DANVILLE, KY. -- Norfolk Southern is considering the elimination of Danville as one of its crew change points, Web site www.amnews.com reported.
Word began circulating late last week that employees were told the company plans to relocate the crew change station to Burnside in Pulaski County.
"The union has been served notice that the company has a proposal to do away with swapping trains in Danville," said Rodney Noakes, local representative with the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen. Noakes said, "Right now it is very early and nobody knows exactly what is going to happen."
Noakes, who has worked for Norfolk Southern for the past 16 years, said between 150 and 160 workers are based out of Danville and could be affected. The union will begin negotiations with the company regarding the plans soon, Noakes said.
Robin Chapman, a spokesman for the Norfolk, Va.-based company, confirmed that Norfolk Southern is proposing the move but said Danville would continue to operate as a terminal and switch point.
Chapman said employees would either be able to relocate or qualify for reverse lodging. The move likely would not happen for another 12 months, Chapman said.
Danville is one of the terminals sitting on Norfolk Southern's routes running between terminals in Cincinnati and Louisville south through Knoxville and Chattanooga.
Jody Lassiter, president and chief executive officer of the Danville-Boyle County Economic Development Partnership, said in an e-mail Monday that he had not been notified ahead of time about the move. Lassiter said he is inquiring about the possibility of retaining the Danville crew change station.
Lassiter said he has received assurances that the change will not impact local rail-served industries or hurt efforts to attract such industries because of Danville's prominent place on the industrial rail spur.
(The preceding report by David Brock appeared on the Web site www.amnews.com on January 19, 2010.)
