Train Crew Hub System Map
To ensure transparency, we would like to provide additional information regarding the hiring location and the immediate work assignment for new hires after training. If you receive a job offer, you will receive more information about the specific territory you will be expected to cover during the Career Overview with the Recruiter. Job postings are based on anticipated business needs and freight volume in various locations. After completing training, you will be assigned a location within that territory where you can hold a job based on your seniority.
The examples below explain how your seniority could work within your train crew hub. Please note that the information provided may not cover all possible scenarios, but it is intended to provide a general understanding of the process. Refer to Map 1.
SCENARIO 1
Union Pacific Railroad may advertise a job for Houston, but it doesn't necessarily mean that you will exclusively work in Houston throughout your entire career. Several factors determine where you will consistently work, such as retirements, attrition, seniority moves, and the volume of freight traffic in the assigned territory. Let's take the example of the Houston Hub, which includes locations like Houston, Beaumont, Kingsville, Bloomington, Livonia, Lafayette, Lake Charles, and Avondale. If you are hired to start working in Houston, you may be required to protect your seniority by bidding or potentially be forced on assignment at Avondale, LA. You will be responsible for maintaining freight service at the Avondale location until you can bid for a location closer to your residence. It's important to note that you will need to arrange your own lodging accommodation, except for select locations based on CBA. Your local chairman will have more specifics.
SCENARIO 2
Let's take another example with Tucson and Phoenix, AZ. If you are assigned to work in either of these locations, you will need to commute to and from that location at your own expense. For instance, if you reside near Tucson but are only eligible for a yard job in Phoenix, you will be responsible for arranging transportation to and from Phoenix. On the other hand, if you live in Phoenix but the only available job is in the Tucson Yard, you will have to cover the costs of commuting to and from Tucson until you can hold a job closer to your home, based on seniority. It's important for train crew employees to ensure the protection of freight service at all locations within the seniority district or hub location.
Train Crew employees must be a member of a union and are governed by the SMART-TD Collective Bargaining Agreements for pay and work rules. The Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) that applies to the specific hub where you were hired can be found on Map 2. This legend is also used to determine the pay rates for the different positions that you may work within the hub. If you receive a job offer, you will receive more information about the pay during the Career Overview with the Recruiter.