Last month BNSF executed a plan to eliminate 62 management positions and consolidate its operational organization from three regions down to two. BNSF claims the changes were made in response to “a reduction in coal traffic as well as ‘significant capital investments’ made to increase efficiency and safety.” SMART GO-001 does not endorse these region and division consolidations but wants the members to be informed and aware of any changes that may impact them.
The Transportation Organization will now operate under the North and South regions with each region having 5 divisions. Some divisions are unchanged, while others have been consolidated or realigned based on “natural operational synergies between subdivisions or territories.”
The North Region is now made up of the Heartland, Powder River, Twin Cities, Montana and Northwest divisions. The new Heartland Division, headquartered in Lincoln, Neb, is a result of joining the former Nebraska and Springfield divisions. The Heartland Division will incorporate the trackage rights north of Little Rock and Pine Bluff from the former Gulf Division. The Ottumwa, Sioux City, Ravenna and Hastings subs, previously with the former Nebraska Division, are being consolidated to other divisions.
The Powder River headquarters has moved from Gillette, Wyo to Denver, Colo and is incorporating the Ravenna and Hastings subs from the former Nebraska Division. The Twin Cities Division will incorporate the Sioux City sub from the former Nebraska Division and the Montana and Northwest divisions are unchanged.
The South Region will consist of the Red River, Kansas, Chicago, California and Southwest divisions. The new Red River Division, headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas, is a result of joining the former Gulf and Texas divisions. The Red River Division also incorporates the Plainview and Slaton subs from the Kansas Division and the Tulsa Terminal and Avard sub from the former Springfield Division.
The Kansas Division takes Boise City, Dalhart and Twin Peaks subs from the Powder River Division. The new Chicago Division brings in the Beardstown sub from the former Springfield Division and the Ottumwa sub, including the Creston Terminal, from the former Nebraska Division. There are no changes to the California and Southwest divisions.
Keep up with all GO-001 news and updates on the web at www.smartunion001.org.