Letter to Lance M. Fritz, Chairman, President and CEO, Union Pacific Corporation - Congressman Gooden Urges Union Pacific CEO Against Shuttering Palestine Facility
Letter
Dear Mr. Fritz,
I write to express serious concerns with Union Pacific Railroad's (UPRR) plan to lay off approximately 57 employees in my district. Your decision to essentially close the Palestine Car Facility will have a devastating impact on this rural community, which has maintained a strong relationship with Union Pacific for nearly 150 years. The ripple effect of your decisions will affect the local economy in Anderson County for generations to come.
To gain a better understanding of UPRR's decision, and to determine best possible path forward for our constituents and local officials, I ask UPRR answer the following questions:
* How many workers of each classification at your facility in Palestine, Texas, have been laid off or forced to relocate? Please include years of service, salary, and what percentage this is of UPPR's total workforce.
* Do you intend to uphold the Transportation Communications International Union Carmen Division Local Lodge 6023 protective agreement for all UPRR employees, which states the railroad will compensate employees with up to 5 years of wage protections, depending on years of service, in order to make up for lost income and help them transition to a new career?
* What job placement activities has UPRR facilitated for workers that have been laid off or forced to relocate? To what extent have the job placement activities resulted in a successful transition into a new job?
* How many people are currently employed by UPRR at your Palestine facility?
* What investments has UPPR made in Texas in the last 7 years? Have any of those investments been made at the Palestine facility?
The State of Texas has maintained a strong relationship with the Union Pacific Railroad for many
generations; your decision to slash our rural workforce and close facilities will only undermine this
partnership. I encourage you to reconsider recent decisions and allocate adequate resources to our longstanding Palestine facility.
I look forward to your timely response.
Source