Amid threats of being shut down, Lincoln’s Havelock Shop reaches agreement with BNSF, officials say
Most of the employees of Lincoln’s Havelock Shop have reached a restructuring agreement with BNSF Railway Company, which comes despite threats to shut the shop down, according to union officials.
“We have reached agreement with the vast majority of our employees at Havelock with the exception of one group,” BNSF spokesman Andy Williams said in a statement.
In part, the restructuring will require employees to reapply for jobs based on their qualifications and experience with the company, according to a copy of the agreement obtained by Channel 8 Eyewitness News.
National Representative for Unit 50 of the Brotherhood of Railway Carmen, Darren Treiber, told Channel 8 Eyewitness News that, had the unions not ratified the agreement, BNSF threatened to shut the shop down.
He said around 200 people work in the district.
Williams did not specifically respond to questions by Channel 8 Eyewitness News about what would happen to employees of the shop represented by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the union that has not yet ratified the agreement.
“That requires us to take some actions, but those details have yet to be worked out,” Williams said in a statement. “Our hope is to minimize impact and keep those involved employed on the BNSF network.”
An IBEW spokesman declined to comment on the situation.
Treiber said the agreement guarantees no employees will be furloughed for one year.
It also requires the shop to reach certain efficiency levels during that year, he said.
Treiber said he was surprised by BNSF’s stance, considering the Havelock Shop had an “exceptional year” production-wise.
He said railroad companies in general are shifting towards ‘precision railroading,’ which aims to streamline the business model and increase profits.
When asked about the prospect of future agreements being reached, Treiber said he’s optimistic, but still unsure.
“The final decision comes from upper management,” he said.
