BNSF Mass-Layoffs Rumored In Knox County, IL
December 17th, 2008 Posted in News, Prototype 
Less than one week ago, we reported [HERE] on potential BNSF jobs in jeopardy in Amarillo, Texas.
Here we are again with “rumors” of more jobs at BNSF going down the toilet in another area where the local economy will be the biggest victim.
“The rumors of mass layoffs at Knox County’s (Illinois) largest employer have been greatly exaggerated.”
That’s according to Burlington Northern Santa Fe spokesperson Steve Forsberg, who says rumors the railroad will be letting a lot of people go soon are just that; rumors.
Forsberg does says, though, that some sectors of the railroad’s operations are experiencing layoffs (furloughs) that are seasonal in nature. He also says that hiring just isn’t happening right now.
Forsberg also says that unless there’s a critical need, the positions of some retirees aren’t being filled, and that hiring is, in his words, “next to nothing right now… all due to the economy.”
Forsberg says “the economy has taken a hit on some of BNSF’s business, especially shipping.”
Shipping, of course, is what a railroad does primarily.
Burlington Northern Santa Fe became the largest employer in the area after the Galesburg Maytag Plant closed in 2004.
Stock in BNSF was trading at over $71 per share Monday (December 15 2008) at the New York Stock Exchange, off its high over $110 a share earlier this year.
GAUX Says: Gee, if I listen closely, I am pretty sure I can hear what the spokesman is really saying in-between all those corporate words… “lots of people won’t be coming back to work at BNSF in Knox County, Illinois any time soon.”
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