Class I Briefs: CSX, NS, UP, CPKC, CN, BNSF

(CSX photo)

CSX is honored by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) for “exceptional support” of military employees. Also, Norfolk Southern (NS) highlights Thriving Communities grant recipient Citi Fields; Union Pacific (UP) releases a video of the Big Boy heading westward; Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) is named the Most Sustainable Company in the Transportation Industry by World Finance; CN opens the protective enclosure for its 2747 locomotive in Rotary Park, Winnipeg, and congratulates its transportation service partner TransX Group of Companies for winning the 2023 Hershey Carrier Award; and BNSF celebrates its Montana employees and welcomes former Montana Rail Link employees with the Employee Appreciation (EAS) train ride.

CSX

CSX announced June 28 that it has earned two 2024 Patriot Awards and the Freedom Award from ESGR, “underscoring CSX’s steadfast commitment as a military-friendly employer,” with nearly one in five employees having served in the military.

The ESGR awards, CSX says, “highlight the company’s dedication to supporting service members and their families beyond what is required by law.”

“CSX has a foundation of service. The attitude of giving back starts at the top with the corporate climate and is reflected in their behaviors, down to the Pride in Service shirts that CSX employees wear. This commitment demonstrates that it’s not just about profits or business models; they are truly giving back to the community. CSX has done a great job of incorporating the spirit of giving back into their whole corporate demeanor,” said ESGR Chair Rita Broadway.

According to the Class I, the Freedom Award “stands as the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. Government on employers for their outstanding support of employees serving in the Guard and Reserve.” Established to publicly acknowledge employers who go above and beyond in their support for Guard and Reserve staff, it represents “the pinnacle among a series of employer recognition awards issued by the Department of Defense.” CSX Vice President of Intermodal and Automotive and former U.S. Army Captain Maryclare Kenney accepted the award on behalf of the company.

On a more personal level, the Patriot Award is given to individual supervisors for their exceptional support of citizen warriors. This recognition, CSX says, “highlights the efforts supervisors make to accommodate military service members through flexible scheduling, leaves of absence as needed, granting time off before and after deployment, and looking after their families.” National Guard or Reserve members, or their spouses, are encouraged to nominate supervisors who have provided exemplary direct support to them and their families. In recognition of such support, CSX Chief of Police Sean Douris and Senior Manager of Police Bob Poisson were honored by CSX Supervisory Special Agent Jim Finnegan, who is currently deployed in the Middle East, “demonstrating the company’s commitment to supporting its serving personnel.”

“CSX is proud of the acknowledgment from the ESGR, which reflects our broader commitment to creating a supportive and inclusive workplace for all of our employees,” said CSX President and CEO Joe Hinrichs. “We are committed to supporting and developing our employees and making certain they feel valued, included, appreciated, and respected. That means prioritizing their well-being and success.”

NS

NS is highlighting a 2023 Safety First or Thriving Communities grant recipient each month in a series called “Grants on Track” to celebrate the impact these organizations are making in their communities through grant support. Launched in 2023, the Safety First and Thriving Communities grant programs “support organizations that promote safe and sustainable operations, develop the local workforce, and build strong, resilient communities across our 22-state network,” the Class I noted.

This month, NS is featuring Thriving Communities grant recipient City Fields, an organization dedicated to providing career and job-readiness training to individuals facing barriers to employment in Cleveland, Tenn. City Fields “empowers individuals from marginalized backgrounds by providing scholarships for workforce development, serving as a beacon of hope for many in the Cleveland community,” NS stated in a release.

“With the support from Norfolk Southern, a pathway to a career and financial stability is being created for those that are often overlooked and forgotten,” said City Fields Workforce Development Director Brian Stewart. “Doors are being opened, second chances being given, and barriers are being overcome because of our partnership with Norfolk Southern.”

City Fields “aims to bridge the gap for individuals with justice system involvement, addiction recovery program graduates, people living with disabilities, and those without a high school diploma or equivalent by offering them opportunities for meaningful personal and professional growth,” the company noted.

So far in 2024, City Fields has successfully trained 12 people in their workforce development training program, with NS’s support directly providing scholarships for three participants to its welding bootcamp program. These students earned American Welding Society (AWS) Certifications, a nationally recognized credential that provides viable employment opportunities. NS’s McDonough Training Center in Georgia operates the only testing center in the state that is accredited by AWS. “AWS certified welders are essential to powering the American economy, including sectors like manufacturing, construction, aerospace, maritime, and petroleum,” NS said.

Applications for the Safety First and Thriving Communities grant programs are open now through Oct. 1. More information is available here.

UP

UP released via X (formerly Twitter) a video of Big Boy heading westward.

“UP’s legendary UP 4014 picks up stead as it leaves Cheyenne this morning on its four-week tour across Wyoming, Utah, Nevada and California, with a stop in Idaho,” the Class I wrote in the post.

CPKC

CPKC recently announced via LinkedIn that, for the fifth consecutive year, it has been named the Most Sustainable Company in the Transportation Industry by World Finance.

“This award recognizes our commitment to maintaining a forward-thinking approach to drive sustainable business practices throughout our operations to address the challenges of climate change,” the Class I wrote in the post.

CN

CN recently announced via LinkedIn the grand opening of the protective enclosure for the CN 2747 locomotive in Rotary Park, Winnipeg.

Built in April 1926 at CN Transcona Shops, this historic locomotive was the first steam locomotive to be built in Western Canada, according to the Class I. “Thank you to all who joined us for the ceremony,” CN wrote in the post.

Separately, CN congratulated transportation service partner TransX Group of Companies via a LinkedIn post for winning the 2023 Hershey Carrier Award from The Hershey Company.

“Kudos to the TransX team and Andrew Fuller from the CN Sales & Marketing team for your safe and dependable service,” the Class I wrote in the post. “Thank you for everything you do to get cargo to its destination, from delicious snacks to chocolate for s’mores!”

BNSF

BNSF recently celebrated its Montana employees and welcomed former Montana Rail Link employees to BNSF with the EAS train ride.

According to the Class I, the special train ride, which takes place every year, operated across BNSF’s Montana Rail Link Subdivision this year. Local employees and their families had the opportunity to see the rails they operate every day from a new perspective, while enjoying the scenic mountain views.

“Thank you to all our team members for your hard work and dedication to moving the nation’s freight safely and efficiently,” the Class I wrote in an X (formerly Twitter) post. “We’re proud to have you on Team BNSF!”