Oregon Sens. Wyden, Merkley express concerns over UP layoffs

Oregon's two U.S. senators are raising concerns with Union Pacific Railroad's reported plan to eliminate nearly 200 jobs from the Class I's Hinkle Rail Yard in Hermiston.

In a letter sent this week to UP Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Lance Fritz, the senators wrote that the railroad's decision to reduce jobs at the yard and close the Hinkle supply warehouse and mechanical locomotive shop "will devastate this rural community by hamstringing the economic opportunities and stability of the entire region."

The Hinkle Locomotive and Service Repair Facility has served the locomotive and maintenance repair needs of UP's Pacific Northwest corridor since 1951, the letter from U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden (D) and Jeffrey Merkley (D) stated.

Although the affected employees among the potential 195 positions may move to work in other rail yards, the community's loss of those workers "in rural eastern Oregon will do serious long-term damage to the local economy and local tax base," the senators wrote.

Additionally, earlier UP layoffs have hurt local farmers and other shippers, the letter stated.

"Those shippers rely heavily on the UPRR to move goods to market, and they have reported to us difficulties reaching Union Pacific staff to resolve problems, or even reach a customer service representative," wrote the senators.

Wyden and Merkley asked UP to provide them with more information about the layoffs, investments made in the Oregon facilities and whether the Federal Railroad Administration has reviewed workers' safety concerns at the Hinkle and other Oregon facilities.

The senators also cautioned against the impact that the precision scheduled railroading (PSR) operating model can have on rural economies. UP recently adopted PSR as part of its "Unified Plan 2020" strategy.

Asked to comment on the senators' letter, a UP spokesman said in an email the company would respond to the senators directly.