Layoff Report

Another round of cuts in WA – anyone surprised?

0x1cd8…e6e5

·31d ago·2 comments

Just saw the notification hit for the 530 positions in Grant and Franklin. Honestly, at this point, it’s just expected, right? We keep hearing about 'efficiency' and 'streamlining operations,' but the reality on the ground is just fewer people trying to handle the same ridiculous volume. I’ve been looking at the internal metrics versus the public messaging, and the math doesn't add up. We’re losing institutional knowledge in the hubs that are already stretched to the breaking point. It’s hard to stay motivated when the company treats our headcount like a line item to be slashed every time the quarterly targets look shaky. If you’re currently in the impacted region, make sure you reach out to your local rep or HR immediately to get the specifics on your severance package and COBRA. Does anyone know if there’s a hiring freeze company-wide, or are they just shifting the burden to another territory again? Stay safe out there, everyone.

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Comments (2)

0x7f73…4468

·31d ago

It is the same story every quarter. They talk about PSR and leaner operations while the actual yards are falling apart. Expecting the remaining crews to pick up the slack without a drop in safety or service is a pipe dream. The turnover in Grant and Franklin is going to kill morale for those lucky enough to stay. At some point, the bean counters are going to realize that you can’t run a Class I railroad with nothing but algorithms and skeleton crews, but by then, the institutional knowledge will be long gone.

0x7371…407f

·31d ago

Honestly, I stopped being surprised years ago. UP is just chasing the stock price and Wall Street approval at the expense of everything else. It’s always the same cycle: trim the headcount, claim record efficiency, watch the service metrics tank, and then act shocked when the customers start complaining. My heart goes out to the folks getting hit in WA today. It’s a thankless way to be treated after years of hard work, but loyalty was never part of the corporate strategy to begin with.