By Kalin Krohe, Panhandle Post
A BNSF employee, on condition of anonymity, provided the following BNSF letter to Panhandle Post. The letter was released to employees on May 6.
"In response to changing demand for service, BNSF has made the decision to close maintenance facilities in Glendive, Montana and Guernsey and the Donkey Creek facility in Wyoming. Additionally, other mechanical positions will be impacted in Alliance and Lincoln, Nebraska; Mandan and Minot, North Dakota; Topeka, Kansas; and Superior, Wisconsin."
"In total, approximately 19 salaried and 344 craft positions will be impacted. We will close the Donkey Creek shop on June 5, 2020. The shops at Glendive and Guernsey will close on July 7, 2020."
"These adjustments come as the result of long-term structural market changes, most notably in the coal and energy sector, and reduced demand for freight transportation services at the impacted locations."
"We are certainly mindful of the impact of this decision on affected employees and their families, and we're working to connect them with available resources. We also are offering the option to potentially transfer to a number of open positions at other locations in our network. Closing our facilities and reducing jobs in communities where we've had a long-lasting presence is a difficult but necessary decision."
"Employees accepting jobs in other locations will receive a relocation package to assist with the move. Some impacted employees will be able to exercise their seniority for these jobs as part of their collective bargaining agreements."
"We will continue to pay close attention to evolving markets and make required adjustments to maintain BNSF's competitive cost structure. We will keep you informed of any additional changes."