By FRED PACE
The Herald-Dispatch
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Approximately 70 positions have been eliminated at the CSX locomotive shop in Huntington, according to a spokesperson with the company.
“CSX’s management team is undertaking a comprehensive review of the company’s operations to improve efficiency, safety and service to customers across the CSX network. As part of that review, CSX has eliminated approximately 70 positions at the locomotive shop in Huntington,” said Rob Doolittle, a communications spokesperson for CSX.
Doolittle said that approximately 270 positions remain at the facility, which will remain open and will continue to service locomotives.
Doolittle declined to comment on whether additional layoffs would occur in the future.
“While CSX continuously reviews our operations to ensure that we are configured to serve our customers as efficiently and effectively as possible,” he said. “In the event we do make changes, we will inform our employees, customers and other stakeholders about any impact those decisions may have on them. CSX remains committed to providing efficient, excellent service to our customers with a relentless focus on safety.”
In April, the Associated Press reported that new CSX CEO Hunter Harrison had invested more than $15 million in the railroad’s stock.
Harrison said in documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission that he bought 300,000 shares of CSX stock.
The railroad expects Harrison to hold CSX stock worth at least six times his base salary of $2.2 million.
CSX operates more than 21,000 miles of track in 23 Eastern states and two Canadian provinces.
See more from The Herald-Dispatch