Union Pacific to reopen Pine Bluff locomotive shop
By | April 18, 2022
Arkansas facility had been closed as part of 2019 layoffs
PINE BLUFF, Ark. — Union Pacific is recalling furloughed workers to reopen its locomotive shop in Pine Bluff, Ark.,
the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports.
UP spokesman Mike Jaixen told the newspaper that he did not have information on the number of workers being recalled, but noted that open positions in Pine Bluff include boilermakers, electricians, mechanics, and welders. A list is available at
the UP jobs website.
The railroad announced closure of the Pine Bluff shop in February 2019 as part of layoffs that affected about 700 employees [see
“Union Pacific announces another round of layoffs …,” Trains News Wire, Feb. 13, 2019].
Allison Thompson, CEO of the Economic Development Alliance of Jefferson County, which includes Pine Bluff, told the newspaper, “From a community perspective, we’re very excited.” Under the railroad’s move to principles of Precision Scheduled Railroading, she said, “Our company noticed a reduction in service. We heard a number of complaints.”