When the economy began to turn south, it derailed a lot of things for employees at Union Pacific Corporation, the KPVI Web site reports.
More than 180 people's jobs were put on hold, some for as long as 14 months, but things seem to be turning around for the company.
In fact, Union Pacific's first quarter earnings rose nearly 43 percent from the first quarter of 2009, to $530 million.
That $530 million is something employees at Union Pacific like to hear, especially after 180 employees were furloughed in 2007 -- that number is now around 80 -- and more than 3,000 were furloughed company-wide.
United Transportation Union chairperson George Millward said after 14 months, employees have been getting the calls to come back to work, as others in the company are preparing for retirement.
Millward added the one-for-one replacement with people whose jobs were furloughed and those retiring is essential, especially for Pocatello, as the rail yard remains very important for companies in the pacific northwest.
Millward said: "This is the gateway...Pocatello is in the inner mountain west."
Millward added Union Pacific, like other companies had to find ways to stay financially sound when the economy began to spiral out of control.
(This item was posted on the KPVI Web site June 8, 2010.)
