Anyone on this site that knows anyone that works for one of the Class 1 railroads(UP, BNSF, NS, CSX) and some of the smaller ones, like KCS. And if there are any Canadians on here, which I'm pretty sure there are, talk to anyone that worked/works for Canadian Northern or Canadian Pacific. Mention the name, Hunter Harrison, to them and feel free to post what they say.
Some many not know who he is, but I doubt many will not be able to say something. And I doubt it'll be good.
Harrison is dead. But his legacy lives on. He was backed by an activist hedge fund, Mantle Ridge, founded by a guy named Paul Hilal.
Their business model: FIRE as many people as they can so the railroad is barely functioning. Make the trains longer and heavier even though the tracks and other equipment aren't designed for such heavy loads. Cut corners everywhere. BOOST STOCK PRICE so we can sell out in 3-4 years and leave a path of destruction in our wake.
They tried to get their hooks in NS, but were turned down. So they got CSX. While CSX didn't have the catastrophe that happened in Ohio, derailments, delays, break downs, blocked crossings due to having no train crews skyrocketed under the new "leadership". Of course, Harrison blamed it ALL on the employees saying they were undermining his efforts. CSX fired 1000s because it was all about increasing revenue and boosting the stock price.
Well.....what did Norfolk Southern do? The same exact thing. Fired as many as they could and now they're paying the price.
And for those that know, a job with the railroad was not an easy thing to get, even 6 or 7 years ago. The railroads didn't have to advertise on highway billboards. They do now. See, the Wall St/HedgeFund model of...if you don't like working here, leave, we'll find someone that will....has gone out the window. The same folks that take railroad jobs are the same folks that join the military, become cops-fireman-plumbers- etc etc, and in the age of Instagram & TikTok, that talent pool is getting shallower and shallower.
It’s getting to be enough to make one question if all or even a lot of the money spent in “infrastructure bills” actually goes to actual infrastructure, and not to line the pockets of corrupt politicians.
Ex-UPer here. What you write is very accurate. The lowly serfs feel/felt bad leadership imposing undue pressures on underlings. It was always amazing that management would boast about hiring. Everyone would get so excited to bring in people under you on the seniority roster.
Then it happens. The new workers are on board and the harrassment/discrimination begins within a hostile work environment, trying to run folks off. This is not hyperbole; but it happened 100% during my 20 yrs. And the scuttlebutt says it’s worse now after PSR (after my time).
Now comes the difference from before and now. The pay and benefits are not worth the imposing BS anymore. Ex-coworkers quitting is beyond belief. That NEVER happened until recently. And the bad reputation finally spread out into the public. It’s getting tough to bring in replacements.
I’m glad I’m gone...unsurprisingly.
HH is legendary for his despicable tactics, they ruined the Class 1s. PTS (Positive Train Scheduling) and the lenthening of trains has been a real issue for the railroads with aging infrastructure. I truly believe that the current situation with NS is intentional to lower the stock price and allow Berkshire Hathaway to scoop it up. That way BNSF can come in and take it over. The FTC won’t object because Warren Buffett is Warren Buffett.
Aside from the personnel issues, (thank you for posting that, BTW) they must be neglecting track and rolling stock maintenance. Speaking as a retired engineer (the slide-rule and pocket-protector kind) these derailments should be vanishingly rare if the equipment is properly designed, built and maintained. We can do it if the bigwigs let us.
I would think Norfolk Southern’s Insurers and/or Board of Directors can’t be too happy.
May 12 - Mad River Twp, Clark County / Norfolk Southern
May 27 - Hamilton, OH / CSX
August 15 - North Lawrence, Stark County / Norfolk Southern
October 8 - Sandusky, OH / Norfolk Southern
November 2 - Ravenna Twp, Portage County / Norfolk Southern
November 6 - Costonia near Steubenville / Jefferson County / Norfolk Southern
November 11 - near Toledo / CSX
And they’re off to a bangin’ start this year.
Hi
It appears that Norfolk Southern can’t keep their cars on the tracks in OH...
And other places.
Not good for business, not to mention the G&L insurance expenses.
5.56mm
Very interesting post. Railroads have always had a rather dark reputation.