2019 9:40 PM
do. They are out there hours on end with
us helping because manpower has been cut
so short we simply can't get all the
necessary things done in a timely manner.
When there are only 3 men on a section
gang it makes it hard to change rail or
anything. 1 man goes on the high rail
each day so it leaves a Laborer and
Foreman in a section truck to go do hard
tasks that 4 men use to do before.
1914 I feel as if my manager is struggling as 12/16/2019 9:40 PM
well but trying to put up the good face
knowing it isn't right. It's not at a
local level
1915 Managers are only worried about reducing 12/16/2019 9:39 PM
staff and profiting for shareholders.
1916 SAME. NONEXISITENT WHICH IS FINE. 12/16/2019 9:37 PM
1917 Some managers are easier to get along with 12/16/2019 9:36 PM
than others. As far as management at the
top it seems a lot better more local
management sometimes have a bad attitude
probably due to stressful working
environments . . . no manpower to get
things done and maintained.
1918 Strained 12/16/2019 9:36 PM
1919 Norfolk has changed them so much we don't 12/16/2019 9:36 PM
know them.
1920 Very strained now 12/16/2019 9:36 PM
1921 It seems that the managers are as nervous 12/16/2019 9:36 PM
as the crafts.
1922 The company policies have molded each one 12/16/2019 9:36 PM
into unpleasant human beings. No heart or
pride in your people.
1923 My supervisor got demoted 12/16/2019 9:35 PM
1924 Stressed out by both managers and 12/16/2019 9:35 PM
employees! managers know what they are
asking us to do is pushing us close to
danger but if they don't then they are
fired and the employee because one slip
and we could derail, cause injury or even
kill the population in our city!!
1925 N/A 12/16/2019 9:35 PM
1926 It hasn't affected my relationship with my 12/16/2019 9:34 PM
immediate superiors. I can see that they
have noticeable increase in stress after
PSR began.
1927 It hasn't I don't trust anything about 12/16/2019 9:33 PM
this company
1928 Proved they have no respect for our lives 12/16/2019 9:33 PM
1929 I do not want to be approached by any of 12/16/2019 9:33 PM
them. I absolutely despise talking to
them l. No one is approachable . . . no
open door policy
1930 Is has not 12/16/2019 9:33 PM
1931 Gotten worse 12/16/2019 9:32 PM
1932 Has put every worker at risk. Managment is 12/16/2019 9:32 PM
more concerend with ``First OS'' then
anything else
1933 More stressful 12/16/2019 9:30 PM
1934 Lower management is under more pressure to 12/16/2019 9:29 PM
do more with less by upper management. It
all slides downhill
1935 We have no relationship. He's more worried 12/16/2019 9:27 PM
about his job than I am.
1936 Seems like the good managers are leaving, 12/16/2019 9:27 PM
bad ones being promoted. None of them
want to call attention to the problems
for fear they will be targeted for
termination
1937 We used to work together. Now give me the 12/16/2019 9:27 PM
opportunity to take their job and I will
in a heartbeat, as the feeling is mutual.
1938 Fair 12/16/2019 9:27 PM
1939 Never had one to begin with 12/16/2019 9:27 PM
1940 Same 12/16/2019 9:27 PM
1941 It causes much undue stress. I have also 12/16/2019 9:25 PM
seen managrs start to care less about the
company and safety also.
1942 It has become a very toxic working 12/16/2019 9:25 PM
environment since every supervisor/
manager fears for his/her job constantly.
It most certainly has become us against
them mentality.
1943 managers are under so much pressure that 12/16/2019 9:25 PM
it's trickled along to the employee to
hurry up by force. Bad relationship
1944 Lots of pressure on supervisors 12/16/2019 9:25 PM
1945 Hasn't 12/16/2019 9:24 PM
1946 I haven't seen much change with this 12/16/2019 9:24 PM
personally just they are being more
concerned with times and less safety
1947 It has not 12/16/2019 9:24 PM
1948 The relationship has definitely changed as 12/16/2019 9:24 PM
they keep wanting more and they
themselves are afraid of not meeting
certain goals because they are job
scared.
1949 PSR never really affected that. Other 12/16/2019 9:24 PM
management practices sure did, but PSR
never really played a part. If I had to
say one effect, it was the trickle down
of stress on us as maintenance of way
employees, union and management alike, to
get the work done on tight deadlines and
clear for the trains to run, and the ever-
present fear of God's wrath should we
dare hold them up to get the job done.
1950 None 12/16/2019 9:23 PM
1951 Feel like you're scrutinized more now 12/16/2019 9:23 PM
1952 More tense. 12/16/2019 9:23 PM
1953 Planning has went out the window, we are 12/16/2019 9:23 PM
just ``putting out fires'', so he is more
stressed and often that frustration is
taken out on the workers
1954 He has always been an incompetent, 12/16/2019 9:23 PM
heartless, emotional cripple. PSR has no
effect on him.
1955 More stressful 12/16/2019 9:23 PM
1956 Feel like I can't talk to them about 12/16/2019 9:21 PM
problems going on without feeling like
being the bad guy or afraid of being
charged
1957 Less senior managers, more uneducated EA 12/16/2019 9:20 PM
managers.
1958 Only change is they want things done 12/16/2019 9:20 PM
quickly to run trains
1959 They just want you to do more with less 12/16/2019 9:20 PM
1960 Neutral. It's above their head they say. 12/16/2019 9:19 PM
Corporate and stockholders. All for them
and none for the workers
1961 Not a lot but they're having us switch out 12/16/2019 9:19 PM
cars a lot more in route and pick up cars
in route that are not blocked right
1962 Managers don't seem to care for their 12/16/2019 9:19 PM
workers as much a past years (5) prior,
their boss is only worried about telling
them to get more production.
1963 I sometimes feel indirectly ``rushed'' at 12/16/2019 9:19 PM
work by my supervisor and it causes
tension.
1964 Managers tend to blame more on crews. As 12/16/2019 9:18 PM
well as put more on crews. Do more with
less manpower.
1965 Negative 12/16/2019 9:18 PM
1966 There is a new manager every month so not 12/16/2019 9:17 PM
sure.
1967 I just tell him I don't think it's good 12/16/2019 9:17 PM
for employees and a recipe for failure
and it doesn't affect my relationship
with him he just does what his bosses
tell him and is just a pawn in the game,
so I have no reason to be mad or feel he
is the problem it comes from the top not
the bottom of the company.
1968 Our manager was one of the worst managers 12/16/2019 9:17 PM
I've ever worked for
1969 Supervisors are stressed to the max and 12/16/2019 9:17 PM
are brow beaten into submission HQ to
make everyone else perform to their
desired standards. They accomplish this
by assessing erratic discipline and self
interpretation of carrier and FRA rules
1970 Relationship with immediate supervisor is 12/16/2019 9:16 PM
still good. Upper management is not good.
Upper management is only interested in
the operating ratio.
1971 Down 12/16/2019 9:15 PM
1972 Before, the management would involve the 12/16/2019 9:15 PM
local chairman (me) in promoting safety,
coming up with new better ways to work
safely and sometimes even the
transportation plan. Now if you see that
supervisor twice a month, you're lucky.
1973 Made it worse. All they care about are the 12/16/2019 9:14 PM
numbers.
1974 It hasn't. My supervisor is a worthless 12/16/2019 9:13 PM
piece of shit.
1975 Hardly ever see him. 12/16/2019 9:13 PM
1976 Made it more volatile due to the stress of 12/16/2019 9:13 PM
having to work unsafe to meet their goals
and they are afraid of being fired if we
do not meet the goals so their stress is
higher and is in turn taken out on us.
1977 They're given absurd goals that have to be 12/16/2019 9:13 PM
met by creating a web of false reports.
1978 N/A 12/16/2019 9:12 PM
1979 Strained 12/16/2019 9:12 PM
1980 There is only 8 hours in a day to be 12/16/2019 9:12 PM
worked so as an inspector I don't have
time to go in and talk with him.
1981 Most supervisors have to go along with 12/16/2019 9:11 PM
this farse, because if they don't do as
they are told they'll be replaced by
someone who will.
1982 Got laid off 12/16/2019 9:11 PM
1983 I no longer have contact with my manager 12/16/2019 9:10 PM
let alone know who it is from any given
day because it changes so often in fact
I'm on my third manager in the past three
months and only have met one of them that
introduced himself and actually told me
he was my manager. It seems like the
managers we consider to be good and
actually know the safety rules and show
that they care about the employees and
not the production do not last very long
and the company will bring in someone who
is simply a yes-man.
1984 it hasn't 12/16/2019 9:09 PM
1985 It hasn't 12/16/2019 9:09 PM
1986 Tension 12/16/2019 9:09 PM
1987 They still lie to us 12/16/2019 9:07 PM
1988 A bean counter only looks at the dollar 12/16/2019 9:06 PM
amount and not what it might actually
take to complete a job
1989 The relationship with first-line 12/16/2019 9:06 PM
supervisors have decreased dramatically
and the manager has basically stayed the
same.
1990 It hasn't only see them when it's PDR 12/16/2019 9:06 PM
time.
1991 They're afraid of losing their jobs, so 12/16/2019 9:06 PM
they are being more hard-nosed or
ruthless
1992 Shitty as always 12/16/2019 9:04 PM
1993 They appear to be under much more duress 12/16/2019 9:03 PM
1994 Stretched it thin. My manager is also 12/16/2019 9:03 PM
pressured to get more work done with a
limited budget that he's given and in
turn, he pressures us to do the same.
1995 Well furlough greatly affects relationship 12/16/2019 9:03 PM
when you don't have a supervisor sitting
at home
1996 Neither helped or hurt. The dynamic has 12/16/2019 9:03 PM
changed from struggles between labor and
management to office versus field. Our
supervisors are under such pressure to
perform tasks at break neck speeds in
finger tight quarters that we're all
feeling the heat of PSR. I guess in a way
it has pushed management to understand
our issues pre-PSR . . . so maybe there
is a hint of apathy from them to us now.
But not enough to rest your hat on.
1997 We still have a good relationship. I can 12/16/2019 9:02 PM
say the morale of field managers is in
the dumps. Their hands are tied.
1998 Never see them unless somebody screwed up 12/16/2019 9:01 PM
1999 N/A 12/16/2019 9:01 PM
2000 They're always in a hurry now you get hurt 12/16/2019 9:00 PM
turn it in they put you out of service
even if it was not your fault or they put
you in an unsafe situation
2001 Worse. Managers don't care about you or 12/16/2019 9:00 PM
what you have going on. They just want
you out the door.
2002 It hasn't affected relationship with 12/16/2019 9:00 PM
roadmaster but upper management relations
is at all time low and a lot of very
disgruntled employees
2003 N/A 12/16/2019 9:00 PM
2004 Luckily, locally remained the same 12/16/2019 8:59 PM
2005 It has not 12/16/2019 8:59 PM
2006 More us against them than in the past. 12/16/2019 8:59 PM
2007 I can't really say it has, but I know if 12/16/2019 8:59 PM
we don't use trip optimizer we get harsh
feedback and threatened with retaliation.
2008 Good communication 12/16/2019 8:57 PM
2009 None 12/16/2019 8:57 PM
2010 Unchanged 12/16/2019 8:56 PM
2011 Really no change If they are honest and 12/16/2019 8:55 PM
tell the truth on the job site then no
problems But if they lie everyone's
pissed and being focused on the job and
safety is tremendously diminished
2012 Not me personally. Besides workload 12/16/2019 8:54 PM
increase.
2013 Worse, they're always looking for 12/16/2019 8:53 PM
something wrong
2014 Relationship is still the same. Just here 12/16/2019 8:53 PM
do more with less a lot more frequently
2015 Strained. I have a wife and family of 3 12/16/2019 8:51 PM
young children who I have seen less this
year than any other and I'm expected to
answer the phone all weekend long to
benefit the company as well. Everyone
where I work is burnt out and that
especially includes the supervisor
because the unrealistic goals are set on
him as well.
2016 It's all go go go. 12/16/2019 8:51 PM
2017 I don't really talk to them anymore. I 12/16/2019 8:50 PM
used to have a very open line but now I
just do my job. Lots of upset workers
around me as well upset about the same
things
2018 I don't think it has as much effect on our 12/16/2019 8:50 PM
department as it does transportation. I
do know a lot of people are sitting at
home with hungry families because of it.
2019 I'm bidding out 12/16/2019 8:50 PM
2020 More detached and alienated 12/16/2019 8:50 PM
2021 No relationships the company piles on more 12/16/2019 8:50 PM
responsibilities. So they are so busy
trying to meet expectations that they
just do what they are told to do or fire
them.
2022 Hasn't affected it however we don't see 12/16/2019 8:49 PM
him because he's overloaded with more
than he should have on his plate as far
as the amount of gangs he's in charge of.
2023 N/A 12/16/2019 8:49 PM
2024 Supervision/management expects us to do 12/16/2019 8:49 PM
more work with less people resulting in
longer work days. Management expects us
to live out here and put our personal
lives second.
2025 It has poisoned those relationships. My 12/16/2019 8:49 PM
immediate supervisors are under the axe
just like the rest of us. It feels as
though we're in a Soviet munitions plant,
and any quota missed means the deaths of
several people. The environment is toxic.
2026 Made or more stressful and difficult to 12/16/2019 8:49 PM
talk to. The ones that will discuss it
openly are just as worried about their
future as anyone else. They just won't
say it in fear of being fired
2027 Personally my managers that I deal with 12/16/2019 8:48 PM
feel the same as I do. Though I bet there
is no way they would admit that to the
bosses.
2028 He is under the same and more pressure and 12/16/2019 8:47 PM
stress as I am
2029 Really unaware of it as of yet. 12/16/2019 8:47 PM
2030 No change 12/16/2019 8:47 PM
2031 Made it more tense 12/16/2019 8:47 PM
2032 Well, it has gotten worse between all of 12/16/2019 8:46 PM
the employees and managers at some point.
We are getting pushed to do our job, then
have to do other jobs because we don't
have the manpower, and it's all because
of PSR.
2033 Neutral 12/16/2019 8:45 PM
2034 The managers I've spoken with have voiced 12/16/2019 8:45 PM
concern about safety.
2035 Can't trust them 12/16/2019 8:44 PM
2036 It hasn't 12/16/2019 8:43 PM
2037 N/A 12/16/2019 8:43 PM
2038 Morale is at an all time low. They want us 12/16/2019 8:43 PM
to be ``safe'' yet they push everyday for
longer trains and more exposure for
injury.
2039 Supervisors under way more stress 12/16/2019 8:43 PM
2040 The relationship with supervision is fine 12/16/2019 8:43 PM
it's the inexperienced management I have
problems with.
2041 ... 12/16/2019 8:42 PM
2042 Not sure--My relationship with my FLS is 12/16/2019 8:42 PM
one of understanding; he does what he has
to in order to help BNSF realize its
goals Just seems like BNSF goals don't
include the workers livelihood (cost of
living in Seattle) We should be equally
compensated across the system (fair there
is no fair here kinda thing).
2043 It hasn't I do what I'm told and that's 12/16/2019 8:42 PM
it.
2044 Luckily, my relationship between my 12/16/2019 8:41 PM
manager and supervisor has not affected
me. But I know for sure that anything
above them are company people and do not
even interact with workers like my self.
2045 It just seems like our boss is under a lot 12/16/2019 8:40 PM
more pressure
2046 They have tried to get us to bend rules to 12/16/2019 8:40 PM
complete task with the decrease in time
allowed to occupy the tracks
2047 There is no relationship, here is what 12/16/2019 8:40 PM
you're doing get it done with what you
have
2048 Remains unchanged 12/16/2019 8:40 PM
2049 Harder to contact my manager and I'm sure 12/16/2019 8:39 PM
he has many more now to oversee
2050 He's okay but his boss is pushing him to 12/16/2019 8:39 PM
work us harder than they already are
2051 I never met my supervisor. They're pressed 12/16/2019 8:39 PM
with the extra workload up on them.
2052 Not really I just know they have money for 12/16/2019 8:38 PM
contractors not us
2053 Manager seems disconnected just seems to 12/16/2019 8:38 PM
be towing the company line.
2054 It's getting harder to trust that they'll 12/16/2019 8:38 PM
do what they say. Every problem is money
or budget caused and all decisions are
likewise made with money and budget as
primary concern
2055 Hasn't gotten any better 12/16/2019 8:37 PM
2056 Supervisors are more and more pressured 12/16/2019 8:36 PM
and less experienced from my experience.
2057 Made it worst their supervisors are 12/16/2019 8:36 PM
pushing the PSR hard
2058 Yes. Before all this we had managers that 12/16/2019 8:35 PM
cared about more than just the bottom
line. Now all management cares for is
stockholders and their own pockets
2059 They have the attitude anymore that they 12/16/2019 8:35 PM
have to watch every little penny spent
and are told they can't purchase anything
2060 Supervisors are continually pushing you to 12/16/2019 8:35 PM
get done quicker, and even then add more
work knowing you don't have the time.
2061 Makes things tense 12/16/2019 8:35 PM
2062 More so than ever we are seen as 12/16/2019 8:34 PM
liabilities to management and nothing
more.
2063 None. 12/16/2019 8:34 PM
2064 With the Manager, no. With the Director, 12/16/2019 8:34 PM
yes.
2065 It hasn't, but it has caused employee 12/16/2019 8:33 PM
morale to tank.
2066 I never see them, they are there for 12/16/2019 8:32 PM
awhile during the daylight hours
2067 Managers hate their job worse than anyone 12/16/2019 8:32 PM
I've ever seen,they're so scared to lose
their job
2068 Don't Know That Either 12/16/2019 8:32 PM
2069 Strained more now than just 8 months ago. 12/16/2019 8:32 PM
Hiding the shortcuts hoping they don't
find out. Saying things over the radio
just so they can hear it whether it's
done that way or not.
2070 managers are who they are 12/16/2019 8:31 PM
2071 Not too bad so far 12/16/2019 8:31 PM
2072 Tension/between Co. & workers 12/16/2019 8:31 PM
2073 It has went downhill 12/16/2019 8:31 PM
2074 Depends on the supervisor. And to what 12/16/2019 8:30 PM
degree they like you
2075 Working under fear tactics. Looking over 12/16/2019 8:30 PM
our shoulder and in the air trying not to
get run off.
2076 Managers seem to be stressed out and take 12/16/2019 8:30 PM
it out on the employees
2077 They never tell you anything about it 12/16/2019 8:29 PM
2078 Well they make work very uncomfortable. 12/16/2019 8:29 PM
Push push push. Not what I imagine it.
Also they yell profanity at you. So
unprofessional. The system is wrong on
putting people on those positions.
2079 Trainmasters are so stressed out and 12/16/2019 8:28 PM
cannot control it. Much less time is
spent with the trainmasters.
2080 They seem to not care as much about the 12/16/2019 8:28 PM
workers anymore. They care more about
production numbers.
2081 More contentious, 12/16/2019 8:28 PM
2082 More stressful relationships for sure. 12/16/2019 8:27 PM
2083 It has not, everyone at my level feels 12/16/2019 8:27 PM
like PSR is an unsustainable temporary
way to ruin the company by making some
short-term profits
2084 It's ok when we are caught up, but could 12/16/2019 8:26 PM
be better when trying to catch up to work
2085 Manager has never cared about field forces 12/16/2019 8:26 PM
and never will, never had a good
relationship with him to begin with.
Supervisor is a puppet for managers.
2086 Never see them 12/16/2019 8:26 PM
2087 It has worsened any relationship between 12/16/2019 8:26 PM
Management and the workforce. Management
is under constant pressure to do whatever
it takes even breaking rules to keep
trains moving
2088 More pressure to get the work done, which 12/16/2019 8:25 PM
causes an unhealthy relationship from
both sides at times.
2089 They've replaced experienced management 12/16/2019 8:23 PM
with college kids who are not willing to
listen to experienced employee's input.
2090 Poorly 12/16/2019 8:23 PM
2091 Keeps them on you about slow orders and 12/16/2019 8:23 PM
they expect more and more. They seem
pissed when you don't complete a slow
order even if you work 14+ trying to do
so but there is just more work needed to
complete it. Making them happy now seem
unattainable
2092 The morale is horrible the supervisors are 12/16/2019 8:23 PM
afraid they're going to lose their jobs
too so they overlook safety and do
whatever the company says, so you have
horrible issues with management and
workers. The bottom line is everybody is
afraid of losing their job so safety is
overlooked.
2093 They probably fear for their lives now. 12/16/2019 8:23 PM
2094 Negatively 12/16/2019 8:23 PM
2095 Supp/Mang. have been looking for ways to 12/16/2019 8:22 PM
justify their jobs as why do we need a
ratio of supervisors per employees that's
more than what students have per teachers
in school. We have a bunch of paparazzi's
following us around just so they can get
a story to turn in in order to get a
feather in their hat. It's ok for them to
talk down to us but look to if we voice
our opinion
2096 Don't have no relationship 12/16/2019 8:22 PM
2097 N/A 12/16/2019 8:21 PM
2098 Has not most of the supervisors that are 12/16/2019 8:20 PM
working now have had very little time on
the track have only worked on system
gangs you can tell when you go work on a
different area and start working for that
Roadmaster that treat you like you're a
system gang
2099 Greatly, this whole push you out the door 12/16/2019 8:20 PM
and get on that train tactic only
amplifies the anxiety.
2100 Many managers have quit because they don't 12/16/2019 8:20 PM
get time off due to so many being cut or
quitting. That makes frontline managers
more relatable to employees. Middle and
upper management's relationship with
craft has worsened
2101 makes us more combative 12/16/2019 8:18 PM
2102 Don't have a job. 12/16/2019 8:17 PM
2103 I feel we are no longer cared about. All 12/16/2019 8:17 PM
that matters is if we get the job done.
2104 Stressed. Want miracle amount of 12/16/2019 8:17 PM
production with no track and time. Also,
they move us after we have paid for the
week at motel
2105 Luckily our supervisors jobs are also on 12/16/2019 8:16 PM
the fence so there is a common ground of
do what we are told to do even if we know
it's going to fail
2106 Still the same 12/16/2019 8:16 PM
2107 I don't interact much with my supervisor/ 12/16/2019 8:15 PM
manager. I am currently furloughed.
2108 My direct supervisor has had their 12/16/2019 8:15 PM
territory doubled if not tripled. These
gents are under the same pressures as us.
Makes for a very hostile work
environment. Wether it's to report a meal
worked through or overtime needed. Or, a
tool being asked for to perform a task in
a safer manner. Cutting costs is at an
all time high, yet the railroad wastes
soooooo much in areas that makes you
shake your head when drawn in
comparisons.
2109 They seem to feel the same way as the rest 12/16/2019 8:15 PM
of us.
2110 My direct supervisor has remained the 12/16/2019 8:15 PM
same. We have worked together, as always,
to get through the best we can and keep
everyone out of trouble.
2111 Honestly it hasn't really changed with the 12/16/2019 8:14 PM
frontline managers. They seem as
frustrated as we are. I can't speak for
anyone above them because I do not deal
with them on a daily basis.
2112 It has become strained because the ones 12/16/2019 8:14 PM
above them are putting pressure on them
to get more done so therefore they put
more pressure on the men that actually do
the work
2113 No relationship at all since managers 12/16/2019 8:14 PM
change every year
2114 Much better 12/16/2019 8:14 PM
2115 Really pushing numbers 12/16/2019 8:14 PM
2116 PSR has affected all supervisors in a bad 12/16/2019 8:13 PM
way starting from the top down. And
unfortunately it affects all other
employees. It's sad to say when I come
into work when my boss is at the office .
, . I feel like going back home then have
to deal with him in the mornings. The
companies that do PSR quite frankly don't
care.
2117 Causing them to be more stressed which 12/16/2019 8:13 PM
rolls downhill to us
2118 Low morale, supervisiors doing our jobs 12/16/2019 8:12 PM
2119 Nonexistent, it's a revolving door where 12/16/2019 8:12 PM
supervisors are concerned.
2120 Less communication . . . managers are so 12/16/2019 8:11 PM
focused and programmed on PSR. And less
with us
2121 There are no relationships anymore 12/16/2019 8:11 PM
2122 Management is seldom ever seen . . . 12/16/2019 8:11 PM
Although the work environment is not as
hostile anymore
2123 More stressful 12/16/2019 8:10 PM
2124 I don't know, I hardly see them. 12/16/2019 8:10 PM
2125 I hardly see them. 12/16/2019 8:10 PM
2126 There is no longer a management/employee 12/16/2019 8:09 PM
relationship. Managers are instructed to
test less and push for production more.
Attitudes towards managers have gone in
the dumps due to the way the company
pushes them to ignore safety issues.
Employees are tired of it.
2127 It has strained the relationship. Again, 12/16/2019 8:09 PM
from the uncertainty of our future and
employment standpoint. Of course, he is
just a messenger and is only passing
information along from upper management.
2128 Well two of our supervisors quit from the 12/16/2019 8:09 PM
pressure of higher management and tough
struggles with budget and keeping people
happy.
2129 No difference they just expect more out of 12/16/2019 8:09 PM
you in a shorter time frame. I am sure
that all comes from the top.
2130 Depends on the day 12/16/2019 8:09 PM
2131 None 12/16/2019 8:09 PM
2132 Better, they overlook infractions 12/16/2019 8:08 PM
2133 Stressful 12/16/2019 8:08 PM
2134 It has degraded most relationships with 12/16/2019 8:08 PM
managers. They all seem way more stressed
out and seem focused on being out to get
you more than being a leader.
2135 Now it's an us vs them mentality. 12/16/2019 8:08 PM
2136 They keep swapping managers 12/16/2019 8:08 PM
2137 It has created a hostile work environment! 12/16/2019 8:08 PM
Management in every terminal is forced to
cut workforce as much as seemingly
possible. Then they won't approve
personal leave or vacation because they
say they don't have the manpower. All
while 100+ employees in every terminal
have been on the unemployment line for
over a year.
2138 It sucks, go, go, go, safety out the 12/16/2019 8:08 PM
window
2139 A lot more stressful, less money for tools 12/16/2019 8:08 PM
and more production with less people
2140 When I was a manager if we went through a 12/16/2019 8:08 PM
realignment and after receiving a bonus
in February of 2019 my last manager had
HR reverse the funds and took the money
from my account.
2141 My manager is awesome. Wish I could say 12/16/2019 8:08 PM
the same for the Union
2142 None 12/16/2019 8:07 PM
2143 Deteriorating daily 12/16/2019 8:07 PM
2144 Made it worse. 12/16/2019 8:07 PM
2145 My relationship with the management I've 12/16/2019 8:07 PM
been in contact with has been good with
everyone but the pressure that's on them
is passed to us
2146 None 12/16/2019 8:06 PM
2147 Added unnecessary friction with the 12/16/2019 8:06 PM
implementation of more O-tests
2148 It's terrible 12/16/2019 8:06 PM
2149 Less of them. They have been replaced with 12/16/2019 8:05 PM
educated puppets that don't know right
from wrong. My new manager is a 23 year
old kid out of college who will willingly
go down with the ship.
2150 Nothing changed besides the doom and gloom 12/16/2019 8:05 PM
stories about the future
2151 Adversely, they seem even more like they 12/16/2019 8:05 PM
are out to get us.
2152 As a union rep I am forced to talk to 12/16/2019 8:05 PM
management about safety concerns and
reports to FRA
2153 I've been on a RSG gang the past year. 12/16/2019 8:05 PM
Other then them hiring 22 year old kids
straight out of school that have never
had a job to speak of their entire life
things seem to be good.
2154 Everyone is expected to fall in line and 12/16/2019 8:04 PM
do what been told effectively and there
really isn't any feedback that's taken.
Concerns are heard but are told that it's
the new way of railroading so get use to
it cause that's the way it is. Useless
putting out safety concerns.
2155 I would say so they expect everything to 12/16/2019 8:04 PM
be done at lightning speed and threaten
you if you don't get it done
2156 Yes. There is no longer a friendly 12/16/2019 8:03 PM
relationship with our superiors instead
they feel more like slave drivers
cracking a whip in order to reach their
quotas.
2157 Neutral 12/16/2019 8:03 PM
2158 Never see them . . . they seem stressed 12/16/2019 8:02 PM
out
2159 I try to avoid him at all cost. 12/16/2019 8:02 PM
2160 It has changed the way work is handled by 12/16/2019 8:02 PM
the work group. We used to be able to put
a job off till another day and do a more
pressing job today. Upper management has
put deadlines on jobs that are in most
cases are not realistic and this in turn
puts pressure on the Roadmasters to get
the job done at all costs. But if you
tell them that the pressure being put on
you is overbearing the response, once
again BNSF because that's all I have
knowledge of, back to you is you're
putting the pressure on yourself because
it's only perceived pressure because BNSF
never puts pressure or deadlines on
anything or anybody.
2161 I'm not sure how PSR has affected 12/16/2019 8:02 PM
supervision, but our company seems to be
placing college educated ``kids'' into
management jobs rather than promoting
from the ranks. This has led to our
supervisors pushing to get more
production because they don't know what
it takes to do a job.
2162 It has ruined many relationships and 12/16/2019 8:01 PM
future relationships with current and
future supervisors. They don't worry
about fixing the track they worry about
their budgets so they can receive a bonus
at the end of the year. They don't care
about safety to the workers and most
importantly the public. The workers want
to get the job done right but the
managers rush us out off the job site so
then we get mad at them because we want
to fix it the right way but they only
allow bandaid solutions.
2163 If I had a relationship with one I would 12/16/2019 8:01 PM
tell you
2164 Stressed is due to the requirements of 12/16/2019 8:01 PM
needing to be out of yard by a certain
time. Sometimes things happen and it's
not possible without taking shortcuts or
breaking rules.
2165 No any he got cut off 12/16/2019 8:01 PM
2166 Our management are all running scared. 12/16/2019 8:00 PM
They are constantly wondering if their
job is the next one that's getting cut.
They are all feeling the pressure of PSR.
They have to get the crews to do more
with less. The relationships are strained
because of it.
2167 In Spokane we had a very shitty manager 12/16/2019 8:00 PM
named Mike Alt. PSR got rid of him.
That's one thing I love about PSR
2168 PSR has created an adversarial 12/16/2019 8:00 PM
relationship between frontline employees
and management. Frontline employees now
see management as a threat and as someone
that is only trying to get them fired. I
know for a fact that on my railroad the
frontline managers have been instructed
to keep TY&E employees purposely unhappy.
2169 I live in a constant state of fear and 12/16/2019 8:00 PM
misery.
2170 It's worse 12/16/2019 7:59 PM
2171 Management is afraid they will get cut if 12/16/2019 7:58 PM
things don't run smoothly, they have cut
my local management in half and it is
more difficult to find a supervisor to
get safety equipment or to ask questions.
My personal supervisors don't agree with
what the company is doing but they try to
make the best out of it and actually help
us more now. Everyone feels under the gun
I feel like.
2172 Don't see them 12/16/2019 7:57 PM
2173 They don't even know what PSR stands for 12/16/2019 7:57 PM
probably.
2174 There is no relationship 12/16/2019 7:56 PM
2175 We are being asked to perform work that a 12/16/2019 7:56 PM
year ago would not have been considered
for safety reasons which is causing
friction between employees and manager.
2176 Who is that! Lack of communication is 12/16/2019 7:56 PM
number 1 priority.
2177 My relationship hasn't really been 12/16/2019 7:56 PM
affected, one I know it's not their fault
and the ones I've worked for don't like
it either.
2178 No difference 12/16/2019 7:56 PM
2179 No changes yet 12/16/2019 7:56 PM
2180 A definitive change for the worse 12/16/2019 7:56 PM
2181 Capitol projects have been canceled due to 12/16/2019 7:55 PM
budget restraints and I have had to apply
multiple slow orders on my territory
causing hostilities between us
2182 Frontline managers dislike PSR as well. 12/16/2019 7:54 PM
2183 Our relationships are the same as always, 12/16/2019 7:54 PM
as long as I'm doing what it takes to
make the company money and conform to the
policies then it is fine
2184 It has become more hostile due to him 12/16/2019 7:54 PM
being under more pressure.
2185 Heightened adversarial feelings. Us vs. 12/16/2019 7:54 PM
them. No willingness to work towards a
common goal.
2186 Not a good relationship anymore. They have 12/16/2019 7:54 PM
pressure on them to push us harder so we
get an attitude and our morale is down
2187 He is basically an idiot. Doesn't know 12/16/2019 7:54 PM
anything about Railroading
2188 Rd master has more pressure for us to get 12/16/2019 7:54 PM
that work done in a certain amount of
time and higher up don't want to hear the
excuses that we have why we can't get out
there and do the job so there are times
safety goes out of the picture
2189 The same 12/16/2019 7:53 PM
2190 No longer meet with management as I am 12/16/2019 7:53 PM
retired.
2191 Honestly and simply they are just more 12/16/2019 7:53 PM
full of shit than they were prior to PSR.
2192 N/A 12/16/2019 7:52 PM
2193 There is no relationship with the manager 12/16/2019 7:52 PM
anymore. Their workload has increased
just as much as ours. On a territory that
is a few hundred miles long and used to
have two managers covering the area now
there is no manager. So we have hardly
any guidance some days we don't hear from
a manager and we are lucky if we see a
manager once a month.
2194 What relationship 12/16/2019 7:52 PM
2195 My relationship remains the same because 12/16/2019 7:52 PM
we have good management in our division
but it does get upsetting when pressured
to complete a task that both them and I
know can't be met yet they pressured us
on so if it doesn't get completed it's
easy to say the train men dropped the
ball
2196 Made it worse they have to answer for why 12/16/2019 7:52 PM
it is not working and they retaliate on
to the employees for them getting yelled
at
2197 I have been employed for 19 years in 12/16/2019 7:52 PM
transportation. What started out as a
good work environment and an open door
policy with management has turned into a
chaotic and do as you're told and do not
question management. Very hostile and one
sided work environment.
2198 Don't talk to them 12/16/2019 7:51 PM
2199 Nothing have really changed 12/16/2019 7:51 PM
2200 Our manager calling us intoxicated and 12/16/2019 7:51 PM
planning our work week intoxicated
affects the relationship daily
2201 I'll do my job, he does his, nobody cares 12/16/2019 7:51 PM
about relationships here it's all about
the money up makes
2202 Lack of personnel. Less people and more 12/16/2019 7:51 PM
work. Managers have to cut corners to
keep defects out of the red
2203 In my opinion it makes their job much more 12/16/2019 7:50 PM
difficult and I think we will lose
quality supervisors over PSR.
2204 Hasn't affected mine at all in my opinion. 12/16/2019 7:50 PM
I just come to work, do my job as safely
as possible and go home.
2205 So far it is great but he is about to 12/16/2019 7:50 PM
retire and we will get stuck with someone
that may not be as great to work for.
2206 None 12/16/2019 7:50 PM
2207 Every manager is under high pressure 12/16/2019 7:49 PM
leading to mood swings and a combative
work environment with little production
2208 It hasn't affected it. 12/16/2019 7:48 PM
2209 The managers still try to blame us when 12/16/2019 7:48 PM
it's the dispatcher not giving us the
time we need to get the work done
2210 They don't care about the amount of work 12/16/2019 7:48 PM
they are putting on fewer men and it
creates friction
2211 I do not communicate 12/16/2019 7:48 PM
2212 Though it was strained at first, most 12/16/2019 7:48 PM
field managers now see how terrible the
business model is. We generally get along
well, and still try to service customers
and keep safety at a forefront though
senior level leadership pushes other
agendas.
2213 PSR makes the managers push us more and 12/16/2019 7:48 PM
more, wanting us to do everyones job with
one position.
2214 It's put unneeded stress on both the 12/16/2019 7:47 PM
supervisor and myself
2215 There's no more morale. The managers are 12/16/2019 7:47 PM
all worried about getting in trouble by
upper management sup their attitude had
changed toward crews.
2216 They are forced to be the bad guy by the 12/16/2019 7:47 PM
cowards above them. Forced to charge us
for circumstances beyond our control.
2217 Don't believe it has affected my 12/16/2019 7:46 PM
relationship with my current supervisor
2218 No difference 12/16/2019 7:46 PM
2219 N/A as our yard has had managers come and 12/16/2019 7:46 PM
go frequently
2220 More pressure on the supervisors to get 12/16/2019 7:45 PM
work done in less time which rolls down
to everyone
2221 I have many supervisors being on mobile 12/16/2019 7:45 PM
crews, but for the most part I haven't
noticed anything different
2222 Can't talk to them. No trust there anymore 12/16/2019 7:45 PM
2223 More stress on getting things done. Again 12/16/2019 7:45 PM
not enough help. Unrealistic goals.
Unfinished projects. Row looks like crap.
He/she says tasks need to be done with
not really knowing what it takes.
2224 Actually better he doesn't give a shit 12/16/2019 7:44 PM
because he knows he's going to be fired
2225 I've gone through 4 different supervisors 12/16/2019 7:44 PM
in the last year and the manager is
unknown to us at this time. So there is
not much of a relationship and the
supervisor don't really seem to care
about the employees anymore and seem to
be stressed about how to get the job done
with the resources available to them.
2226 I don't trust most supervisors. A select 12/16/2019 7:44 PM
few are still standup people but most
aren't
2227 It has put a burden on me, I am more 12/16/2019 7:44 PM
fearful everyday to voice my concerns.
2228 Actually the relationship with my 12/16/2019 7:44 PM
immediate manager is better, simply
because the company has done away with so
many jobs, have chased away so much
business, have upset so many customers
that there are so fewer employees now.
The manager no longer has 200 employees
to check in with, he has 50.
2229 It has gotten much worse. Seems that when 12/16/2019 7:44 PM
you turn down power they try to fire you
for delaying trains and being undermined
every time you turn in defects.
2230 More stressed relationship, we are being 12/16/2019 7:43 PM
pushed to get work done faster.
Management has the added pressure of
their jobs being in jeapardy
2231 Not sure how to answer 12/16/2019 7:43 PM
2232 It has hurt it. There is an ``us against 12/16/2019 7:43 PM
them'' mentality
2233 Men are working tired and management keeps 12/16/2019 7:43 PM
adding to the workload without having
additional forces to help.
2234 I never see them 12/16/2019 7:43 PM
2235 Nothing has changed 12/16/2019 7:43 PM
2236 Always feel pressured to avoid getting in 12/16/2019 7:42 PM
the way of doing the required work.
2237 There is even more animosity between craft 12/16/2019 7:42 PM
workers and management now.
2238 You can never do enough for them or if you 12/16/2019 7:42 PM
come up with a better safer way they
still have to do it their way. So yes it
affects the relationship
2239 Great I suppose just because of our 12/16/2019 7:42 PM
personal relationships and or dealings
though I would venture to say. So overall
good.
2240 Never see manager 12/16/2019 7:42 PM
2241 Managers are in fear of their jobs due to 12/16/2019 7:41 PM
cut backs. The loss of manpower has
managers desperate to get things done.
2242 You have to watch your every move because 12/16/2019 7:41 PM
jobs are being cut everyday
2243 It has made it tougher because we don't 12/16/2019 7:41 PM
know from one day to the next who the
supervisor may be.
2244 There is no relationship. Because most are 12/16/2019 7:41 PM
just out of college and don't understand
what is happening.
2245 There is no relationship with them 12/16/2019 7:41 PM
2246 Worse they have have to much pushed on 12/16/2019 7:40 PM
them also. More work fewer employees.
Safety, is what goes first easiest to
over look!
2247 Morale is at an all time low with all 12/16/2019 7:40 PM
workers including some in management
2248 Managers in the line of work I do are 12/16/2019 7:40 PM
somewhat removed from most direct
influence from their superiors. Other
areas, I choose not to work in, I've seen
``hit squads'' roaming around writing
people up and the managers have to tow
the line with the company and do their
bidding or they will be removed from that
position.
2249 Poor relations between management and 12/16/2019 7:40 PM
employees. There is more concern to keep
your job than do a good job
2250 No personal interference 12/16/2019 7:40 PM
2251 I feel my supervisor is stressed and it 12/16/2019 7:39 PM
appears he is more concerned about his
job and not me or my working conditions.
2252 He expects more because he thinks there 12/16/2019 7:39 PM
are less trains, but it has been harder
to get on the track which causes me to
underperform for the normal.
2253 Horribly. Already a lack of trust, PSR 12/16/2019 7:39 PM
puts emphasis on getting trains out on
time, whether or not they have been
properly inspected (air, mechanical) and
it is further strained by this. Literally
have had management make subtle threats
over trains being late departing. even
when we are ready to go and dispatchers
are the ones holding us. There's no
cohesiveness. Their bonuses come from
productivity and how many employees they
have ``handled'' for discipline
2254 Less trust and more anxiety. 12/16/2019 7:39 PM
2255 Less organization 12/16/2019 7:39 PM
2256 Gotten a lot worse they got them scared of 12/16/2019 7:39 PM
losing their jobs.
2257 It's more of a tolerance issue! They only 12/16/2019 7:39 PM
care about the numbers
2258 The management seems to constantly be on 12/16/2019 7:39 PM
edge. extremely concerned about losing
their jobs which in turn makes the
pressure they put on us that much more
intense.
2259 Little change, although they are less 12/16/2019 7:39 PM
prone to sourcing the material and
equipment needed to do the job, unless
it's a contractor.
2260 There is no supervision, as the PSR has 12/16/2019 7:39 PM
fired or let go of most of the managers/
supervisors and the ones left are
stretched so thin
2261 Luckily my manager has stayed a level 12/16/2019 7:38 PM
course but I have seen a lot of managers
being moved to new locations constantly
2262 Managers and supervisors have no clue 12/16/2019 7:38 PM
what's happening
2263 It has made things more tense and they lie 12/16/2019 7:38 PM
a hell of a lot more now.
2264 Makes it hard to want to give it my all 12/16/2019 7:38 PM
day in and day out knowing they just care
about money and more money
2265 Really depends on how good of a person 12/16/2019 7:37 PM
they are some understand that we are
tired and overworked others do not care
the least bit just see the work getting
done and could care less about how or who
is completing the jobs
2266 It hasn't really because I don't think he 12/16/2019 7:37 PM
cares for it either but his hands are
tied!
2267 It has become a constant issue of 12/16/2019 7:37 PM
explaining the work I have been assigned
and the work in progress. My managers
(Trainmasters) appear to not hold job
briefings when relieving each other at
shift change. Failure to do so, causes
the working crews to have to explain the
work to be done, and lately causes a lot
of work changes, not good ones. It's a
lot to regroup when planned work changes
in mid process.
2268 My immediate leaders, like us felt the 12/16/2019 7:37 PM
hurt being they have to be on property
with us. So that relationship has
maintained and is still strong.
2269 Made it stressful 12/16/2019 7:37 PM
2270 Us ground employees have always had a 12/16/2019 7:36 PM
strained relationship with the
supervisors and managers. They come and
go as they please and seem to forget that
we have lives outside of work also. We
can't just pack up and leave after a
conference call like most train masters
do and not be there for the rest of the
day while we get in trouble for taking 1
to many days off in a month.
2271 It has severely declined due to the fact 12/16/2019 7:36 PM
he is worried about saving his job and
nothing else
2272 Supervisors/Managers are stressed out due 12/16/2019 7:36 PM
to the fact of not enough manpower to
maintain daily work projects.
2273 Everyone seems on edge trying to save 12/16/2019 7:35 PM
their own job
2274 N/A 12/16/2019 7:35 PM
2275 Diminished relationships 12/16/2019 7:35 PM
2276 It's hard approaching management when all 12/16/2019 7:35 PM
they are worried about is saving a dollar
and that affects the relationship mtm to
employee on a personal level
2277 Managers always treat their employees as 12/16/2019 7:35 PM
objects. A tool to get the job done. ``If
you can't do it, we will get contractors
that will''.
2278 Management expects more with less it is 12/16/2019 7:34 PM
sometimes difficult to do our jobs
2279 More time constraints. He gets pressured 12/16/2019 7:34 PM
more so it trickles down.
2280 Made it worse. 12/16/2019 7:34 PM
2281 None 12/16/2019 7:34 PM
2282 Just don't have the time to do the work 12/16/2019 7:34 PM
2283 What relationships?? 12/16/2019 7:33 PM
2284 It has put more focus on the supervisors 12/16/2019 7:33 PM
to pay more attention to the quality of
work that the workers are doing
2285 Less confidence 12/16/2019 7:33 PM
2286 More tension 12/16/2019 7:33 PM
2287 Never see them anymore. If they were out 12/16/2019 7:32 PM
talking to you that would slow down
production
2288 Harder to talk to for fear of retaliation 12/16/2019 7:32 PM
because of diminishing workforce. Treats
of losing your position
2289 Don't see them anymore so I don't have an 12/16/2019 7:32 PM
answer
2290 I have no relationship with my supervisor 12/16/2019 7:32 PM
other than trying to deal with his
bullying and knows it's all attitude.
2291 Stressed 12/16/2019 7:31 PM
2292 Trust issues 12/16/2019 7:31 PM
2293 Oddly distance 12/16/2019 7:31 PM
2294 Bad 12/16/2019 7:31 PM
2295 Yes and no, because they don't control 12/16/2019 7:31 PM
shifts or hours that you work.
2296 Management is always on edge and 12/16/2019 7:30 PM
overworked due to severe cuts to area
supervisors. So I wouldn't say my
relationship has changed but my manager
has an extremely shorter fuse now.
2297 U.P. management are told from the time 12/16/2019 7:30 PM
they get a supervisor position that they
are not to be friendly or work with the
workforce. This is actually told to them
in their orientation introduction class
when they are chosen for the job.
2298 It hasn't affected me. 12/16/2019 7:29 PM
2299 Made it worse. Operational tests are a 12/16/2019 7:29 PM
joke. Almost all of them are pencil
whipped. Management seems to want more
failures, but only to use to fire the
poor performers
2300 Since the implementation of PSR, I've seen 12/16/2019 7:29 PM
a manager (including my assigned one)
maybe 4 times
2301 Sadly managers are all afraid for their 12/16/2019 7:28 PM
jobs consequently they lean on us more
than ever
2302 It has made it more tense because we are 12/16/2019 7:28 PM
both dodging layoffs all the time
2303 It has created a more stressful 12/16/2019 7:28 PM
relationship which is feeding the ``us
versus them'' mentality. They are so
worried about their budget that we feel
rushed to do our jobs with less people.
2304 My manager treats us decent, he is a craft 12/16/2019 7:27 PM
manager and I think he goes to bat for us
often.
2305 Strained working relationships due to 12/16/2019 7:27 PM
constant need for greater speed, faster
moves and less regard for employees
safety
2306 They are more harassing now than before 12/16/2019 7:27 PM
2307 The supervisor worker relay has and will 12/16/2019 7:27 PM
always be garbage. We don't and can't
trust supervision. It has always been
that way. I've never worked somewhere
where they spend 6 months trying to hire
you and the rest of your career trying to
fire you.
2308 Less people but they still want the same 12/16/2019 7:27 PM
production.
2309 I trust them even less. They have no idea 12/16/2019 7:27 PM
what to do. No answers. Job briefings are
very vague
2310 Stressed. Only worsened. 12/16/2019 7:26 PM
2311 No real difference, they're just the 12/16/2019 7:26 PM
messengers of more bad news
2312 Gone downhill 12/16/2019 7:26 PM
2313 They seem more stressed and agitated 12/16/2019 7:25 PM
2314 You can't trust them even more. 12/16/2019 7:25 PM
2315 I have never met my supervisor, we only 12/16/2019 7:24 PM
communicate by e-mail. He does not have
time for phone calls.
2316 He doesn't care about anything but his 12/16/2019 7:24 PM
check and bonuses. They won't stand up
and defend you because it would throw
their ass in the fryer too
2317 It makes for a hostile work environment 12/16/2019 7:24 PM
because they are under pressure to do the
wrong thing and then expect you to
follow.
2318 I think he is just as flustered as 12/16/2019 7:24 PM
everyone else
2319 Yes they seem on the edge uptight and have 12/16/2019 7:24 PM
no answers to the questions the men ask.
2320 I was always OK with the railroads safety 12/16/2019 7:23 PM
rules and the idea of them caring about
safety over production. Watching the
railroad force management to push
production with no intentions of valuing
safety at the same time I am disgusted at
the lack of integrity
2321 PSR has made the stress levels rise, not 12/16/2019 7:23 PM
only are the relationships with managers
more tense, but relationships with
coworkers are more hostile.
2322 Yes because of supervisor turnaround, I'm 12/16/2019 7:23 PM
on my third manager in 3 years compared
to 2 in 8 1/2 years prior to PSR
2323 The same as always 12/16/2019 7:23 PM
2324 None 12/16/2019 7:23 PM
2325 No respect. 12/16/2019 7:23 PM
2326 I feel like managers are more inclined to 12/16/2019 7:23 PM
rush gangs through their tasks in order
to meet shorter windows of on track
protection time
2327 It's all good 12/16/2019 7:22 PM
2328 None 12/16/2019 7:22 PM
2329 Not applicable yet. 12/16/2019 7:22 PM
2330 More aggressive and demanding which I 12/16/2019 7:22 PM
believe comes from way over their heads
2331 It seems like the managers are more 12/16/2019 7:22 PM
stressed and ready to snap when things
don't run right. When it's pushing having
a late clear, they become frantic and
safety goes out the door.
2332 They are starting to nitpick at small 12/16/2019 7:21 PM
things that they never used too.
2333 Not applicable 12/16/2019 7:21 PM
2334 It has become strained to say the least. 12/16/2019 7:21 PM
2335 Supervisor is more hostile 12/16/2019 7:21 PM
2336 It hasn't. We have the same relationship 12/16/2019 7:21 PM
2337 Hasn't changed 12/16/2019 7:21 PM
2338 no answer 12/16/2019 7:21 PM
2339 Scared of losing my job 12/16/2019 7:21 PM
2340 Not good 12/16/2019 7:20 PM
2341 He definitely calls me more, because 12/16/2019 7:20 PM
service interruptions are tenfold, and
I'm the only person left to call.
2342 Stress induced 12/16/2019 7:20 PM
2343 None 12/16/2019 7:20 PM
2344 Had created an attitude of not caring, 12/16/2019 7:20 PM
there is nothing they can do because it's
the investors making the decisions.
2345 N/A 12/16/2019 7:20 PM
2346 PSR is stressful on them as well and it 12/16/2019 7:19 PM
tends to be projected on us
2347 Supervisors care about bonuses and atta 12/16/2019 7:19 PM
boys not the welfare of their workers.
2348 They often try to push us to do more than 12/16/2019 7:19 PM
we can do in the amount of time given.
2349 He is even more irrational than before. 12/16/2019 7:19 PM
Blows up when you didn't attempt to make
a thermite world with 30 minutes of track
time, or change a rail when given 20
minutes.
2350 Has probably made us closer because most 12/16/2019 7:19 PM
managers WANT to fix things the same way
the guys on the ground want to fix things
but they are also being told to figure it
out (without spending money)
2351 They call to find out why we haven't 12/16/2019 7:19 PM
gotten track and push for more
2352 We'll know when it starts 12/16/2019 7:18 PM
2353 Arguments on how many people are needed to 12/16/2019 7:18 PM
complete a job safely. Often times in one
on one scenarios the supervisors will
tell me they agree, that we don't have
enough people and that they would love to
have more, but they are given a
``headcount'' that they are required to
adhere to.
2354 PSR has made manager employee relations 12/16/2019 7:18 PM
far more hostile at U.P. railroad.
2355 About the same but my workload has gone up 12/16/2019 7:18 PM
a lot
2356 It has driven a wedge between management 12/16/2019 7:18 PM
and the workers
2357 Makes me Despise my manager 12/16/2019 7:18 PM
2358 Haven't been affected yet. Evidently BNSF 12/16/2019 7:18 PM
is staying with their traditions or what
have you.
2359 The company puts pressure on them to put 12/16/2019 7:17 PM
pressure on us.
2360 My manager is stressed more than before 12/16/2019 7:17 PM
PSR was implemented. Fearful of losing
his job if he underperforms.
2361 I stay positive when we get a stern 12/16/2019 7:17 PM
talking to about turning in overtime or
wanting pay for working through lunch.
2362 N/A 12/16/2019 7:16 PM
2363 Not 12/16/2019 7:16 PM
2364 No change 12/16/2019 7:15 PM
2365 Has brought about unease of job security 12/16/2019 7:15 PM
for both agreement and nonagreement
employees stressing relations all the way
around
2366 There has become more of a division 12/16/2019 7:15 PM
between the workforce and supervisors.
The morale in the workforce is at an all
time low
2367 None 12/16/2019 7:15 PM
2368 negatively 12/16/2019 7:15 PM
2369 The managers are here for a paycheck and 12/16/2019 7:15 PM
their bonuses. And they will do anything
to get them, we are considered to be a
liability.
2370 Loss of confidence regarding safety of 12/16/2019 7:15 PM
employees.
2371 I have no idea who my manager is and now 12/16/2019 7:15 PM
yardmasters are being allowed to send
people home. Thus creating an even more
hostile work environment.
2372 Not much 12/16/2019 7:15 PM
2373 Makes them feel that we are not needed to 12/16/2019 7:15 PM
get trains over the road
2374 retirement here 12/16/2019 7:15 PM
2375 It adds tension to the relationship 12/16/2019 7:15 PM
because they expect more work done with
less manpower.
2376 N/A 12/16/2019 7:14 PM
2377 I would say the field management has been 12/16/2019 7:14 PM
fine. The middle and upper management
have lost respect from the field.
2378 Less trusting 12/16/2019 7:14 PM
2379 It really hasn't 12/16/2019 7:14 PM
2380 It has turned most attitudes in the room 12/16/2019 7:14 PM
sour due to the supervisors trying to cut
cost and use contractors any chance they
can to save money.
2381 Have not 12/16/2019 7:13 PM
2382 They don't know anything 12/16/2019 7:13 PM
2383 It hasn't don't have a good relationship 12/16/2019 7:13 PM
with them to begin with.
2384 Still about getting done with what you 12/16/2019 7:13 PM
have and whatever it takes
2385 Seems the same. I try to talk to them as 12/16/2019 7:13 PM
little as possible
2386 Well I don't have a job anymore so I guess 12/16/2019 7:13 PM
it terminated that relationship.
2387 They are terrible. The management doesn't 12/16/2019 7:12 PM
understand the job and refuse to do
theirs. The tools, material, and manpower
is not provided by the railroad and they
elect their employees to lie at every
level.
2388 I feel they're more strict on overtime 12/16/2019 7:12 PM
which is not good they feel their budget
is more important then the employees
honestly
2389 Has not 12/16/2019 7:12 PM
2390 A lot of misunderstanding. 12/16/2019 7:12 PM
2391 Everyone is on the edge worrying about 12/16/2019 7:12 PM
keeping their job
2392 It hasn't really affected that 12/16/2019 7:12 PM
2393 No change really implementation of PSR 12/16/2019 7:12 PM
comes from people above them
2394 Higher strung, more pressure to meet 12/16/2019 7:11 PM
demands or just get it done.
2395 I've never had one with my manger, he's a 12/16/2019 7:11 PM
back stabbing hollering fool
2396 Respect 12/16/2019 7:11 PM
2397 They always want more for less. I believe 12/16/2019 7:11 PM
it creates a stressful working
environment
2398 It hasn't 12/16/2019 7:10 PM
2399 N/A 12/16/2019 7:10 PM
2400 None 12/16/2019 7:10 PM
2401 All employees are numbers now 12/16/2019 7:10 PM
2402 Makes tensions high. Short manned, limited 12/16/2019 7:10 PM
resources and pressure to get done what
needs done in a short window.
2403 They are running scared for their jobs and 12/16/2019 7:10 PM
will do anything to save themselves. So
I'd say it has ruined good relationships.
2404 They for the most part have become 12/16/2019 7:10 PM
incompetent at their own job. Some of
which is lack of resources or funding to
repair their territories other managers
fail because they are incompetent and
were brought just to enforce policy and
have no experience in the craft they
oversee.
2405 keep us alert 12/16/2019 7:10 PM
2406 It strains it because of the pressure they 12/16/2019 7:10 PM
are pressured to put on us
2407 The managers and supervisors are all more 12/16/2019 7:09 PM
stressed and on edge because of the fear
of being eliminated. Many show less pride
in their jobs than before.
2408 I have a good relationship with my 12/16/2019 7:09 PM
supervision. it has affected them also.
2409 It hasn't 12/16/2019 7:09 PM
2410 Hasn't 12/16/2019 7:09 PM
2411 Supervisors are a joke they have no 12/16/2019 7:09 PM
control over anything anymore
2412 More tense 12/16/2019 7:08 PM
2413 Huh 12/16/2019 7:08 PM
2414 N/A 12/16/2019 7:07 PM
2415 I don't know one person who has a good 12/16/2019 7:06 PM
relationship with my supervisor. It's a
battle everyday
2416 They are around less often, rules aren't 12/16/2019 7:06 PM
being enforced as much. Get as much as
you can done as fast as you can is the
underlying feeling most workers have
2417 Do not trust any management at this point. 12/16/2019 7:04 PM
It's all about numbers to them and they
will do whatever it takes to get them.
2418 It hasn't. 12/16/2019 7:04 PM
2419 There is a huge distrust between 12/16/2019 7:04 PM
management and agreement employees.
Because they honestly only care about
their bonus
2420 It hasn't with the first level of exempt 12/16/2019 7:04 PM
leadership.
2421 The whole morale of the RR has went 12/16/2019 7:03 PM
downhill. It's like the supervisors and
managers are out to get the contract
employees every chance they get
2422 Bad! Because he pushes us to do things in 12/16/2019 7:03 PM
an impossible timely manner
2423 Relationship is not good, due to PSR we 12/16/2019 7:03 PM
don't get enough safety supplies nor do
we get the proper material to do the job
due to them not wanting to spend money
2424 Puts both of us in a bind as we know 12/16/2019 7:02 PM
repairs need to be made, but can't get
the funding to do so
2425 Like walking on eggs. 12/16/2019 7:02 PM
2426 They seem much more stressed and pressured 12/16/2019 7:01 PM
to take shortcuts and call in less
employees when outside of our scheduled
hours.
2427 There is absolutely no trust. 12/16/2019 7:01 PM
2428 Relationship greatly deteriorated, 12/16/2019 6:59 PM
managers will do anything to save a
dollar, including turn customers away,
make us use tools that aren't proper, or
safe, working correctly
2429 Definitely made it more difficult 12/16/2019 6:58 PM
2430 Management is very on edge like you work 12/16/2019 6:57 PM
for a dictator or something!
2431 Worse than what it was. 12/16/2019 6:56 PM
2432 They treat us like a number and not 12/16/2019 6:56 PM
company assets. Also they regularly break
the contract to try and save money
2433 Strained it 12/16/2019 6:55 PM
2434 Stressful. 12/16/2019 6:55 PM
2435 It's all about goals being met for their 12/16/2019 6:52 PM
ratings and bonus
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